When investing, many people turn to the S&P 500 for its historical performance and reputation as a cornerstone of the U.S. stock market. The S&P 500 tracks the 500 largest publicly traded companies in the U.S. But is it the best or only option for investors? It’s the most prominent index in U.S. markets and […]
IRAs, or Individual Retirement Accounts (or Arrangements per the IRS), are a crucial part of retirement plans for many Americans. Depending on your income, you may be able to deduct your annual contributions to a traditional IRA when filing your tax return. This is the original IRA, enabled by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act […]
Have you ever wondered why some people seem comfortable investing most (maybe all) of their savings in high-flying stocks while others cling to the safe but low returns offered by short-term Treasury securities? We’re not talking about professional money managers who spend their days watching the markets, analyzing financial data, and trying to read the […]
If you’re investing for your future self, this one’s for you… Knowing which way the herd is going is useful information. Because, sometimes, following the herd offers safety (and cost advantages). Other times, playing a contrarian game is better (though usually riskier). That makes the annual Investment Company Institute (ICI) factbook fascinating (if long and data-dense). […]
Real estate has long been considered a reliable and lucrative investment option, offering the potential for steady income, long-term appreciation, and portfolio diversification. However, the traditional approach of purchasing and managing physical properties can be daunting for many investors due to the substantial capital requirements, time commitment, and expertise needed to navigate the complexities of […]
The pandemic affected the wealth of American households… We all (or at least most of us) want to increase our wealth. For some, it’s a matter of survival. For others, it’s a quest for long-term security. For some, especially the uber-wealthy, it seems to have become a game of accumulating ever more riches and power, […]
For people with very low healthcare costs, putting the maximum into Health Savings Account (HSA)-eligible healthcare plans is almost a no-brainer. This is especially true when their employer contributes to their account to help offset the deductible. If you don’t spend that money, it’s yours to keep, and it rolls over year after year for […]
The Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) recently voted to allow spot Bitcoin Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) to trade on U.S. stock exchanges for the first time. Eleven firms1 – including heavyweights such as BlackRock, Invesco, Fidelity, and others – received approval for spot Bitcoin offerings. An ETF is an investment fund that tracks the performance of […]
You’ll hear homeowners proclaim this all the time. ‘My home is my biggest asset.’ But is it true? Are they even looking at the concept of an asset correctly? In very simple terms an asset is something you own and a liability is something you owe, which means, unless your house is paid off in […]