Start with investing basics, US market structure, ETFs, stocks, valuation, and risk before moving into advanced workflows.
Learn the fundamental definition of investing, why it matters, and how risk and compounding work together.
Learn the difference between stocks, bonds, cash, and real estate, and why building a portfolio is like building a sports team.
Understand the basic structure of the US market, including exchanges, trading hours, and why a company's size matters.
Learn what stock market indexes and sectors are, and why they matter more than just asking "how is the market doing today?"
Learn what a brokerage account is, the crucial difference between cash and margin, and how your account type affects your risk.
Learn how to actually buy a stock using market orders and limit orders, and understand the bid-ask spread.
Learn what ETFs are, the difference between broad-market and sector ETFs, and why you must look inside the basket before buying.
Learn the golden rule of stock analysis: separate the quality of the business from the price of the stock.
Learn the basics of the Income Statement, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow Statement, and why you need all three to understand a business.
Understand what valuation is, how to use ratios like the P/E ratio, and why "cheap" doesn't always mean "good."
Learn how to think about risk across your entire portfolio, and what true diversification actually looks like.
Learn what dividends are, how to calculate dividend yield, and why chasing the highest yield is a dangerous game.
Learn how to read earnings reports and financial news without getting distracted by short-term noise.
Learn how to turn a random stock idea into a structured, step-by-step research process before you buy.
Learn the most common psychological traps that ruin beginner portfolios, like FOMO and overconfidence.
Learn how to use Alpha Council's tools as your personal research assistant without outsourcing your own judgment.