CGDG: Dividend Growth ETF That Offers Global Protection
The Capital Group Dividend Growers ETF (CGDG) has delivered a 15% price gain and a 16.4% total return over the past twelve months, outpacing the S&P 500 during the recent market pullback. The fund holds $4.46 billion in assets and emphasizes dividend‑paying companies with a near‑even split between U.S. (≈51%) and non‑U.S. (≈47%) equities. With a starting dividend yield around 2% and a trailing‑12‑month dividend growth rate of 9.4%, CGDG targets investors seeking capital preservation and dividend growth. Its active, multi‑manager approach and defensive sector tilt aim to reduce volatility while delivering steady income.
Social Security's 2.8% COLA Is Here -- but Medicare Already Took Some of It Back
Social Security delivered a 2.8% cost‑of‑living adjustment on Jan. 1, raising monthly benefits by roughly $56 for a typical $2,000 recipient. At the same time, Medicare Part B premiums jumped $17.90 to $202.90, and other Medicare costs also rose. Because Part B premiums...
9 Financially Savvy Tips for a Guilt-Free Vacation, From a Wealth Adviser
A wealth adviser outlines nine practical steps for a guilt‑free vacation, starting with a dedicated vacation fund and treating travel as a line‑item in a comprehensive financial plan. The guide stresses using credit‑card points and rewards strategically, securing travel with...
Don't Defer Retirement if You're a Landlord, Defer Taxes Instead
America’s "Peak 65" retirement wave is forcing millions of landlord‑investors to confront an exit dilemma. Traditional sales trigger a 40%+ tax hit from capital gains, depreciation recapture, and state taxes, eroding decades of wealth. By leveraging a 1031 exchange into Delaware...
Should You Forget Dogecoin and Buy a More Serious Cryptocurrency Instead?
Dogecoin is trading at an 87% discount to its $0.74 all‑time high, signaling a prolonged slump for the once‑dominant meme coin. The market is now saturated with thousands of meme tokens, eroding Dogecoin’s novelty and demand. Solana, a Layer‑1 blockchain...
Income and Life Expectancy Not Adding Up? An Annuity Could Solve the Equation
Retirees facing longevity risk and market volatility are turning to fixed indexed annuities with guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit (GLWB) riders to secure lifetime income while retaining some upside. The GLWB adds about a 1% annual fee in exchange for a...
Alternative Investing Without Getting Burned: Hackstons Safety Tips
Hackstons’ guide outlines practical safety steps for alternative investments, using cask whisky as a case study. It stresses the need for verifiable ownership documents, skepticism toward overly‑promising offers, and a long‑term holding mindset. The article also warns against relying solely...
Should You Book Holiday Flights Now Considering Jet Fuel Price Spikes?
Global jet‑fuel prices have surged, with the International Air Transport Association reporting an average of $195.19 per barrel and the U.S. Argus index exceeding $4.60 per gallon—more than double pre‑conflict levels. The spike is forcing airlines to trim capacity, with...
Jack Bogle’s Bogleheads Argue This 3-Fund Portfolio Strategy Is What Everyone Needs
Bogleheads are championing a three‑fund portfolio built around low‑cost index funds—a U.S. total‑stock market fund, an international stock fund, and a U.S. bond fund. Vanguard’s Admiral‑share versions (VTSAX, VTIAX, VBTLX) exemplify the approach, though comparable ETFs from Fidelity and Schwab...
The Fine Print of 529 Plans: What New York Doesn’t Cover
Section 529 plans let families save for education with tax advantages, but federal and New York rules diverge on what counts as a qualified expense. Starting in 2026, the federal limit for K‑12 tuition withdrawals doubles to $20,000 and non‑tuition costs become...
The IRMAA Income Trap Quiz: What Really Counts?
The Income‑Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) adds a Medicare premium surcharge based on a retiree’s Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). The quiz highlights that many common financial actions—such as selling a home, realizing capital gains, or converting a Roth IRA—can...
Retirement Planning for Families: Services and Examples
Families juggling childcare, education costs, and elder care often push retirement to the back burner, but coordinated planning can keep long‑term security on track. The article stresses aligning partner contributions, leveraging employer‑matched 401(k)s and Roth IRAs, and treating household accounts...
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How to Invest in Gold: Physical Gold, ETFs, and Futures
The article outlines the three primary ways to invest in gold—physical bullion, exchange‑traded funds, and derivatives such as futures and options—while also covering mining stocks as an indirect exposure. It explains how gold coins and bars offer tangible ownership but...
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Effective Strategies for Asset Allocation in Your Portfolio
Effective asset allocation is the cornerstone of portfolio performance, often outweighing individual security selection. The article outlines six allocation frameworks—from strategic, constant‑weighting, and tactical to dynamic, insured, and integrated—each with distinct rebalancing rules and risk controls. It also provides age‑based...
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DRIP Investment: How Dividend Reinvestment Plans Boost Your Portfolio
Dividend Reinvestment Plans (DRIPs) let investors automatically use cash dividends to purchase additional shares, often without commissions and sometimes at a 3‑5% discount. By reinvesting, investors harness dollar‑cost averaging, buying more shares when prices fall and fewer when they rise,...
Retirement Planning for Dentists: Services and Examples
Dentists face distinctive retirement challenges because their income often comes from practice ownership, fluctuating patient volumes, and substantial business expenses. They can tap a suite of retirement vehicles—including 401(k)s, solo 401(k)s, SEP IRAs, and defined benefit plans—to leverage higher contribution...
Premium Bonds Holders Wait Three Years on Average Before Winning a Prize
A Freedom of Information request shows first‑time Premium Bonds winners in 2025 waited an average 3.1 years before receiving any prize, meaning cash sits idle for years. The long lag deprives savers of interest that could be earned in traditional accounts....
How To Prepare Your Portfolio For The Proposed 'Six-Figure' Social Security Limit
The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget proposes capping Social Security benefits at $100,000 annually for married couples retiring at normal retirement age. The cap would apply only to new retirees, leaving existing beneficiaries untouched. The proposal aims to protect...
SEC Highlights Financial Independence During Financial Literacy Month
The SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Assistance announced a month‑long campaign for Financial Literacy Month, spotlighting free planning tools on Investor.gov. Throughout April, the agency will share guidance on early investing, diversified portfolios, debt reduction, emergency funds, and tax‑advantaged...
OCBC to Trim Interest Rate for Flagship 360 Account From May 1
OCBC announced it will lower the interest rate on its flagship 360 Account to 4.45% per annum for the first S$100,000 (about $74,000) starting May 1, down from 5.45%. This is the first adjustment to the 360 Account rates in 2026...
Credit Card APRs Have an 'Economically Meaningful' Impact on Consumer Spending, Boston Fed Finds
The Boston Federal Reserve’s new paper shows that a one‑percentage‑point rise in credit‑card APR cuts overall card spending by about nine percent, roughly $74 per consumer each month, and up to fifteen percent for balance‑carrying borrowers, especially lower‑income households. Average...
Why Claiming Social Security Early Can Reduce Your Retirement Check for Life
Millions of Americans can begin Social Security retirement at age 62, but doing so slashes monthly benefits by roughly 30% for those born in 1960 or later, whose full retirement age is 67. The reduction is permanent and cannot be...
When Life Gives You Lemons, Don't Rush to Make Lemonade — or Financial Decisions
Life‑changing events such as divorce, widowhood, inheritance, business sales, or an empty nest force many women to confront sudden financial agency. The article argues that the industry’s checklist‑driven advice misses the emotional and values‑based decisions these transitions demand. It introduces...
When Paying for Financial Advice, Think Like Warren Buffett: Price Is What You Pay. Value Is What You Get
The article stresses that the price of financial advice is merely the visible fee, while true value stems from the advisor’s compensation structure and resulting objectivity. It outlines three primary models—commission‑based, fee‑based, and fee‑only—and explains how each influences incentives. Fee‑only...
What Happens to My Crypto when I Die?
A recent panel of regulators, crypto technologists, legal experts and bank executives debated the looming inheritance crisis in digital assets. Participants highlighted that lost private keys can render cryptocurrency permanently inaccessible, leaving heirs unable to claim rightful wealth. While self‑sovereignty...
Why Multi-Asset Funds Are Now Moving to the Centre of Mutual Fund Portfolios
Multi‑asset funds in India are shedding their niche status, drawing roughly $1 billion in net inflows in February 2026 and pushing total assets under management to about $22 billion. The category led hybrid‑fund inflows for the fourth straight month, with assets growing 4.9%...
Missing State Pension Check: 'I Reclaimed £25,000 After Taking Time Off to Provide Care' – Can You Do the Same?
MoneySavingExpert highlighted a long‑standing Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) error that left more than 100,000 former caregivers without proper National Insurance credits. After checking their records, retirees like Sheila and Mary reclaimed £25,270 (≈$32,100) and £15,788 (≈$20,050) respectively, boosting their state...
This One Mistake Could Cost You ‘Tens of Thousands of Dollars’ When Buying or Selling a Home
Skipping a real‑estate agent may seem like a cost‑saving shortcut, but it often leads to far larger losses. The median home sold for $435,000 last year, while for‑sale‑by‑owner (FSBO) properties averaged $380,000—a $55,000 gap. Even after accounting for...
HSAs Are Being Touted as a Way to Make Healthcare More Affordable. But It...
Health savings accounts (HSAs) are being promoted by Republicans as a solution to rising healthcare costs, positioning them as a tool for smarter consumer spending. However, experts argue the tax‑advantaged accounts mainly benefit affluent Americans and may shift more expenses...
Should You Add Private Equity to Your ISA?
Private‑equity funds marketed for ISAs promise outsized returns, but the metrics used—chiefly internal rate of return—mislead retail investors. Over the past 15 years the private‑equity premium has evaporated, with a five‑year trailing edge of –4.62% versus the S&P 500. Layered fees,...
The Elite £2m ISA Club – Here’s How to Join
A Freedom of Information request to HMRC by Bowmore Wealth Group uncovered a niche “£2 million ISA club” of 270 UK investors, roughly $2.6 million each. AJ Bell modelling shows that saving £1,433 a month (≈ $1,830) for 25 years at a 6 % return...
‘I Was Shoveling Sidewalks at 8 Years Old’: I’m a 73-Year-Old Boomer Dad with Two Kids. Here’s What I Teach...
A 73‑year‑old father writes to The Moneyist about the challenges of teaching his two adult children—one a reluctant investor, the other a budding market participant—how to manage money responsibly. He recounts early work lessons, a $5,000 seed gift, and concerns...
Can Caring for Aging Parents Help My Tax Bill?
The article explains how the Credit for Other Dependents (ODC) and related tax provisions can lower the tax burden for caregivers of aging parents. The ODC offers a $500 non‑refundable credit for qualifying dependents, but eligibility hinges on support levels,...
The Best Savings Accounts for Retirees to Maximize Your Cash
Retirees seeking low‑risk cash growth are urged to evaluate high‑yield savings accounts, money‑market accounts, standard CDs, and jumbo CDs. High‑yield online accounts can offer APYs that outpace inflation, while money‑market products add debit‑card access at a modest rate trade‑off. For...
The Two-Lifetime Challenge: How to Fund Your Retirement and Theirs
Families caring for adult children with disabilities face a double‑layered retirement challenge: they must secure their own financial future while ensuring lifelong support for their dependents. With nearly one million U.S. households in this situation, advisors recommend special‑needs trusts, targeted...
Dividend Growth Bi-Weekly Chat 03/30/2026
The latest Dividend Growth Bi‑Weekly Chat highlighted a 7‑fund portfolio delivering a 9.42% trailing yield on cost and a 14.67% annualized return, beating the S&P 500 while exhibiting 20% lower volatility. It also examined the primary risk in Business Development Companies...
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What Is the Average Credit Score for People in Their 40s and 50s? How Do You Stack Up?
Americans in their 40s and 50s hold an average FICO score in the low 700s, roughly matching the overall U.S. average of 715. Experian’s data shows scores climb steadily as borrowers age, reflecting longer payment histories and broader credit mixes....
SIP Investing Made Smarter: How to Use a SIP Calculator to Build Long-Term Wealth
The article explains how Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) in mutual funds can build long‑term wealth, emphasizing that time in the market beats timing. It highlights the power of compounding, rupee‑cost averaging, and financial discipline as core benefits. A SIP calculator...
High School Can Be a Pathway to Financial Wellness: Here's How to Get More Kids on It
Financial stress hits teens early, shaping confidence and future choices. A Harvard‑based study shows money habits form in childhood, making high school a pivotal moment for intervention. Today 35 of 50 states mandate personal‑finance courses, but effective programs must blend...
UK Savers Told to Act Now Before Easter Sunday Cash Isa Deadline
UK savers must act before the 5 April Easter deadline to use the cash ISA allowance of £20,000 (≈ $25,600). Contributions hit a record £14 bn (≈ $17.9 bn) in April 2025, the highest monthly total since 1999. After this tax year the allowance drops to...
How to Earn More Rewards with Your Credit Cards
The MoneySense guide shows Canadians how to squeeze more value from credit‑card rewards without inflating spending. It advises matching card categories to personal purchase habits, consolidating to a primary high‑earn‑rate card, and using budgeting tools to stay on track. The...
I’m a Financial Planner: 5 Ways High-Net-Worth Households Manage Money Differently Than the Middle Class
A Certified Financial Planner with 35 years of experience outlines five ways high‑net‑worth households manage money differently from middle‑class families. Wealthy families treat money as a productive tool, allocating capital across diverse assets rather than merely preserving it. They approach...
UK Households Urged to Do This 2-Minute Boiler Check Now or Miss Out on £325 Off Gas Bills This Summer
UK energy experts say a two‑minute boiler tweak can cut gas bills by roughly £325 (about $406) a year. By lowering the boiler’s flow temperature to around 60 °C and enabling summer mode, households keep modern condensing boilers in their most...
RNP: Not Worth Chasing This 8.3% Yield
Cohen & Steers REIT & Preferred & Income Fund (RNP) advertises an 8.3% distribution yield, but most of that payout stems from return of capital and capital gains rather than operating cash flow. The fund’s leverage sits near 29% of assets, and upcoming...
How to Navigate the Maze of Drug Discounts to Get the Best Price
The article breaks down how patients can cut prescription costs amid a growing maze of discount options, from brand‑name sites like TrumpRx to coupon‑heavy platforms such as GoodRx and Cost Plus Drugs. It highlights the stark price gap between brand drugs—e.g., Protonix...
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Could Your Marital Status Be Reducing Your Retirement Savings? Here’s What to Know
A new National Institute on Retirement Security report reveals that married workers enjoy dramatically larger retirement balances and total assets than their single, divorced, widowed, or separated peers. Median retirement accounts sit at $20,000 for married employees versus $2,000 for...
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Best Solo 401(k) Companies for March 2026
Investopedia evaluated nine solo 401(k) providers using 21 weighted criteria and ranked Fidelity as the best overall option for self‑employed investors. Charles Schwab earned the top spot for low‑fee transactions, while E*TRADE was highlighted for its extensive account features, including 401(k)...
‘Going to Get Wiped Out’: Robert Kiyosaki Warns Boomers Don’t Have Enough to Stay Off the Streets. Secure Your Nest...
Robert Kiyosaki warned on the *Iced Coffee Hour* podcast that U.S. baby boomers face a looming homelessness crisis driven by Federal Reserve‑induced inflation. He blames the Fed’s fiat‑money expansion for rising living costs, noting Social Security will only cover about...
Should We Be Investing in Stocks After Retirement?
Retirees with substantial real‑estate income often wonder if a 90% stock allocation is prudent. Financial planner Liz Weston advises maintaining some equity exposure for inflation protection but cautions against excessive concentration, recommending a balanced mix that includes bonds or annuities...
Check Your Target-Date Fund, Especially if You Plan to Retire Soon
Target‑date mutual funds have become the default retirement vehicle for many U.S. workers, swelling to over $4 trillion in assets by 2024 after the 2006 Pension Protection Act encouraged automatic 401(k) enrollment. While marketed as a "set‑it‑and‑forget‑it" solution, these funds often...