GOF's 20% Yield Is Real. The 36% Premium You Used to Pay for It Is Gone.
Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund (GOF) now yields about 20.6% annualized, trading at $10.61 per share—a near‑zero discount to its $10.64 NAV. After five years of premiums that topped 36%, the premium has collapsed, offering investors a price‑aligned entry point. The $2.8 billion closed‑end fund holds 1,483 diversified credit positions across high‑yield bonds, loans, CLOs, MBS and equity exposure. Managed by Guggenheim’s $85 billion fixed‑income platform, GOF combines short duration with flexible allocation limits.
Maximizing Your Tax-Free Wealth & Income For Retirement | Ed Slott
Ed Slott, a leading IRA distribution specialist, outlines tax‑free retirement strategies centered on Roth IRA conversions while current tax rates are low. He emphasizes that 65 % of Americans feel their retirement savings are off track, with a median account balance...
Is It Too Late To Build Wealth? Starting at 35, 45, 55, or Beyond
The article argues that building wealth is never too late, whether you start at 35, 45, or 55, and outlines practical steps to catch up. It highlights how consistent investing, income growth, and automation can generate substantial retirement balances despite...
I Bond’s Fixed Rate Is Likely to Hold at 0.90% at May 1 Reset
U.S. Treasury I‑Bonds are expected to keep their fixed component at 0.90% when the next rate reset occurs on May 1, leaving the composite yield at 4.03% for the full six‑month period. The stable fixed rate preserves the bond’s attractive inflation‑adjusted...
Prepping to Pull the Trigger
A retiree is approaching a 15% rebalance trigger as the Vanguard Developed Asia Pacific fund sits at a 14% loss. Simultaneously, a sizable after‑tax cash reserve from a business sale sits in a money‑market fund, outperforming other holdings. The investor...
Managing Long-Term Care Risk in Retirement
Long‑term care (LTC) is a high‑severity, low‑frequency risk that can derail retirement plans because Medicare and most private health policies do not cover custodial services. Median costs range from $5,000‑$6,000 per month for assisted living to over $9,000 for skilled‑nursing...
Time to Be Fearful
An investor over‑committed to oil stocks and energy ETFs after noticing falling gasoline prices, seeing his portfolio halve before a rebound restored and grew his position. The experience left him alternating between panic at losses and anxiety about missing further...
Uncertainty Around Social Security, Taxes, and Healthcare Is Bad for Households – and the Economy
Recent research by Greenwald Research, partnered with Jackson National Life, surveyed 1,443 near‑retirees and retirees with at least $100,000 in investable assets about policy uncertainty surrounding Social Security, Medicare, taxes and federal debt. The findings reveal that 21% of unretired...
Lyft Launches 60-Day Gas Relief Program for Drivers Offering up to 98 Cents per Gallon in Savings
Lyft has launched a 60‑day gas‑relief program for its drivers, running from March 27 to May 26. The initiative provides cash‑back on Lyft Direct debit card purchases (1% for Gold/Platinum, 2% for Elite) plus an additional 14 cents per gallon through Upside and...
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[Live 3/31] SoFi Plus Now Costs $10/Month (Removes Free Option) + 4.5% Savings Rate
SoFi is ending the free SoFi Plus subscription, charging every member $10 per month starting April 1, 2026. The plan now includes a 4.5% APY on balances up to $20,000, a modest bump from the 4.25% baseline. However, the extra...
Don't Delay Spousal Social Security Benefits
Farm couples often have a primary wage‑earning spouse while the other manages the household and farm chores without direct pay. When Social Security benefits begin, the stay‑at‑home spouse is eligible for a spousal benefit equal to half of the primary...
Things I Always Buy at the Dollar Tree to Save Money
The article outlines 14 categories of everyday items that can be bought at Dollar Tree to stretch household budgets, from cleaning supplies and paper products to pantry staples and seasonal decorations. By swapping name‑brand equivalents for the retailer’s $1 offerings, consumers...
Charlie Munger: 7 Wealth Mistakes Middle Class People Keep Making
Charlie Munger, Berkshire Hathaway’s vice chairman, outlines seven common wealth mistakes that trap middle‑class investors, from chasing quick returns to ignoring opportunity costs. He stresses that lasting wealth stems from patient compounding, simple strategies, and staying within one’s circle of...
Social Security Spousal Benefits
Social Security spousal benefits stop growing once the spouse reaches their own Full Retirement Age (FRA), so delaying a claim until age 70 yields no higher payment. The benefit is capped at 50% of the worker’s Primary Insurance Amount, regardless...
Is It Time To De-Risk Your Portfolio? | Ted Oakley
Ted Oakley, founder and CEO of Oxbow Advisors, urges investors to keep 20‑25% of their portfolios in cash or Treasury bills as stock valuations remain extreme and earnings multiples risk compression. He warns that both declining earnings and falling multiples...
HECM for Purchase for a Multigenerational Home | 2026 Guide
The 2026 guide explains how a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) for Purchase lets borrowers 62 and older acquire a primary residence—often a multigenerational property—by making a sizable down payment and avoiding monthly mortgage payments. The loan covers the balance,...
Full Time Investing Countermeasures
Dean outlines his personal countermeasure system for transitioning to full‑time investing after leaving a managerial role as a mechanic. He establishes numeric portfolio thresholds and a four‑stage response plan that escalates from cutting luxury expenses to re‑entering the workforce. The...
The Death by a Thousand Taps Economy
The post examines how a cascade of tiny digital purchases—dubbed the "death by a thousand taps"—undermines financial goals, drawing on interviews with twelve women across global cities. It highlights that convenience, subscription creep, and buy‑now‑pay‑later (BNPL) services erode budgets more...
The Best Defense: What 222 Years of Data Reveals About Protecting Your Portfolio
Over two centuries, the classic 60% stock/40% bond mix delivered roughly 7% annual returns but suffered drawdowns exceeding 71%. A new study covering 1800‑2021 evaluated dozens of defensive tactics and identified Defensive Absolute Return (DAR4020) and multi‑asset trend‑following as the...
Building Financial Stability Beyond the Gig
Artists in the gig economy often lack formal financial training, leading to cash‑flow volatility and stress. The DC Jazz Festival’s CEO highlights budgeting, emergency savings, debt management, and retirement planning as essential habits for musicians. He also promotes workshops that...
Prepaid Tuition Plan Vs. 529 Plan: Which Is Best?
Prepaid tuition plans let families lock in today’s college costs, effectively hedging against tuition inflation, while 529 college‑savings plans function as defined‑contribution accounts with a wide range of investment options. Both vehicles provide tax‑free withdrawals for qualified education expenses, but...
Something to Think About
The author has been using a dollar‑cost averaging approach for Roth conversions, accelerating conversions whenever the broader market dips. He now realizes the mistake: the target‑date fund’s share price hasn’t fallen in lockstep with the market because of its 40%...
Working While You're Collecting Social Security
Choosing when to start Social Security benefits has lasting financial consequences, especially for those who keep working. In 2026 the earnings exemption is $24,480 for workers under full retirement age (FRA) and $65,160 after reaching FRA, with a $1‑for‑$2 and...
45x / 60% Back at Skechers, Deals Coming for StubHub and Turkish Airlines via Capital One Shopping and Offers
Capital One is running a one‑day promotion that awards 45 times Venture X miles through its Capital One Offers portal and up to 60 % cash back via the Capital One Shopping extension on Skechers purchases. The elevated rates are limited to today...
Tax Deductions Musicians Often Miss: Beyond the Basics
The article outlines a suite of often‑overlooked tax deductions that independent musicians can claim beyond the usual instrument and travel write‑offs. It details how home‑studio space, software subscriptions, education fees, conference travel, marketing costs, health‑related services, and insurance premiums qualify...
Using a HELOC to Fund a Child’s First Home
Parents can tap home equity via a HELOC to help their child’s first‑home purchase, but the way the funds are classified—gift or loan—drastically influences the child’s mortgage qualification. Lenders require a signed gift letter and clear transfer records, and timing...
9 Long-Term Habits to Build Lasting Wealth
The Substack post outlines nine long‑term habits designed to create lasting wealth, from paying yourself first to treating your personal brand like a CEO. It stresses asset acquisition, deep skill mastery, a robust emergency fund, and continuous investment in knowledge....
This 11% Yielder Powers AI’s Insatiable Appetite But The Leverage Makes You The Co-Pilot
The article spotlights Tortoise Energy Infrastructure Corp. (TYG), an 11.69% yielding closed‑end fund positioned to profit from the AI‑driven surge in U.S. electricity demand. Macro data shows data‑center power needs could hit 74 GW by 2028, outpacing current capacity and prompting...
Russell Napier’s Warning: The Great Portfolio Reset
Russell Napier warns that investors face a "great portfolio reset" as bond markets lose appeal, U.S. equities become riskier, and financial repression intensifies. He argues that prolonged low‑interest rates will erode fixed‑income returns, prompting a shift toward real assets and...
The Sunday Best (03/22/2026)
Physician on Fire released three timely posts addressing financial pitfalls for doctors. The first examines asset‑liability mismatches that can cripple cash flow early in a medical career. The second compares Solo 401(k) and SEP‑IRA retirement vehicles, highlighting contribution limits and...
Why Medicare Isn’t as Simple as It Looks
Medicare does not enroll automatically for those who delay Social Security, so missing the sign‑up can leave retirees with secondary coverage and surprise bills. At age 65 Medicare becomes the primary payer, pushing other policies into a secondary role. Delaying...
Choosing a Personal Loan Over a Home Equity Loan
Personal loans and home‑equity loans are both fixed‑rate installment options, but they differ in security, rates, and term lengths. Personal loans are unsecured, require lower credit scores, and typically offer 12% interest over one to seven years, while home‑equity loans...
Ignoring the Noise Is Impossible
Financial advisors increasingly confront an unrelenting stream of market noise, making traditional "ignore the noise" counsel impractical. The article distinguishes "good advice"—generic, static recommendations—from "effective advice," which integrates durable portfolio construction with behavioral safeguards. Citing Fisher Black’s research and Charles...
100 Years, 29,000 Stocks, 46 Winners: The Case for Indexing Just Got Stronger
A new century‑long study by Hendrik Bessembinder shows that just 46 out of nearly 30,000 U.S. stocks accounted for half of $91 trillion in shareholder wealth creation, down from 89 firms in his 2018 analysis. The median stock delivered a -6.9%...
Annuities in 401(k) Plans Aren’t All Their Cracked Up to Be
A new study from the Center reveals that 83% of retirees encounter unexpected expenses each year, averaging about 10% of their annual income. To cover such shocks over a 25‑year retirement, households need an emergency fund ranging from $200,000 to...
Interview With The Building Financial Podcast February 2026.
The Macro Butler interviewed Junus Eu of The Building Financial Podcast, framing investing as a form of adulting guided by a clear roadmap. He emphasized using the business cycle as a financial GPS to pinpoint the right assets without relying...
How to Build a Retirement Spending Plan You’ll Actually Stick To
The article outlines a step‑by‑step approach to building a retirement spending plan that lasts. It stresses defining a concrete retirement year to align Social Security, Medicare enrollment, and income drawdowns. By reviewing current spending, projecting core expenses like housing and...
Best Student Loan Refinance Rates for March 19, 2026: Credible Leads At 3.67%
The College Investor reports that as of March 19, 2026, student‑loan refinance rates remain low, with Credible offering variable APRs as low as 3.67% and Earnest delivering the cheapest fixed APR at 3.71%. The article lists five top lenders, their...
Warren Buffett: 5 Subtle Habits That Quietly Build Massive Wealth For the Middle Class
Warren Buffett attributes his wealth to a handful of simple, repeatable habits rather than flashy deals. He consistently lives below his means, saves first, and channels surplus into investments. He invests heavily in personal education, thinks in decades, and avoids...
How to Properly Size Investment Positions
The article explains how investors can boost risk‑adjusted returns by properly sizing positions rather than merely finding ideas. It introduces a simple upside‑to‑downside framework, illustrates it with PayPal and Perimeter Solutions, and ties the ratio to a practical allocation rule...
Personal Finance Links: Extended Expenses
The roundup curates recent personal‑finance content spanning podcasts, tax strategy analyses, housing market reports, and lifestyle‑focused investing pieces. Highlights include Bloomberg’s look at tax‑aware strategies for wealthy investors under Treasury scrutiny, The Atlantic’s examination of a condo‑building collapse that is...
I Fired Myself As Money Manager And It Feels Great
A relative left a Goldman Sachs advisory firm, paying roughly 1.5% management fees plus 1‑2% fund fees, and asked the author to manage her $2 million portfolio. By reallocating to low‑cost ETFs, the author saved about $30,000 in fees and achieved...
Psychology Says: 10 Money Beliefs That Quietly Keep Middle-Class People Broke
The article identifies ten entrenched money beliefs that keep middle‑class households financially stagnant, linking each to well‑documented behavioral‑economics biases such as present bias, hedonic adaptation, loss aversion and mental accounting. It explains why relying on income growth alone fails when...
Risk Management Secrets From Top Financial Pros
Top financial professionals rely on a systematic blend of diversification, quantitative risk tools, and hedging to protect assets while pursuing returns. They employ metrics such as Value at Risk, stress testing, and scenario analysis to anticipate market shocks. The article...
What Every Family Should Compare Before Switching Cell Phone Companies
T‑Mobile’s Better Value Plan is positioned as a cost‑effective family cell‑phone option that bundles unlimited premium data, generous hotspot limits and a 5‑Year Price Guarantee. For a three‑line household the plan costs about $143 per month, delivering over $1,000 in...
Solo 401(k) Vs. SEP-IRA for Physicians (2026): Which Wins for Your Income Level?
The article compares Solo 401(k) plans and SEP‑IRAs for physicians, breaking down contribution limits, tax deductions, and administrative requirements across different income brackets. It shows that high‑earning doctors can contribute up to $66,000 annually with a Solo 401(k), while SEP‑IRAs...
A Simple Math Equation for Financial Freedom (The Arithmetic of Wealth)
The article frames financial independence as a single arithmetic condition: wealth multiplied by a sustainable rate of return must meet or exceed after‑tax living expenses. Using the classic 4 % rule, $60,000 in annual costs require roughly $1.5 million of invested capital...
Old-Age Care Costs in Switzerland
The article breaks down the escalating costs of old‑age care in Switzerland, from modest at‑home Spitex services to expensive 24/7 home care and residential nursing homes. It highlights statutory caps—15.35 CHF per day for medical home care and 23 CHF per day...
Don’t Miss These 10 Often-Overlooked Tax Breaks
Tax season is approaching, and many filers overlook valuable deductions and credits that could significantly lower their 2025 tax bill. The article lists ten often‑missed tax breaks, ranging from the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child and Dependent Care Credit...
Property Tax Exemption for Seniors | How to Qualify in 2026
Senior property‑tax exemptions, which lower the taxable value of a home, are expanding across the United States as retirees face rising assessments on fixed incomes. States such as New York are boosting exemption caps to as high as 65% of...