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:
Relocating to a Tax-Friendly State? Check with Your Financial Advisor First
Financial advisors are seeing a surge of retirees relocating from high‑tax states such as New York, California, New Jersey and Illinois to tax‑friendly states like Florida, Texas and Nevada. In 2025, Florida alone drew more than 70,000 former New Yorkers, while over 100,000 Californians moved to Texas last year. Advisors like Jody D’Agostini run cash‑flow scenarios to weigh income‑tax savings—potentially $7,000‑$10,000 a year—against other costs such as housing, insurance and estate taxes. The process also factors in social, healthcare and lifestyle considerations that affect long‑term satisfaction.
Greg Abel Concentrates 79% of Berkshire's $318B Portfolio in Ten Stocks
Greg Abel, Berkshire Hathaway's new CEO, has allocated $251 billion—79% of the conglomerate's $318 billion investment portfolio—to just ten stocks, led by Apple and American Express. The move revives a long‑standing concentration strategy and forces wealth managers to reassess risk exposure for...
Solving the Covered Call Conundrum With Daily Options
ProShares highlighted the "covered call conundrum" in a webcast, noting that traditional monthly covered‑call ETFs often miss two‑thirds of market upside during rebounds. To address this, the firm introduced three daily‑options ETFs—ISPY, IQQQ and ITWO—that reset call positions each day,...
Shift to Bitcoin as Gold Enters Consolidation Phase
I think it's time to focus fully on $BTC and leave Gold for the moment. The reason for that is that we've seen the largest volatility outlier to the upside since 1979. Gold bugs will tell you that it continues to rally. Reality...
Foreign Value Stocks Surge, Advisors Finally Warm Up
After being up around 30% last year, foreign/emerging value is up another 15-20% this year. You're seeing the narrative shift with advisors a bit, ever so slightly. It seems to be moving from "don't even bring up foreign stocks, they've underperformed...
Private Credit Performance: A Deep Dive Into PCR
The Simplify Private Credit Strategy ETF (PCR) posted strong short‑term gains from March 31 to April 10, 2026, led by Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund’s 4.4% return (5.2% portfolio weight) and Oaktree Specialty Lending Corp.’s 5.9% rise. Year‑to‑date, Trinity Capital Inc. was the...
Bessent Says to Adjust Your Paycheck Withholding — but Mistakes Could Trigger a Tax Bill, Experts Caution
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged workers to revise their 2026 paycheck withholding, promising an automatic boost to take‑home pay. The IRS has not updated its withholding tables despite new 2025 tax law provisions, leaving many employees to rely on the...
High Earners Cut Taxes with Short‑Term Rental Strategy
If you made six figures at your W2 last year and still felt personally victimized by your tax bill… Just know you’re just playing a game no one taught you how to win. One of the only ways W2 high...
Good Financial Reads: Smart Tax Moves Most People Miss
The article bundles four under‑utilized tax tactics for high‑net‑worth individuals. It explains how a live‑in flip can qualify for the Section 121 capital‑gain exclusion after a two‑year ownership period. It shows that donating appreciated securities instead of cash can eliminate capital‑gain...
Good Financial Reads: Smart Tax Moves Most People Miss
The article outlines four under‑utilized tax strategies: the live‑in flip, which lets investors treat a renovated primary residence as a Section 121 exclusion‑eligible sale after two years; donating appreciated securities instead of cash to avoid capital‑gain tax while securing a charitable...
5 IRS Letters That Mean You’re Running Out of Time (and What to Do About Each One)
The IRS issues a series of five letters—CP14, CP501, CP503, CP504, and LT11—to alert taxpayers of unpaid balances and escalating enforcement actions. A CP14 starts the process by stating the amount due, while CP501 and CP503 serve as reminders before...
Iconiq, Go-To Wealth Adviser for Tech’s Elite, Is Putting Billions Into AI
Iconiq, the ultra‑discreet wealth adviser to tech royalty, now manages roughly $100 billion in assets and is channeling billions into artificial‑intelligence ventures. In 2025 the firm poured more than $3 billion into AI startups, including a $4 billion stake in Anthropic, and is...
Marsh McLennan Posts $7.6B Q1 Revenue, Risk Advisory Up 8%
Marsh McLennan announced first‑quarter 2026 revenue of $7.6 billion, an 8% year‑over‑year rise, driven by an 8% jump in its Risk & Insurance Services line. Consulting revenue, especially Mercer’s wealth‑management segment, also accelerated, while a $425 million litigation charge tempered net income.
U.S. Bank Warns Taxpayers They Could Lose Thousands by Defaulting to Standard Deduction in 2025
U.S. Bank alerts millions of taxpayers that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) has altered key deduction limits, making the automatic standard deduction potentially costly for 2025 returns. The bank says filers who don’t compare itemized versus standard deductions...
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF Rebounds From 9% Drop to Fresh Highs in Three Weeks
Vanguard's S&P 500 ETF (VOO) fell about 9% over two months amid Iran‑related market turbulence, saw a net outflow of $11 billion in March, and then surged back to fresh record levels in just three weeks. The rapid rebound underscores the...
You Have Some Options for Dealing With Rising Property Taxes
Property taxes rose 3% in 2025, pushing the average single‑family home bill above $4,400. The increase reflects higher home values and, in many jurisdictions, higher tax rates as local governments grapple with inflation‑driven costs and reduced federal aid. The Northeast...
Bipartisan Retirement Reform Should Now Address Investment Access
Bipartisan retirement reforms, anchored by SECURE 1.0 and 2.0, have expanded plan access and automatic enrollment, but investment choices remain narrow. A 2023 executive order aims to democratize alternative assets—especially private equity and crypto—within 401(k) accounts by easing regulatory burdens. The...
“Clients Are Philanthropic” An Advisor’s Guide to DAFs
Wealth advisor Mike Flux launched his own donor‑advised fund (DAF) with a $35,000 CAD (≈$26,000 USD) in‑kind donation, using the vehicle to illustrate its low entry barrier and tax efficiency. He argues DAFs let clients pursue strategic philanthropy without the administrative...
Learn How the Ultra‑Rich Preserve Wealth Across Generations
How the Wealthy Mitigate taxes and pass on Generational Wealth. If you are wealthy or plan to be wealthy, you must be at the 10X Wealth Conference. I am bringing the best family office people, tax and estate...
Patience Beats Panic: Buffett’s Secret Skill
Buffett's most underrated skill isn't stock-picking. It's sitting on his hands while everyone else panics. Most people confuse activity with progress — in life and in portfolios. Do the math. Then wait.
Schwab Adds 1.3 Million New Brokerage Accounts in Q1, Boosting Assets to $11.8 Trillion
Charles Schwab announced that 1.3 million new brokerage accounts were opened in the first quarter of 2026, a 10% increase year‑over‑year. The surge added $158 billion of net new assets, pushing total client assets to $11.8 trillion. The growth underpins record revenue and...
Consistent Small Investments Turn $10K Into $100K
$10K to $100K portfolio in 3 years. While cashing out along the way to live life: - buying & renovating a home - getting married - buying a car - traveling to 8 countries All with a full-time job, spending ~10 minutes a month investing. A good...
Monthly Check‑Ins Keep Your Finances on Track
Doing a quick assessment one or two times a month can help you stay on top of your finances and address any weaknesses in your savings and spending strategies. https://t.co/9cnFCvqWhZ
Ask the Tax Editor, April 17: Questions on Tax Refunds and Penalties
The article answers four frequent taxpayer questions: how to correct a wrong bank account for a refund, why paper‑check refunds are delayed as the IRS phases them out, the mechanics behind the underpayment penalty, and eligibility for first‑time penalty abatement....
International Stocks and Bonds Outpace US Markets
Not surprisingly VEA is crushing SPY Gotta own NON US Non USD stocks and bonds
Diversify Globally for Outsized Returns Beyond the US
Start of 2025: ‘Why should I own anything outside of the US?’ 15 months later: South Korea +179%, Peru +121%, Poland +98% … S&P 500 +18%. The future is unknown. That’s why you diversify. https://t.co/FgV3vruQ0G
3 Questions to Ask Before Deciding if a Roth Conversion Is Right for You
Roth conversions let retirees shift tax liability from future withdrawals to today, but the decision hinges on three core questions. Taxpayers must assess whether their future tax rate will exceed the current rate, ensure they can cover the conversion tax...
How Much Money Should Gerry, in His 70s, Have in Equities, Bonds and Cash?
Gerry, a Canadian retiree in his late 70s, wonders whether to shift his blue‑chip equity portfolio into risk‑free GICs despite higher taxes. The Financial Post advice stresses a hybrid approach: keep a cash/GIC buffer for three‑to‑five years of income, then...
How Football and Annuities Can Defend Against Risk in Retirement
The article warns that the S&P 500’s CAPE ratio of 39.59 – the highest since the dot‑com era – signals elevated market valuations and likely muted equity returns. It draws parallels between football defensive tactics and retirement investing, urging investors to...
Where a Trump Account Might Fit in Your Financial Strategy for Your Newborn (Agree With Him or Not, Your Child...
The Treasury is introducing a new "Trump Account" that functions like a low‑cost, tax‑deferred retirement vehicle for children born between 2025 and 2028. Eligible newborns can receive a $1,000 federal grant when parents file IRS Form 4547 with their 2025 return....
4 Retirement Risks Business Owners Often Overlook
Business owners often assume their company will fund retirement, but four blind spots can jeopardize a smooth transition. First, tying net worth to a single illiquid asset creates concentration risk, requiring diversified retirement accounts. Second, tax planning is frequently postponed...
Akshaya Tritiya 2026: How Should You Allocate Gold and Silver in Your Portfolio?
Akshaya Tritiya 2026 finds gold trading around ₹1,54,650 per 10 g (≈$1,860), up more than 63% since last year’s celebration, while silver has jumped 165% to roughly ₹2,54,650 per kg (≈$3,070). Analysts advise keeping gold at 8‑15% of a portfolio and allocating 5‑25%...
Greggs, Domino’s Pizza & Asda: Why They’re Pivoting
In this episode Dan Coatsworth and Charlene Young discuss the latest market dynamics amid the Middle East conflict, highlighting a modest risk appetite as oil dips below $100 per barrel and fund managers remain cautiously bullish despite a bearish sentiment...
Buffett Says Stock Market Is Wealth‑Building Essential
Why The Key To Building Wealth Is Investing In The Stock Market According To Warren Buffett https://t.co/rGb9KmrsZ6
Why The Key to Building Wealth Is Investing in the Stock Market According to Warren Buffett
Warren Buffett argues that stocks are the most reliable path to lasting wealth because they represent ownership in productive businesses that generate real cash flow. He emphasizes the power of compounding, noting that modest returns can snowball into substantial fortunes...
Exit Wounds: The Succession Tax Nobody Planned For
The UK Treasury’s April 6, 2026 budget eliminated the 10 % Business Asset Disposal Relief rate, raising it to 18% and imposing an $228,000 tax on the first £1 m of qualifying gain. A new £2.5 m ($3.2 m) cap on Business and Agricultural Property Relief...
ETFs Vs. Mutual Funds: Key Differences for Investors>
ETFs and mutual funds both provide diversified exposure, but they differ fundamentally in trading, pricing, and tax treatment. ETFs trade on exchanges throughout the day, offering real‑time pricing, lower expense ratios, and greater tax efficiency. Mutual funds price once daily...
Gold ETFs Deliver up to 61% Gains Since Last Akshaya Tritiya. Time to Exit Now?
Indian gold exchange‑traded funds have surged up to 61% since the last Akshaya Tritiya in April 2025, with Tata Gold ETF posting the highest gain of about 60.6%. The rally is driven by safe‑haven demand, central‑bank buying, a softer dollar and inflation‑hedging...
Transform Tax Season Into Year-Round Client Value with Dr. Brianne Smith
In this episode, Kerry Simmet talks with Dr. Brianne Smith, a CPA and financial planning veteran, about how integrating personal financial planning (PFP) transforms a CPA’s client service model. Smith explains that adding planning not only deepens client relationships and...
Financial Advisors Can Double Retirement Savings, Study Shows
A Northwestern Mutual study released this week found that investors who use a financial advisor hold an average of $132,000 in retirement assets, roughly double the $62,000 held by those who manage their own portfolios. The research highlights a stark...
Six Pre‑Tax‑Season Moves to Save U.S. Households Thousands in 2026
Rachel Christian, a personal‑finance writer, recommends six year‑round tax‑planning actions—adjusting W‑4 withholding, boosting retirement contributions, and using health‑savings accounts—that could shave thousands off U.S. taxpayers’ 2026 returns. The guidance targets employees, freelancers and families looking to lock in savings before...
Ark Investment Sells $738K of Strata Critical Medical Amid Portfolio Rotation
Ark Investment Management sold 182,767 shares of Strata Critical Medical (SRTA) for about $738,000 on April 13, extending a multi‑day reduction. The move comes despite Strata’s strong Q4 earnings and raised guidance, suggesting Ark is reallocating capital to higher‑conviction themes...
Goldman Sachs Flags Overvalued US Stocks, Unveils Six Options‑Based Hedge Strategies
Goldman Sachs warned that US stocks are overvalued and outlined six hedging transactions that use options structures to limit downside while targeting returns of up to 13.2 times the investment. The bank’s report, released April 16, recommends SPY put spreads,...
The Merits of Mediocrity
Investors who aim for modest, consistent performance often outpace high‑risk, short‑term traders over long horizons. The piece argues that avoiding the bottom quartile and preserving capital lets compounding generate superior wealth, echoing Warren Buffett’s view that a handful of outsized...
Invest $5K Monthly, Reach $1M in 10 Years
Compounding money from investing is PURE MAGIC: • $5K invested / month for 10-years gets you to $1M • $5K invested / month for 20-years gets you to $3.8M • $5K invested / month for 30-years gets you to $11.3M FTR: this is starting...
Warren Buffett’s Boring Stock Picks — and Why They Keep Winning
Investor Warren Buffett has consistently outperformed the S&P 500 by avoiding flashy growth stocks and concentrating on fundamentals. His playbook centers on three pillars: companies with durable moats, predictable cash flow that fuels dividends and buybacks, and continuous self‑investment. The...
Start Small, Trust Earns Bigger Microcap Bets
I think the biggest problem microcap investors face is initial position sizing and making positions too big at the onset. Take your time getting to know people/management. Only make a really large bet when you know them very well and...
Convert Home to Rental, Leverage Deductions and 1031 Exchanges
Converting a home to a rental property fundamentally changes how expenses are treated, how gains are taxed, and how future sales can be structured to maximize tax efficiency. Advisors who understand these rules can help clients navigate the timing of...
Gold Pullback Seen as Final Buying Window Before $6,000 Target
Analysts, led by Chris Mancini of the Gabelli Gold Fund, argue the present sideways movement in gold is the last opportunity for investors before the metal climbs to $6,000. Heightened Middle‑East conflict, soaring oil prices and central‑bank buying underpin the...
Follow Pro Steps to Spot Winning Stocks
For most investors, a well-diversified portfolio of funds will do the trick. But if you want to try to identify winners like the pros on Wall Street, there are steps you can take. https://t.co/6RP6PY8ebH