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:
Mariner's Krumpelman: Buckle up to Ride the S&P to 7,700 by Year's End
In this episode, host Chuck Jaffe interviews three experts—Jeff Crumpleman of Mariner Wealth Advisors, John Cole Scott of CEF Advisors, and James Abate of Horizon Investments—about navigating the current market volatility. Crumpleman reaffirms his pre‑war forecast that the S&P 500 will close 2026 near 7,700, citing strong consumer spending, robust cap‑ex, and rising productivity. Scott dives into AI‑related risk in business development companies (BDCs), explaining how his firm’s AI risk scores identify low‑exposure BDCs like NCDL and KBDC as attractive, yield‑focused opportunities. Abate rounds out the discussion with broader stock market insights and the importance of disciplined rebalancing rather than panic‑driven moves.
You Have Until April 15 to Get This $8,000 Roth IRA Freebie — No Matter What Your Income
The article reminds taxpayers that the deadline to fund a Roth IRA for the 2025 tax year is April 15, 2026, and that the backdoor Roth strategy lets anyone contribute up to $8,000 regardless of income. The backdoor involves a nondeductible...
Top 4 Mid-Cap Value Funds to Consider in a Volatile Market
U.S. equity markets remain volatile amid Middle‑East tensions, yet the domestic economy shows resilience with solid job growth and steady consumer spending. In this environment, mid‑cap value mutual funds are highlighted as a sweet spot between large‑cap stability and small‑cap...
The New ‘4% Rule’: Finding the Right Withdrawal Strategy
The classic 4% retirement withdrawal rule, which calls for taking 4% of savings in the first year and adjusting for inflation thereafter, is losing relevance as lifespans lengthen and living costs rise. Experts now recommend a flexible “guardrails” method that...
Embrace Volatility: Zoom Out and Grow Wealth
Volatility is the cost of admission to grow your wealth. At the end of this video, I share three practical tips on how to help deal with (or ignore) the volatility. ‘If in doubt, zoom out’ Comment ‘Guide’ for my...
More than Half of Parents Now Support Homebuying Costs
Rising housing costs are prompting more parents to financially back their children's home purchases. A Veterans United survey shows 59% of parents have already helped or plan to help, with the share rising to 68% among military families versus 49%...
'Shark Tank' Star Kevin O'Leary Says You're Not Rich Unless You Have $5 Million in Liquid Assets
Kevin O'Leary, the "Shark Tank" investor, says true wealth requires at least $5 million in liquid assets, not just high‑value possessions. He argues that cash or Treasury bills provide a safety net that can generate roughly 5% annual return, enough to...
Best ETFs To Protect You From War And High Stock Prices
EP Wealth Advisors, overseeing roughly $42 billion, recommends three ETFs to shield portfolios from geopolitical risk and elevated valuations. The firm favors Invesco’s S&P 100 Equal Weight for diversified large‑cap exposure, JPMorgan’s U.S. Quality Factor for sector‑neutral quality stocks, and Dimensional’s U.S....
Top Fund That Invests In Gold Miners Delivers Midas-Like Returns
Midas Discovery (MIDSX), a gold‑mining focused mutual fund, delivered a staggering 196% return in 2023 and is up 11.5% through March 2024 as gold prices surged. The metal has rallied 125% year‑to‑date, buoyed by geopolitical risk, a weakening dollar, record...
Mutual Benefits Bets on Structured Planning to Deepen Nigeria’s Savings Culture
Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc is intensifying its push for structured financial planning to raise Nigeria’s savings rate. The insurer highlights four tailored products—ISPP, CEP, MIP and PPIP—that blend disciplined contributions with life‑insurance protection. A PiggyVest Savings Report 2025, covering over...
Wealthy Families Turn to Timing Over Rates with IDGT Trusts After $15 M Estate Tax Exemption Rise
Fidelity Wealth Management released a detailed briefing on intentionally defective grantor trusts (IDGTs), urging ultra‑high‑net‑worth families to prioritize timing of asset moves over marginal tax‑rate differences. The guide comes as the federal estate‑tax exemption rose to $15 million per person ($30 million...
This Creative Money Transfer Strategy Among Family Members Could Raise Red Flags with CRA
A Canadian couple used a CRA‑prescribed‑rate loan of roughly $370,000 USD to shift investment income, while the husband gifted about $74,000 USD to their adult son, who then transferred the same amount to his mother and back to the husband to reduce...
Hiltzik: Trump Wants You to Invest Your 401(k) in Crypto and Private Equity. Should You Bite?
President Trump, backed by Labor Secretary Lori Chavez‑DeRemer, is pushing a rule that would give employers a safe‑harbor to add crypto and private‑equity funds to 401(k) menus. The proposal frames the change as a cure for "regulatory overreach" and a...
5 Quick Tax Tips for Retirees for 2025 and 2026, From a Financial Planner
Financial planners highlight five tax‑saving tactics for retirees filing 2025 returns and looking ahead to 2026. A temporary $6,000 senior deduction, a new car‑loan interest deduction, and a Medicare IRMAA reduction pathway give high‑income retirees fresh ways to lower taxable...
Why Staying Invested Is the Hardest, Smartest Choice Right Now
Recent U.S.-Israeli air strikes on Iran have spiked oil prices and rattled markets. While headlines push investors toward safe‑haven assets, historical data shows equity markets quickly price in geopolitical risk and recover. Maintaining a diversified, long‑term portfolio—backed by a stress‑tested...
5 Signs You’re Moving From Middle Class To Rich, According To Charlie Munger
Charlie Munger argues that moving from the middle class to wealth hinges on mindset, not income. He emphasizes thinking in decades, avoiding big mistakes, and building a multidisciplinary latticework of mental models. Evaluating opportunities by the integrity of people involved...
‘I Am at a Crossroads’: I’m 37 and Have $1.3 Million. Do I Stop Working to Spend Time with My...
A 37‑year‑old father with a $1.3 million net worth is weighing whether to quit his $165,000 salary to become a stay‑at‑home dad for his 5‑ and 2‑year‑old children. He cites chronic stress and only 90 minutes of daily interaction with his...
Concentrated Company Stock in Your ESOP? Waiting to Diversify Could Tank Your Retirement
The article warns that holding a concentrated position in an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) can jeopardize retirement security if diversification is delayed. It explains that ESOP participants become eligible to move up to 25% of their holdings at age...
Discover a New Approach to Long-Term Investment with Equitile
Equitile Investments, a London‑based firm founded in 2015, offers active global equity and macro strategies anchored by its proprietary “Darwin” investment process. The flagship Equitile Resilience Fund, a concentrated UCITS vehicle, has delivered a 12.7% annualised return since launch and...
Buy the Dip, Stay Invested, Reap Profits
Buy the Dip. Always. 📉➡️📈 History proves it — 2008 crash, COVID, wars, elections… markets always recover. ✔️ Those who bought the dip → made profits ✔️ Those who panicked → missed it Last 2–3 days = proof again My portfolio is up ~10% already 🚀 Simple...
Asset Allocation Still Dominates Outcomes as Investors Navigate New Inflation Era, Says William Blair
William Blair’s new asset‑allocation paper reaffirms that portfolio structure, not security selection, accounts for more than 90% of long‑term return differences. The firm highlights a shift toward a higher‑inflation environment that is eroding the historic inverse relationship between stocks and...
Even $400K Earners Need Work‑Life Balance
She's earning $400K a year. Top performer. 12-hour days. 8 years running. She came to me and said: "I want to stop this madness before the kids stop needing me." "Can I afford it?"
Could Investing $10,000 in IWM Make You a Millionaire?
The iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has posted an 8.06% average annual return over its 26‑year history, trailing the S&P 500’s roughly 10% long‑term average. A $10,000 investment growing at that rate would reach about $1 million after 60 years, illustrating the power...
Consistent Small Wins Beat Chasing the Next Amazon
The biggest misconception I see re investing is this idea that you need to find “the next Amazon” or “the next Nvidia” or whatever. Frankly this is one progenitor of exceptional returns but just one. It seems far easier to...
Gold IRAs Promoted as Safe Havens Carry Hidden Fees and Liquidity Risks for Retirees
Gold IRAs are booming in 2026, yet investors face hidden costs, strict IRS storage rules and limited liquidity that can erode retirement savings. The CFTC warns that these risks disproportionately affect near‑retirees, prompting calls for tighter oversight.
Bank of America Exposes Hidden Flaws in Your Trust
Bank of America Private Bank warns that most family trusts contain five hidden drafting flaws that can unravel inheritance plans. Trust ownership rose from 11 % to 14 % between 2025‑2026, and the recent jump in the federal estate‑gift tax exemption to...
Millionaires' Private Conversations Defy Common Stereotypes
Nearly a decade of sitting across from millionaires. Hearing what they actually say when the door closes. Most of it doesn't match what people assume.
How to Cut Losing Trades Effectively
A new article from Clare Flynn Levy, co-author of Stock Market Maestros She gives some good pointers on getting better at cutting losers https://t.co/FxxUrgSMHp https://t.co/v81v411yzC
Why Entrepreneurs Are Turning to Trading Structures for Income Deferral
Entrepreneurs facing sudden income spikes are adopting trading structures to defer taxable earnings and smooth cash flow. By establishing entities that qualify as active businesses under IRC §162, they can generate legitimate trading losses that offset ordinary income. Advisory firms...
Extreme Frugality and Tracking Turned Debt Into Wealth
CRAZY SHIT I DID: to go from $80k in debt to millionaire - Lived in cheapest rental home my wife could stand - Spent 1000s of hours studying money & investing - Sold my Range Rover & got a 2012 Toyota Prius -...
Unlock Early 401k Access for Tax‑Free Retirement
Many finance influencers say "get your 401k match, then invest in a brokerage" Main argument is that you can retire early with brokerage I disagree because you can access your 401k early with 72t SoSEPP, or Rule of 55. If you're a high...
Washington's New Income Tax: The Complete Guide for Founders, Investors, and High Earners
Governor Ferguson signed ESSB 6346 on March 30, 2026, establishing Washington’s first broad‑based income tax—a 9.9% levy on adjusted gross income exceeding $1 million, effective January 1, 2028. The law reshapes tax planning for founders, investors, executives, and high‑earning residents, introducing residency rules, a marriage...
Capitalizing on Opportunities to Serve High-Net-Worth Clients
In this episode, ABA’s Mark Benskin discusses the evolving wealth‑management landscape, highlighting the rapid rise of Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) and their appeal to high‑net‑worth clients due to greater independence and higher revenue shares. He explains how community banks can...
Top Affordable REITs to Boost Your Portfolio Income
Zacks Investment Research highlights four affordable REITs—Blackstone Mortgage (BXMT), Chicago Atlantic (REFI), Chatham Lodging (CLDT) and Redwood Trust (RWT)—that have earned a Zacks Rank #1, indicating a strong‑buy recommendation. These securities trade between $5 and $19 per share and deliver...
You Have Until April 15 to Get This $8,000 Roth IRA Freebie — No Matter W...
Tax day on April 15 is the final deadline to fund a 2025 Roth IRA, even for high‑income earners, by using the backdoor Roth strategy. The two‑step process lets anyone contribute up to $8,000 (plus a $1,000 catch‑up for those 50...
Thursday Links: A Job in a System
This week’s links highlight a shift toward diversification and new product frontiers across finance, tech, and health. BlackRock’s broad‑based strategy is shielding it from private‑credit turbulence, while industry thinkers predict a radically different asset‑management landscape in a decade. OpenAI’s acquisition...
Locked Into Concentrated Capital Gains? Exchange Funds Could Help
Exchange funds let investors swap concentrated, highly‑appreciated stocks for a diversified basket, deferring capital‑gains taxes under Section 721. A mandatory seven‑year hold period spreads gains across participants, instantly reducing single‑stock risk. Start‑ups like Cache are popularizing the model, amassing over $1.25 billion...
Your Grocery Bill Will Be the Next Casualty of the Iran War. Make These Investment Moves Now to Counter Food...
The escalating conflict in Iran is pushing global oil prices higher, which in turn is inflating food costs worldwide. Simultaneously, a fertilizer shortage and mounting tariffs are tightening supply chains, threatening grocery bills for consumers. The article advises investors to...
Behind on Your Taxes? Take These 4 Smart Steps to Avoid Penalties Before April 15
Entrepreneurs facing the April 15 tax deadline risk costly penalties if they miss filing or payment obligations. The IRS estimates millions of taxpayers file late each year, making extensions a critical tool—Form 4868 grants an automatic filing deadline of October 15, but it...
Wells Fargo Warns Savers: $17 B Annual Cost From Non‑fiduciary Advice
Wells Fargo’s Wealth & Investment Management division released a report warning that non‑fiduciary advice is draining $17 billion from American retirement accounts each year. The analysis finds $1.7 trillion in IRA assets exposed to the "suitability" standard, which can shave as much...
A Family Office Experience For Everyday Investors: Melissa Day’s Success Story
Melissa and Todd Day launched the Independent Advisor Team in Winston‑Salem in 2023, positioning it as a boutique firm that delivers a family‑office experience to everyday investors. By leveraging SmartAsset’s Advisor Marketing Platform, roughly 70% of their pipeline now originates...
Morgan Creek's Yusko Says to Invest in 'Uncomfortable Areas' Now
In this episode, Morgan Creek’s Chief Investment Officer Mark Yusko argues that the best opportunities lie in areas that make investors feel uncomfortable, highlighting the need to look beyond popular, over‑bought stocks. He discusses the current market volatility, the appeal of...
Protect Your Family: Estate Planning Beats 40% Tax
If you die without a plan... - The government takes 40% in tax - Probate court costs $100k+ - Your kids get the scraps If you love your family, here's every document you need to protect them: (from a CPA & father of two)
Stay Calm: Investor Habits for Volatile Markets
The best investors stay calm when markets are volatile, and these financial habits can help you stay the course. https://t.co/hO1oDA3Gyi
Tools/Calculators for Monthly Retirement Cash Flow and Tax Estimation
A HumbleDollar forum member asks for reliable tools to project annual retirement cash flow and estimate upcoming tax liabilities. The user has already handled Social Security timing, IRA conversions, estate planning, and budgeting, leaving only the need for precise income...
ISOs Offer Wealth Potential, But Tax Risks Loom
For clients receiving Incentive Stock Options (ISOs) as part of their compensation, the potential for wealth creation can be significant – but so too is the risk of adverse tax consequences if not handled properly. https://t.co/YA6mBVn0qA #ISOs
Rising Bond Supply Threatens Tight Spreads, Rotate Funds
Bond issuance is surging. More supply into already tight spreads. That math doesn't work forever. When the dam breaks, you want a fund that rotates. $JOJO. https://t.co/rq34u6KTHX
Philadelphia Is Building a Playbook for Fixing ‘Tangled Titles’
Philadelphia is confronting a hidden crisis of tangled property titles that leave thousands of homeowners—especially in Black neighborhoods—unable to sell, refinance, or secure insurance. The city’s Register of Wills launched a Title Clearance Unit in 2024, which cleared 91 homes...
Most Investors Want Fiduciary Advice — but Many Aren't Actually Getting It
A new Cerulli Affluent Investor Tracker report finds that while 70% of affluent investors expect their advisors to act in their best interest, only 58% of retail‑investor assets are actually held in fiduciary relationships. Clients who believe their advisor is...
Intensive Option Webinar: Modern Portfolio Protection
Lawrence G. McMillan’s intensive webinar on modern portfolio protection outlines how options can be employed to manage downside risk while preserving upside potential. The session covers both surgical tools—such as collars and covered writing—and systematic approaches like index hedging and...