Common Sense Investing

Learn simple, time-proven investing wisdom. Successful investing is not complicated. Learn how-to achieve superior returns with little effort.

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Ten simple rules will help you finance your dreams. These principles are also endearingly called the Boglehead Investment Philosophy by the tens of thousands of us that admire John C. Bogle, lifelong champion of ordinary investors.

These few investment principles are easy to understand. They are proven both by history and by Nobel prize-winning financial economics research. Learn to achieve superior results with only a small amount of effort.

This FREE introductory course is a dozen 5-minute video lectures with printable handouts. It will give you a good overview and get you started. Your confidence will grow solid as you become familiar with the concepts discussed here, and eventually you will regard this as Common Sense Investing.

Many of you are curious and questions are inevitable. Additional courses are here that go a little deeper and provide more structured learning with an instructor monitoring your progress and answering questions, along with a like-minded supportive community that is on the same path. Your financial education needs to be a lifetime commitment, because achieving your dreams is so important.

My mission is to help you learn, understand, and apply the essential investing concepts that 99% of us should use—but are rarely taught in our high-schools, colleges, or around our kitchen tables. FinancingLife.org is a not-for-profit financial literacy project and the small course fees help pay our direct costs.

CREDIT: Featured background photo of hiker in mountains by Nourdine Diouane on Unsplash.


Your Instructor


Rick Van Ness
Rick Van Ness

Rick Van Ness is a successful private investor and retired executive who provides investor education through online videos, short books, and workshops. Rick has an engineering degree from Cornell University and an MBA in Finance from New York University. His background in engineering and business provides him with an excellent basis for understanding and teaching investments and financial planning.

Rick provides unbiased education. He helps students understand the teachings of the most widely respected economists and financial planners. Students learn that smart investing is simple (not easy) and to take charge of their finances on their paths to achieving rich and fulfilling lives.


Course Curriculum


  Ten Simple Rules for Common Sense Investing
Available in days
days after you enroll

Frequently Asked Questions


Who is this course for?
This course is especially aimed at working Americans, ages 18 to 65. I teach you how to achieve financial freedom and other dreams, by growing your money faster with less risk, worry, and stress. If you live outside the USA, most of the concepts might be valuable, but I make no effort to address foreign taxation and other country differences.
When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
I would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.

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Praise from other students

“This is brilliant stuff. Thank You! . . . You're right about the garbage. There really is so much of it out there! Fortunately, I found this first before any other managed funds with glossy expensive propositions. More people need to adopt your strategies. I've set out my asset allocation already. I Thank You again for your help. :)”

— Josh Brown

“Videos are very well done. What a great project!”

— Alice W.

“Same here, 24 years old and taking the right steps forward. See you at the top! :)”

— Jules Cherubin

“I love the videos, Rick. And I love the distinction you make between investment advice and investment education. It's a real "teach a man to fish" mentality. What a blessing!”

— Seth Hersch

“This is an excellent, visually appealing video in basic personal finance, well done.”

— Benjamin Ramsey

“I love your videos. I am just about to graduate from college and your wonderful ideas about saving and investing have really started me thinking about my financial habits. I hope to follow your tips throughout my life. Thanks Alot”

— 123bilky

“My compliments. Great way of explaining something difficult in an easy way.”

— Erik L van Dijk

“Love your videos! Easy to follow and straight to the point. Thank you!”

— David Bennett

“Very articulate! It is, indeed, so much easier to have a simple plan written down. It makes the rebalancing easier and reinforces the impression that we are going somewhere and sticking to the plan.”

— ResilienceTutor

“Loved the 10-part series. Any thoughts to something similar at the 201, 301, and 401 levels? While not much of this series was news to me, it is a source I will def pass on to my kids and others I care about.”

— David Milner

Praise from professional money managers

(about the paperback book version)

“Hide this book in a safe place because grossly overpaid investment advisors are burning every copy they can find.”

— Rick Ferri
CFA, President, Portfolio Solutions LLC

“Easy to understand and implement. Read it and reap!”

— Mel Lindauer
Forbes columnist

“Here are 10 simple, easy to follow, and proven investing rules. Investing an hour reading this book will make you a better investor.”

— Burton G. Malkiel, Princeton University
Author: A Random Walk Down Wall Street

“If you follow his rules you are virtually guaranteed to outperform the majority of investors, both individual and professionals alike.”

— Larry Swedroe, Principal, Buckingham Financial Services
Author of eleven books on investing

“Rick has produced a masterful financial guide for beginning investors and old hands alike. If you want to get started investing the right way, this book provides the clarity and backbone to achieve your financial destiny.”

— Bill Schultheis, Financial Advisor
Author: the New Coffeehouse Investor

“Crisp, simple, and irrefutably great investment advice.”

— Allan S. Roth, CBS MoneyWatch columnist
Author: Dare To Be Dull

Get started now!