Mark Agustin - KatchingStacks

The Curriculum

Mark Agustin is a personal finance writer and the founder of KatchingStacks. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Management and came to personal finance the hard way — through firsthand financial hardship that made the gap between what schools teach about money and what actually matters in real life painfully clear. That experience drove him to spend years researching the tools, platforms, and strategies that genuinely help people build financial stability from scratch — robo-advisors, index funds, retirement accounts, and the compound math that works quietly in the background when everything else feels uncertain. Every review and guide on KatchingStacks reflects that same ethos: research-backed, jargon-free, and written for the person who doesn't have a financial advisor and doesn't plan to get one. Mark evaluates each platform on fees, portfolio construction, and real-world usability — not affiliate payouts. He is not a licensed financial advisor, and nothing on this site constitutes personalized investment advice. It's the research he does to make better decisions with his own money, shared plainly.

Robinhood Strategies review — automated investing with 3% IRA match

Robinhood Strategies Review 2026: Is Robinhood’s Robo-Advisor Worth It?

Robinhood Strategies review: fee structure, portfolio quality, the 3% IRA match, and how it compares to Betterment and Wealthfront.

Betterment vs Vanguard Digital Advisor comparison 2026

Betterment vs Vanguard Digital Advisor (2026): Head-to-Head Comparison

Betterment vs Vanguard Digital Advisor: a full comparison of fees, tax-loss harvesting, human advice access, and portfolio tools to help you choose the right robo-advisor.

Wealthfront vs Vanguard Digital Advisor comparison 2026

Wealthfront vs Vanguard Digital Advisor (2026): Which Robo-Advisor Wins?

Wealthfront vs Vanguard Digital Advisor: comparing fees, tax-loss harvesting, minimums, and retirement tools so you can choose the right robo-advisor for your balance and goals.

Betterment vs Fidelity Go robo-advisor comparison 2026

Betterment vs Fidelity Go (2026): Which Robo-Advisor Is Right for You?

Betterment vs Fidelity Go: a head-to-head comparison of fees, portfolios, and tax features to help you pick the right robo-advisor for your balance and goals.

Emergency fund vs investing priority ladder — step-by-step guide

Emergency Fund First, Investing Second: The Order of Operations for Getting Your Finances Together

There's a right order for fixing your finances. Here's the step-by-step priority list that actually works, starting with the emergency fund.

How to Start Investing With $100 — KatchingStacks

How to Start Investing With $100 (A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners)

You don't need thousands to start investing. Here's exactly what to do with your first $100, step by step.

Best Robo-Advisors 2026 — KatchingStacks

Best Robo-Advisors of 2026: Ranked and Reviewed

The six best robo-advisors of 2026 ranked by fees, minimums, tax efficiency, and who each one is actually built for.

M1 Finance vs Betterment — KatchingStacks

M1 Finance vs Betterment (2026): Which Is Right for You?

M1 Finance gives you full control over your portfolio. Betterment automates everything. Here's exactly which one wins — and when.

Acorns vs Betterment — KatchingStacks

Acorns vs Betterment (2026): Which Robo-Advisor Is Right for You?

Acorns rounds up your spare change and invests it. Betterment is a full-featured robo-advisor. Here's how to pick the right one for where you are financially.

Betterment vs Wealthfront — KatchingStacks

Betterment vs Wealthfront (2026): Which Robo-Advisor Is Actually Better for You?

Betterment and Wealthfront both charge 0.25% and invest in low-cost ETFs — but the differences are real. Here's how to pick the right robo-advisor for your situation.