Investing is like building a breakfast burrito

Let’s (taste) test this philosophy

The 5-ingredient investing starter kit

Think of building your investment strategy like building a burrito. Every layer matters (sorry, no skipping the salsa today).

🌯 The Tortilla — Your “Why”

Without a reason to invest, nothing holds together. Your why is simple: inflation is eating your money. The stock market has historically outpaced it by a wide margin. Compound interest does the heavy lifting over time — $100 earning 10% becomes $110, then $121, then $133… the math is on your side!

🥩 The Meat — Your Accounts

You’ve got options. Start with your 401(k) — at minimum, contribute enough to get your employer match (otherwise known as free money). If you max out your 401(k), then you might want to open a Roth IRA for tax-free growth ($7,500 limit in 2026). Have a high-deductible health plan? Your HSA is secretly one of the most powerful investing accounts alive — triple tax advantage. After all that, a taxable brokerage gives you flexibility with no limits.

Important note: Just because you have an account, does not mean you are buying stocks yet. You still have to set that up inside the account. (Yes, even your 401(k)).

🍅 The Salsa — Are You Ready?

Before you start investing heavily, make sure: high-interest debt is gone (credit card APRs crush your returns) and you have a full emergency fund. Possible exception: In some cases, it could be worth getting your 401(k) match first, even if you have debt.

🥦 The Veggies — What to Actually Buy

My favorite? Index funds. Specifically, S&P 500 index funds. You get instant diversification across 500 companies, low fees, and reliable long-term exposure to market growth. No stock-picking, no guessing.

You can see my entire stock portfolio here. Reminder, these are what I have chosen that work best for me, my stage of life, my risk preferences, and other ways I have or plan to diversify my net worth. It does not mean that they are what would work best for you, your goals, your stage in life, etc. If you are brand new to researching funds, start by exploring Index funds and ETFs.

🧀 The Cheese — Automate Everything

This is the move that makes everything else stick. Set up an automatic transfer from your bank to your investment account. Then set up a recurring buy inside that account, so you’re consistently buying funds you feel good about. Now discipline isn’t required, the system handles it. You remove emotion, you remove excuses, and you just let it run.

Alright enough analogies, let’s talk about real burritos.

All this talk about burritos making you hungry, too? I’ve had these chicken avocado ranch burritos 3 times in the last week. At about $2.50 per serving, way less expensive than eating out, and even more delicious because I can add as much ranch as I want.  

Ingredients: 

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch chunks*
• 1 (1.25-ounce) package taco seasoning
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 burrito-size flour tortillas, 10 inches each
• 2 avocados, halved, peeled, seeded and diced
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup sour cream
• ¼ cup Ranch dressing
• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Click here for the full recipe. (No affiliation or sponsorship– just really love these burritos.)