
Investors confront two distinct threats to wealth: inflation and market bear markets. Historical data shows bear markets can plunge 20‑50% in months, with recoveries ranging from five months to seven years, while a steady 3% inflation rate trims purchasing power to roughly 74% after a decade. Over long horizons equities have generally outpaced inflation, but the journey is marked by sharp volatility. Maintaining cash reserves as dry powder can soften the impact of sudden market drops.

In the March 12, 2026 episode of "At the Money," Wes Gray of Alpha Architect explains how quantitative ETFs can deliver "poor man’s" alpha by embedding systematic factor exposures within low‑cost, tax‑efficient wrappers. He outlines the firm’s product lineup—including momentum,...

The S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats index for 2026 comprises 69 companies that have raised their cash dividends for at least 25 consecutive years. To qualify, firms must belong to the S&P 500, have a float‑adjusted market cap of at least $3 billion and...

Charlie Munger outlined ten persistent financial mistakes that ensnare the middle class, ranging from overspending and ignoring compounding to envy‑driven purchases and reliance on conflicted advisors. He emphasized that simple, disciplined habits—living below one’s means, continuous learning, and patient investing—are...
Pzena Investment Management argues that the Russell 1000 Value Index has drifted from a pure‑value construct, now holding hundreds of mega‑cap technology names alongside traditional value stocks. The index’s broadened composition makes it resemble a broad market basket with a...

A forum post argues that Marlboro Gold cigarettes can serve as a more practical crisis‑time store of value than gold. It draws on the author’s experience in high‑security prisons, where tobacco functions as a reliable medium of exchange. The piece...

The College Investor lists the top 12‑month certificate of deposit (CD) rates as of March 11 2026, with Credit One Bank leading at 4.15% APY for a $100,000 jumbo CD. Bank of Utah, Live Oak, Navy Federal and Alliant follow with yields...
A 2025 working paper tracking 59,105 Swedish investors shows that after retirement trading frequency rises by about 7.7% and portfolio holdings increase 8.2%, yet risk‑adjusted returns (Carhart alpha) fall roughly 0.6 percentage points. The same pattern mirrors the UK, where...
The article is a curated roundup of personal‑finance resources spanning podcasts, housing, investing, taxes, work, and lifestyle topics. It highlights recent trends such as rising suburban home costs in Atlanta, increased 401(k) withdrawals, and AI‑driven entrepreneurship. The list also points...

The paper investigates how rising policy uncertainty—spanning Social Security, Medicare, and fiscal policy—affects near‑retirees and retirees in the United States. Drawing on two original surveys, it finds older investors are acutely aware of the risk and are adopting defensive financial...
The FCA‑approved Apollo Long‑Term Asset Fund (LTAF) opens UK defined‑contribution pensions to private credit, infrastructure and venture capital. By imposing 90‑ to 180‑day redemption windows, the fund avoids the liquidity mismatches that plagued earlier products. Apollo will channel pension capital...
The latest Acquirer’s Multiple® Large‑Cap screen highlights a cluster of capital‑intensive cyclicals, discounted financials and mature global franchises that are trading at historically low acquisition multiples despite robust operating income, free cash flow and active shareholder returns. Valuations remain anchored...
Physicians are being warned that inflation can erode retirees' purchasing power more sharply than for working‑age patients, especially when fixed incomes meet rising healthcare costs. The article outlines how price spikes in prescription drugs, long‑term care, and everyday expenses disproportionately...

Ed Perks, a 40‑year veteran of Franklin Templeton, serves as CIO of Franklin Income Investors and president of its advisory arm. He credits early cross‑asset roles—from equity research to convertible securities—in shaping a disciplined, risk‑focused income philosophy. Perks emphasizes evaluating...
An inherited property that carries a home‑equity loan does not erase the debt; the loan can be assumed by a family heir or must be settled by the estate for non‑family successors. Federal rules, including the Garn‑St. Germain Act and the...

The paper extends defensive‑strategy testing back to 1800, revealing that systematic trend‑following and a revised defensive‑absolute‑return overlay (DAR4020) consistently protect a 60/40 portfolio during its worst months. Traditional safe‑haven assets such as gold and continuously‑bought equity puts underperform or erode...

Retired UK entrepreneur Mark Crothers announced a major portfolio overhaul, reducing his US technology exposure to about 15% and adding Europe and Southeast Asia. He contends that the S&P 500 has effectively become a sector fund because the ten largest tech...

The article reflects on Fidelity’s Magellan Fund’s disappointing decade after Peter Lynch retired, contrasting it with the Contrafund’s stellar 35‑year run under Will Danoff. Danoff’s 14.04% annualized return outperformed the S&P 500 by nearly 3 points, a rarity for a...

Section 351 of the U.S. tax code permits investors to contribute appreciated stocks, bonds or ETFs into a newly created ETF without triggering immediate capital‑gains tax, effectively seeding the fund at original cost basis. To qualify, no single security may exceed...

Robinhood is launching Robinhood Venture Fund I (RVI) on the NYSE with an anticipated $25 share price, offering retail investors a closed‑end fund that mirrors private‑market exposure. The fund will charge a 2% annual management fee, reduced to 1% for...
Greg Abel authored Berkshire Hathaway’s 2025 shareholder letter, marking the first full‑year communication since Warren Buffett stepped back as CEO. The letter reiterates the conglomerate’s core culture—honesty, decentralized autonomy, and a long‑term ownership mindset—while confirming that Buffett will still be...
Each week we run a DCF model on Boeing, arriving at an intrinsic share price of roughly $85, far below the current market level near $230. The analysis uses a 10% discount rate, 2.5% terminal growth, and forecasts free cash...

Student loan refinance rates slipped further this week, with variable APRs as low as 3.67% and fixed APRs starting at 3.71% as of March 5, 2026. Credible leads the market on variable rates, while Earnest offers the cheapest fixed rate. The rate...

Bron, a self‑custody wallet provider, introduced a Digital Inheritance feature that lets heirs access a deceased owner’s crypto after a mandatory six‑month delay. The system relies on pre‑selected Guardians who verify recipients and uses multi‑party computation (MPC) to reconstruct lost...

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 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....

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 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...

The article outlines practical steps for borrowers who can’t afford their student loan payments, starting with switching to income‑driven repayment plans that cap monthly outlays at a percentage of discretionary income. It highlights deferment or forbearance as short‑term pauses, while...
March offers a strategic window to boost tax‑saving accounts before the April 15 deadline. Taxpayers can max out IRA contributions, benefit from inflation‑adjusted Roth phase‑out ranges, and contribute to HSAs for triple tax advantages. Families can claim the Child and...

The author launched a new monthly investing feature for 2026, highlighting business‑cycle‑driven portfolio management. The aggressive “Adrenaline” portfolio posted a 10.3% annualized return YTD, while the defensive “Market‑Neutral” portfolio surged 57.3% annualized, both outpacing a slightly negative S&P 500. The post...

Two Copenhagen brothers launched Othania a decade ago with a DKK 2.2 million seed fund, building the systematic TIGER model to toggle equity and bond exposure based on macro indicators. The model’s strong signals spurred rapid AUM growth, reaching roughly DKK...
Robinhood has launched its HOOD Rewards Season, running Feb 19‑Mar 25, 2026, offering up to a 3 % bonus on ACATS transfers. Taxable‑account transfers earn 2 % for Robinhood Gold members, rising to 3 % when a $10,000 margin balance is present; IRA and 401(k)...

A family gathered after a grandparent’s death to discuss the adult children’s desire to buy a home. Leveraging lessons from the HumbleDollar community, the parents offered financial support, citing an upcoming inheritance intended for grandchildren. The conversation balanced respect for...

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) provide a rare triple‑tax advantage—deductible contributions, tax‑free earnings, and tax‑free withdrawals for qualified medical costs. For 2026, contribution limits rise to $4,400 for individuals and $8,750 for families, with a $1,000 catch‑up for those 55+. Savvy...

The author finally built a CD ladder using Fidelity’s automated tool, opting for brokered certificates of deposit to achieve safety and flexibility. By allocating $100,000 into five $20,000 CDs spanning one‑ to five‑year maturities, the ladder can roll over automatically...
The S&P 500’s top‑seven stocks now represent more than 30% of market value, sparking industry warnings about concentration risk. Academic research shows this level mirrors historic peaks from the 1930s and is a natural outcome of firm‑specific volatility, not a market...

A 46‑year‑old with a $3,055 IRA in 2004 began regular contributions and, despite market crashes, let compounding work for him, growing the account to $961,680 today. The story underscores that disciplined, bi‑weekly investing can transform modest balances into retirement‑ready wealth....

The senior life‑insurance market is promoting ultra‑low‑price ads that promise coverage for $9.95 a month, but the fee applies only to a single unit of protection. For an 80‑year‑old, one unit typically provides about $650 of death benefit, meaning meaningful...
High‑income homeowners can secure jumbo HELOCs ranging from $500,000 to over $1 million, with approval hinging on equity, liquidity, and credit strength rather than salary alone. These lines let borrowers preserve low‑rate first mortgages while unlocking equity for luxury renovations, business...
Volatility has re‑emerged as a defining feature of the current market cycle, eroding the traditional equity‑bond diversification that underpins static 60/40 portfolios. As stock‑bond correlations rise during macro stress, fixed‑allocation strategies face heightened drawdown risk. Tactical funds such as the...

Student loan refinance rates remained stable through February 26 2026, with Credible leading the market at a 3.69% fixed APR. Variable rates across lenders start around 3.99% and can climb higher as market conditions shift. Major platforms such as ELFI, LendKey, Splash,...

The article warns that retirement‑planning formulas and withdrawal‑rate rules of thumb are often over‑relied upon, despite being based on backward‑looking back‑tests. It argues that such generic models ignore individual spending patterns, health costs, inflation, and tax changes that vary over...
President Trump’s administration floated a new private‑sector retirement account that would mirror the federal employee plan and add a $1,000 annual government match. The proposal arrives as the existing Saver’s Credit still offers a tax credit of up to $1,000...
Guy Spier announced he is returning outside capital, citing health concerns rather than performance or market timing. He frames the decision as a fiduciary duty to treat investors’ money with utmost seriousness. The letter underscores liquidity discipline, a preference for...

The College Investor lists the top 12‑month certificates of deposit as of February 25, 2026, with yields topping 4.05% APY. Credit One Bank leads with a 4.05% jumbo CD requiring a $100,000 minimum, while Bank of Utah, Live Oak, Navy Federal and...

An 82‑year‑old retiree with pension and Social Security holds a mixed portfolio of domestic equities, a single‑stock position, foreign stocks, municipal bonds, and cash, aiming to preserve wealth for heirs and provide survivor income. The current allocation is 55% domestic...

The College Investor offers a free 529 plan calculator that lets parents model college savings growth by adjusting a child’s age, current balance, monthly contributions, and expected rate of return. The tool uses a conservative 7% annual return, reflecting post‑fee...
A physician who began saving at 26 leveraged a Navy Reserve pension, Tri‑Care, and a debt‑free mortgage to retire comfortably at 70. By working minimal hours in his final years and taking required minimum distributions that exceeded his needs, he...