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.

Betterment vs. Fidelity Go
Reviews
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.

Jun 30, 2026
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Emergency Fund First
Guides
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.

Jun 23, 2026
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Start Investing With $100
Guides
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.

Jun 16, 2026
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Best Robo-Advisors
Reviews
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.

Jun 15, 2026
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M1 Finance vs. Betterment
Reviews
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.

Jun 15, 2026
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Acorns vs. Betterment
Reviews
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.

Jun 14, 2026
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Betterment vs. Wealthfront
Reviews
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.

Jun 14, 2026
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Dollar-Cost Averaging
Guides
What Is Dollar-Cost Averaging? The Boring Strategy That Actually Works

Dollar-cost averaging is the most-recommended investing strategy for a reason. Here's what it is, why it works, and when it doesn't.

Jun 9, 2026
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How Compound Interest Works
Guides
How Compound Interest Works — And Why Starting at 25 vs 35 Is a ~$280,000 Difference

Compound interest isn't magic — it's math. Here's why a ten-year head start is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Jun 2, 2026
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What Is an Index Fund?
Guides
What Is an Index Fund? (And Why Warren Buffett Won’t Shut Up About Them)

Index funds are the quiet backbone of modern investing. Here's what they are, why they work, and how Warren Buffett thinks about them.

May 27, 2026
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