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Side by side

This or that? Investing choices, compared.

The questions every new investor asks, answered side by side in plain English.

Investments

vsREITs vs ETFsOne is a kind of company. The other is a way of bundling investments. That is why many people own a REIT inside an ETF.vsREITs vs stocksA REIT is a stock, with one big rule that changes how it pays you.vsETFs vs mutual fundsBoth hold a basket of investments. The difference is how you buy them and what you pay along the way.vsDividend funds vs index fundsBoth are spread across many companies. One aims for more income now, the other for the whole market’s growth.vsBonds vs dividend stocksBoth pay regular income. One is a loan, the other is ownership, and that changes everything else.vsREITs vs rental propertyBoth pay you rent. One asks for a down payment and your weekends. The other asks for a brokerage account.

Where to keep your cash

vsDividends vs high-yield savingsBoth pay you for holding money. They are built for very different jobs.vsDividends vs CDsA CD tells you exactly what you will earn. Dividends do not, but they can keep growing after a CD ends.

Accounts and taxes

vsBrokerage account vs Roth IRAThey can hold the exact same investments. What changes is the tax and when you can take money out.vsQualified vs ordinary dividendsTwo dividends of the same size can carry very different tax bills. Here is what decides it.

For education only and not personalized investment or tax advice.