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 Add Gold to a Retirement Portfolio Using the Bucket Strategy
The three‑bucket retirement strategy divides assets into short‑term cash, medium‑term income, and long‑term growth holdings. Adding gold is recommended for the third bucket, where it can act as an inflation hedge and diversify against stock volatility. Experts advise beginners to start with gold ETFs for liquidity, limiting exposure to 5‑10% of the overall portfolio. Regular rebalancing ensures gold doesn’t become overweight as its value fluctuates.
Buy 3 PIMCO Mutual Funds Poised for Excellent Returns
Pacific Investment Management Company (PIMCO), with $2.27 trillion in assets under management and over 3,200 employees, has three mutual funds that Zacks rates #1 Strong Buy. The PIMCO RAE US Small (PMJAX) posted a 15.7% three‑year annualized return, focusing on U.S....
Mercer Says DC Plan Innovations Could Accelerate Retirement Timelines for Canadians
Mercer Canada’s 2026 Retirement Readiness Barometer finds that flexible defined‑contribution (DC) plans, greater exposure to alternative assets, and Variable Payment Life Annuities (VPLAs) can move a typical 30‑year‑old’s retirement readiness from age 69 to 66. In the study, a worker...
Free Greenville Q&A Empowers New Real Estate Investors
Real estate agent Wade Watt hosted a free beginner‑focused Q&A on May 15 in Greenville, teaching attendees how to buy rentals, flip homes and secure financing. The event, held at 5321 Reidville Road, attracted first‑time buyers and aspiring investors seeking...
Berkshire Hathaway's Omaha Shareholder Meeting Sees 30% Attendance Drop Without Buffett
Berkshire Hathaway held its annual shareholder meeting in Omaha last weekend without Warren Buffett, drawing about 30% fewer participants—roughly 28,000 versus the usual 40,000. The dip, attributed to the leadership transition to Greg Abel and broader travel headwinds, hit local...
Want to Make Better Investment Decisions? Use This 8-Question Checklist, From a Financial Planner
Financial planner advocates swapping certainty for probability in investment decisions. Citing Kahneman’s System 1/System 2 model, the article shows how biases like confirmation, anchoring and overconfidence lead to fragile choices. By assigning odds to multiple scenarios, investors can better manage risk and...
I'm a Financial Pro: This 5-Step Plan Can Help High Earners Pay Off Significant Student Loan Debt in 5 Years
The article presents a five‑year, percentage‑based plan for high‑earning professionals—especially lawyers and MBA graduates—to aggressively retire student loans. It advises living on 80% or less of gross income, maxing retirement and HSA contributions, allocating 20‑30% of income and 50‑70% of...
10 Warren Buffett Rules to Help the Middle Class Become Rich
Warren Buffett’s ten wealth‑building rules target middle‑class investors by emphasizing disciplined habits over market timing. He urges saving first, investing in one’s own skills, leveraging compounding, avoiding high‑interest debt, and using low‑cost index funds. The advice also stresses staying within...
5 Common Things Working-Class People Shouldn’t Buy Right Now Due to Inflation
Inflation in 2026 is uneven, hitting working‑class households hardest in specific categories. Prices for new cars, premium beef, food‑delivery apps, brand‑new electronics, and full‑price streaming subscriptions have surged well above the 3.3% CPI. Switching to used vehicles, cheaper proteins, home...
‘The S&P 500 Seems to Be Doing Particularly Well’: I’m 66. Is This a Good Time to Invest $100,000 in...
A 66‑year‑old investor with a debt‑free home asks if $100,000 should be placed in S&P 500 index funds for a 5‑7‑year horizon. She already holds 50% of her portfolio in the index and worries about a potential 40% market decline, which...
Protecting and Growing Your Wealth: The Essentials You Can’t Ignore
The article outlines a step‑by‑step framework for protecting and growing personal wealth, beginning with a solid financial foundation of budgeting, emergency savings, and debt reduction. It then details preservation tactics such as legal structures, insurance, and tax‑efficient strategies, followed by...
What Happens to an RESP when a Family Moves to the U.S.?
A Canadian family moved from Vancouver to California, leaving their child Rhodes as the RESP beneficiary. Because Rhodes is now a U.S. resident, any new contributions to the RESP no longer qualify for the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG). Existing...
Do You Actually Need a Financial Advisor in Your 30s and 40s?
The article explains that hiring a financial advisor in your 30s or 40s depends more on financial complexity than age. Simple, steady incomes and long investment horizons often don’t justify the cost, while major life changes, rapid income growth, or...
Rob Gardner: Sir David Attenborough and the 100-Year Client
Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday underscores the need for truly long‑term financial planning. Advisors must now factor physical climate and nature risks—flooding, drought, ecosystem decline—into retirement and investment strategies. The UK Environment Agency flags over six million properties at flood risk,...
260: The Top Retirement Trends That Are Reshaping Investing, Income and Longevity
In this episode, Oscar Pulido talks with Nick Nufusi, BlackRock’s Global Head of Retirement Solutions, about the seismic shift from defined‑benefit pensions to defined‑contribution 401(k) plans and the implications of longer lifespans for retirees. Key trends include the decline of...
Banks Fund Real Estate, Not Stocks, Crypto, or 401k
The bank will lend you $240,000 to buy a rental property. They will not lend you $240,000 to buy stocks. They will not lend you $240,000 to buy crypto. They will not lend you $240,000 to fund your 401k. Only real estate.
Beware: Massive IPO Valuations Threaten Your 401(k)
In case you missed this - High impact on your 401K. The three big IPOs “valuation” - Spacex $1.7T , OpenAI $800B, Anthropic $400B — the great dumping ground on passive investors. Just say NO! https://t.co/u9ozqm1l29
Vanguard Survey Finds 46% of Women Stuck in Low‑Yield Savings
Vanguard released a May 2026 survey revealing that while more than 70% of women feel confident about saving, 46% keep their cash in low‑yield accounts earning under 3% and 20% have no non‑retirement savings. The findings point to a sizable...
BofA Cards For Bilt Points, Chase Reserve 150K and Citi’s ThankYou Problem
Bank of America’s credit cards can now be used to earn Bilt rent‑reward points, expanding the fintech’s partnership with the property‑payment platform. Chase has revived its premium travel card appeal with a 150,000‑point sign‑up bonus for the Sapphire Reserve, while...
How to Dispute a Credit Report Error, Step by Step
Credit reports drive loan and credit‑card rates, yet 44% contain errors that can shave 60‑110 points off a score. An inaccurate late‑payment entry can cost borrowers thousands in higher interest, making dispute resolution critical. The article outlines a three‑step process—obtain...
Entrepreneurs Overlook Market Diversification for Illusory Business Gains
Why do entrepreneurs generally hate investing in the stock market? When my entrepreneur friends and I talk finances, I encourage them to diversify and put some of their money in low-cost index funds. The majority say, "But I can make more...
Martin Lewis' Pension Rule of Thumb Draws UK Media Frenzy
MoneySavingExpert founder Martin Lewis unveiled a simple pension‑saving formula on ITV's Money Show, telling viewers to contribute a percentage of their salary equal to half the age they start saving. The advice, echoed across The Independent, The Mirror and Wales...
Indiana Money Quest Deploys AI‑Powered Financial Literacy Program
The Indiana Secretary of State’s office rolled out Indiana Money Quest, an AI‑powered financial‑literacy platform built with Venturit and Google Vertex AI. Developed in just four weeks for about $50,000, the system creates micro‑lessons tailored to six resident personas, promising...
Mark Convinced His Mom to Seek Financial Advice. What Are Important Questions to Ask?
Mark helped his 58‑year‑old mother schedule a meeting with a financial adviser to discuss retiring this year. The couple, who own a paid‑off home, earn $81,400 USD (CAD $110k) from the mother’s job, have about $185,000 USD (CAD $250k) in ETF savings, and will...
Five Smart Things You Can Do with Your Tax Refund
Millions of Americans receive a tax refund each spring, yet 90% spend it within eleven days. Financial advisors argue that the week after the refund arrives is a high‑leverage moment to make strategic moves. They recommend five smart options: bolstering...
These Banks Just Raised Their CD Rates. Where to Find the Highest Yields
In April, eight of the 35 banks tracked by Morgan Stanley raised their certificate of deposit (CD) rates, with one‑year yields climbing six basis points to 3.71% and 13‑ to 36‑month yields edging up one basis point to 2.62%. The...
The Market Is Paying You 7% to Lend to a Hundred-Year-Old Franchise. Value Worth Exploiting.
A century‑old franchise’s senior unsecured 2033 notes are yielding nearly 7% despite the company’s robust financial profile. The firm boasts over $8 billion in primary liquidity and less than $1.5 billion of debt maturing in the near term, while its top rating...
Iran War Market Jitters Offer Silver Lining for Investors
The Iran‑war‑induced market swing has been modest compared with past crises, with the S&P 500 dropping about 9% from its late‑January peak before climbing to fresh all‑time highs. The VIX spiked to its highest level since April 2025, underscoring heightened investor anxiety....
Student Loan Repayment Obligations May Catch some by Surprise
Canadian students often overlook that the six‑month repayment grace period starts the moment they stop studying full‑time, not at graduation. Federal Canada Student Loans ceased accruing interest in April 2023, while several provinces still charge interest on their portions. The Repayment...
Investing Success Requires Professional Effort, Not Just Luck
I have a friend with a $50M stock portfolio. I’m jealous of him. We’ve had roughly the same time horizon. He put his energy into picking stocks, I put mine into AppSumo and indexing on the side. His returns have absolutely...
Married Couples Can Earn $131k in Tax‑free Dividends
One of the best kept secrets of the tax code? Under the right circumstances- A married couple in the US can earn up to $131,100 in dividends every year and pay zero in taxes. Here's how: (thread 👇)
What Is Dollar Cost Averaging?
Dollar‑cost averaging (DCA) lets investors commit a fixed dollar amount at regular intervals, buying more shares when prices dip and fewer when they rise. The method removes market‑timing anxiety and works best with low‑cost index funds that provide broad diversification....
Co-Signed a Loan for an Adult Child? Here’s How It’s Affecting Your Credit — and How to Fix It
Parents often co‑sign loans for adult children to secure better rates or qualify for credit. The co‑signed loan appears on the parent’s credit report, so missed payments can lower the parent’s score and raise their debt‑to‑income ratio. This liability can...
Start Maxing Your 401k in Your 20s, Reach Millions
I started this 401k account exactly 5 years ago. Not there yet but almost a quarter of million start investing. Your future will thank you, especially if you are in 20s and make 6 figure or around that at least...
Advisors Eye Gaps in 'Financially Solo' Clients as Nearly Half of Americans Are Single
Nearly half of American adults are single, prompting advisors to craft plans for “financially solo” clients. Ameriprise’s study of 3,000 singles—average age 65 with $700,000 in assets—found 75% expect to stay unpartnered long term. While 54% of solo women aim...
Goldman Sachs’ 2025 Retirement Investing Report: 3 Takeaways
Goldman Sachs’ Retirement Survey & Insights Report 2025 reveals that retirement costs have surged to 29% of household income, up from 21% in 2000, with homeownership now consuming 51% of earnings. Inflation-driven expenses have pushed 58% of respondents to fear...
From Debt to $3M Portfolio: Replicable Success Steps
I went from -$25K in debt to a $3M real estate portfolio, quit my corporate job, and travelled to 55 countries by 30. And no, I didn’t win the lottery, post on only fans, or do anything illegal. Here’s what I did...
Ireland Unveils Five‑Year National Financial Literacy Strategy to Tackle Money‑Management Gaps
Ireland's Department of Finance has launched a five‑year National Financial Literacy strategy, running to 2029, after Minister Simon Harris opened applications for a new financial‑literacy ambassador role. The plan aims to lift the 57% of adults below OECD standards and...
CIT Bank (First Citizens Wealth) Up To $750 Brokerage Bonus
CIT Bank, via its First Citizens Wealth platform, is offering a tiered bonus of up to $750 for new self‑directed investing accounts. To qualify, customers must fund the account with at least $1,000 and maintain the balance for a 60‑day...
New Student Loan Repayment Plan Launches Soon. Here’s What Borrowers Can Expect
The U.S. Department of Education will roll out the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) on July 1, replacing most existing income‑driven repayment (IDR) options for new federal student loan borrowers. RAP ties monthly payments to adjusted gross income, with rates from 1%...
The Road to Retirement
TrinityBridge frames retirement as a multi‑decade journey, urging early engagement with pensions and tax‑advantaged accounts. It highlights the power of compound growth when contributions start in the 30s and stresses regular reviews, especially in the 50s, to align investments, risk...
Maximize 401k: Save $10k Now, Pay Less Later
Say you make $300k/yr in IL. That's a 35% marginal fed tax + 5% state. $24.5k 401k contribution will lower your taxes by ~$9.8k. When you are retired, you will likely be in a much lower rate, say 22% in this example. That's...
Retirement Withdrawal Errors Threaten Long‑Term Income Plans
Certified financial planner Christopher Stroup and Pinnacle Wealth Advisory president Doug Greenberg explain how three common withdrawal mistakes—pulling evenly from all accounts, ignoring tax consequences of required minimum distributions, and raising spending after market rallies—can undermine a retirement income plan....
7.5 Million Federal Student Loan Borrowers Face 57‑Day Deadline to Choose New Repayment Plan
The U.S. Department of Education has warned roughly 7.5 million federal student loan borrowers that they must select a new repayment plan within 57 days after the first notice, or be auto‑enrolled in the highest‑cost plan they qualify for. The deadline, triggered...
Treat HSA as Investment, Not Everyday Checking Account
One of the biggest mistakes people make... Using their HSA like a checking account. Save your medical receipts. Let your HSA compound and grow. Reimburse yourself later.
Stay Calm: Habits of Top Investors in Volatile Markets
The best investors stay calm when markets are volatile, and these financial habits can help you stay the course. https://t.co/hO1oDA3Gyi
U.S. Credit Card Debt Hits $1.28 Trillion as Delinquencies Climb, Nevada Leads State‑Level Surge
U.S. household credit‑card balances surged to a record $1.28 trillion in Q4 2025, a 5.5% year‑over‑year jump, while delinquency rates ticked up to 4.8% of total debt. Nevada now records the highest credit‑card delinquency rate at 16.3%, underscoring regional stress points...
Tax‑Smart Portfolio Rebalancing: Follow These Rules
The way you rebalance your portfolio will determine how much you pay in taxes. Doing it incorrectly can result in unnecessary expenses, but there are a few rebalancing rules that can maximize your savings. https://t.co/THJGk6LSHp
Limit Negative Gearing to Boost Young Homeownership
I want an improvement in the ability of young people to build wealth, and own a home if they wish. We have such an easy solution that doesn't require destruction of whole sectors: Just limit NG to like-for-like income (as overseas) Rental losses...
Optimal Neutral Portfolio Calls for 15% Gold or Bitcoin
"If you were neutral on everything and optimizing your portfolio for the best return-to-risk ratio, you would have about 15% of your money in gold or Bitcoin." — Ray Dalio https://t.co/elQjKS4LwD