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:
Treating Your Inheritance as 'Extra Money' Is a Sure Way to Blow It: Instead, Use This Simple Technique for Financial...
An inheritance can feel like a windfall, but impulsive spending often erodes its value. Experts advise a 6‑12 month pause, placing the money in a secure, liquid account while a strategy is crafted. Understanding tax rules—such as step‑up in basis for assets and the 10‑year withdrawal window for non‑spouse IRA beneficiaries—is crucial. A structured 30‑60‑90‑day plan helps balance liquidity, growth, and estate considerations, turning the inheritance into lasting financial stability.
Vanguard UK Isn’t Cheapest—Still Worth Considering?
Vanguard UK don’t have the cheapest platform or cheapest funds. Actually - quite far from it. So, should you still use them? All this & more in my new video 👇 The Current State of Vanguard https://youtu.be/fBm0snyAMSU
The MoneyWeek ETF Portfolio Update for Mid 2026
MoneyWeek’s mid‑2026 ETF portfolio update outlines an annual rebalancing to bring all holdings back to their 10% target weights after drift caused gold and emerging‑market ETFs to sit about two percentage points overweight. The fund will reset every position, abandoning...
Why Most Stocks Fail (And What That Means for Your Portfolio)
An analysis of a century of U.S. equity data shows that most individual stocks underperform, with the median return turning negative over the period. Gains are heavily skewed, as roughly the top 5% of stocks account for more than 80%...
Value in Volatility: Why Smart Money Hunts ‘Gaps’ in Uncertain Markets
Market volatility is reviving value‑investing as investors chase mispriced assets. Arnold Van Den Berg, speaking at Talks at Google, stresses the hunt for “value gaps” – the spread between intrinsic worth and current price. He argues that fear‑driven sell‑offs create buying opportunities...
Gold vs Equities: Does the Yellow Metal Hold Edge Despite Softening Shine?
Gold has surged in the recent fear cycle, driven by unprecedented central‑bank buying that more than doubled to roughly 1,000 tonnes a year between 2022 and 2025. Over the past five years gold posted a 16.9% compound annual growth rate,...
The New Gold Rush: Why Investors Are Moving From Jewellery to Digital
Investors in India are rapidly moving from traditional jewellery to digital gold products such as Digital Gold, Gold ETFs, and Sovereign Gold Bonds, attracted by lower costs, 24‑karat purity and zero‑storage risk. Gold ETF inflows surged 283% YoY in 2025,...
America's Secret Role as Global Tax Haven
I was interviewed by Reveal for their new podcast: “Inside America’s Race to Hide the World’s Money.” It’s about how the U.S. quietly became one of the best places in the world to park wealth. Out of reach and out of sight. If you...
Gen Z Savings Benchmarks: $5K‑$10K by 25, Salary‑Match by 30
Financial advisers recommend Gen Z aim for $5,000‑$10,000 in cash savings by age 25 and a total of one year’s salary by age 30, with an emergency fund covering three to six months of expenses. The guidance reflects rising rent,...
Automate Paycheck Splits to Save, Invest, Pay Bills
HOW TO SPLIT YOUR PAYCHECK Stop wasting your time sending money to different accounts every pay day. Here’s how to split up your paycheck — to save, invest, and pay bills — automatically. STEP 1 Make sure you have direct deposit set up...
HMRC Keeps ISA Allowance, Giving Savers Up to $22,000 Extra Over 10 Years
HMRC’s renewal of the £20,000 ISA allowance means savers could be up to £17,000 ($21,800) better off over a decade, J.P. Morgan Personal Investing finds. The research highlights the value of early, regular contributions versus lump‑sum timing, prompting advisors to...
UK Savers Rush to Pull Pensions Early Ahead of April 2027 Inheritance Tax Change
British savers are accelerating early pension withdrawals to avoid a new inheritance‑tax rule slated for April 2027, prompting a surge that hit £2.3 billion last year. Financial planners warn the rush could deplete retirement savings and leave households vulnerable.
VanEck Deploys Five Model ETF Portfolios on Orion WealthTech Platform
VanEck announced that its five ETF model portfolios are now available through Orion WealthTech at no extra charge, giving financial advisors a turnkey way to offer diversified, multi‑asset strategies. The integration expands distribution of VanEck’s $224.5 billion in assets under management...
Municipal Bond Demand Rebounds in Q2 as Yields Rise, Analysts Say
Analysts at Seeking Alpha and Cambridge Associates report a resurgence of investor interest in U.S. municipal bonds during the second quarter, citing higher yields and a stronger tax advantage. The trend is prompting private families to revisit muni allocations that...
Focus on a Few Long‑term Holdings, One Idea Yearly
Joel Greenblatt on portfolio management "We hold 5 to 8 securities for a year to 2-5 years. We may only need to find one idea a year."
Financial Planning
A DIY investor questions whether paying 1%‑1.25% for a personal advisor justifies the cost compared with low‑cost index options that total about 0.6% annually. He worries about future responsibilities such as required minimum distributions, Social Security, taxes and asset allocation,...
Deferred Income May Still Be Taxed by Original State
Like many rules, there's an exception: When a person working in one state defers some of their income, then moves to a different state (where they ultimately receive the income), that income can in certain cases be taxed by the...
Wealth Advisors Challenge the 100‑Minus‑Your‑Age Rule in 2026
Retirement planner Wes Moss says the classic 100‑minus‑your‑age equity allocation is obsolete in 2026, citing longer life expectancies, inflation risk, and family wealth transfer. He recommends at least 50% equities for retirees, with many families opting for 60‑70% to support...
Rick Miller Calls Financial Planning a Form of Risk Management for CEOs
Rick Miller, founder of Miller Wealth Planning, appeared on the Influential Entrepreneurs Podcast to argue that financial planning is fundamentally risk management. He warned high‑net‑worth executives to prioritize disability, long‑term care and IRMAA awareness as part of a resilient wealth...
My Sister’s Will and What It Taught Me.
The article recounts how the author’s sister, Victoria, left a handwritten, non‑notarized will that proved legally invalid. Without a valid will, the estate entered probate, requiring court approval for asset sales and extending the settlement timeline. The author, appointed personal...
Demand Early Filing or Lose Your Tax Pro
Pro Tip: If you'd like a surefire way to need to find a new tax pro next year, go ahead and tell your current tax pro that it'd be really nice if they didn't wait for the last week to...
My Wife and I Want to Move to Malaysia. Will We Receive Social Security Benefits There?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) allows U.S. citizens to continue receiving retirement benefits while residing in most foreign countries, including Malaysia, provided the nation is on the SSA’s approved payment list. Malaysian citizens can also qualify if they have earned...
Concentration Risk: Magnificent 7 Tech Giants Threaten Investor Portfolios
Financial advisers are flagging the growing concentration of client holdings in the so‑called Magnificent 7, a group of seven megacap technology firms each valued above $200 billion. The article warns that this skewed exposure could amplify losses as market volatility returns...
Annuities Under the Microscope: Industry Veteran Questions Their Relevance
MAH Financial Services founder Marc Hernandez told the Influential Entrepreneurs Podcast that annuities, once seen as reliable retirement tools, may now be outdated for many investors. He cited low interest rates, high fees and fintech competition as key factors reshaping...
From Occupation to $1 Trillion: Norway’s Wealth Revolution
In 1945, Norway emerged from 5 years of brutal Nazi occupation. War-torn. Bankrupt. Dependent on foreign aid. Today: A $1+ trillion sovereign fund making every citizen wealthy. How they built the world's ultimate money machine:
Shift From Overvalued US Stocks to Gold, Silver, EM
Why I'm Selling U.S. Stocks and Buying Gold Instead The Dow's up almost 1,000 points but it was overvalued before and there's still way too much complacency. Here's the catch though – don't sit in cash. The dollar is just as overvalued. I'm...
Is This Value Fund a Good Investment Option Today?
HSBC Value Fund, a 5‑star scheme launched in 2010, has consistently outperformed its benchmark across multiple horizons, delivering 23.5%‑19.1% annualised returns over 1‑10 years. Its 10‑year SIP return of 16.8% also beats the Nifty 500 TRI and the category average, highlighting...
Do Hedge Funds Add Value?
A recent study of market‑neutral hedge funds finds their correlation with the stock market shifts with financial cycles—negative in bear markets and positive in bull markets. The research also uncovers tail dependence during bullish periods and shows that hedge‑fund managers...
Nothing Like a War To Bring Folks Around to Personal Financial Planning
A financial coach is working with two recent evacuees from the Iran‑U.S. conflict, ages 40 and 29, to bring order to their ad‑hoc savings. In the first session the coach emphasized three fundamentals: allocate 15% of gross income to retirement,...
I Am Sharing Two Of My Retirement High-Yield Gems
Rida Morwa highlights two high‑yield retirement investments that together generate roughly 7% annual distribution yields. The first is a preferred‑share exchange‑traded fund, while the second is a short‑duration municipal bond fund offering tax‑free income. Both are positioned as steady‑income anchors...
An $18 Billion Reason to Own This 147-Year-Old Dividend Stock
Chevron (CVX) continues its streak as a Dividend Aristocrat, marking 39 straight years of dividend increases and a current annual payout of $7.12 per share. The energy giant is set to spend about $18.4 billion on capital projects in 2026, targeting...
2026 Tax Bill Lets Charitable Donations Yield Deductions
Most people donate to charity and get $0 of tax benefit. In 2026, that finally changes because of the new tax bill. Here’s how to take advantage:
Only the Clueless Chase Fair‑weather Stocks; Buy S&P 500
The fair weather fans are some of the world’s dumbest investors. If you can’t figure out how to make money on a stock like this, you should probably quit stock picking forever and buy an S&P 500 index fund. https://t.co/NhrMHGO8VP
Dean Khatib Honored by Marquis Who’s Who for Excellence in Investment Management
Dean Khatib, founder and CEO of Desla Wealth Management, has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who, recognizing his leadership and client‑centric philosophy. The honor underscores his influence on wealth‑management standards across Iowa and beyond.
Dave Ramsey Warns Against Home Equity Loans
Financial guru Dave Ramsey is adamant about avoiding debt, so it’s no surprise to hear that he’s not a fan of home equity loans. https://t.co/K3HMRpmev0
Extend Your 2025 Tax Deadline, Pay Owed Now
Not ready to file your 2025 tax return? Here’s how to buy yourself six more months, and why you still need to pay what you owe now. https://t.co/SdcqhDVk3f
I’m a Tax Preparer: The Refund Error That Triggers IRS Letters Most Often
Tax preparer Katrina Martin highlights three refund errors that most often trigger IRS letters: improper Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) claims, unreported income, and repeated business losses. Errors typically arise from claiming a child who fails relationship, age, residency, or filing‑status...
A Few Stocks Drive All Market Wealth—Diversify
Absolutely insane stat: Just 3.7% of stocks created 100% of U.S. stock market wealth over the last century. Miss a handful of winners … and you miss the market. That’s why you need to diversify. https://t.co/33wit1ajzk
Stop Quoting Buffett; Carve Your Own Investment Swing
Too many defend their investing strategies with Buffett quotes. If you aim to outperform the markets you must find your own swing. https://t.co/3XHsZkAldW
A Rare Event You Might Have Missed
The Dividend Aristocrats index completed its 2026 annual rebalance with zero additions or removals—the first time the list has remained unchanged since its inception in 1989. Historically the list sees several churns each year; 2025 added three companies while 2020...
The Evolution of Private Credit
The paper by Franklin Templeton outlines how private credit has matured into a multi‑trillion‑dollar asset class encompassing direct lending, distressed debt, asset‑based financing, CRE debt and CLOs. It highlights the sector’s rapid growth, driven by investors seeking higher yields as traditional...
Geopolitical Risk, Commodities and Core Portfolio Resilience
Parametric warns that heightened geopolitical tension, exemplified by the Iran‑Iran conflict, can erode the traditional diversification benefits of stocks and bonds as both asset classes move in tandem. Energy‑price spikes drive stagflation, breaking the historic negative correlation between equities and...
VTSAX vs VOO ETF: Which Vanguard Fund Should You Buy in 2026?
Vanguard’s two flagship low‑cost vehicles, the Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX) and the S&P 500 ETF (VOO), offer investors broad U.S. equity exposure but differ in structure and trade mechanics. VTSAX is a mutual fund requiring a $3,000...
Patience Pays: Stocks Spike After Years of Stagnation
Stock performance is rarely linear. You sometimes have to hold onto a position for a couple years before it goes up 300% in 6 months. It always looks easy in hindsight, but holding dead money is excruciating and few are...
Tap The Brakes And Buy SPLV
Invesco’s S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (SPLV) is rated a strong buy for investors who want full equity exposure while limiting downside risk. The fund’s index has delivered a 10.44% average return and lost only 0.05% in down‑market periods, far better...
Schwab Shares Up 265% Over Ten Years, Outpacing S&P 500 and Gold
A $1,000 stake in Charles Schwab Corp. made in April 2016 would be worth $3,655.39 today, a 265.54% increase that eclipses the S&P 500’s 233% rise and gold’s 269% gain. The performance underscores the power of long‑term equity exposure for...
IRS Expands 'No Tax on Tips' Deduction to 70+ Jobs, Adding Artists and Gas‑Pump Attendants
The Internal Revenue Service issued final regulations on April 10 that broaden the “no tax on tips” deduction to more than 70 occupations, adding visual artists, floral designers and gas‑pump attendants. The change preserves a $25,000 tip‑income deduction but phases...
Public Unveils AI “Generated Assets” Tool for Custom Hedge Portfolios
Public introduced its AI‑powered Generated Assets platform, enabling users to design bespoke hedged portfolios with options, futures and other derivatives in minutes. The launch comes as oil prices climb, prompting investors to seek faster, data‑driven risk‑management solutions.
Charlie Munger’s Best Advice on Investing in S&P 500 Index Funds
Charlie Munger, despite his reputation as a concentrated stock picker, repeatedly urged ordinary investors to buy a low‑cost S&P 500 index fund and hold it for the long term. He argues that most retail investors lack a professional edge, are prone...
We Received a $10k Tax Refund. My Wife Wants to Save It, I Want to Splurge. What Should We Do?
Couple receives $10,000 tax refund; wife wants to save, husband wants to splurge. Financial experts recommend first ensuring an emergency fund of 3–6 months in a high‑yield savings account. Next, prioritize paying off any high‑interest debt and consider boosting retirement...