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.
Why Pershing Square Holdings Trades At A Deep Discount To NAV
Pershing Square Holdings (PSH) trades about a 25 % discount to NAV, reflecting its closed‑end, London‑listed structure and a portfolio of public equities that investors can replicate. The lack of daily redemption limits arbitrage, while a 1.5 % management fee and 16 % performance charge—especially after underperforming the S&P 500 since 2021—further depresses returns, prompting a discount demand. Fundrise’s Innovation Fund (VCX) offers private‑company exposure, a NYSE listing, and a low‑fee model, positioning it to trade near NAV or at a premium. These structural differences make PSH’s discount an unreliable benchmark for VCX pricing.
Dividends Are Taxed—High Earners Should Chase Growth, Not Yield
Just fyi: Even if you reinvest dividends, you still have to pay taxes on them. If dividends are qualified, you'll pay 0-23.8% in tax. If non qualified, you'll pay 0-40.8% tax, and state/local taxes. High earners shouldn’t chase high dividend funds. Focus on...
Should I Use My Home Equity to Buy My Next Rental Property? (Rookie Reply)
The episode advises investors to tap home equity through commercial lines of credit or second‑position loans rather than standard HELOCs, emphasizing rate differentials and ADS‑CR loan structures. It outlines the Burr strategy—buy, rehab, rent, repeat—as a way to recycle equity,...
Do You Need a Degree to Be a Financial Advisor?
A bachelor’s degree remains a baseline requirement for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) credential and other designations such as the CFA, while many alternative certifications accept work experience in lieu of formal education. Advisors can start a registered investment advisor...
What You Need to Know About Filing to the CRA This Year as Tax Season Looms
Tax season launches Monday as the CRA opens online filing for 2025 returns, having processed over 33 million returns last year with 93 % filed electronically. Key dates include the RRSP contribution deadline on March 2, the general filing and payment deadline on...
The Inner Life of a Long-Term Investor
Vishal announces his new book, *The Long Game*, now available for pre‑order, featuring reflections from 30 seasoned long‑term investors. The book explores how self‑awareness, patience, and philosophical inquiry can help investors navigate market cycles and avoid emotional pitfalls. Pre‑orders start...
Tax Implications of Adding Someone to a Bank Account: Rules and Tips
Adding someone to a bank account can simplify money management but creates tax, estate, and liability issues. Joint ownership is treated as a gift only when funds are withdrawn, potentially exceeding the annual gift‑tax exclusion and requiring a return. Interest...
Integr
You know how high earners feel like they’re tipping Uncle Sam while their own financial goals keep slipping? I integrate tax strategy and financial planning so they stop the bleeding and fund what actually matters.
College Still Boosts Lifetime Earnings, Despite 2026 Debate
Going to college is one of the best things you can do to increase your expected lifetime earnings This is oddly a controversial statement in 2026
PSECU $300 New Checking Account Bonus (Updated 2026)
Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union (PSECU) is running a 2026 promotion that awards a $300 bonus to new checking account holders who meet specific criteria. Applicants must join the credit union (or its affiliated PRPS group) with a $10 fee,...
Budget Realistically, Not on Hopeful Cost Estimates
Don’t budget for what you hope it costs… budget realistically. Follow @chasecalhoun.realestate for more on build-to-rent and real estate investing. #realestate #investmentproperty #ceomindset
All Research Done, Still Stuck on Execution
It’s like you already did ALL the research but you just can’t get yourself to execute.
Stop Me Before I Open Another Account!
The article urges consumers to trim the growing tangle of credit‑card, bank, brokerage and retirement accounts that most Americans juggle. It highlights how the average U.S. adult now holds four credit cards and multiple savings, investment and inherited accounts, creating...
Three-Step Tax Prep System for Multi-Stream Income
How I prep for tax season 💸🤓🇨🇦 (as an accountant with multiple income streams) Here’s my exact 3-step system:
Don’t Give up on Your Part D Costs
The author recounts a recent struggle with Medicare Part D after a prescription fell off the plan’s formulary, raising the out‑of‑pocket cost from the expected $500 to nearly $600. By appealing the denial, the drug was reinstated on the formulary, the...
Maximize HSA: Early Contributions, S‑Corp Reimbursement, S&P500 Growth
How I use my HSA 1.) Have a high-deductible health plan. I pay $376.65/month (ridiculous) for a plan and my LLC taxed as an S corp reimburses me for this via an accountable plan 2.) Max contribute each year on Jan 1....
Shared Finances Are Essential for a Successful Marriage
If you’re talking about marriage but you can’t talk about money, you’re not ready for marriage. Money fights are the number one cause of divorce in America. You have to get on the same page. Because if you’re building a life...
#690: Q&A: Should My Teen Go to College?
In this episode, Joe and Paula examine whether a college degree is a worthwhile investment for a teen, breaking down ROI by field, the non‑financial benefits of higher education, and the growing cultural shift toward alternative pathways. They advise parents...
Investing Enables Flexible, Part‑Time Retirement Income
Investing isn’t all or nothing especially if you consider a phased retirement. You work 20 hours a week to cover most of your expenses while your investments supplement your income. Investing is about giving you flexibility and options.
HEI Vs. HELOC Over 10 Years: Which Costs More?
The article compares home equity investments (HEIs) with traditional home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) over a ten‑year horizon, showing how each product’s cost structure reacts to home‑price appreciation. While a HELOC accrues interest on the borrowed balance, an HEI...
Budgeting For A Car Saving Money
Budgeting for a car requires a structured plan that goes beyond the purchase price. The guide emphasizes setting a clear, realistic savings goal, accounting for the full cost of ownership, and choosing between new and used vehicles. It recommends automating...
Front-Loading Financial Aid: Watch Out For This Sneaky Trick
The episode explains the practice of front‑loading financial aid, where colleges award larger grants to freshmen and then reduce grant amounts or the percentage of recipients for upper‑classmen. Data shows that over 80% of four‑year institutions, especially public schools, cut...
Daily One‑Concept Finance Lessons for Overwhelmed Beginners
If personal finance overwhelms you, I hope you find my page I post every day on IG trying to teach you just one new concept. Literally my only goal
Wealthy Critics Face Naïve “Just Pay More” Replies
When I post that wealthy people like me should pay higher taxes, I receive hundreds of comments saying, “You know you can just pay the government more, right??” So it’s comforting to see that billionaires like @TomSteyer also get the same...
IRA Flat Tax Proposal
A proposal to replace the graduated tax on IRA withdrawals with a flat 6% rate has sparked a lively debate among retirees and advisors. Commentators argue the low flat rate could trigger a wave of large Roth conversions as individuals...
Bank of America Rewards: Higher Balance Requirements for Credit Card Boosts + New Monthly Credits (Effective May 2026)
Bank of America is rebranding its Preferred Rewards program as BofA Rewards on May 27, 2026, introducing new tier names and higher balance thresholds. The Premier tier now requires a $1 million combined balance to earn the top 75% credit‑card rewards...
IRS Says Average Tax Refunds Rise to $2,290; Higher than Last Year Due to Trump’s Tax Law
Early IRS data shows the average 2026 tax refund has risen to $2,290, an 11 % increase over the previous year. The surge is linked to President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, which introduced retroactive tax cuts and seven new deductions while withholding tables...
A Very Sensible Conclusion
The author admits that holding two individual stocks consumes disproportionate mental energy despite representing less than 0.1% of total wealth. He notes strong recent returns—55% and 35% over the past year—but recognizes that fear of missing out and loss aversion...
New York City Mayor Mamdani Eyes 9.5% Property Tax Hike that Could Affect Middle-Class Residents
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani unveiled a $127 billion preliminary budget that includes a 9.5% property‑tax increase to address a projected $5.4 billion shortfall. The hike would affect over 3 million residential units and more than 100 000 commercial buildings and can be...
Single-Family Vs. Multifamily Rentals: Which Is the Best First Rental?
The BiggerPockets podcast dissected entry‑level rental strategies, recommending small multifamily (2‑4 units) for stronger cash flow but noting price constraints may make a quality single‑family more realistic. It outlined a transparent, data‑driven approach to raising an inherited tenant’s rent, emphasizing...
How To Teach Kids About Budgeting Money
JustStartInvesting’s guide breaks down twelve practical steps for teaching kids budgeting, beginning with simple money basics and the needs‑versus‑wants concept. It recommends using a regular allowance as a hands‑on budgeting tool, encouraging early saving, and creating clear spending categories. The...
Is the U.S. Tax Code Anti-Feminist?
The article argues that the U.S. tax code is not gender‑neutral and often reinforces existing power imbalances. Professor Bridget J. Crawford and co‑author Anthony C. Infanti have examined this bias by editing a book that rewrites tax‑related judicial decisions through...
02.18.26 Relocating Overseas / Debt Trap Exit Strategies
In this episode Clark Howard explores the practicalities of relocating abroad, highlighting countries that offer relocation incentives and essential considerations for a successful move. He then shifts to debt management, offering actionable strategies to accelerate credit‑card payoff, negotiate lower interest...
Healthcare Before Medicare: How to Lower Your Costs
In this third episode of his four‑part series, Roger Whitney guides listeners through practical ways to lower health‑care costs before Medicare, from daily health habits to smart insurance shopping. He demystifies the ACA premium subsidy system now that the expanded...
Money Box Live: Do Electric Cars Add Up?
In this Money Box Live episode, presenter Felicity Hannah explores the true cost of owning an electric vehicle, from purchase price and charging infrastructure to range anxiety on long trips. Guests Stuart Masson of The Car Expert and Melanie Shufflebotham...
How To Get Student Loans For Community College
The episode explains how to finance community college attendance, emphasizing that nearly half of students rely on loans despite lower tuition costs. It guides listeners through checking free‑tuition programs, completing the FAFSA to access Pell Grants and federal loans (Direct...
The Really Long Game
Vishal Niveshak announces his new book *The Long Game*, now available for pre‑order with shipping slated for the end of February 2026. The work distills lessons from 30 seasoned investors on cultivating patience, resisting short‑term market noise, and building a...
1946: The Quiet Money Mistakes High-Earning Women Make
In this episode, Farnoosh explores the subtle financial missteps that high‑earning women often make, such as under‑funding emergency reserves, over‑relying on employer‑sponsored retirement plans, and overlooking tax‑efficient strategies like Roth conversions. She highlights how societal expectations and gender‑based pay gaps...
How to Spot a Good or Bad Financial Adviser
In this 49‑minute episode, Pete and Roger break down how to differentiate a good financial adviser from a bad one by highlighting red and green flags such as transparent versus evasive fees, evidence‑based advice versus secret "sauce," and calm, fact‑first...
More Mortgage Competition Could Mean Better Rates for Buyers
Federal regulators are considering easing mortgage‑related capital rules, which could entice large banks to re‑enter the mortgage market in force. After the 2008 crisis, banks’ share of origination fell from about 60% to 35% while non‑bank lenders filled the gap....
Systematic Rental Strategies Build Generational Wealth
🏡 The Steps You Need For Financial Freedom 🥳 Collecting cash flow and becoming financially free are within reach for everyone, if you’re willing to sacrifice and follow a calculated path. Every decision is thought out and systematical, but when...
HSBC Premier Elite Card Review: 60,000 Points Signup Bonus and $495 Annual Fee
HSBC’s Premier Elite card carries a $495 annual fee and offers a 60,000‑point sign‑up bonus after $4,000 of spending in the first three months. Cardholders earn 5× points on all travel, 2× on dining and 1× on other purchases, plus...
How to Buy Five Short-Term Rentals in Five Years
The article outlines a five‑year roadmap to acquire five short‑term rentals without burning out or over‑leveraging. It frames the first Airbnb as tuition, emphasizing system building over profit maximization. In year two it recommends co‑hosting to generate cash flow without...
Why Thousands Are Flocking to North Carolina’s Explosive Real Estate and Job Market
North Carolina attracted 84,000 new residents from July 2024 to July 2025, making it the third‑fastest‑growing state and a magnet for millennials seeking tech and finance jobs. Lower housing costs—median $328,611 versus the national $355,328—combined with a diversified employment base are driving...
HEI for Condos and Multi-Family: Eligibility and Options
Home‑equity investment (HEI) products are now available to condo owners and 2‑4‑unit multi‑family homeowners, though eligibility varies by provider. Companies such as Point, Hometap, Unison, Unlock and Splitero accept these property types, typically requiring 25‑30% equity, owner‑occupancy and a stable...
Save Before You Spend, Not After.
If your paycheck hits and you’re deciding what to save after you spend… you’re doing it backwards.
HEI Impact on Home Lien: What Every Homeowner Must Know
Home‑equity investors (HEIs) place a junior lien on a homeowner’s title without becoming a co‑owner, leaving the primary mortgage as the senior claim. The lien is repaid when the property is sold, refinanced, or at the agreement’s maturity, rather than...
Games To Teach Budgeting Or Money Management For Adults
A growing number of board games and digital apps are being used to teach adults budgeting and money‑management skills. Titles like Monopoly, Cashflow, Payday and the Budget Challenge app let players experiment with cash flow, debt, savings and passive‑income concepts...
Learn the ABCs of Medicare, Ep293
In this episode Ryan Morrissey breaks down the essentials of Medicare for listeners approaching age 65, covering Parts A, B, C, and D, associated costs, and the critical timing of enrollment to avoid penalties. He explains the differences between original...
How a Low Cost of Living Provides Me with More Freedom
After divorcing, the author relocated from Pennsylvania to a medium‑sized Idaho town to benefit from a lower cost of living. The move cut commuting times, allowed her to work fewer hours, and gave her more time to support her son’s...