Beginner 52 min total7 lessons

ETFs & Index Investing

A complete beginner's guide to exchange-traded funds — what they are, how they work, what the most popular ones hold, and how to build a diversified portfolio using nothing but ETFs.

Start Lesson 1

What you'll be able to do

Understand exactly what an ETF is and how it trades on an exchange

Know the difference between ETFs, mutual funds, and index funds

Calculate and compare expense ratios to minimise investing costs

Recognise the most popular ETFs — SPY, QQQ, VTI, BND and more

Choose the right type of ETF for your goals (market, sector, bond, international)

Build a diversified, low-cost portfolio using just a handful of ETFs

7 lessons

Clear, focused, one concept per lesson

~52 minutes total

Self-paced — go at your own speed

Real ETF examples

SPY, QQQ, VTI, BND and more — by name

100% free

No account required to read any lesson

Course lessons

What Is an ETF and How Does It Work?

Learn what exchange-traded funds are, how they're structured, and why they've become the most popular investment vehicle for beginners and professionals alike.

7 min

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ETFs vs. Mutual Funds vs. Index Funds

Cut through the jargon: understand the key differences between these three fund types, when each makes sense, and why most investors today prefer ETFs.

7 min

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Expense Ratios & the True Cost of Investing

A small difference in fees compounds into a massive difference in wealth over time. Learn how to read expense ratios, spot hidden costs, and choose low-cost funds.

7 min

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A plain-English breakdown of the world's most widely held ETFs — what index they track, what they hold, their costs, and who they're best suited for.

8 min

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Types of ETFs: Market, Sector, Bond, International & More

Beyond the S&P 500 — explore the full landscape of ETF types, from sector and thematic ETFs to bond and international funds, with the trade-offs of each.

8 min

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Building a Complete Portfolio with ETFs

Practical ETF portfolio blueprints — from a single-fund solution to a classic three-fund portfolio — with guidance on allocation, rebalancing, and when to add more.

8 min

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ETFs vs. Picking Individual Stocks

An honest comparison of passive ETF investing vs. active stock selection — the evidence, the trade-offs, and a framework for deciding which approach fits your goals.

7 min

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Ready to start?

Lesson 1 takes just 7 minutes and requires zero prior investing knowledge.

Begin: Lesson 1 →