Your Curated Library of Trusted Investment Knowledge
We've gathered the most authoritative, research-backed resources from academia, government agencies, and industry leaders. These aren't random links — they're the same sources financial professionals rely on.
www.PlainAndSimpleInvesting.com
Good investing decisions are built on good information. We've handpicked resources that meet our standards for accuracy, objectivity, and beginner-friendliness. These are sources you can trust.
Every resource is from a reputable institution or regulatory body
Based on peer-reviewed studies and historical data
We prioritize educational resources over sales pitches
Selected with new investors in mind
The foundational research that shapes how we understand long-term investing. These peer-reviewed studies have stood the test of time and informed investment strategies for decades.
The cornerstone of retirement planning research. This groundbreaking study analyzed historical market data to determine "safe withdrawal rates" — how much you can withdraw from your retirement portfolio each year without running out of money.
Eugene Fama and Kenneth French revolutionized our understanding of what drives investment returns. Their multi-factor model expanded beyond simple market risk to explain why some stocks outperform others over time.
This annual study reveals an uncomfortable truth: the average investor significantly underperforms the market — not because of bad stock picks, but because of poor timing decisions driven by emotions.
This is why we emphasize "boring" strategies like dollar-cost averaging and staying the course during downturns.
The late John Bogle, founder of Vanguard, dedicated his career to proving that costs matter enormously in investing. His research demonstrated why low-cost index funds outperform most actively managed funds over time.
Where to research funds before you invest. These resources help you understand fees, holdings, performance, and risks of any ETF or mutual fund.
The Securities and Exchange Commission requires all investment funds to file detailed disclosures. EDGAR is where you'll find the official, legally-binding documents that tell you exactly what a fund does, what it costs, and what risks it carries.
Vanguard pioneered low-cost index investing and remains a leader in investor education. Their research center publishes high-quality studies on asset allocation, retirement planning, and market behavior — all free to access.
Fidelity offers one of the most comprehensive free educational libraries in the industry. Their Learning Center covers everything from investment basics to advanced portfolio strategies, with articles, videos, and interactive tools.
Morningstar is the gold standard for independent fund analysis. Their famous star ratings, analyst reports, and comprehensive data help investors compare thousands of mutual funds and ETFs objectively.
Note: Basic research is free; premium features require a subscription.
Official sources for tax rules, investor protection, and fraud prevention. These are the authoritative references that even financial professionals rely on.
The official source for everything related to retirement account rules, contribution limits, and tax treatment. When you need to know the exact rules for IRAs, 401(k)s, or other retirement accounts, the IRS is the authoritative source.
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) protects investors by regulating brokerage firms. Their investor education section includes tools to verify your broker's credentials and spot potential scams.
Free tool to research the background of financial brokers and advisors. See their qualifications, employment history, and any disciplinary actions.
Stay informed about current investment fraud schemes and learn the warning signs of scams.
The Securities and Exchange Commission's official investor education website. A treasure trove of beginner-friendly explanations of investment products, how markets work, and how to protect yourself from fraud.
Understanding Social Security is essential for retirement planning. The SSA website lets you estimate your future benefits, understand when to claim, and create a comprehensive retirement income strategy.
Access the same market data that professional investors use. Understanding historical market performance helps set realistic expectations for your investments.
The official source for S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and hundreds of other market indices. Their research section includes SPIVA reports, which compare how actively managed funds perform against their benchmark indices.
The SPIVA (S&P Indices Versus Active) scorecard tracks how many actively managed funds beat their benchmark. Spoiler: most don't. This data supports the case for low-cost index investing.
A free, comprehensive database of economic data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Track inflation rates, interest rates, unemployment, GDP growth, and hundreds of other economic indicators.
A powerful (and free) backtesting tool that lets you see how different portfolio allocations would have performed historically. Test strategies before implementing them with real money.
Continue your investing education with these trusted resources. From communities of like-minded investors to insightful podcasts and books, these resources will deepen your knowledge.
Named after Vanguard founder John Bogle, this community of investors follows the principles of low-cost, passive index investing. Their wiki is an incredible free resource, and the forum is full of helpful, experienced investors who answer questions patiently.
The go-to dictionary for investing terminology. When you encounter a term you don't understand, Investopedia usually has a clear, beginner-friendly explanation with examples.
Note: Some content is advertising-supported. Focus on educational articles rather than product recommendations.
Reddit hosts several active communities focused on personal finance and investing. While you should always verify advice from anonymous sources, these communities can provide helpful perspectives and support from people in similar situations.
General personal finance questions, budgeting, debt management, and investing basics.
Discussion of passive index investing following Boglehead principles.
A place for those who are just starting out in investing and the stock market to get their questions answered.
A place for Value investing in all its forms - From Graham & Dodd, to Buffett & Munger.
Caution: Always verify information from anonymous sources. The wiki/FAQ sections of these communities are generally well-vetted; individual comments may not be.
Trusted voices focused on long-term, passive ETF investing and financial discipline.
Evidence-based investing, factor ETFs, and long-term portfolio construction.
Clear explanations of ETFs, market behavior, and long-term investing risks.
Deep dives into ETF portfolios, diversification, and risk-adjusted returns.
Simple ETF investing, retirement planning, and low-cost strategies.
Portfolio construction, asset allocation, and long-term ETF frameworks.
Financial order of operations and ETF-based long-term wealth building.
Beginner-friendly ETF investing, personal finance, and money habits.
Educational breakdowns of investing basics and long-term wealth concepts.
ETF investing, financial discipline, and long-term wealth mindset.
Index funds, ETF investing, and long-term wealth strategies.
ETF investing and disciplined portfolio building.
ETF investing, FIRE concepts, and long-term strategy.
ETF basics and beginner-friendly investing education.
Long-term investing and ETF-based FIRE journey.
Trusted, long-term focused resources for ETF investing, portfolio construction, and evidence-based finance.
Gold standard for low-cost, passive ETF and index investing education.
Clear explanations of ETFs, investing concepts, and financial fundamentals.
Independent ETF analysis, ratings, portfolio research, and asset allocation tools.
ETF-specific news, comparisons, and educational resources.
Backtesting and portfolio analysis tools for long-term ETF strategies.
Practical ETF and index investing guidance with a strong long-term focus.
Beginner-friendly ETF investing guides and financial planning resources.
High-quality ETF, index fund, and long-term investing education.
Investor education from the leader in low-cost ETFs and index funds.
ETF investing basics, asset allocation, and long-term planning content.
Simple explanations of ETFs, investing, and personal finance fundamentals.
Long-term ETF investing and financial habits for younger investors.
JL Collins’ philosophy on index funds and financial independence.
ETF-based investing principles tied to financial independence and frugality.
Long-term investing, asset allocation, and risk management insights.
ETF investing basics, comparisons, and long-term planning tools.
Deep, evidence-based investing research relevant to ETF strategies.
Easy-to-digest financial news with ETF and market context.
Market coverage and ETF-related investing insights.
Official investor education on ETFs, risk, and long-term investing.
Click on any book to purchase on Amazon
Third-Party Content: The external resources listed on this page are provided for educational purposes only. Plain & Simple Investing does not control, endorse, or guarantee the accuracy of content on third-party websites.
Not Financial Advice: This page and the linked resources are for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with qualified professionals for advice specific to your situation.
Do Your Own Research: We encourage you to verify information from multiple sources and consider how it applies to your unique circumstances before making any financial decisions.
Links May Change: External websites may update their content or URLs. If you find a broken link, please let us know so we can update it.
Now that you have access to trusted resources, let us help you put that knowledge into action with our beginner-friendly guides.