With People Losing Big to Investment Scams, Learn How to Spot and Avoid Them
Investment scams are costing Americans billions, with the FTC reporting over $7.9 billion in losses and a median victim loss exceeding $10,000 in 2025. Fraudsters lure victims through social media, messaging apps, and fake endorsements, often promising risk‑free returns in stocks, forex, or cryptocurrency. The scams thrive on false performance claims and unlicensed operators, making it difficult for investors to verify legitimacy. The FTC urges victims to report fraud and recommends checking licenses on Investor.gov and the CFTC database before committing funds.
Damian Stancombe: Why IFAs Need a New Framework for Retirement Advice
Defined‑contribution pensions in the UK have reached a tipping point, with nearly half of 55‑64‑year‑olds holding only a DC pot built for accumulation rather than drawdown. The 2015 Pension Freedoms amplified the mismatch, leaving retirees uncertain about how long their...
4 Reasons UK Homeowners Over 60 Are Choosing Lifetime Mortgages in 2026 (and 3 Reasons Others Are Walking Away)
In 2026 UK homeowners aged over 60 are increasingly turning to lifetime mortgages, a form of equity release that provides tax‑free cash without mandatory monthly repayments. Uptake has risen as interest rates have steadied around 3.3% and traditional refinancing options...
4 Retirement Planning Lessons I Learned From 'Everesting'
Lincoln Financial’s Tim Seifert draws parallels between "Everesting" climbs and retirement planning, urging advisors to visualize a client’s retirement summit, break the journey into small, repeatable steps, and act as a supportive community. He highlights the looming "Peak 65" wave as...
Buy 3 Neuberger Berman Mutual Funds for a Strong Portfolio
Neuberger Berman, managing $567 billion, recommends three mutual funds—mid‑cap growth (NMANX), large‑cap value (NPRTX) and intrinsic value (NINAX)—each holding a Zacks #1 Strong Buy rating. The funds deliver 3‑year annualized returns between 11% and 12.1% and feature expense ratios from 0.74% to...
Old Annuities Contain Untapped Potential for Clients and Advisers: Here's Why
Recent Federal Reserve rate hikes drove a surge in annuity payouts during 2022‑23, but subsequent rate cuts and the prospect of another rise have left many older contracts underperforming. Advisors are urged to conduct formal annuity reviews every 12‑24 months,...
Tech Has Simplified Direct Indexing, and That's Not the Only Reason Financial Advisers Should Make the Leap
Advances in technology have removed many of the operational hurdles that once limited direct indexing, giving financial advisers a viable alternative to traditional ETFs and mutual funds. Pooled vehicles suffer from opaque holdings, hidden overlap, limited tax‑loss harvesting, portfolio drift,...
The 1% Rule of Real Estate Investing
The 1 % rule is a quick screening metric that requires a rental property's gross monthly rent to equal at least 1 % of its all‑in purchase price, including repair costs. Originating in an era of high mortgage rates, it helps investors...
Your California Inflation Relief Debit Card Could Still Have Money, But Not for Long
The California Middle Class Tax Refund debit cards will cease to function after April 30, 2026, and any remaining balances will be transferred to the state’s General Fund. Approximately 10% of the cards were never activated, and many recipients may still have...
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This New SoFi Offer Turns a $50 Deposit Into a Shot at $1,000
SoFi is rolling out a "Bank Shot Bonus" that lets new customers win cash prizes ranging from $5 to $1,000 after opening a checking and savings account and depositing at least $50. The promotion runs through April 30 and is limited...
9 Ways To Weatherize Your Home To Lower Your Energy Bills Before Summer Heat Sets In
Homeowners are urged to weatherize before summer to cut energy bills and avoid HVAC overload. Experts from FilterKing, Service Experts, and First Choice Heating outline nine practical steps—from sealing windows to testing thermostats. Early action secures contractor availability, prevents costly...
Tax Day Is Here. How to Pocket More of Your Portfolio's Return, According to Bank of America
Bank of America’s research shows a tax‑aware portfolio (60% stocks, 40% bonds) outperformed a tax‑insensitive counterpart, delivering a 7.4% post‑tax annualized return versus 5.9% over 30 years. The firm recommends three tax‑efficiency levers for investors: favoring share buybacks over qualified...
Financial Literacy Month Spotlight: AICPA and Finseca Share the Financial Questions Clients Ask Most
During National Financial Literacy Month, the AICPA and Finseca published a guide answering the most common financial questions from individuals, families, and small‑business owners. The resource stresses building a 3‑6‑month emergency fund, adopting tax‑diverse retirement accounts, and using diversification and...
Stop Buying These 9 Common Bathroom Products, Say Professional Organisers – the Duplicates Secretly Causing Clutter
Professional organizers Emma Kenwrick‑Meehan and Jo Jacob warn that nine everyday bathroom items are routinely over‑purchased, creating hidden clutter and wasted money. They trace the problem to habit, visibility, and supermarket multi‑buy promotions that encourage shoppers to buy before existing...
4 Closed-End Fund Buys In March 2026
In March 2026 the author increased positions in four closed‑end funds, targeting deep discounts that emerged after a broad market pullback. Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund now trades at a double‑digit discount, while BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust...
