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:
Ohio Expensing Conformity Will Boost Innovation and Competitiveness
Ohio’s Senate Bill 9, pending Governor DeWine’s signature, will update the state’s static conformity date to align with federal tax changes enacted after March 7, 2025, including the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s restoration of immediate first‑year expensing for research and experimentation (R&E) under Section 174. Because Ohio taxes pass‑through entities through its individual income tax, these businesses will now deduct R&E costs instantly rather than amortize them. The change is expected to improve cash flow for innovators and expand the state’s tax base over time. Lawmakers argue the move strengthens Ohio’s competitiveness in health‑care, defense, and manufacturing sectors.
The Sneaky Social Security Scams Targeting Retirees in 2026 — And the One Rule That Keeps You Safe
In 2026, scammers are increasingly targeting retirees by masquerading as Social Security Administration representatives through phone calls, texts, letters, and social media. They use caller ID spoofing and official‑looking logos to pressure victims into paying fees or revealing personal data....
The Average 401(k) Balance Grew 11% in 2025: Why This Rally Is Lowering Default Risks for Homeowners
Fidelity’s analysis of nearly 25 million 401(k) accounts shows the average balance jumped 11 percent in 2025 to $146,100, marking a third straight year of double‑digit growth. The median balance stays modest at $34,400, but accounts with $1 million or more rose to...
The Best Playbook for Investing During a War Is Usually Doing Nothing
The New York Times argues that the best response to the Iran‑Israel conflict‑driven market turbulence is to stay the course. While short‑term speculation in energy, defense stocks, gold or Treasuries can appear tempting, academic research shows that most investors achieve better...
Best 12-Month CD Rates for March 4, 2026: Up to 4.10%
Certificates of deposit are offering some of the highest short‑term yields in recent memory, with the best 12‑month CD reaching 4.10% APY as of March 4 2026. The national average sits at just 1.55% APY, highlighting a sizable premium for rates‑focused savers....
BMO Just Made These ETFs More Tax Efficient (ZCON, ZBAL, ZGRO)
BMO has restructured its three asset‑allocation ETFs—ZCON, ZBAL and ZGRO—by replacing the traditional aggregate‑bond component (ZAG) with a discount‑bond strategy (ZDB). The swap reduces taxable coupon income, aiming to boost after‑tax returns for investors holding these funds in non‑registered accounts....
Tax Strategies Every High-Net-Worth Advisor Should Know
In a recent LPL Financial and VettaFi webcast, experts urged advisors to adopt a "tax‑first" mindset, shifting from reactive compliance to proactive, multi‑year planning. They highlighted that capital‑gains and income taxes now outweigh estate‑tax concerns for many high‑net‑worth families. The...
History Shows Most Nations Experience Mass Displacement—Stay Mobile
That is an old saying I learned in Hong Kong that is meant to convey that any place can become unsafe and that having the ability to go to other places is invaluable. It is a lesson from history that...
Investing Is Cooking: Show the Full Flavor, Not Ingredients
A Stock Picker is a Chef Envision you are a Chef hosting a dinner. Mise en place is the French term for having all ingredients measured, chopped, and arranged before cooking. Your guests haven't been told what you are making. They only see the...
2 Communication Stocks Likely to Gain From Strong Industry Prospects
The Zacks Communication‑Infrastructure outlook highlights a 60.2% one‑year price gain, driven by accelerating fiber densification and 5G rollouts. While high capex, raw‑material inflation and geopolitical tensions pose risks, the sector’s EV/EBITDA of 4.23× remains far below broader market multiples. IHS...
Short‑Term Cash: Treasury MM or HYSA, Not Stocks
"I need to park $50k of cash for 12 months. What are my options?" > $VUSXX (Vanguard Treasury MM Fund) or any Treasury equivalent. State/local tax exempt, 3.63% yield > HYSA (FDIC insured, ~3%) Don’t invest it, unless 12 months turns into 12...
3 Oil & Gas Drilling Stocks Backed by Strong 2026 EPS Growth
Zacks’ latest industry overview highlights three oil‑and‑gas drilling companies—Noble Corporation, Nabors Industries and Transocean—with projected 2026 EPS growth ranging from 48.6% to 400%. Despite a bearish Zacks Industry Rank and a 74% drop in 2026 earnings estimates, the sector has...
Where OBBBA Delivers the Biggest Tax Cuts
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is projected to deliver an average $3,813 tax cut per filer in 2026, with the bulk coming from individual deductions and business provisions. County‑level analysis by the Tax Foundation shows stark geographic variation,...
Sanders, Khanna Introduce Wealth Tax Bill Targeting Billionaires
Senators Bernie Sanders and Rep. Ro Khanna introduced the Make Billionaires Pay Their Fair Share Act, proposing a 5 percent annual wealth tax on the 938 U.S. billionaires who hold $8.2 trillion collectively. The tax would raise about $4.4 trillion, funding $3,000 direct payments...
U.S.-Iran Attacks, Trump Tariffs: Where Should Investors Draw The Line?
U.S.–Iran hostilities and renewed Trump tariff threats pushed the S&P 500, Nasdaq and Dow below their 50‑day moving averages, deepening market volatility. The IBD Breakout Opportunities ETF (BOUT) gapped down, testing its 10‑week average, while individual breakout candidates like Ubiquiti, Motorola...
Don’t “Avoid Probate”: Reframing Estate Planning Success Around Managing (Not Escaping) The Probate Process
Estate planners often market "avoiding probate" as the ultimate goal, but probate is a statutory process that provides essential legal authority and asset verification. Even well‑structured plans can encounter probate due to post‑plan asset acquisitions, digital holdings, or out‑of‑state property....
Mortgage Renewal Headwinds Near a ‘Turning Point’ for Pandemic Buyers, Report Says
TD Bank’s latest report signals that the mortgage renewal shock for pandemic‑era borrowers is easing. The household debt‑service ratio dropped to 14.6% in Q3 2025, aided by nearly eight‑percent disposable‑income growth in 2024 and 4.7% in 2025. Homeowners are lengthening amortizations,...
DHS: Dividend ETF With Balanced Portfolio, But Average Results
The WisdomTree U.S. High Dividend Fund (DHS) holds 322 dividend‑paying U.S. stocks and delivers a 3.43% yield. Its portfolio is weighted toward financials, consumer staples, healthcare and energy while underweighting technology. Compared with the Russell 3000 benchmark, DHS trails in total...
Rethinking Biotech’s Valley of Death as Federal Grants and Family Offices Step In
Federal budget approvals for 2026 dramatically increase nondilutive capital for biotech, raising NIH funding to $49 billion and expanding programs like CDMRP and ARPA‑H. Seed‑stage companies are responding, with 38 % planning to rely on grants and other non‑equity sources. Simultaneously, mission‑driven...
What Are SAFE Investments? (Simple Agreement for Future Equity)
The Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) lets early‑stage investors fund startups now and receive equity later, typically when a priced round occurs. Introduced by Y Combinator in 2013, SAFEs replace costly, time‑intensive convertible notes with a streamlined contract that omits...
Apollo's Zito Sees Private Credit Pain Lasting Up To 18 Months
Apollo Global Management co‑president John Zito warned that the private‑credit market’s turbulence could persist for the next 12 to 18 months. While acknowledging a wave of fund withdrawals, he downplayed them as a systemic problem. Zito highlighted a widespread misunderstanding...
Full Fee Disclosure Drives Client to Switch Banks
A client moved to me after 6 years with a private bank. He didn't leave because of poor performance. He left because he finally saw the full fee statement. His relationship manager had never shown him the total annual cost in dollars.
Software Oversold; Quality Stocks Near Bottom, Ready to Rise
Software is *very* oversold and likely bottoming $IGV Our portfolio has exposure to quality software stocks which have been unfairly caught in the selloff and appear poised for a multi-month run. https://t.co/9W3aDdLK3Q https://t.co/Ursw6tsRqw
Ares CEO Says UBS Call on 15% Private Debt Default ‘Absolutely Wrong’
Ares Management CEO Mike Arougheti dismissed UBS analysts' worst‑case projection that private‑credit defaults could hit 15%, labeling it irresponsible. UBS warned the scenario could materialize if artificial‑intelligence disruption spikes borrower distress, but otherwise expects defaults to rise about 5% before...
Oversold AI, Cybersecurity, Infra Stocks Poised for Rally
AI, cybersecurity and infrastructure software stocks are *very* oversold. When the market volatility subsides, these growth stocks likely to embark on multi-month rally.
Markets Face Redemptions, Housing Woes, and AI Optimism
Animal Spirits: A Wave of Redemptions Geopolitics vs the stock market vs AI Is inflation risk back? Is it time for a correction? The optimistic view on AI The most broken housing market in America The private credit crisis of confidence & more https://t.co/3VV58HRcdq https://t.co/V5eIvRDjMe
How Advisors Can Better Serve Neurodivergent Clients
Financial advisors are increasingly recognizing that neurodivergent clients—those with autism, ADHD, dyslexia and related conditions—require communication and process adaptations that differ from traditional models. Practitioners like Korinne Sugasawara, who is neurodivergent herself, have built firms around explicit affirmations and sensory‑friendly...
Distinguish Initial Large Bets From Growing Positions
New Article There is a massive difference between taking a large initial position and allowing a position to become large. Few investors understand this distinction. https://t.co/hxHNHYqor8
Family Offices Debate AI's Role in Private Markets
Insightful quick trip to NYC to meet up 1 on 1 with many peers and participate in the Family office roundtable session at Bloomberg Invest. It was intriguing hearing different perspectives on private market investing, especially the varying views on the...
Equity ETFs Added $110 Billion in February – See the Leading ETFs
Equity exchange‑traded funds recorded $110 billion of net inflows in February, according to FactSet data. Vanguard’s S&P 500 ETF (VOO) topped the list with $17 billion, followed by Invesco’s equal‑weight S&P 500 ETF (RSP) at $5.6 billion. Other top performers included Vanguard’s international (VXUS) and...
High‑income Couples Forced to File Separately by SALT Cap
I didn't think about this in real time with OBBBA, but a lot of couples who are making in the $500k-$700k range this year are gonna end up MFSing because of the additional SALT cap. Seeing that a lot this...
Choose Planning Over Panic—Book a Free Call
Did you panic today, or did you plan? If you need help planning, I’ve opened my calendar and will help answer questions at www.buildingbread.com/callkev
Direct Indexing Is Not New, but It Has Become Newly Essential
Direct indexing, once a niche tool for the ultra‑wealthy, is now becoming a core component of portfolio construction thanks to advances in technology and lower operational costs. Continuous monitoring enables advisors to make incremental, tax‑loss harvesting adjustments throughout the year...
How Far Does $100,000 Go in U.S. Cities? 2026 Study
SmartAsset’s 2026 study evaluates the real purchasing power of a $100,000 salary across 69 large U.S. cities after accounting for federal, state, local taxes and cost‑of‑living premiums. The average adjusted value rose modestly from $71,669 to $72,444, indicating a slight...
Fidelity Rolls Out Private Markets Model Portfolios with Alts Education for Advisors
Fidelity introduced two new model‑portfolio suites that embed private equity, private credit and private real‑estate assets, targeting RIAs and broker‑dealers. The portfolios, available through Envestnet, require a $100,000 minimum and combine active, passive and ETF strategies with third‑party managers. Alongside...
Invest Early, Women: Age Discrimination Hits in 60s
Imagine doing it in your 60s. This is why I encourage women to invest for retirement. Age discrimination is brutal.
The Guardian View on Rachel Reeves’s Spring Statement: Stability Cannot Mean Sacrificing Living Standards | Editorial
Rachel Reeves’s spring statement reaffirmed a commitment to fiscal discipline, citing OBR projections that borrowing will fall and fiscal headroom has increased. The editorial warns that the UK’s exposure to soaring oil and gas prices from the Gulf conflict could...
Stocks in Turmoil, but Attractive Setups Emerge (META, GOOGL, AMZN)
Market volatility driven by Middle‑East tensions has pushed equities lower across regions, but the pullback has created attractive entry points for high‑quality mega‑cap tech. The author highlights Alphabet, Meta Platforms, and Amazon as the most compelling opportunities within the Magnificent...
Prioritize Living over Maximizing Every Tax Deduction
Optimize vs. Maximize You don’t need to win every tax year. You need to win the life you’re living. Chasing every deduction. Timing every Roth conversion. Micromanaging every IRMAA bracket. At some point, maximizing starts competing with living well. That’s when strategy needs recalibration.
Crypto.com Launches Blended Crypto and Stock Retirement Accounts
Crypto.com has introduced a U.S. retirement account that lets investors hold both cryptocurrencies and traditional stocks within a single IRA. The product offers tax‑deferred or tax‑free growth, up to a 5% contribution match, and no account fees, positioning it as...
Vanguard’s Transfer on Death Plan Kit
Vanguard announced on September 20, 2025 that it now permits a Transfer‑On‑Death (TOD) designation for joint taxable brokerage accounts. The new option is accessed via an online request, a printable form, and a mailed signature, rather than a fully digital submission. Vanguard’s...
Stop Payment Fraud Before It Starts
Automated bank account verification protects AP departments from payment fraud. Fraudsters now use AI‑generated emails and deep‑fake audio to hijack bank‑change requests, leading to costly losses. Real‑time verification confirms account ownership, status, and matches supplier data while creating an immutable...
MEBISODE: Even Berkshire Underperformed
In this episode the hosts use Warren Buffett’s retirement and Berkshire Hathaway’s historic performance as a lens to examine why even top‑tier investments can underperform for years. They focus on the Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF (SYLD), showing its long‑term outperformance...
Submit by March 5 to Unlock Simplified, Tax‑Efficient US Equity ETF
Final Call: Advisors must submit portfolios & tax lot data by March 5 to participate in the launch of the Alpha Architect U.S. Equity 3 ETF (AAUA) Don’t miss the opportunity to: - Simplify complex client portfolios - Reduce tax friction through a...
Private Debt: Are We Seeing Cracks or Is There Still Opportunity?
The 2025 bankruptcies of subprime auto lender Tricolor Holdings and auto‑parts maker First Brands sparked heightened regulatory scrutiny of private credit, raising fears of systemic fraud. However, senior‑secured, first‑lien loans—backed by tangible collateral—remained largely insulated from the fallout, delivering strong...
How The Tax Code Got So Complicated
The U.S. tax code has ballooned to over 70,000 pages since the 1913 16th Amendment, growing through countless piecemeal credits, deductions, and temporary measures. This complexity forces Americans to spend an estimated 7.1 billion hours and $388 billion in lost productivity each...
Only Log in to Buy, Not to Watch
Don’t even bother logging into your investment accounts if you’re not buying more stocks. You’re just going to make yourself feel worse and selling will only hurt you in the long term.
Ignore Market Noise; Stick to Long‑term Plan
If you're not retired: > stop obsessing over share prices, it's just noise > stop stressing about daily market moves, they don't matter > stop panicking over short term drops, they are normal Just stick to your long term plan. Stick to your allocation....
New $6K Senior Deduction Cuts Taxes, Not Social Security Taxation
A growing number of retirees have been paying federal tax on their benefits. A new $6,000 per person senior deduction reduces taxes for some seniors, but doesn’t change the way Social Security is taxed. https://t.co/Xv3DUZI1Us
ChatGPT Enhances, Not Replaces, Financial Advisors Today
If the long-term opportunity of ChatGPT and similar AI tools is not to replace financial advisors but to make them better, then the question naturally arises: how, exactly, can financial advisors leverage ChatGPT today to harness its benefits? https://t.co/sQ16RsmATN...