Today's Wealth Management Pulse
SmartAsset outlines a three‑step wealth‑building plan for early‑30s earners
Financial planners recommend that workers first capture any employer‑matched retirement contributions, then set aside 10‑20% of gross pay for savings, and finally eliminate debt with rates above roughly 10%. They also advise establishing a 3‑6‑month emergency fund in a high‑yield account to ensure liquidity.
Also developing:
Top Certified Tax Coaches Launch #1 Amazon Bestseller “DeTaxify Your Life”
The American Institute of Certified Tax Planners (AICTP) and Think Outside the Tax Box unveiled “DeTaxify Your Life,” a bestseller authored by 17 Certified Tax Coaches. The book hit #1 on Amazon in Taxation, Bookkeeping and Small Business Taxes on its launch day, promising proactive strategies that could reshape wealth‑preservation planning.
SCHD Early Investors Reap 12.5% Yield on Cost After 14 Years
Investors who bought the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) at its October 2011 launch are now earning a 12.5% dividend yield on their original investment. The rise reflects more than a five‑fold increase in per‑share payouts and underscores the...
MoneyLion Study Finds Median Earners Can Hit $100K Savings in Seven Years in Top‑Income States
MoneyLion’s latest study calculates that residents of high‑income states can accumulate $100,000 in savings within seven years by setting aside 20% of their post‑tax earnings. The analysis, based on 2024 Census data, offers a state‑by‑state roadmap for savers aiming at...
Keudell/Morrison Sells $3.4 Million of FLXR in Q1 Rebalancing
Keudell/Morrison Wealth Management sold 84,620 shares of the TCW Flexible Income ETF (FLXR) for an estimated $3.4 million in the first quarter, reducing the fund’s stake to $43.2 million. The move reflects routine portfolio rebalancing rather than a strategic exit, keeping FLXR...
Portfolio Update – 04/20/2026 (All-Time High)
The investor’s portfolio reached a new all‑time high, posting a 22.0% gain year‑to‑date, far outpacing the S&P 500’s 4.2% rise. Returns since inception in January 2024 total +559.8%, with 2024 delivering +173.0% and 2025 +98.1%. The performance comes without options or leverage,...
Warren Buffett’s Sell Signals Predict Underperformance
With Fundamental Edge instructors Paul Johnson & Andrew Carr, we run the Applied Value Investing Certificate for Wall Street Prep (I don't consider myself a classic Value Investor by training, so Paul carriers the heavy lifting on Value Investing). On Friday...
🎥 AlphaCore Wealth Advisory's Dick Pfister - Wealth Management with Alpha at Its Core: Live From iCapital Connect
AlphaCore Wealth Advisory CEO Dick Pfister appeared on the iCapital Connect Alts Pulse podcast to discuss how his firm blends wealth management with private‑market access. Drawing on 25 years of trading and advisory experience, Pfister explained AlphaCore’s origins, its technology‑driven...
Physician Spending Guilt During Retirement: How to Make the Most of Your Hard-Earned Money
Physicians are retiring with unprecedented financial strength, yet many grapple with guilt when they begin to spend their savings. The article explores why this anxiety persists despite solid retirement accounts and offers practical steps to reframe spending as a reward...
Investors Pay Lower Taxes Than Wage Earners
The tax code loves investors. If you work a W-2 job, the max federal tax rate you can pay is 37%. But qualified dividends or long term capital gains are taxed at up to 23.8%. Real estate investors also enjoy tax arbitrage...
The Hidden Cost of Convenience: Why Balanced Mutual Funds May Be Costing You Hundreds of Thousands
A new study of 1,260 balanced mutual funds managing about $1.6 trillion finds they consistently lag low‑cost index portfolios. Researchers examined 32 years of performance across four equity‑allocation tiers and discovered lower returns, weaker risk‑adjusted metrics, and negative net alpha after...
Standard Life Sees Growing Demand for International Bond Amid Tax Changes
Standard Life reports a surge in demand for its UK International Bond as 2025 tax reforms—particularly changes to capital gains tax and inheritance tax—prompt advisers to recommend tax‑efficient solutions to a broader client base. The insurer expects the strongest growth...
Relentless Habits Turn You Into a Millionaire
Build the right habits and WEALTH is inevitable. The right habits: - Self-educating relentlessly - Tracking your money relentlessly - Proactively growing income relentlessly - Paying off all high interest debt relentlessly - Investing in index funds every week relentlessly Do this...
BOK Financial's Wealth Management Hits Record $122.7B AUMA in Q3 2025
BOK Financial announced that its wealth‑management division grew assets under management and administration (AUMA) to $122.7 billion in Q3 2025, a 4.1% sequential increase and the highest quarter on record. Fee income rose 3.6% to $204.4 million and investment‑banking revenue hit a...
13 States With No Retirement Tax Ranked by How Much You Need to 'Retire Comfortably'
According to Northwestern Mutual’s 2026 study, Americans now think they need $1.46 million to retire comfortably, a 15 % rise from last year. Kiplinger analyzed 13 states that do not tax retirement income and estimated the savings required in each, factoring in...
Quotes of the Day by Bill Miller: “All of the Great Investing Periods Begin when Things Are Terrible and End...
Bill Miller’s observation that the best investing periods start in terrible markets and end in wonderful ones underscores the cyclical nature of finance. The article explains how crises depress asset prices, creating buying opportunities, while exuberant phases often mask overvaluation....
Weighing Cash War Chest Against Full Market Exposure
Should you hold a cash "war chest" or stay 100% invested? There is no right or wrong answer, but there are two distinct schools of thought. Here is the breakdown of Optional Value vs. Cash Drag 🧵👇🏻
6 Financial Tools Nobody Taught You in School (But You Really Need to Know)
The article outlines six essential financial tools—savings accounts, bonds, stocks, bank wealth‑management products, mutual funds/ETFs, and insurance—explaining how each works, its risk‑return profile, and ideal use cases. It emphasizes that most people lack formal education on money management, leading to...
Mubadala Capital, Mark Walter, and the Great Multi-Family Office Consolidation
Abu Dhabi‑based Mubadala Capital, with billionaire backers Mark Walter and Thomas Tull, has financed Corient’s aggressive purchase of several multi‑family offices within a year. The roll‑up pushes Corient toward managing roughly $500 billion in wealth advisory assets, positioning it as one...
Centennial Wealth Advisory Boosts FTGS Stake by $3 Million, Now 1.79% of 13F AUM
Centennial Wealth Advisory LLC increased its holding in the First Trust Growth Strength ETF by 91,927 shares, adding roughly $2.97 million to its portfolio and pushing the fund to 1.79% of its 13F assets. The move highlights a growing preference among...
Vanguard Calls S&P 500 One‑Stop Index Strategy Outdated, Signals Shift
Vanguard’s February 2026 analysis argues the long‑standing single‑benchmark S&P 500 model is losing its edge. The firm’s "Beyond Beta" report highlights the rise of multi‑benchmark ETFs and urges investors to move beyond the generic 500‑stock proxy.
Israeli Shekel Breaks NIS 3 per Dollar, Hitting 30‑Year Low
The Israeli shekel slipped below 3 new shekels per U.S. dollar, its lowest level since 1995 and a three‑decade trough. Analysts attribute the move to a surge of foreign‑currency inflows, including a $32 billion sale of cybersecurity firm Wiz to Google,...
From 'Maximizers' To 'The Last Check Should Bounce' Club: Why Finding Your Legacy Tribe Will Help You Map Out Your...
The article highlights the looming Great Wealth Transfer—$124 trillion expected to shift hands through 2048—and urges Baby Boomers and Gen X to define their legacy philosophy before drafting estate plans. It presents a four‑question framework (safety net, threshold, impact, efficiency) and tools...
New Normal, New Opportunities W/ Triton’s Peder Prahl
In this episode, Hugh MacArthur talks with Peter Prahl, founding CEO of Triton, about navigating the new normal of higher interest rates, tighter leverage, and heightened geopolitical uncertainty. Prahl explains why these conditions create attractive buying opportunities, highlighting value dislocations...
US Estate Tax Applies Below $10M for Singapore Residents
$500K in US-listed shares across two brokerages. Tech professional, Singapore tax resident. He thinks his exposure to US estate tax starts at $10M, because that is the exemption he read about.
The Advice Shift | Episode 3: Mechanisms to Protect Investors
In the third episode of The Advice Shift, hosts Mark Baldwin and Andy Brown examine how smoothed‑fund products serve as a form of behavioural insurance for retirement investors. AKG research cited in the podcast shows that 80 % of advisers observe...
Wealth Grows by Earning More, Not Saving More
Stop obsessing over cutting costs. Most people don't have a spending problem, they have an earning problem. Want financial security? Focus on growing your income and doubling down on investments. The real path to wealth is making more, not saving...
Tax Refunds 2026: How to Make Every Dollar Count
Canadian households are treating the 2026 tax refund as a strategic cash injection rather than a bonus, with the average refund hovering around a few thousand dollars (≈ $2,500 USD). A recent CRA survey shows 40% of recipients need the money for...
Blackstone’s “Advisor Pulse” Survey: 90% of Financial Advisors Double Down on Alternatives:
Blackstone’s latest Advisor Pulse survey shows that 90% of U.S. financial advisors are either maintaining or increasing their exposure to alternative investments despite volatile public markets. The data signals a structural shift away from the traditional 60/40 equity‑bond mix toward...
Future Gazing: Report Warns Advisors to Prep for Radically Different Economic Outcomes
Boston Consulting Group’s new Henderson Institute report outlines four divergent 2050 scenarios—AI Abundance, Battling Blocs, Climate Coalition, and Digital Darwinism—showing global GDP could grow anywhere from 1.8% to 5% annually. The analysis, built on over 100 megatrends and a century...
Experts Warn Treasury’s New Homeowner Tax Guidance Misses Many
The U.S. Treasury released new tax guidance for homeowners, but leading tax experts say the advice fails to address the diverse financial situations of many owners. The criticism highlights potential pitfalls for wealth managers advising clients on mortgage interest deductions...
Keep a 1.99% Mortgage—Inflation Beats Early Payoff
My coworker has a 1.99% mortgage. That is something you should NEVER pay off early. Inflation is at least 3%/yr. Why would anyone pay that off aggressively? It makes absolutely 0 sense.
SIP Doubles PPF Returns over 15 Years
PPF vs MF (15 Years Tenure) 🔥 PPF :) Monthly Investment ~ ₹5,000 Tenure ~ 15 Years Total Investment ~ ₹9,00,000 Average Return ~ 7% Maturity Value ~ ₹16,00,000 Liquidity ~ Locked Risk ~ Low (Govt. backed) Tax ~ No Tax SIP :) Monthly Investment ~...
EA Automatic Unveils Adaptive, Data‑Driven Trading Platform, Claiming Fintech Leadership
EA Automatic announced the launch of a new adaptive, data‑driven trading platform that tailors algorithmic strategies to individual investors. The product blends AI execution with human expertise, aiming to set a new standard for personalization and risk management in fintech.
High‑Quality Bonds: Simple, Reliable Diversifier for Equities
They're not foolproof (see: 2022), but high-quality bonds have been darn reliable diversifiers for equity exposure. Just add a bit of cash and you should be good to go. Sometimes the best answers really are the simplest ones. https://t.co/Eh3bgvN2Uz
Stay Calm: Emotion Is the Real Investment Risk
Staying calm when others panic. Calm investors make better decisions. Emotion is often the real risk. #InvestorBehaviour #LongTermThinking https://t.co/0wls8rC4o1
3 High-Conviction Assets to Accumulate in 2026
The author warns that both equities and crypto are entering a corrective summer phase, with the S&P 500 likely topping near 6,100 points before a typical 4.5‑year cycle pullback of 20% or more. In this bear‑market backdrop, the post highlights...
Expert Advises UHNW Clients on Advanced Tax Avoidance
I'm speaking at Spear’s 500 Live on 6 May - "bringing together the most senior and influential figures in private wealth, luxury and law" for "ultra-high-net-worth clients". Naturally I'll be talking about how they can avoid tax more successfully. https://t.co/sJTXik9aml https://t.co/Ha7mg0Sm2m
Top Asset Manager Pushes Bitcoin as Small‑Dose Diversifier
Here’s how *world’s largest* asset manager is positioning bitcoin… “Non-sovereign global decentralized asset that can really provide value to people’s portfolios in small doses.” Hammering the “bitcoin as a portfolio diversifier” message. Trying to turn btc into boomer candy. https://t.co/BPP7qpMel5
Why Flows Into Active ETFs Are Outpacing Total Market Share
Financial advisors are rapidly shifting from passive indexing to active ETF strategies, a trend accelerated by the 2019 ETF Rule, heightened market volatility, and a quest for tax efficiency. Active ETFs, though only about 10% of total ETF assets, attracted...
Long‑Only Portfolio Profits Even in Down Market
Good day for The Fam and the process, making money in our Long Only Portfolio in a down tape *You can see ALL my ETF positions via Macro Pro and Portfolio Solutions daily https://t.co/lTXupV1ZGs
Track Home Improvements to Maximize Tax-Free Gain
Weird and important tax things to know about selling your house: - Keep a record of any capital improvements you make to your house. This increases your basis and reduces taxes when you do sell your house - If you make money...
Americans Are Moving to States with Lower Taxes and Sound Tax Structures
The IRS’s 2022‑2023 migration data shows millions of Americans shifting from high‑tax states to lower‑tax jurisdictions. Texas (+56,473 filers) and Florida (+55,349) led the inbound wave, while California (‑100,397) and New York (‑71,987) saw the largest outflows. Net adjusted gross income...
Four Crypto Cashflow Strategies for Living Expenses
There are four ways to pull cashflow from those assets. Selling is the obvious one while investment products are in development at DWP. Loans against digital assets exist now but currently favor the lender. Covered calls are the fourth option,...
Early, Consistent Investing Beats Large Late‑stage Contributions
"At some point, there's not much point investing an extra $10K" The key lesson here: The longer you invest and the more you invest, the less your later investments really move the needle This sounds obvious ("Just invest a lot, duh"), but...
MPS Unveils Q1 2026 Multi‑Asset Fund Update and Outlook in Live Webinar
MPS Wealth Management announced a live, CPD‑accredited webinar on April 22 to deliver its Q1 2026 performance update for the Multi‑Asset Fund and outline the global market outlook. The session will be hosted by George Bromfield, Head of Adviser Solutions,...
Sell S&P Puts to Boost Returns Beyond the Market
You can buy the S&P and beat 90% of stock pickers… Or you can buy the S&P and sell puts on it… and quietly move into the top 1% Same foundation. Slightly different approach. One just adds income on top of the market’s long...
Delaying Retirement Boosts Portfolio Value by Two‑Thirds
A small shift in retirement timing can change the market environment the retiree enters and, with it, the sustainability of the plan. https://t.co/ExgMMZqtKQ Georgios Argyris, Research Director at bellavia app shows how the effect becomes clear when comparing otherwise identical retirees...
Buy Now, Die Later: Leigh Asks Benefactors to Think Hard About Bequests
Assistant Minister Andrew Leigh is urging affluent Australians to think seriously about leaving charitable bequests. His appeal comes amid high‑profile estate battles such as Gina Rinehart’s family litigation and the contested Lang Hancock estate, which have spotlighted the complexities of...
Earn 6% Yield Renting Equity’s Cash Machine
You’re basically renting the same cash generating machine equity holders own, just higher in the stack while getting an over 6% yield. Real ones know there is likely upside as well. Interesting for income seekers.
Global ETFs Pull Record $626 B in Q1 2026 Net Inflows
The global exchange‑traded fund industry recorded a historic $626 billion net inflow in the first quarter of 2026, the highest ever for a single quarter. Equity ETFs led the surge with $1.495 trillion YTD inflows, while fixed‑income products posted the strongest flow‑to‑assets...