Things that we use on our journey to a Better life and Finance.
These businesses and products are only ones that we have personally used, enjoy and continue to recommend. This list will grow with time as we discover new tools, services, products and books that we add to our financial and family management tool-belt. We may earn a small commission or reward if you purchase or sign up for these recommendations through the links provided, though not for all of them. Mostly, we just think they are awesome.
Financial Services We Use
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We have had accounts on Betterment.com since January 2016, and have seen average annual returns around 10% ever since. It is a robo-advisor managing investment accounts primarily with ETFs (exchange traded funds). It is essentially an index fund managed by an algorithm, offering significantly lower fees than a traditional financial services firm. We pay 0.25% per year in management fees. The system is easy to use for beginners and experienced investors who want a simple, hands off investment account that tracks the market with low fees. We have both IRAs and regular investment accounts.
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Websites We Love
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BiggerPockets is an AMAZING resource for both new and experienced real estate investors. There is an awesome real estate podcast, BiggerPockets Podcast, that I listened to nearly everyday for over a year before purchasing our first multifamily house in Providence. The guests on the show are at varying levels in their careers and offer insight and tips. The BiggerPockets website is mostly a forum where you can join for free and interact with millions of members. There are likely people in your local area on the forums that are able to answer questions, collaborate and share.
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Books We've Enjoyed
The Millionaire Next DoorThe Millionaire Next Door is a fantastic and in depth profile of the average millionaire. It clearly defines the differences between appearing rich and developing generational wealth. I enjoyed reading it and highly recommend it to anyone seeking to understand what the true wealthy lifestyle looks like.
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Rich Dad, Poor Dad
Rich Dad Poor Dad is one of those books that is a go-to answer any time a real estate investor is asked what books inspired them. It is a super easy read, it can almost feel so simple that it is silly. But the lessons in the story are priceless. I read this book off a recommendation and it completely changed my mindset when it comes to work, personal finances and lifestyle. We've even downloaded the audiobook and listened to it in the car on a 15 hour drive down to North Carolina.
The Snowball: Warren Buffett and The Business of Life
Brittany bought this book as a Christmas gift in 2019. If you enjoy learning about how some of the greatest minds made their journey through life, this one is really great. It is a long one! But it documents 80+ years of Warren's life and business. I like to learn from many different types of successful people, with many varying definitions of success. And while I don't agree with everything Warren has done or does, I definitely enjoyed the story and feel motivated when I pick it up for a read.
Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX and the Quest for a Fantastic Future
Another icon of the modern world, Elon Musk. This book is so well researched and written, it was a fascinating read. There is a type of person that responds well to Elon's personality and vision, and that population is growing every day. He has literally changed the world, by changing the popular opinion of electric cars, rockets and more. There is so much that will need to be added as Elon achieves so much in short amounts of time and this book was published in 2017. But definitely worth the read and learning from his life story.