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:
Oct 1, 2025 | The Summit - Tempe AZ E8 | Guest: Matthew Jarvis, Co-Founder, The Perfect RIA
The Summit’s eighth episode (E8) will be held in Tempe, Arizona on October 1, 2025, featuring Matthew Jarvis, co‑founder of The Perfect RIA, as the keynote guest. The series, now in its eighth installment, has previously hosted leaders such as Shelby Nicholl, Scott Danner, and Amy Kizer, covering consulting, legacy wealth, and talent solutions. Jarvis is expected to discuss the evolving regulatory landscape and technology adoption within registered investment advisors. The event continues the Summit’s tradition of convening senior wealth‑management professionals for peer learning and networking.
1966: How to Get Good With Money in a World That Feels Financially Broken with The Budgetnista
In this episode Farnoosh Torabi talks with Tiffany Aliche, the Budgetnista, about why today’s economic climate feels different even for high earners and how her own 2008 recession crash reshaped her money mindset. Aliche shares practical ways to boost income—renting assets, leveraging...
Treasury Picks BNY, Robinhood for Trump Accounts Rollout
The U.S. Treasury announced a partnership with The Bank of New York Mellon and Robinhood to launch the “Trump accounts” retirement‑savings program for newborns. Each child born between 2025 and 2028 will receive a $1,000 seed funded by tax dollars,...
Buffett’s Tax‑Free Self‑Investment Advice Fuels Surge in Dividend‑ETF Picks
Warren Buffett’s recent remark that self‑investment is the only investment not taxed has ignited fresh coverage, prompting wealth advisers to champion dividend‑focused ETFs as a tax‑efficient way to generate passive income. The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) – yielding...
Commodity QIS: Hidden Engine of Systematic Returns
Commodity QIS: An Under-Appreciated Source of Systematic Returns? (S7E29) In this episode I speak with Faheem Osman, Managing Director and Global Head of QIS Structuring at Macquarie Group. Faheem has spent nearly two decades inside major investment banks — first at Citi,...
War Depreciates Money; Real Assets Outperform
"The one thing you can be quite sure of: if we went into some very major war, the value of money would go down. You’re going to be a lot better off owning productive assets over the next fifty years...
Managing ETF and Mutual Fund Exposure Across Asset Classes
Advisors in 2026 must treat ETFs and mutual funds as complementary tools rather than competing structures. Higher‑for‑longer rates and heightened U.S. equity concentration have made active duration management and exposure auditing essential. ETFs dominate core, low‑cost, liquid exposures while active...
Earn $100k+? Paycheck‑to‑paycheck Means Endless Work
I don't want to scare you, but if you make $100k+ and live paycheck to paycheck... You'll probably work until you die. Let me explain:
Improvement Outperforms Quality: Upgrade Beats Stable Greats
The most important chart in all of investing? Michael Mauboussin’s data shows that improvement beats quality every single time. ✅ Buying an optically "Bad" company that becomes "Great": +33% TSR 📈 Buying a "Great" company that stays "Great": +20% TSR ❌ Buying a...
Best High-Yield Savings Rates for April 6, 2026: Up to 5%
High‑yield savings accounts remain attractive in early 2026, with top online banks offering up to 5.00% APY on limited balances. Varo and Consumers Credit Union each provide the maximum rate on the first $5,000‑$10,000, while PiBank, Axos and CIT Bank...
Oct 1, 2025 | The Summit - Tempe AZ E4 | Guest: Justin Waller, CFP, Founder, Waller Financial Coaching
At The Summit 2025 in Tempe, Arizona, host Chuck interviewed Justin Waller, CFP and founder of Waller Financial Coaching. The conversation centered on the strategic decision for financial advisors to leave their Independent Broker‑Dealer (IBD) firms. Waller outlined specific scenarios...
MB518: Invest Like a Billionaire: Start with the Operator or the Deal? – With Bob Fraser
In a recent episode of "Apartment Building Investing," host Michael Blank sits down with Bob Fraser to unpack how billionaires approach capital allocation differently than most investors. Fraser emphasizes that concentrating wealth in a single asset class is a hidden...
Zephyr's Adjusted for Risk: Skill Over Style - Redefining Investment Success
Zephyr’s market strategist Ryan Nauman hosted a podcast with Aapryl’s Bill Himpele and Cesar Gonzales to champion skill‑based analytics over traditional backward‑looking performance reporting. The discussion highlighted that much apparent outperformance stems from cyclical market and style exposures rather than...
Proper Asset Location Adds 0.30% After‑Tax Return
Vanguard's research showed that you could add 0.30% of annual after-tax returns simply by having a correct asset location strategy: - avoid bonds in brokerage. Keep them in retirement accounts - growth assets in Roth - efficient ETFs in brokerage - avoid REITs in...
Teaching the Next Generation About Wealth and Responsibility
Generational wealth often disappears not because of poor investments but due to missing communication, financial literacy, and stewardship frameworks. Studies cite that about 70% of families lose wealth by the second generation and 90% by the third, highlighting a behavioral...
How to Prepare for a Recession in 2026
The article warns that recession risk in the United States has risen sharply in 2026, driven by the Iran‑Russia conflict, higher tariffs, and lingering economic uncertainty. Moody's AI‑based recession model now shows a 49% probability, just shy of the 50%...
Five Nations Offer Lower‑Tax Retirement Paths Than the U.S.
A recent Yahoo Finance feature identifies five countries that provide retirees with substantially lower tax burdens and, in many cases, cheaper cost‑of‑living than the United States. The piece underscores a growing trend among high‑net‑worth individuals to relocate for tax efficiency,...
Morgan Stanley Flags Liability Gaps as Wealth Killer Outpacing Market Crashes
Morgan Stanley’s new wealth‑preservation research warns that liability gaps and under‑insured risks can wipe out more family wealth than a bear market decline. The firm cites $40 billion in insured wildfire losses and a near‑1000% rise in million‑dollar auto verdicts to...
J.P. Morgan Warns Tax‑sale Strategy Can Add Hidden Costs for CFOs
J.P. Morgan Private Bank released an analysis warning that selling appreciated investments to cover tax bills can trigger a cascade of hidden penalties. The report identifies three cost drivers—higher future tax liability, portfolio drift and lost diversification, and missed tax‑loss...
Turn Your HSA Into a Tax‑Free Compounding Machine
91% of people use their HSA wrong. Here is how to turn this account into a tax free compounding machine. 👇
Stick to Quality: 27 Years of Market‑Beating Returns
Francois Rochon has beaten the market over the past 27 years He built his edge by staying within his circle, focusing on quality businesses that grow above the rate of the market, and avoiding terrible businesses with poor economics Learn more about...
Talk Your Book: Income and Momentum
The latest Compound Media podcast examined two distinct income‑focused strategies. Motley Fool Asset Management explained its rules‑based momentum approach, using the MFMO ETF to layer momentum on a high‑quality stock universe while managing turnover and downside risk. Eaton Vance discussed...
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Using Your 401(k) for a Down Payment Could Cost Your Retirement Savings More Than You Think
A Trump administration official has floated a policy that would let Americans withdraw 401(k) funds for home‑down payments without the usual 10% early‑withdrawal penalty. While the proposal aims to ease entry into a market where mortgage rates exceed 6% and...
Ask an Advisor: Can I Invest in a Real Estate Project Within My Roth IRA? Will the Future Growth and...
A self‑directed Roth IRA can be used to fund a commercial real‑estate build, but only if the property title is transferred to the IRA. The investor must avoid any prohibited transactions with disqualified persons, meaning they cannot lend to themselves,...
Record 6% of 401(k) Participants Took Hardship Withdrawals in 2025, Vanguard Reports
Vanguard’s 2025 retirement report shows a record 6% of plan participants made 401(k) hardship withdrawals, up 20% from the previous year. The average withdrawal was $1,900, while average account balances grew 13% to $167,970. Experts warn the trend could erode...
UBS Analysis Shows Real Estate Can Cut Income Taxes and Estate Taxes in One Move
UBS Wealth Management released a new analysis that demonstrates how income‑producing real estate can simultaneously reduce an investor’s annual income‑tax bill and shrink the estate‑tax liability for heirs. The report highlights depreciation deductions, passive‑income treatment and structuring tools such as...
Morgan Stanley Warns Families Liability Gaps Can Wipe Out Wealth Faster than a Market Crash
Morgan Stanley’s latest wealth‑preservation research flags hidden liability risks—such as inadequate fire, auto and employment coverage—as a greater threat to family wealth than market downturns. The report cites $40 billion in insured wildfire losses and verdicts that have surged 1,000% since...
Defensive ETFs Surge as VIX Jumps 73% Amid Early 2026 Turmoil
Investors are flocking to defensive exchange‑traded funds as the CBOE Volatility Index has risen 73% year‑to‑date. Low‑volatility ETFs such as iShares USMV, Invesco SPLV and State Street XLP are seeing fresh inflows, while high‑beta funds face outflows, especially in emerging‑market...
Tax Strategies for Dividend Investors in Canada
The article breaks down how dividend income is taxed in Canada, emphasizing the distinction between eligible and non‑eligible dividends and the impact of the gross‑up and dividend tax credit system. It outlines how foreign dividends, especially from the U.S., face...
7 Assets to Leave Out of Your Roth IRA, From a Financial Planner
A financial planner warns that Roth IRAs, while tax‑free, have limited space and should be used strategically. Municipal bonds, highly speculative stocks, and assets needed before age 59½ are better held in taxable accounts. The planner also advises against placing...
How to De-Risk Your Portfolio in 5 Different Scenarios
The article outlines practical de‑risking tactics for investors facing different life and market scenarios. After three years of strong equity returns, it advises reviewing allocations, rebalancing, and adding cash or defensive assets to curb exposure. Specific strategies target AI‑heavy stock...
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Why Investing In Bonds Is Not Your Only Choice If You're Over 50
Investors over 50 shouldn’t rely on age‑based rules to add bonds; allocation must stem from a personalized financial plan. Experts advise increasing fixed‑income exposure two to three years before retirement to mitigate sequence‑of‑returns risk. A bucketing strategy—cash, low‑risk bonds, and...
New UK Farm Inheritance Tax Rule Will Cause ‘Significant Challenges’, Say Accountants
The UK government has implemented a new inheritance tax regime for farms and family businesses that takes effect on 6 April 2026. The first £2.5 million (about $3.2 million) of combined agricultural and business assets remains fully exempt, but amounts above that are taxed...
Patience Pays: Hold Through Temporary Investment Dips
Your investments can go down for months before delivering any gains. In fact, most of my biggest winners were down for 3 to 12 months before turning around. Do not beat yourself up if something you bought drops for a while. A common...
First Weekly Portfolio Shift Signals Make-or-Break Moment
(PREMIUM) "Tactical Update: April 6, 2026 - Make or Break..." First portfolio change of the week... via The Lyons Share https://t.co/Erxetrw4KU https://t.co/0Xl1grhOeJ
LABJ Stock Index: April 6
The article outlines three common methods for paying taxes—using a portfolio line of credit, selling securities, or paying with cash—and weighs their pros and cons. A line of credit lets investors borrow against their holdings, preserving market exposure while providing...
Assessing Crypto ETFs, BTC’s Identity, and Quantum Risks
My conversation w/ @OspreyFunds' Managing Director @BillBirminghamm… We cover: -Rex-Osprey crypto ETFs -Crypto downturn since October -Btc = digital gold or tech stock? -Quantum threat to btc -Allocating to crypto in a portfolio https://t.co/APXj4t7hUu via @CryptoPrimePod https://t.co/WutKNs5Dnh
Globalize Your Portfolio Amid De‑globalization Trends
𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗔 𝗗𝗲𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 🌍 "When the world is falling apart, your portfolio should be putting countries together. You should globalize your portfolio when the world is de globalizing." - Owen Lamont & Randolph Cohen https://t.co/zvS3rH5cbA
How to Invest in Municipal Bonds for Tax-Free Income>
Municipal bonds deliver federally tax‑free income, making them especially appealing to investors in the 32%‑plus tax brackets. Current 20‑ to 30‑year AA‑rated munis offer yields around 4% to worst, translating to taxable‑equivalent yields above 7% for top‑bracket taxpayers. High‑yield muni...
Tax‑Smart Strategies Outperform Pure Stock‑Picking Returns
If you are solely focused on generating better returns through stock picking and/or market timing, you are leaving a TON OF MONEY on the table. Get smarter about the many ways you can substantially improve your net, after-tax, total returns...
Don't Let Cash Sit—Opportunity Cost Costs You
If you’re tempted to keep your money in cash on the sidelines, consider the impact of opportunity cost, or the potential gains you miss out on when choosing one investment over another. https://t.co/FpZVau3NQD
Social Security COLA Could Exceed 4% in 2027, Boosting Retirement Income
The OECD now projects U.S. inflation at 4.2% for 2026, a sharp rise from the Federal Reserve’s 2.7% estimate. If the CPI‑W matches that forecast, the Social Security Administration could issue a cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) of over 4% for 2027,...
Best Investors See Corrections as Opportunity, Not Panic
Every correction is different, but investor behavior doesn’t change. Bad investors panic and sell. Good investors get nervous but hold. The Best investors get excited about potential opportunities. https://t.co/YtG3rq0fnN
Accumulate, Don't Trade; Long‑term Holding Builds Wealth
Too many people trade. Too few people accumulate in a secular trend (especially through weakness) and allow it to compound. There are very few rich traders but there are many, many rich people who owned assets for longer time horizons. Zoom...
Kentucky Becomes a Retirement Magnet with 3.5% Income Tax and $228K Home Prices
Financial planner Wes Botto says Kentucky’s 2026 tax cut to a 3.5% individual income tax, a $31,110 retirement‑income exclusion and housing that’s about 7% cheaper than the national average are turning the state into a retirement haven. The shift is...
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF VOO Poised to Outperform Market Over Long Term
Vanguard's flagship S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is being highlighted as a top large‑cap vehicle that could beat the broader market over the long haul. With a 0.03% expense ratio and recent price weakness, analysts argue the fund offers a cheap, diversified...
SEC Clears ETF Share‑Class Model for Mutual Funds, Targeting Tax Relief for Millions
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has green‑lit a wave of dual‑class fund structures, allowing mutual funds to add ETF share classes. With 48 asset managers already approved, the change promises to reduce capital‑gains distributions and lower tax bills for...
Billionaire Investor Shares Two-Step Approach To Positive Returns: 'I Think I Finally Solved The Stock Market'
Billionaire investor John Arnold claims to have "solved the stock market" with a simple 50/50 allocation between the technology ETF XLK and the energy ETF XLE. His data show the blend generated double‑digit returns in six of the last seven...
The Home Ownership Gamble
The author bought a starter home for $375,000 in 2018, sold it for $600,000 in 2022, and saw the property change hands again for $500,000—a $100,000 nominal loss. Including a 5% realtor commission and $30,000‑$40,000 in repairs, the new owners...
Morningstar Suggests 3.9% Initial Withdrawal Rate, Undermining 4% Rule
Morningstar's new report recommends retirees start with a 3.9% withdrawal rate, citing a 90% probability of portfolio survival over a 30‑year horizon. The analysis, which assumes a 30%‑50% equity allocation, directly challenges the long‑standing 4% rule and forces advisors to...