Today's Personal Finance Pulse
New student loan repayment options debut on July 1
Starting July 1, borrowers will be offered two new repayment plans and must choose the option that best fits their financial situation. The change aims to give borrowers more flexibility in managing loan payments.
How to Make Money While You Sleep Is Only Partially Real — Here’s the Honest Truth About Passive Income in...
Passive income remains a hot pursuit in 2026, with 53% of Americans reporting at least one stream but a modest median earnings of $4,200 annually. A 2026 survey shows 72% rely on secondary income, driven by stagnant purchasing power as wages rose 18% while inflation outpaced at 21% from 2020‑2024. The most lucrative earners diversify across dividend portfolios, real‑estate, semi‑absentee franchises, and automated ecommerce, leveraging built‑in management and recession‑proof demand. Success hinges on upfront capital, patient ROI horizons, and disciplined system building rather than quick‑fix schemes.
The Top Funds to Buy According to DIY Pension Investors
DIY SIPP investors are increasingly turning to diversified fund portfolios, with funds now representing almost 40% of all holdings on Interactive Investor’s platform as of March 31, 2026. Money‑market funds dominate both accumulation and drawdown lists, offering yields around 3.75% that match...
How to Keep Your Tax Bill Down as Frozen Thresholds Drive Millions Into Paying Higher Rates
UK income‑tax thresholds have been frozen since 2021 and will stay that way until 2031, creating fiscal drag that pushed an extra 2.17 million people into paying tax in 2023/24. Total pre‑tax income rose 9.8% to £1.53 trillion, lifting income‑tax liabilities by...
Personal Finance Links: The Full Cost of College
The article aggregates a curated set of recent podcasts and articles that tackle personal‑finance challenges, from the soaring cost of college to retirement timing, family planning, and tax strategies. It highlights expert voices such as Morgan Housel, Bill Perkins, CNBC...
Households Are Holding Record Amounts in Cash - How Much Should You Invest?
UK households are holding a record 35% of their financial assets in cash, the highest share since the 1980s, according to Fidelity’s analysis of four decades of data. Direct investment in equities and funds has fallen to just 17%, a...
Investing Beats Saving: $357k Extra by 65
John saved $200/mo from 25 to 65 in a savings account getting ~3%. At 65, he has ~$190k. Bob invested $200/mo from 25 to 65 getting ~7.25%/yr on average. At 65, he has $548k. $357k difference between saving vs investing. If you want...
46% of 2025 Retirees Left Early, 76% Citing Uncontrollable Factors
The Employee Benefit Research Institute reports that 46% of Americans who retired in 2025 did so earlier than planned, and 76% of those early exits were due to factors beyond their control. The findings signal a shift in retirement dynamics...
Stay Invested: S&P 500 Wins 75% of Years
The S&P 500 averages ~10% per year… But the reality? • Best year: +34% • Worst year: -38% • Positive ~75% of the time Long-term investors win by staying invested, not timing it.
Financial Freedom Makes Life Exponentially Easier
Life becomes 1000X easier when you have: - No car loan - No school loans - No credit card debt - 6 months of expenses saved - Automated monthly investments
Why so Many Canadians Say No Thanks to Free Money at Tax Time
A new H&R Block Canada survey shows 28% of Canadians—about 9 million people—still haven’t filed their 2025 personal tax returns as the April 30 deadline approaches. The delay is most pronounced in Ontario, where one‑third of residents are unfiled, and it exposes taxpayers...
14 Mini Savings Challenges to Boost Your Savings
The article presents 14 practical mini‑savings challenges designed to help beginners, students, and anyone intimidated by large financial goals. It emphasizes starting with tiny daily or weekly amounts, using methods like loose‑change jars, no‑spend days, and the envelope system. Each...
Survey Finds 22% of Americans Lack Emergency Savings, Gaps Persist for Women and 45‑54 Age Group
A new Harris Poll commissioned by the American Institute of CPAs reveals that while 78% of U.S. adults report having some emergency cash, 22% have nothing set aside. The data also shows women and adults aged 45‑54 are the most...
One Financial Detail That Can Cost You After a Divorce
Divorce does not automatically dissolve joint credit‑card debt, leaving both spouses legally responsible for any balances. Credit‑card issuers look only at whose name appears on the account, not at court orders or divorce decrees. Authorized users can make purchases but...
The Illusion of Diversification: Most Canadian Portfolios Are Far More Concentrated than They Appear and That's Not Good
The article warns that many Canadian investors mistake label‑based diversification for true risk spreading. A 2022 market shock showed the classic 60/40 stock‑bond mix can fail when equities and bonds fall together. Typical Canadian portfolios start with a domestic equity...
Have Electric Heat? Here’s How Much You Could Save with Heat Pumps
A new RMI analysis shows that swapping electric resistance heating for heat pumps can save a typical single‑family home about $1,530 a year, or roughly $23,000 over a pump’s life. If every eligible U.S. home made the change, annual savings...
I'm a Financial Planner: These 4 Spending Mistakes Can Derail Your Retirement Plan
Financial planners warn that retirement success hinges on realistic spending assumptions, not just portfolio size. Four common mistakes—relying on estimates, ignoring irregular costs, assuming static spending, and treating all expenses alike—can erode a solid plan over a 25‑30‑year horizon. Using...
Changing Jobs and Tempted to Cash Out Your 401(k)? Read This First (Future You Will Thank You)
The article highlights how today’s mobile workforce—averaging 12 jobs and frequent moves—creates fragmentation in the 401(k) system, leaving millions of accounts inactive or cashed out. Inactive defined‑contribution accounts rose to 29.2% in 2023, and about one‑third of workers cash out...
5 Money Rules Warren Buffett Follows That Broke People Can’t Understand
Warren Buffett’s five money rules emphasize capital preservation, frugal living, contrarian buying, disciplined competence, and using volatility as an advantage. He avoids any investment that could erode principal, lives modestly to funnel cash into income‑producing assets, and purchases quality businesses...
Inflation‑linked Bonds Boost Nominal Returns, Tax on Unrealized Gains
𝗧𝗮𝘅𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻'𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗱 😲 To see how RSA Retail Savings Inflation-Linked Bonds work, let’s look at a hypothetical investment of R100,000 over a 5 year period 𝗟𝗲𝘁'𝘀 𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗥𝟭𝟬𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝟱-𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻-𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝟰.𝟳𝟱%...
04.29.26 Spring Financial To-Do List / This “Escape” Is Still a Money Trap
In this episode Clark Howard uses the spring cleaning metaphor to urge listeners to audit their recurring expenses, especially hidden subscription fees, and consolidate them onto a single “subscription” credit card for easier tracking. He highlights the financial drain of...
Rachel Reeves’s Tax Shake-Up: Time to Plan Ahead, From Isas to Self-Assessment
The UK Treasury, led by Finance Minister Rachel Reeves, will tighten several tax rules on 6 April 2027. Cash ISAs for people under 65 will be capped at £12,000 (≈ $15,200), forcing any excess into stocks‑and‑shares ISAs, while the full £20,000 allowance (≈ $25,400)...
Selling Means Two Decisions: Exit and Re‑Entry Timing
"Should I sell?" feels like one decision. It's actually two. Right to sell. Right to buy back lower. Nobody on Wall Street times that consistently. Family investors managing under 15 stocks definitely don't. Want those odds? The honest math 👇 https://open.substack.com/pub/dralexkoh/p/should-i-sell-my-stocks-the-monday
Good Stock? Only at the Right Price
Most investors ask "Is this a good stock?" Wrong question. The right one: "Is this a good stock at this price?" The same business can be your best investment or your worst, depending on what you paid. Price isn't just a number. It's...
The Marshmallow Test Revisited: Turn Patience Into Profit
The blog revisits the classic Marshmallow Test to argue that wealth creation hinges on engineered systems rather than raw willpower. It highlights research showing environment and smart strategies trump discipline, and proposes high‑yield savings accounts (HYSAs) as a behavioral tool...
Hang up when Telemarketers Demand Gift‑card Payment
The next time a telemarketer asks you to pay with a gift card, hang up. https://t.co/eKgkYoJ3Cw
Key Finance Tips: College Costs, Retirement Timing, Tax Refund Ideas
💰 Personal finance links: paying for college, a bad year to retire, and things to do with a tax refund. https://t.co/IciYnkS3Od image: https://t.co/qERaT4pLag https://t.co/JULFagq6xC
Don’t Neglect Financial Planning’s Missing Middle
Many fee‑only planners turn away clients who lack defined goals, leaving a large “missing middle” of people without a financial plan. The article argues that the gap can be closed by adding a scenario‑planning step between discovery and solution phases....
5 Financial Wellbeing Perks Candidates Ask for in 2026
Candidates in 2026 are prioritizing financial wellbeing perks that provide tangible security over traditional fringe benefits. The most requested offerings include auto‑escalation of retirement contributions, payroll‑linked emergency savings, comprehensive equity education, personalized financial coaching, and digital estate‑planning tools. Employers that...
Ford and TXU Energy Launch Free Overnight EV Charging Miles for Texas Drivers
Ford and TXU Energy have rolled out a free overnight charging program for Texas electric‑vehicle owners, granting credit for electricity used between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. The initiative offers a $100 sign‑up card, $250 anniversary credit, and could save participants $800‑$1,200...
Borrowers Face Tough Choices as Debt‑Relief Payments Strain Budgets
Rising borrowing costs and record household debt have left many Americans unable to keep up with scheduled debt‑relief payments. Experts outline renegotiation, plan switches, hardship programs and consolidation as viable paths to stay on track, warning that early action is...
Chase Sapphire Preferred: Why It’s Still Worth the Annual Fee
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card remains a top travel credit card despite its modest $95 annual fee. New cardmembers earn a 75,000‑point welcome bonus after spending $5,000 in the first three months, translating to at least $750 in travel value....
Real Estate Leverage Lets $60k Control $300k Asset
$60,000 down on a $300,000 rental property controls a $300,000 asset. That same $60,000 in the stock market controls $60,000. The bank will never offer you that deal on a stock. They've been telling you which asset they trust more for hundreds of...
Readers Share Stories on How to Prepare for a Longer Life
The New York Times surveyed readers about how to thrive financially and personally as life expectancy rises. A 25‑year‑old Gen Z respondent highlighted early saving, opening an IRA and 401(k), and living frugally with parents to fund a home purchase before 30. Hundreds...
Fed Likely to Hold Rates Steady as Iran Conflict Stokes Inflation Fears
The Federal Reserve is poised to keep its policy rate in the 3.5%-3.75% range as the Iran‑linked war in the Strait of Hormuz lifts oil prices above $108 a barrel, raising inflation concerns. Analysts cite the conflict’s impact on consumer...
Medicare Won’t Cover It: 5 Common Health Expenses That May Blindside Retirees
Medicare leaves significant gaps that can surprise retirees, especially for routine dental, vision and hearing services that are largely excluded from Original Medicare. The most costly omission is long‑term care, with a 65‑year‑old needing roughly $135,000 to cover future expenses,...
Why High Income Doesn’t Guarantee Financial Security
Physicians earn among the highest salaries in the U.S., yet many lack financial security because of massive student debt, delayed earning power, and lifestyle inflation. The average medical‑school debt of $217,000 and resident salaries around $68,000 push wealth‑building back a...
Garry Marr: Are Young FHSA Savers About to Get Duped Again?
Canada’s First Home Savings Accounts (FHSA) have surged to roughly $8.07 billion CAD (about $6 billion USD) by the end of 2024, with an average balance of $8,000 CAD (~$5,900 USD) per holder. Meanwhile, the housing market remains soft, with average home...
HSAs: Tax‑Free Growth, Lifetime Benefits, Retirement Flexibility
Why we love Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) in 2026: 1️⃣ Tax-deductible contributions (lower your taxable income) 2️⃣ Tax-free investment growth 3️⃣ Tax-free withdrawals for medical bills 4️⃣ Your balance never expires and stays with you if you change jobs. 5️⃣ At age...
How to Know If You’re Getting a Good Offer From a Money Lending Program
Personal loans are increasingly used in the Philippines for medical bills, tuition, and small‑business needs, but many borrowers focus only on advertised interest rates. The article explains that APR, total payback amount, loan term, speed of disbursement, repayment flexibility, hidden...
Seeking Fixed Income Solutions? Give Municipals a Chance
Advisors are urged to reconsider municipal bonds as a core fixed‑income allocation amid a volatile macro backdrop. With a new Federal Reserve chair expected later this year, the prospect of additional rate cuts could depress cash yields, making tax‑exempt muni...
Every Past Market Crash Recovered—Don’t Panic Now
You've been here 9 times before. COVID. 2022 bear. Yen carry. Liberation Day. Epic Fury. Every single one looked like THE top while you were living through it. Every single one recovered. 9 of 9. You're at panic top number 10. Full breakdown 👇 https://open.substack.com/pub/dralexkoh/p/should-i-sell-my-stocks-the-monday
Costs Vs. Retirement: The Case for TIPS ETFs
Fidelity’s 2026 State of Retirement Planning Study found that roughly one‑third of Americans are unsure they can ever retire, with 42% believing retirement is unaffordable. The top competing priority across generations is the rising cost of living, a pressure that...
Add a Solo 401(k) to Boost Side‑Hustle Savings
To anybody with a full-time W-2 and a side hustle in 2026: You can likely open a solo 401(k) for your side hustle and use this to get up to $72K into this plan on top of what you put into...
The Biggest Drag on Investor Returns Is Behavior
Investor behavior, not market fundamentals, is the biggest drag on portfolio returns, according to Morningstar’s annual “Mind the Gap” study. The research shows that the more frequently investors trade, the larger the gap between fund performance and their personal outcomes,...
These Adviser Fees Are a Hit to Your Portfolio — Here Are 2 Questions to Stop Them
Financial advisers often charge a visible advisory fee, but many hidden costs can silently erode client returns. Cash held in money‑market funds may be subject to expense ratios of 0.11%‑0.37% and an additional advisory charge of around 0.50% on idle...
Schwab Warns Investors $39 Trillion U.S. Debt Could Lift Mortgage Rates and Bond Yields
Charles Schwab’s chief investment strategist Liz Ann Sonders and head of fixed‑income research Collin Martin warned that the United States’ gross national debt, now over $39 trillion, is reshaping yields, mortgage costs and retirement outcomes. The firm cautioned that complacency could...
Inflation Eats Savings; Invest to Preserve Wealth
$100k today is worth the same as: - $82k in 2021 - $73k in 2016 - $68k in 2011 - $61k in 2006 - $54k in 2001 "Saving" is an oxymoron... So here's the easiest (and safest) way to invest your money:
For Many Pro Athletes, Post-Career Financial Worries Loom Large
Professional tennis player Mackenzie McDonald, 31, has earned over $7 million in prize money but faces mounting financial pressure after his ranking fell from a career‑high No. 37 to No. 125. In 2025 he collected $710,040 despite a modest win‑loss record and early...
Inflation Steals Value; Invest to Protect Wealth
Inflation is the tax that nobody votes for. The government prints money... Banks lend it out... And 25 years, every dollar you own is worth 46% less 😬 The ONLY solution is investing, and this is the easiest way to get started 😉 Share this...
Stress‑Free Investing Redefined in New Book Release
I'm very pleased to announce that my new book, THE AWESOME PORTFOLIO, will be released on September 8th, 2026. It's a stress-free approach to investing, and it blows to smithereens the conventional wisdom about saving for retirement. Pre-order here: https://t.co/2ADIy8Jfh7