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Lesson · Investing · retirement

You don't need a lot to start.

Big investing habits start small. How to put modest amounts to work inside tax-advantaged accounts — and into real deals — long before you feel wealthy.

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CASE STUDY

One $50,000 loan, six accounts

Husband Roth IRA$15,000 — 30%
Wife Roth IRA$15,000 — 30%
Family HSA$8,000 — 16%
Three kids' CESAs$4,000 each — 8%

How it works

Pro rata in, pro rata out

1
Lock the split at fundingDollars in set each account's percent
2
Expenses split the same wayFees, repairs, insurance by percentage
3
Income splits the same wayInterest and profit follow that percent

Key points

Who your account can't deal with

✓
You
✓
Your spouse
✓
Parents, grandparents
✓
Kids, grandkids
✓
Entities you own 50%+
✓
Your trusts

Key points

How the account funds a deal

✓
One account, all cash
✓
Partner family accounts
✓
Partner a financial friend
✓
Non-recourse loan
✓
Any mix of these

THE DOWNSIDE

Getting it wrong: IRA vs solo 401(k)

Entire account distributed15% penalty on the amount
Deemed gone January 1Compounds until corrected
No correction pathCorrectable

Key points

Rules that trip people up

✓
No personal guarantee
✓
Non-recourse debt only
✓
Desk work is fine
✓
No sweat equity
✓
No personal use, ever
✓
Account pays its own bills

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The Small-Dollar Investing field guide — one page

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Small-Dollar Investing

Cliff notes + checklist + the law

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