Advantages of Owning Vanguard Total US and Total International Stocks ETFs Separately
Vanguard’s VTI and VXUS together capture the entire U.S. and international equity markets at a lower blended expense ratio than the all‑world fund VT. Holding the two ETFs separately lets taxable‑account investors claim a Foreign Tax Credit on non‑U.S. dividends, a benefit VT cannot provide. The credit adds roughly 0.13 % of annual return after expenses, a small edge that compounds significantly over decades. The added complexity of managing two funds is minimal, making the split‑ETF approach attractive for after‑tax performance.
Barclays Select Savings W/ AARP: $400 Bonus on $40,000 Deposit (+4% APY)
Barclays Bank Delaware’s Select Savings account, available through its AARP Digital Banking program, offers a flat 4.00% APY on all balances. New AARP members who deposit at least $40,000 receive a $400 bonus after meeting a 30‑day funding window and...
2026 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholder Meeting Video, Transcript, and Notes
The 2026 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholder Meeting on May 2 featured a five‑hour session where new CEO Greg Abel fielded most questions, marking the first time Warren Buffett did not lead the Q&A. Buffett appeared in a separate interview, reiterating...
Ally Bank $100 New Savings Account Referral Bonus (No Direct Deposit Requirement)
Ally Bank is offering a $100 welcome bonus for new Savings accounts opened through a referral link, with enrollment required by December 31, 2026. Prospective customers must set up a monthly automated transfer and complete three consecutive transfers to qualify. The bonus...
Rakuten Shopping Portal: New Bonus for Bank of America Credit Cards
Rakuten’s shopping portal is now offering extra cash‑back bonuses for two Bank of America credit cards: $250 for the Travel Rewards card and $150 for the Customized Card Rewards card. These bonuses are added on top of each card’s existing...
Vanguard Index Funds at 50: Cost Still Matters
Vanguard commemorated 50 years of indexing with a retrospective that underscores how low‑cost funds have outperformed the market. Jack Bogle’s 1951 thesis warned that fees erode long‑term returns, a principle proven when a $10,000 investment in the original Vanguard 500...
Live Oak Bank: $200 Bonus on $20,000 Deposit (New and Existing Customers)
Live Oak Bank is re‑launching a limited‑time promotion that pays a $200 cash bonus to customers who deposit at least $20,000 in new funds into its online savings account. The deposit must remain in the account for 60 consecutive days,...
Citizens Bank $400 Checking Bonus (Direct Deposit Required)
Citizens Bank is rolling out a $400 cash bonus for new checking customers who meet a straightforward set of conditions. Prospective members must open a qualifying account between April 1 and June 30, 2026, and receive a single direct deposit of at...
Reader Questions: Cash and Bond Holdings Details
The author allocates roughly 30% of a 70/30 stock‑bond portfolio to bonds, split between 20% short‑term U.S. Treasury ETFs (VGSH) and 10% Treasury Inflation‑Protected Securities. With a 10% state tax rate, the 3.83% SEC yield on VGSH translates to a...
Spruce Money Fintech App: $100 Referral Bonus W/ Direct Deposit (H&R Block)
H&R Block has launched Spruce, a fintech app backed by Pathward NA, offering banking services such as a 3.5 % APY savings account and budgeting tools. The app currently promotes a $100 referral bonus when a new user activates the debit card and...
Berkshire Hathaway 2025 Annual Shareholder Letter by Greg Abel
Greg Abel authored Berkshire Hathaway’s 2025 shareholder letter, marking the first full‑year communication since Warren Buffett stepped back as CEO. The letter reiterates the conglomerate’s core culture—honesty, decentralized autonomy, and a long‑term ownership mindset—while confirming that Buffett will still be...
Robinhood HOOD Rewards Season 2026 Promos: Up to 3% ACAT Transfer Bonus
Robinhood has launched its HOOD Rewards Season, running Feb 19‑Mar 25, 2026, offering up to a 3 % bonus on ACATS transfers. Taxable‑account transfers earn 2 % for Robinhood Gold members, rising to 3 % when a $10,000 margin balance is present; IRA and 401(k)...
The True Global Market-Cap Weighted Portfolio: Gold as 3rd Largest Asset Class?
A WisdomTree chart shows a truly global market‑cap weighted portfolio composed of roughly 50% equities, 30% fixed income, and a surprisingly high 12.7% gold, making gold the third‑largest asset class. The analysis estimates the total market value of gold at...
PSECU $300 New Checking Account Bonus (Updated 2026)
Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union (PSECU) is running a 2026 promotion that awards a $300 bonus to new checking account holders who meet specific criteria. Applicants must join the credit union (or its affiliated PRPS group) with a $10 fee,...
Bank of America Rewards: Higher Balance Requirements for Credit Card Boosts + New Monthly Credits (Effective May 2026)
Bank of America is rebranding its Preferred Rewards program as BofA Rewards on May 27, 2026, introducing new tier names and higher balance thresholds. The Premier tier now requires a $1 million combined balance to earn the top 75% credit‑card rewards...