97% of Mutual Funds Underperform
Twice a year the S&P publishes a report called SPIVA, which is a scorecard to see how mutual funds, aka active portfolio managers, are faring versus their passive index funds. SPOILER ALER: Active management is getting killed. The SPIVA report even controls for other variables such as style drift, survivorship bias, and avoids double counting different share classes of the same fund. This makes SPIVA the most accurate and reliable performance data available in the Active vs. Passive debate.
How Your Credit Score Works
Your credit score is a numerical representation of your creditworthiness, and it plays a crucial role in your financial life. A good credit score can help you qualify for loans at lower interest rates, save money on insurance, and get approved for apartments.
An Update on I-Bonds
Remember when I-bonds were all the rage?? If you purchased I-bonds in August of 2022 when a popular investing website article declared "Run, Don't Walk, for I-Bonds," your investment would be yielding 2.96% right now.
Passive Income Vol. 4: Bond Ladders
Bond ladders are a series of fixed income investments with different maturity dates. Over time you will receive interest payments, usually semi-annually, as well as your initial investment at maturity.
The Solo 401k
ATTN: Solopreneurs – The Solo 401k is the secret wealth hack you didn’t know you needed. If you are a business owner and your only employee is yourself, you can save a massive amount in taxes by opening a Solo 401k plan. These plans can be setup at a reputable firm like Charles Schwab, and often have low/no fees.
Time In The Market > Timing The Market
The human brain is laughably terrible at being able to correctly predict when you should buy and sell investments. Here are some fun facts that show the benefit of staying invested for the long term.
Money Avoidance
Money Avoidance - Not wanting to look at your financial situation, over fear of shame or guilt about what you may find.
You are not alone.
The American Dream
From 1980-2023, the U.S. housing market returned 8.6% while the S&P 500 returned 14% when including dividends.
Passive Income Vol. 3: Preferred Stock
Not quite a bond, and not really equity, preferred stock sits between these two major portfolio building blocks in the capital stack. So why should you consider adding preferred stock to your portfolio?
Financial Habits
40% of your daily actions are habits, not decisions!
Market Timing
"Stocks are so expensive! I can't invest now!" - Everyone
The Fixed Income Fallacy
"My advisor picks the best bond funds. These portfolio managers can add alpha because bonds are less liquid than equities." 🤔 🤔
Passive Income Vol. 2: Municipal Bonds
Tax-free income and protection of capital?!?!… Its not an IUL, its municipal bonds!!
10 Inflation Hacks Everyone Can Use
Mindful Spending – Create a list of things that are important to you and spend on them freely. Premium pet food, kids activities, or a backyard BBQ with friends can add lots of value to life. Then reduce or eliminate mindless expenses.
Passive Income Vol. 1: REITs
If unclogging toilets at 2am at your rental property is not your idea of passive income, then you may want to consider a Real Estate Investment Trust.
A Rudderless Boat
A rudderless boat only has the freedom to sail in circles.
Lessons From Dish Network
Charlie Ergen, the co-founder and chairman of Dish Network, is in a tough spot. After amassing $26bill in debt, Dish has to shore up their balance sheet while trying to negotiate with its bondholders.
Unclaimed Money
Keeping track of all of your accounts can be hard. If you have changed jobs recently, did you remember to rollover that old 401k to the new employer??
Understanding Secure Act 2.0
Secure Act 2.0 has over 90 provisions in it. Here are the top 5 that are most likely to affect you.
Cash Is A Choice
To Buy Or Not To Buy… That Is The Question.