Don't Panic, Stay Invested: NSE's Harish Ahuja Advices Retail Investors Amid Global Market Volatility
Harish K. Ahuja, head of sustainability at NSE, urged retail investors to stay calm amid a 7‑10% global market correction tied to geopolitical tensions. He emphasized that India’s fundamentals—strong GDP growth, low inflation, and robust industrial activity—remain solid despite short‑term volatility. Ahuja highlighted India’s record IPO activity and large investor base, reinforcing the market’s depth. He advised a long‑term, patient approach, recommending investors hold stocks for five to ten years rather than trade daily.
Retirees, Steel Yourselves: Global Crises Might Rattle the Markets, but T...
The Iran conflict has triggered modest market turbulence, pulling the S&P 500 down about 3.7% since late February while oil prices and inflation expectations rise. Financial advisers warn that retirees in the “fragile decade” must guard against sequence‑of‑returns risk, which can...
Save Money With This Dollar Tree Dupe Of A Beloved Trader Joe's Condiment
Trader Joe’s popular Crunchy Chili Onion condiment carries a premium price, prompting shoppers to seek cheaper alternatives. Dollar Tree offers a 3‑ounce Katayama Crunchy Chili Onion jar for $1.50, roughly one‑third the cost of the 6‑ounce Trader Joe’s version. Despite being sourced from...
‘The Money Is Tax-Free’: I’m 76 and Won $50,000 in a Settlement Related to Cancer From Nuclear Waste. What Should...
A 76‑year‑old cancer survivor received a $50,000 settlement from a DOJ‑run reparations program for illness linked to nuclear‑waste dumping. The award is tax‑free and does not affect Social Security benefits, instantly improving cash flow for the senior couple. The recipient...
Wealth Management for Families: Milestones, Services and Examples
Family wealth management expands traditional financial planning to address the interconnected needs of multiple household members across generations. It aligns investment, tax, insurance, education, and estate strategies around key life milestones such as buying a home, starting a family, career...
Amex Platinum Card® Cardholders: Get Up to 10¢ Off Each Gallon of Gas via Walmart+ Gas Discount
American Express Platinum Cardholders can receive a monthly statement credit of up to $12.95 when they enroll the Walmart+ membership on the card, effectively making the $12.95‑per‑month service free. Walmart+ offers a gas discount of up to 10¢ per gallon...
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Best Budgeting Apps for March 2026
Investopedia’s March 2026 roundup evaluated ten budgeting apps using 280 data points across availability, cost, satisfaction, features and security, naming You Need a Budget (YNAB) the overall winner. YNAB’s zero‑based budgeting system earned a 4.8‑star rating despite a higher price tag,...
Why This Corner of the Muni Market Shouldn't Be Overlooked, According to Nuveen
Nuveen highlights housing municipal bonds as an overlooked segment delivering attractive yields amid rising affordable‑housing demand. Issuance of housing munis has tripled since 2016, now representing about 7% of the $4.4 trillion municipal market, and 10‑year bonds yield roughly 60 basis...
How Long Do You Expect to Live? Getting It Wrong Could Cost You in Retirement
A new TIAA Institute report finds that only one‑third of Americans can correctly estimate how long a 65‑year‑old will live, while two‑thirds underestimate or are unsure. Retirees typically spend 20‑30 years in retirement, so misjudging longevity leads to lower savings...
I’m 37 and Won a Settlement. I Maxed Out My IRA. How Do I Invest the $21,000 I Have Left?
A freelancer in her late 30s received a $36,000 settlement, maxed out her IRA contributions for 2025 and 2026, and now has $21,000 remaining. The advice column recommends bolstering her emergency fund, then allocating the cash to tax‑advantaged retirement accounts...
Dave Ramsey Hates Debt — But Here’s When a 0% Balance Transfer Can Save You
Dave Ramsey’s no‑debt doctrine clashes with the practical tool of a 0% APR balance‑transfer credit card, which can temporarily erase interest on high‑rate balances. These promotional offers typically last 12‑18 months and often carry a 3‑5% transfer fee. They are...
I’m 30 and Earn $140,000. How Much Do I Need to Invest to Have $420,000 in 10 Years?
A 30‑year‑old Federal Reserve employee earning $140,000 wants $420,000 in investments by age 40. Because federal employment restricts bank‑specific ETFs, the advice focuses on permissible vehicles and the required savings rate. Assuming a 6‑7% compound return, roughly $30,000‑$35,000 per year...
Same Card, More Points: Our Best Tips on How to Start Getting Targeted Credit Card Offers
Targeted credit‑card offers, sent directly to select consumers, can yield higher bonuses than public promotions. The article outlines practical steps to increase the likelihood of receiving such offers, including opting into email and mail communications, regularly checking pre‑qualified offers through...
Jumbo CD vs High-Yield Savings: Which Is the Best Place to Store $100k?
A retiree looking to park $100,000 can choose between a high‑yield savings account (HYSA) offering 4.20% APY and full liquidity, or a jumbo certificate of deposit (CD) delivering 4.35% APY with a short‑term lock‑in. Both products are FDIC‑insured up to...
Should You Fix Your Mortgage Rate? Experts Weigh in on Rising Repayments
The Reserve Bank of Australia’s recent cash‑rate hike is pushing mortgage repayments higher, prompting homeowners to reconsider fixed‑rate options. Experts explain that fixed rates lock in payments and can aid budgeting, but may become costly if interest rates fall, while...
5 Vanguard Mutual Funds to Tackle Inflation and Geopolitical Risks
U.S. markets are under pressure from soaring oil prices, rising geopolitical tensions, and persistent inflation, prompting fears of stagflation. The labor market shed 92,000 jobs, lifting unemployment to 4.4%, while the Fed kept rates steady at 3.50‑3.75% amid unchanged consumer...
Garry Marr: Why It Could Be the Right Time to Walk Away From Your Real Estate
Canadian homeowners and condo investors are increasingly facing underwater properties as market values retreat. Insolvency filings tied to real estate rose to eight percent of all bankruptcies in 2025, up from five percent a year earlier. Experts warn that while...
Dennis, 79, Is Worried About a Market Crash. Should He Move His Portfolio to 100% Income?
Dennis, a 79‑year‑old investor, wonders whether to shift his portfolio from a 30 % equity allocation to 100 % income amid fears of a market correction. The Financial Post’s advice stresses that market timing is unreliable and that a 30 % equity exposure...
Emergency Spending: When Borrowing May Be a Practical Option
Unexpected costs such as medical bills, car repairs, or appliance failures can quickly strain household budgets. While a solid emergency fund remains the first line of defense, many families turn to short‑term borrowing when savings fall short. Digital lending platforms...
Helping Customers Build Wealth: How Investment Properties Help Homebuyers Get Ahead
Fortress Mortgage Advisors’ partners Craig Andriulli and Michael LiPari are urging first‑time homebuyers to view their primary residence as a stepping stone to investment properties. By using the equity in a newly purchased home, they help clients acquire vacation rentals...
The Investing Mistake That ‘Boring’ Investors Avoid
Investors who stick to “boring” strategies—primarily low‑cost index funds—outperform many who chase flashy stocks. Morningstar data shows only 33% of active funds beat their passive peers between July 2024 and June 2025. Passive funds charge roughly 0.11% expense ratios versus 0.59% for...
Maximize Your TSP by Minimizing Your Tax
The article explains how federal retirees can optimize Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) withdrawals by integrating tax‑planning strategies. It distinguishes between traditional and Roth TSP rules, outlines penalties for early, non‑qualified distributions, and details required minimum distributions (RMDs) that begin at...
How Federal Retirement Benefits Have Changed over the Years
Over the past four decades, federal retirement benefits have been reshaped by a series of landmark statutes, beginning with the 1986 Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) that introduced a Thrift Savings Plan and linked benefits to Social Security. Subsequent laws...
This Tax Season, There's a New Deduction for Interest on Car Loans
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act introduces a tax deduction for interest paid on auto loans tied to new cars bought in 2025. To qualify, the vehicle must be newly purchased, assembled in the United States, and used for personal purposes, with a maximum...
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The Fed's 2026 Outlook Just Shifted—And It Looks Like Good News for Savers
The Federal Reserve kept its benchmark rate unchanged for a second straight meeting, citing persistent inflation and heightened geopolitical uncertainty. The latest dot‑plot shows a dramatic shift, with roughly 75% of officials forecasting little or no rate movement through 2026...
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Why Mutual Funds Are Not FDIC-Insured
The FDIC guarantees deposits such as checking, savings, and CDs up to $250,000 per depositor per institution, but it does not cover investment products. Mutual funds are classified as securities, not deposits, so they fall outside FDIC protection. Instead, brokerage...
My Wife and I Made Big Blunders on Our Social Security Benefits. Is It Too Late to Fix It?
A 78‑year‑old couple discovered the wife could earn roughly $200 more per month by switching to a spousal benefit. Both retired early—she at 62, he at 63½—so their current payments are permanently reduced. Social Security rules allow a spouse to...
I’m 59. My Wife and I Bought a Second Home for $484,000 at 6.2% Interest. Will This Be a Drain...
A 59‑year‑old federal employee and his wife bought a Pennsylvania home for $484,000 with a 6.2% mortgage, creating a $3,600 monthly payment that includes taxes and insurance. Their primary residence in New York generates rental income, but the new property does...
I Opened a 0% Credit Card to Pay $11,000 in Vacation Debt. Why Can’t I Get a Higher Credit Limit?...
A consumer opened a Citi 0% APR credit card to transfer an $11,000 vacation balance, but the new account was issued with a $6,600 limit, preventing a full balance transfer. Despite maintaining a low overall credit utilization of about 10%,...
An Argument for Having Flexibility on the 4% Rule in Retirement
The classic 4% retirement withdrawal rule, which prescribes taking 4% of a portfolio in the first year and adjusting for inflation thereafter, is increasingly seen as too rigid. Longer life expectancies, higher inflation, and projected lower equity returns are eroding...
Property Brothers Drew and Jonathan Scott on the Biggest Mistake Homebuyers Are Still Making
The Property Brothers warned homebuyers and renovators against over‑leveraging, emphasizing that stretching finances can trap owners in a ‘house‑rich, cash‑poor’ situation. They highlighted the importance of focusing renovation budgets on projects that truly increase property value, citing the 30 percent rule...
Here's How HELOCs Have Changed — and Why some Homeowners May Not Like the New Rules
Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) are losing their hallmark flexibility as non‑bank lenders dominate the market and impose large upfront draw requirements, often 80% or more of the credit line. While the Federal Reserve estimates $34 trillion in homeowner equity,...
So, What Can You Use Your HSA/FSA Money For?
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) let employees spend pre‑tax dollars on qualified medical costs, and many retailers now classify beauty and wellness items as eligible. HSA balances typically roll over year‑over‑year, while most FSAs expire unless...
Earn 5% in Rewards on Phones, Devices, and Accessories with the T-Mobile Visa
T‑Mobile’s new co‑branded Visa card from Capital One lets customers earn 5% back in T‑Mobile Rewards on phones, devices and accessories, and 2% on all other purchases. Cardholders also receive a $5 per line monthly discount when they enroll in...
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Maximizing Contributions to Two SIMPLE IRA Plans With Two Jobs
If you hold two unrelated jobs, you can make salary‑deferral contributions to a SIMPLE IRA for each employer. The IRS permits multiple SIMPLE IRAs as long as the employers are not affiliated, but the combined contributions must stay within the...
The '1% More' Rule: Why This Painless Hack Is a Savings Game-Changer
The “1% more” rule advises increasing retirement contributions or savings by 1% each year or after each raise. Behavioral economists Shlomo Benartzi and Richard Thaler designed the hack to be painless, and modern 401(k) auto‑escalation features stem from this concept....
How Asset Allocation Is Changing in Core 401(k) Menus
Asset allocation in defined‑contribution (DC) core menus is shifting markedly. Target‑date funds now command roughly 40% of DC assets and could top 50% by 2030, crowding out traditional core options. Meanwhile, non‑default allocations are increasingly concentrated in U.S. large‑cap equities...
How the 401(k) Industry Needs to Adjust to Phased Retirement
The 401(k) industry is confronting a shift toward phased retirement as longer, healthier lives reshape employee expectations. Only 7% of employers offer formal phased‑retirement programs, yet 40% of workers want them, and 33% of baby boomers are postponing full retirement...
7 Simple Money Habits That Can Strengthen Your Retirement Over Time
Financial experts emphasize that steady, low‑cost habits often outperform risky, high‑return strategies for retirement. The article outlines seven practices—including automating 401(k) and IRA contributions, conducting regular insurance audits, opting for store brands, negotiating service fees, purging promotional emails, consistently paying...
How My “Blank Space” Grocery Trick Helps Me Stay on Budget
Food writer Apple Mandy shares a budgeting method that leaves one blank slot on a grocery list for a single off‑list snack purchase. The "blank space" trick lets her satisfy cravings while keeping the overall cart disciplined and under budget,...
MIT Research Says One 401(k) Mistake Costs Couples $14,000
MIT Sloan researchers found that many American couples lose an average of $14,000 in retirement wealth because they fail to coordinate 401(k) contributions toward the spouse with the higher employer match. The study, covering 44 million workers from 2003‑2018, shows that...
Personalized Investment Models for Retirement Plans & IRAs
Target‑date funds (TDFs) are increasingly criticized for a one‑size‑fits‑all, set‑and‑forget structure that can leave participants over‑exposed to risk as they near retirement. Yaqub Ahmed and other industry experts propose a personalized framework that blends academic lifetime‑investing theory with individual risk...
‘More Needs to Be Done’ to Help Pension Savers After Salary Sacrifice, Says Standard Life Boss
Standard Life chief executive Andy Briggs warned that the UK government’s new £2,000 salary‑sacrifice cap, effective from April 2029, could further depress already low retirement savings. Only one in seven workers are on track for a decent pension, prompting Briggs...
He Manages the Best-Performing Stock Mutual Fund of the Past 25 Years—Here's His Top Advice for Investors
Baron Opportunity Fund, managed by Michael Lippert for 20 years, posted the best 25‑year performance among mutual funds, delivering a 13% annualized return versus the S&P 500's 6.8%. Lippert attributes the outperformance to a disciplined focus on long‑term growth companies with...
Ask an Advisor: I Feel ‘Very Uncomfortable’ Sharing My Investment Info With a Financial Planner. Do They Need to Know...
The article tackles a retiree’s discomfort sharing investment statements with a financial planner, emphasizing that full portfolio visibility is essential for truly personalized advice. It advises starting with a transparent conversation to assess trust, understand why data is needed, and...
Your 2026 Social Security Playbook: 5 Moves to Make Before Filing
The article outlines a five‑step Social Security playbook for 2026 retirees, urging them to verify their earnings record, model different claiming ages, coordinate benefits with a spouse, anticipate tax liabilities, and assemble required paperwork before applying. It highlights that the...
Zephyr's Adjusted for Risk: Confidence in Crisis - Reshaping the American Dream
The Zephyr podcast featuring U.S. Bank’s Beth Lawlor highlights a "crisis of confidence" revealed in the 2025 Wealth Report, which surveyed 5,000 American adults. While the American Dream remains a cultural touchstone, milestones like marriage and homeownership are being delayed in favor...
Why Downsizing May Be the Fastest Way to Lower Your Retirement Expenses
Retirees can dramatically cut living expenses by downsizing to a smaller, lower‑cost home, potentially saving $1,000 or more each month. Savings stem from reduced mortgage or rent, lower property taxes, smaller utility bills, cheaper homeowners insurance, and the ability to...
3 Nationwide Mutual Funds for a Stable Portfolio
Nationwide Group recommends three mutual funds—NWFAX, NWHFX, and NWHJX—as long‑term buys, each earning a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank of #1. The funds deliver strong three‑ and five‑year annualized returns, ranging from 14.1% to 23.2%, while maintaining expense ratios below their...
3 Top-Ranked Municipal Bond Funds to Help Build Steady Income
Municipal bond mutual funds remain a top choice for risk‑averse investors seeking tax‑free income, trailing only government securities in safety. Zacks highlights three funds—Vanguard Intermediate‑Term Tax‑Exempt (VWITX), Eaton Vance Total Return Bond (EBABX), and American High‑Income Municipal Bond (AMHIX)—each holding...