The Power of Investing
Let time and consistency do the heavy lifting. Investing turns small, regular contributions into lasting wealth—and the sooner you start, the more powerful it becomes.
Why index funds & long-term investing?
Index funds let you own a small slice of hundreds—or thousands—of companies at once. Instead of trying to pick winners, you bet on the whole market. Over decades, this simple strategy has consistently outperformed most professional stock pickers. Time in the market beats timing the market.
Read JL Collins' Simple Path to WealthThe Power of Starting Early
Three friends invest $200 every month until age 65. The only difference is when they begin. Watch how compound interest rewards the one who starts earliest.
Favorite Books
- The Simple Path to Wealth— JL Collins
- First to a Million— Dan Sheeks
- Rich Dad Poor Dad— Robert Kiyosaki
- The Total Money Makeover— Dave Ramsey
- The Millionaire Next Door— Thomas J. Stanley & William D. Danko
- Your Money or Your Life— Vicki Robin & Joe Dominguez
- I Will Teach You to Be Rich— Ramit Sethi
Favorite Podcasts
Investment calculator
See how a little money, time, and consistency can turn into something big. Adjust the numbers and watch compound interest do the heavy lifting.
- Starting amount
- $1,000
- Total contributions
- $12,000
- Total interest
- $6,172
Where the money comes from
Accumulation schedule
Year-by-year breakdown of your investment.
| Year | Deposit | Interest | Ending balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,200 | $104 | $2,304 |
| 2 | $1,200 | $197 | $3,701 |
| 3 | $1,200 | $298 | $5,199 |
| 4 | $1,200 | $405 | $6,804 |
| 5 | $1,200 | $521 | $8,525 |
| 6 | $1,200 | $644 | $10,370 |
| 7 | $1,200 | $777 | $12,347 |
| 8 | $1,200 | $919 | $14,466 |
| 9 | $1,200 | $1,071 | $16,737 |
| 10 | $1,200 | $1,235 | $19,172 |
Where to open an account
Ready to start investing? These two brokerages are trusted, low-cost, and great for beginners.
Compare investment accounts
A side-by-side look at the most common accounts, so you can pick what fits your goals.
| Brokerage Account | 529 Account | Health Savings Account (HSA) | Roth IRA | Traditional IRA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Flexible investing for any goal. | Save for education expenses (K–12, college, apprenticeships). | Save & invest for qualified medical expenses. | Tax-free growth for retirement. | Tax-deferred growth for retirement. |
| Tax advantages | None — pay taxes on dividends and capital gains. | Tax-free growth & withdrawals for qualified education. Indiana offers a 20% state tax credit on contributions. | Triple tax advantage: deductible in, tax-free growth, tax-free out for medical. | Contributions are after-tax; qualified withdrawals are tax-free. | Contributions may be tax-deductible; withdrawals taxed as income. |
| Contribution limits (2025) | No limit. | No annual federal limit; lifetime limits vary by state (often $300K–$550K+). | $4,300 individual / $8,550 family (must have HDHP). | $7,000/year ($8,000 if 50+). Income limits apply. | $7,000/year ($8,000 if 50+). |
| Withdrawal rules | Withdraw anytime. Capital gains tax may apply. | Tax-free for qualified education. Non-qualified withdrawals face taxes + 10% penalty on earnings. | Tax-free for medical. After 65, non-medical withdrawals taxed as income (no penalty). | Contributions anytime tax-free; earnings tax-free after age 59½ and 5 years. | Withdrawals taxed as income; 10% penalty before 59½ (with exceptions). |
Brokerage Account
A taxable investment account with no contribution limits and full flexibility. Great for mid-term goals like a house down payment or general wealth-building beyond retirement accounts. You'll owe taxes on dividends and gains, but you can withdraw any time without penalties.
529 Account
A state-sponsored education savings account. Money grows tax-free and withdrawals are tax-free when used for qualified education expenses like tuition, books, and room & board. Indiana residents get a 20% state income tax credit (up to $1,500/year) on contributions.
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Only available if you have a high-deductible health plan. Contributions are pre-tax, grow tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are tax-free — a rare triple tax advantage. After age 65 it functions like a traditional IRA for non-medical use.
Roth IRA
A retirement account funded with money you've already paid taxes on. All future growth and qualified withdrawals in retirement are 100% tax-free. Best if you expect to be in the same or higher tax bracket later — perfect for students and young workers.
Traditional IRA
A retirement account where contributions may be tax-deductible now, but withdrawals in retirement are taxed as income. Best if you expect to be in a lower tax bracket when you retire. Same annual contribution limit as a Roth IRA.
Not sure which account to invest in? Try the Account Navigator
Answer 7 quick questions and get a personalized recommendation — HYSA, Roth IRA, 529, brokerage, or 401(k).