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:
Trump-Appointed Commission Approves Design of Presidential Gold Coin
A federal commission composed of Trump appointees has approved the design of a new gold coin bearing the former president’s likeness. Details of the design and issuance timeline were not disclosed, but the move is already being watched by wealth managers as a potential high‑net‑worth asset amid heightened market uncertainty.
Spend 10 Minutes Daily, Manage Money Like a Pro
It’s wild how most people spend 2,080 hours/yr working to earn money, but almost 0 hours managing that money… It takes 10-20 minutes per day to learn: - budgeting - investing - optimizing your finances The earlier you start, the better off you'll be in...
Most Claim They'll Buy the Dip, but Can't Afford It
Everyone says they are ready for a correction. Some even say they want a correction. Very few will have the stomach or the cash to follow through on their intentions and buy when others are selling. It can happen over weeks, months,...
The Ups and Downs of Stock Market Volatility
The article outlines that stock market indexes are unmanaged instruments that incur no management fees or transaction costs, yet they cannot be bought directly by investors. It emphasizes that any investment strategy involving indexes must be evaluated for individual suitability,...
Earn >£50,270? Do These Two Crucial Steps
Earn >£50,270? These are the 2 most important things to do Comment ‘tax’ and I’ll send you my full end of tax year checklist 📋
50 Ways To Get Tax-Free Cash Or Benefits –And Leave The IRS Behind
The article outlines fifty tax‑free cash sources and benefits, ranging from employer‑provided health insurance and transit allowances to personal gifts, home‑sale exclusions, and municipal bond interest. It highlights specific thresholds such as the $5,000 dependent‑care limit, the $340 monthly transit...
10 Ways the Middle Class Can Use AI to Build Wealth Instead of Falling Behind in 2026
AI is reshaping wealth creation for the middle class, turning the traditional time‑and‑labor model into a technology‑leveraged one. The article outlines ten concrete ways—from AI‑enhanced trading research to automated solo businesses and AI‑operator consulting—that can generate scalable income streams. It...
Trump Signs Executive Order Protecting Army‑Navy Slot, Bars CFP Broadcasts
President Donald Trump signed an executive order that prohibits the College Football Playoff and other postseason games from broadcasting during the annual Army‑Navy matchup on Dec. 12. The move, framed as a defense of a historic military tradition, forces the...
A Rare Moment in Family Tax Planning Has Arrived: 3 Ways to Seize It
The 2026 tax reforms have steadied both estate‑tax exemptions and core income‑tax rules, giving high‑net‑worth families a rare window for deliberate planning. The article urges a fresh review of estate documents to align with the now‑large, stable exemption. It also...
$3 Trillion S&P 500 Gatecrashers
Three of the largest private tech firms—SpaceX, OpenAI and Anthropic—are slated for IPOs later this year, together representing roughly $3 trillion in private market value. With the S&P 500 valued at about $60 trillion, their entry could reshape the composition of the world’s...
RBA Rate Hike Raises Recession Risk, Wealth Managers Scramble to Rebalance
The Reserve Bank of Australia raised its cash rate to 4.1% on Tuesday, the first increase since October, heightening recession risk. Wealth‑management firms are already re‑balancing client allocations as higher rates, soaring fuel prices and U.S. market volatility converge.
Retirees, Steel Yourselves: Global Crises Might Rattle the Markets, but T...
The Iran conflict has triggered modest market turbulence, pulling the S&P 500 down about 3.7% since late February while oil prices and inflation expectations rise. Financial advisers warn that retirees in the “fragile decade” must guard against sequence‑of‑returns risk, which can...
Investing’s Toughest Step: What You Do After Choosing
Most people think the big decision in investing is which fund to choose. Where to put the money. Which strategy is best. I get it, because that's where all the energy goes at the start. But after doing this for years,...
Trim Bad Trades Like Fasting: Discipline Over Willpower
I lost 100 pounds through fasting. Not willpower. Discipline. Markets teach the same lesson. The positions that hurt you most are the ones you won't let go of. Fasting is cutting what you don't need. Trading is no different. Most investors are obese...
Wealth Management for Families: Milestones, Services and Examples
Family wealth management expands traditional financial planning to address the interconnected needs of multiple household members across generations. It aligns investment, tax, insurance, education, and estate strategies around key life milestones such as buying a home, starting a family, career...
Top Strategies Ensure Consistent Retirement Income
The Best Retirement Income Strategies For Consistent Spending: An analysis of a range of retirement income strategies identifies those that lead to the most consistent annual income throughout an individual's retirement, and more on #retirementplanning this week: https://t.co/ao7EeGgvct #WeekendReading (Amy...
Ignoring the Noise Is Impossible
Financial advisors increasingly confront an unrelenting stream of market noise, making traditional "ignore the noise" counsel impractical. The article distinguishes "good advice"—generic, static recommendations—from "effective advice," which integrates durable portfolio construction with behavioral safeguards. Citing Fisher Black’s research and Charles...
Hargreaves Lansdown Glitch Locks Out Millions Amid Market Turmoil
Hargreaves Lansdown, the UK's leading wealth‑management platform, suffered a technical outage that locked out thousands of its two‑million customers during a period of heightened market volatility. The disruption comes as the firm prepares to triple annual fees for certain share‑holding...
How Long Do You Expect to Live? Getting It Wrong Could Cost You in Retirement
A new TIAA Institute report finds that only one‑third of Americans can correctly estimate how long a 65‑year‑old will live, while two‑thirds underestimate or are unsure. Retirees typically spend 20‑30 years in retirement, so misjudging longevity leads to lower savings...
Ask the Editor, March 20: Questions on Tax Changes for 2026
The 2026 tax year introduces major changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB). Non‑itemizers can now claim up to $1,000 ($2,000 for joint filers) of charitable cash gifts, while itemizers must exceed a 0.5% of AGI threshold before deductions...
Long-Term Care Costs Outpacing Retirement Income: AARP
New AARP research shows long‑term care (LTC) expenses surged nearly 50% between 2019 and 2024, far outpacing the 22% rise in median income for households 65 and older. A typical $60,000 senior income now barely covers part‑time home care and...
Will Materials Stocks Repeat Their Strong 2025 in 2026?
Materials stocks have delivered robust returns, with the Fidelity MSCI Materials Index ETF (FMAT) gaining 12.34% over the past three months and 22.19% year‑to‑date. The sector’s strength is driven by rising copper demand for AI‑intensive GPUs and broader chemical needs...
Using Free Cash Flow Across International Value and Growth Equity Investing
VictoryShares offers two international ETFs—IFLO and GRIN—that use free cash flow (FCF) as the core screening metric. IFLO targets the 100 largest profitable companies with the highest trailing and forward‑looking FCF, adding a growth filter for value‑oriented exposure. GRIN focuses...
I’m 37 and Won a Settlement. I Maxed Out My IRA. How Do I Invest the $21,000 I Have Left?
A freelancer in her late 30s received a $36,000 settlement, maxed out her IRA contributions for 2025 and 2026, and now has $21,000 remaining. The advice column recommends bolstering her emergency fund, then allocating the cash to tax‑advantaged retirement accounts...
Dave Ramsey Hates Debt — But Here’s When a 0% Balance Transfer Can Save You
Dave Ramsey’s no‑debt doctrine clashes with the practical tool of a 0% APR balance‑transfer credit card, which can temporarily erase interest on high‑rate balances. These promotional offers typically last 12‑18 months and often carry a 3‑5% transfer fee. They are...
I’m 30 and Earn $140,000. How Much Do I Need to Invest to Have $420,000 in 10 Years?
A 30‑year‑old Federal Reserve employee earning $140,000 wants $420,000 in investments by age 40. Because federal employment restricts bank‑specific ETFs, the advice focuses on permissible vehicles and the required savings rate. Assuming a 6‑7% compound return, roughly $30,000‑$35,000 per year...
How Active ETFs Brought Muni Bonds Investing to Life
Active municipal‑bond ETFs have transformed a traditionally static fixed‑income segment by pairing tax‑exempt muni exposure with the liquidity and transparency of the ETF structure. The 2019 ETF rule spurred a wave of product innovation, allowing active managers to dynamically adjust...
Jumbo CD vs High-Yield Savings: Which Is the Best Place to Store $100k?
A retiree looking to park $100,000 can choose between a high‑yield savings account (HYSA) offering 4.20% APY and full liquidity, or a jumbo certificate of deposit (CD) delivering 4.35% APY with a short‑term lock‑in. Both products are FDIC‑insured up to...
Should You Fix Your Mortgage Rate? Experts Weigh in on Rising Repayments
The Reserve Bank of Australia’s recent cash‑rate hike is pushing mortgage repayments higher, prompting homeowners to reconsider fixed‑rate options. Experts explain that fixed rates lock in payments and can aid budgeting, but may become costly if interest rates fall, while...
Annuities in 401(k) Plans Aren’t All Their Cracked Up to Be
A new study from the Center reveals that 83% of retirees encounter unexpected expenses each year, averaging about 10% of their annual income. To cover such shocks over a 25‑year retirement, households need an emergency fund ranging from $200,000 to...
U.S. Household Net Worth Hits Record $184.1 Trillion, Boosting Wealth‑Management Outlook
U.S. household net worth reached a historic $184.1 trillion in the fourth quarter, up $2.2 trillion from the prior quarter, according to the Federal Reserve. The surge, driven by equity gains, promises higher AUM fees for advisors and a looming wave of...
Stop Leaving Roth IRA Cash Idle—Invest for Growth
$70k of cash sitting in a Roth IRA… That’s 10 years of contributions getting only 2-4%/yr from MMF Instead of ~10%/yr from S&P 500 in that timeframe Just a reminder: your Roth IRA contributions need to actually be invested.
Biopharma Could Provide a Haven for Investment as Middle East Conflict Roils Global Markets
Analysts at Truist Securities argue that biopharma has acted as a defensive haven during recent geopolitical turmoil, outperforming the broader S&P 500. Their review of the past six years shows the Health Care Select Sector ETF (XLV) delivering steadier returns and...
Best Mutual Funds Awards 2026: Best Sector Stock Funds
Investor’s Business Daily’s Best Mutual Funds Awards 2026 spotlight the top sector funds, identifying only 27 out of 268 eligible funds—about 10%—that delivered superior 10‑year returns versus the S&P 500. Semiconductor‑focused funds such as Fidelity Select Semiconductors and Fidelity Advisor Semiconductors...
5 Vanguard Mutual Funds to Tackle Inflation and Geopolitical Risks
U.S. markets are under pressure from soaring oil prices, rising geopolitical tensions, and persistent inflation, prompting fears of stagflation. The labor market shed 92,000 jobs, lifting unemployment to 4.4%, while the Fed kept rates steady at 3.50‑3.75% amid unchanged consumer...
Garry Marr: Why It Could Be the Right Time to Walk Away From Your Real Estate
Canadian homeowners and condo investors are increasingly facing underwater properties as market values retreat. Insolvency filings tied to real estate rose to eight percent of all bankruptcies in 2025, up from five percent a year earlier. Experts warn that while...
Domestic Investment Push Could Cost Pension Savers Dearly, Report Warns
The Fraser Institute warns that proposals forcing large Canadian pension plans to boost domestic allocations could dramatically erode long‑term returns, likening the effect to a 73% tax on equity performance. It argues that the strong track records of Canada’s public...
2026 IRS Rule Changes Spur Fresh Tax‑Planning Playbooks for High Earners and Pre‑Retirees
The IRS’s 2026 rule overhaul, anchored by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, raises the SALT deduction cap to $40,000 and forces catch‑up contributions into Roth accounts. Wealth‑management firms warn that high earners and those nearing retirement must overhaul record‑keeping...
Claim the 'Founder' Title After 55: Launch a Business Without Jeopardizing Your Retirement
More older adults are adopting the “Founder” title on LinkedIn, with a 69% jump in 2025 and a 300% increase since 2022. Research shows a 60‑year‑old starting a business is three times more likely to succeed than a 30‑year‑old, and...
Grab These 3 Goldman Sachs Mutual Funds for Outstanding Returns
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, overseeing about $3.6 trillion in assets, highlighted three Zacks Rank #1 mutual funds that have delivered strong three‑year returns. The Goldman Sachs U.S. Tax‑Managed Equity Fund returned 20.6%, the Growth Allocation fund posted 17.4% with a 0.55%...
10 Essential Podcast Episodes for Beginner Dividend Growth Investors
Everyone starts somewhere. If you are new to dividend growth investing, these 10 episodes are the perfect starting point. 🔗 https://europeandgi.com/how-to/dividend-growth-investing-for-beginners-10-podcast-episodes-to-listen-to-first/
Americans Stockpile Low‑Risk, Interest‑Earning Assets
Money-Market Funds & CDs: Americans’ Ballooning Piles of Interest-Earning Low-Risk Investments. They’re investment choices, like bond funds, bonds, etc., not that illusory “cash on the sidelines” https://t.co/lVQU0uXsDh https://t.co/eIxrOAhyxN
The Investing Mistake That ‘Boring’ Investors Avoid
Investors who stick to “boring” strategies—primarily low‑cost index funds—outperform many who chase flashy stocks. Morningstar data shows only 33% of active funds beat their passive peers between July 2024 and June 2025. Passive funds charge roughly 0.11% expense ratios versus 0.59% for...
War’s Short‑term Impact, yet Markets Thrive Long‑term
Wars can move markets in the short run, as they are today. But over the long run, stock returns are driven by economic growth and corporate earnings. Since 1941 the world has seen almost constant conflict. And yet, $1 in the S&P 500...
Saving More Cuts Needed Retirement Nest Egg
The reality is that trying to increase savings actually has a dual positive effect on reaching retirement: not only does it mean there’s more in the account to grow, but saving more reduces your retirement savings need. https://t.co/eEAqccbz3U #retirementplanning #advicers
Embrace Short-Term Discomfort, Win Long-Term Gains
I think about this Lou Brock quote a lot and how it relates to investing. The willingness to look wrong in the short-term to be right in the long-term. "Show me a guy who's afraid to look bad, and I'll...
Asset Allocation Doesn't Explain 93.6% of Returns
"Asset allocation explains 93.6% of investment returns." You've heard that stat. It's wrong. What the paper actually found, and what the industry has been misquoting for 40 years, is the subject of our latest video for @IFAdotcom 👇 #Investing #WealthManagament #Finance https://t.co/HtF2EcPoVu
Even Top Managers Struggle to Sell Losers
During the conversation today with Lee Freeman-Shor and Clare Flynn Levy who have analyzed the trade data of many of the best fund managers in the world - I asked what decision type do successful managers have the most issues...
Prioritize Retirement Savings over Apartment Down Payment
You’re 32, Software Engineer, NYC. $250k income. $350k retirement $250k brokerage. Do you max retirement/brokerage accounts or focus on saving for a $1M apartment down payment?
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