LEARN HUB
Learn: Start Here
A short path from zero to your first automated portfolio. Follow the core steps, then dive into broker setup and beginner guides.
Educational content only. Not personalized investment advice.
LEARN HUB
Browse by stage
START
Start investing (foundations)
Build the base first: what to buy, how ETFs work, and how to avoid common beginner traps.
CORE
Start investing in the US stock market
A simple long-term framework: what to buy, how to buy it, and what to ignore.
Read guide →ETFS
What is an ETF?
The building block behind most long-term portfolios.
Read guide →CHOICE
Stocks vs ETFs
When ETFs beat stocks for most people—and why.
Read guide →BASICS
Index funds 101
Indexing explained without jargon.
Read guide →SETUP
How much money to start investing?
What actually matters: habits, fees, and consistency (not perfect timing).
Read guide →CHECKLIST
World ETF checklist (MSCI World vs FTSE All-World)
One-page decision: index choice, coverage, TER vs tracking difference, liquidity, and listing currency.
PORTFOLIO
Portfolio basics (build something that works)
Diversification, DCA vs lump sum, rebalancing, and where to invest first—these decisions compound.
CORE
Diversification guide
What diversification really does (and what it doesn’t).
Read guide →STRATEGY
DCA vs lump sum
How to choose based on psychology and market reality.
Read guide →MAINTENANCE
Rebalancing (no stress)
Simple rules to keep risk in check without overthinking.
Read guide →ALLOCATIONS
US vs global: where to invest first
How to think about home bias, global diversification, and simplicity.
Read guide →CORE
Bond ETFs for beginners
Duration, credit risk, hedging, and how to pick a “boring” bond UCITS ETF.
Read guide →EXECUTION
Execution (how to actually buy)
Account setup and buying mechanics. These are the pages that prevent expensive mistakes later.
CORE
How to open a broker account
A practical checklist: documents, tax forms, funding, and first buy.
Read guide →BROKER
How to pick your first US broker
Checklist for fees, FX, safety, and usability.
Read guide →CORE
How to read a quote page
ETF/stock quote pages explained (spread, volume, NAV, TER).
Read guide →EXECUTION
ETF liquidity & spreads (limit orders)
Why limit orders matter and how spreads silently cost you.
Read guide →COSTS
Costs (fees, FX, and silent leakage)
Most investors lose money through friction, not stock picking. Fix costs early and you keep more upside.
CORE
Fees really matter
The compounding math and what fees actually matter in real life.
Read guide →REFERENCE
EU broker fees glossary
Definitions people cite: spread, FX markup, custody/service fees, lending, inactivity, and order costs.
MONEY
Cheapest FX broker (Europe)
FX conversion is a recurring tax. Reduce it.
Read guide →CORE
Tracking difference vs TER
Why TER is not the real cost and how to evaluate ETFs properly.
Read guide →CORE
Accumulating VS Distributing ETFs (UCITS)
Choose how ETF returns are reinvested and what that means for taxes, cashflow, and long-term compounding.
Read guide →DIVIDENDS
Dividend Yield Trap
Avoid chasing high dividend yield. Learn how “yield traps” happen and how to focus on total return, taxes, and sustainable payouts instead.
Read guide →TAXES
Taxes for non-US investors
You don’t need tax obsession—just the key rules that affect dividends and forms.
CORE
Taxes basics
The minimum tax knowledge needed to invest without surprises.
Read guide →DIVIDENDS
US dividend withholding tax (non-US)
What withholding is, how rates work, and why it matters for ETF choices.
Read guide →CORE
W-8BEN explained
What it is, when you need it, and what it changes for US dividends.
Read guide →UCITS (EUROPE)
UCITS ETFs for Europeans
UCITS is the default path for most EU investors. Learn the key differences and how to choose ETFs properly.
CORE
UCITS vs US ETFs
What changes for EU investors and why product access differs.
Read guide →IBKR
Buy UCITS ETFs on IBKR
Correct listing, FX, and limit order execution.
Read guide →CORE
Three-fund portfolio (UCITS)
A simple UCITS portfolio structure for long-term investing.
Read guide →CORE
How to choose an S&P 500 UCITS ETF
Checklist: fees, index, replication, currency, exchange.
Read guide →CORE
How to choose a world ETF
MSCI World vs FTSE All-World and what to prioritize.
Read guide →CORE
Hedged vs unhedged ETFs
Currency risk, when hedging helps, and when it’s noise.
Read guide →CORE
Synthetic vs physical ETFs
Replication methods, risk tradeoffs, and what actually matters.
Read guide →MISTAKES
Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)
The mistakes category exists to prevent expensive “small” errors: execution, costs, and false certainty.
CORE
Beginner investing mistakes
The short list of errors that wreck returns (and how to build guardrails).
Read guide →Learn hub FAQ
In what order should I read these guides?
Treat the steps roughly as written: 1–5 for basics and mindset, 6–10 for portfolio decisions, 11–14 for broker, accounts, and taxes. Move forward once each step feels “good enough.”
Can I skip straight to broker and taxes?
You can, but it’s backwards. Broker and tax details make more sense once you know what you want to buy and why. Do at least Steps 1–4 first.
How long does it take to go through everything?
A few evenings. Each guide is short; most of the time is you thinking about your own numbers and comfort with risk, not reading walls of text.
Do I need a lot of money before I start?
No. The whole point is to build a plan that works with small monthly contributions. The “How much money do I need?” guide is written exactly for this.
Are these guides only for US citizens?
No. The focus is non-US investors accessing US markets through brokers that accept international clients. Tax and account details are US-centric, but the portfolio logic applies broadly.
Ready to move from “reading” to actually investing?
Once the core path makes sense, the next step is simple: open a broker account, pick a basic ETF mix, and automate your contributions.
QuantRoutine provides educational content only. Nothing on this page is an offer, solicitation, or recommendation to buy or sell any security or to open an account with any specific broker. Investments can lose value, and past performance does not guarantee future results. You are responsible for your own investment, tax, and legal decisions. Always verify product availability, fees, and eligibility on official broker and fund-provider sites before acting.