Ever feel like your 401(k), Roth IRA, and brokerage sound like what you *should* be doing... but you’re not sure if they’re actually getting you anywhere -- or just making investing feel hard?

Today, we make investment accounts simple so you can finally understand where your money lives and why it matters for building wealth aligned with YOUR goals.

In this episode, I break down:

• Why there are so many investing accounts and how they actually help you 💁‍♀️
• The 2 levers to focus on when choosing an account: optimization vs. access ⚙️
• The 3 tax buckets (pre-tax, post-tax, no tax advantage) and why it changes everything about your growth 💸
• Which accounts make sense for W-2 employees, self-employed women, and those in a career pause 💼
• The #1 mistakes and misconceptions I see with account confusion and how to actually make it work 📈
• Action steps to take today so you feel empowered, not overwhelmed 💪

Freedom doesn’t mean mastering every investing detail, it means focusing on the parts that give you power. Clarity builds confidence, confidence builds freedom, and freedom? That’s the luxe life we’re after. ✨

Links & Resources:

• Grab your free PDF guide to understanding your investments: https://buildwealthwithkatie.com/investingessentials
• Follow me on Instagram for quick tips, money memes, and spreadsheets that are actually fun: @buildwealthwithkatie

💸 $1,000 Investment, Broken Down by Tax Bucket

Here’s a simplified view of what happens if you invest $1,000 in different account types.

Pre-Tax (Traditional 401(k) / IRA)

• Invest the full $1,000 (not taxed yet)
• Grows 10x to $10,000
• Pay 20% tax at withdrawal → $8,000 after-tax
• Pro: You keep full earning power upfront

Post-Tax (Roth IRA)

• Pay 20% tax first → invest $800
• Grows 10x to $8,000
• Withdraw tax-free → $8,000
• Pro: All gains are yours to keep

No Tax Advantage (Brokerage Account)

• Pay 20% tax first → invest $800
• Grows 10x to $8,000
• Pay 15% capital gains on $7,200 profit → $6,920 after-tax
• Pro: No contribution or withdrawal limits, but taxes take a bite

Disclaimer:

Today’s episode is purely educational and not financial advice. I am not a financial advisor, broker, or financial professional. Nothing here is a recommendation to buy, sell, or invest. The examples we use today are simplified for illustration. This is a high-level overview, and there are nitty-gritty details we aren’t covering with each account. Do your own homework before making any money moves. 💖