What’s The Difference Between An IRA vs. Self-Directed IRA
The main difference between an IRA vs. self-directed IRA are the assets you are able to invest in. You have more options with a SDIRA, but they are expensive.
Hannah Rounds is a data-driven personal finance writer with over a decade of experience helping readers understand how to make smarter money decisions. She specializes in breaking down complex financial topics (from student loans to investing tools) using a practical, analytical approach rooted in real-world data.
She holds a B.A. in Economics from Furman University (Summa Cum Laude), where she received the Arthur Magill Economics Award and the J. Carlyle Ellet Economics Prize. She has written extensively on taxes, investing, student loans, and financial technology, focusing on how data shapes smarter financial decisions.
When she’s not writing or analyzing spreadsheets, Hannah enjoys exploring new budgeting tools and finding fresh ways to make finance easier for families.

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