Pekic/Getty Images According to a survey, respondents measured financial success with an average annual salary of $270,000 and a net worth of $5.36 million. Key Takeaways In an Empower survey, respondents measured financial success with an average annual salary of $270,000 and a net worth of $5.36 million. Younger generations have a higher bar for what they consider financial success. Some of the barriers to success include overspending, debt, the economy, and a lack of financial knowledge. Can yo ...

Group 1 - The article emphasizes the value of holding ETFs as core positions for long-term investors, particularly those with a "set-it-and-forget-it" mentality [1] - The author identifies a strategy of building dividend-paying stocks around ETFs, indicating a focus on income generation through dividends [1] - The author expresses a preference for quality over quantity in investments, aiming to help lower and middle-class workers build high-quality, dividend-paying portfolios [2] Group 2 - The author has a beneficial long position in specific ETFs, indicating a personal investment strategy aligned with the discussed themes [3] - The article is intended for educational purposes, encouraging readers to conduct their own due diligence before making investment decisions [2][4] - The author aims to provide a new perspective on achieving financial independence through dividend investing [2]

Core Viewpoint - SoFi Technologies, Inc. has announced a public offering of $1.5 billion of its common stock, with plans to use the proceeds for general corporate purposes, including enhancing capital position and funding growth opportunities [1][2]. Group 1: Offering Details - The public offering consists of $1.5 billion in shares of common stock, with an option for the underwriter to purchase an additional 15% of the shares within 30 days [1]. - Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC will act as the underwriter for this offering [2]. - The offering is registered under an automatic shelf registration statement that became effective on July 29, 2025 [2]. Group 2: Company Overview - SoFi Technologies is a digital financial services platform with over 12.6 million members, providing services such as borrowing, saving, spending, investing, and financial planning [4]. - The company operates a technology platform called Galileo, which supports nearly 160 million global accounts for fintechs and financial institutions [4]. Group 3: Recent Developments - SoFi has recently launched SoFi Crypto, becoming the first nationally chartered bank to offer crypto trading for consumers, allowing members to buy, sell, and hold various cryptocurrencies [8][9]. - Vivian Tu has been appointed as SoFi's first Chief of Financial Empowerment, focusing on financial literacy content [10].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of generating passive income through dividend-paying stocks, highlighting three key investments: Brookfield Infrastructure, Energy Transfer, and Realty Income, which contribute significantly to financial independence. Brookfield Infrastructure - Brookfield Infrastructure has consistently increased its dividend for 16 consecutive years, with a compound annual growth rate of 9% during this period [3] - The current annualized income yield on the cost basis of Brookfield Infrastructure shares is 9.4%, which is more than double the company's current dividend yield of 3.9% [4] - The company anticipates a dividend growth of 5% to 9% per year, supported by a projected growth in funds from operations (FFO) per share exceeding 10% annually, driven by organic growth and acquisitions [6] Energy Transfer - Energy Transfer has rebounded from a previous distribution cut and now offers a higher distribution level than before the pandemic, making it a top income-generating investment [7][8] - The current annualized yield on the cost basis for Energy Transfer is 10.2%, significantly above its current yield of 8.2% [8] - The company plans to increase its payout by 3% to 5% per year, backed by a multi-billion-dollar backlog of secured expansion projects and a strong financial position [10] Realty Income - Realty Income has a strong track record of delivering dependable monthly dividends, having raised its payment 132 times since its public listing in 1994, including 112 consecutive quarters [13] - The REIT has grown its payout at a compound annual rate of 4.2% and currently offers a dividend yield of 5.62% [13][14] - Realty Income plans to invest approximately $5.5 billion this year, capitalizing on a $14 trillion total investable market opportunity across the U.S. and Europe [14]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of learning from the financial habits of older generations, particularly boomers, while also highlighting two habits that millennials should avoid Group 1: Successful Financial Habits of Boomers - Long-term investing was a key strategy for many boomers, who focused on assets like real estate and mutual funds rather than speculative trading [2] - Many financially disciplined boomers utilized retirement accounts such as 401(k) plans to minimize taxes, facilitating a more secure retirement beyond just relying on Social Security [3] - Avoiding high-interest debt was crucial for boomers, who had fewer spending avenues compared to today's consumers, making it easier to maintain financial discipline [4] Group 2: Financial Goal Setting - Setting long-term financial goals was common among retired millionaires, helping them to delay gratification and manage their finances effectively [6] - Immediate financial goals, such as reviewing credit card statements for savings opportunities, can also contribute to better financial management [7] Group 3: Employment and Income Strategies - Boomers exhibited greater loyalty to their employers, benefiting from pensions and a lower cost of living, which is less applicable to millennials today [8] - Job hopping is suggested as a more effective strategy for millennials to increase their earnings, as it can lead to faster salary growth compared to traditional raises [9]

Contribution Limits - The overall contribution limit for a 401(k) in 2025 is $70,000, which includes personal contributions and employer contributions [1][7] - The personal contribution limit for individuals in 2025 is $23,500, which is untaxed and does not count towards taxable earnings [3][9] - Employers can match employee contributions, and they have the option to contribute more than the employee's contribution [2][6] Catch-Up Contributions - Individuals aged 50 and older can make catch-up contributions of an additional $7,500 in 2025, allowing for a total contribution of $77,500 [8][9] Retirement Planning - A 43-year-old individual with $580,000 in a 401(k) and maximizing contributions could potentially retire at age 53, but must consider family expenses and lifestyle costs [5][6] - Assuming an 8% return, the portfolio could grow to approximately $1.61 million by age 53, allowing for an annual withdrawal of about $64,400 based on the 4% rule [12][14] Income and Expenses - The estimated income of $64,400 per year may be below the national median, raising concerns about meeting family expenses, including alimony, child support, and household costs [14][16][18] - Early retirement may lead to a fixed income that could be insufficient to cover living expenses, especially with additional family obligations [15][18] Financial Advisory - Engaging with a financial advisor is recommended for personalized guidance and to navigate retirement planning effectively [10][19]

Core Insights - The article discusses the principles of the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement, emphasizing the importance of financial freedom and the concept of "f--k you money" as a means to achieve it [1][6]. Group 1: Financial Principles - The first rule of financial success is to spend less than one earns, which is often misconstrued as being cheap [2][6]. - The second rule is to invest surplus income in low-cost index funds, specifically recommending VTSAX by Vanguard for its reliability over time [8][10]. - The third rule is to avoid debt, including mortgages and car loans, to maximize investment potential [13][14]. Group 2: Investment Strategy - Collins highlights the importance of long-term investment strategies, noting that while high-growth stocks like FAANG have performed well, they come with unpredictability [9][10]. - Historical market crashes are normal and should be viewed as opportunities to buy at lower prices, as emphasized by Collins [11][12]. - The power of compounding returns is significant, with even conservative estimates yielding substantial wealth over time [10]. Group 3: Financial Education and Tools - The article suggests that beginners can benefit from money management tools and apps like Acorns, which facilitate automatic investing [16][17]. - Personalized financial advice can enhance investment returns, with reports indicating a 3% increase in net returns for those who work with financial advisors [21].

Core Viewpoint - Precipio, Inc. (PRPO) has demonstrated significant financial improvement in Q3 2025, with strong revenue growth and operational momentum, leading to a notable increase in stock performance compared to the broader market [1][2]. Financial Performance - Revenue for Q3 2025 increased by 29.9% year over year to $6.8 million from $5.2 million, and sequentially rose by 19.7% from $5.7 million in Q2 2025 [2]. - Adjusted EBITDA improved to $0.5 million from $0.1 million a year ago and from a loss of $0.1 million in the prior quarter [2][4]. - Gross margin increased to 44% from 43% in Q2 2025, while GAAP net loss narrowed to $0.1 million from $0.6 million in Q3 2024 [2]. Segment Performance - The Pathology Services division saw a 20% sequential revenue increase to $6 million, driven by new customer additions [3]. - The Products division experienced a 16% sequential revenue growth to $0.7 million, supported by increased orders from existing clients [3]. Operational Metrics - EBITDA reached $0.3 million in Q3 2025, compared to a loss of $0.3 million in the same quarter last year [4]. - Operating cash flow generated was $285,000, a significant improvement from a cash burn of $148,000 in Q2 2025 [4]. Margin Dynamics - Pathology Services gross margin improved from 43% to 46% quarter over quarter, while the Products division margin fell from 44% to 30% due to strategic investments [5][11]. - Management expects that revenue scaling will offset temporary margin pressures from these investments [5]. Management Insights - Management characterized the quarter as a turning point, emphasizing a shift from survival to strategic expansion, with a focus on operational discipline and sustained revenue gains [6]. - The company aims to operate without dependence on external capital, allowing for reinvestment in growth initiatives [6]. Future Outlook - Management outlined four priorities for the remainder of 2025 and into 2026: sustaining double-digit growth, further margin expansion, reinvestment of internally generated cash, and broader investor outreach [12]. - PRPO expects overall company gross margins to exceed 50% by mid-2026 as revenue scales against a largely fixed-cost structure [12]. Other Developments - The company expanded its laboratory space during Q3 2025, incurring an additional $120,000 in annual rent, aimed at increasing operational efficiency [14].

Core Insights - The article emphasizes that significant wealth can be built from scratch, highlighting the importance of financial independence and strategic money management [2][3]. Group 1: Budgeting and Financial Management - Starting with a budget is crucial before investing; understanding cash flow helps determine how much can be invested [4][5]. - Creating a budget removes randomness from money management, and technology can assist in this process [5]. - Individuals should begin investing with whatever amount they can afford, even if it's as little as one dollar [6]. Group 2: Mindset and Motivation - Identifying a "North Star" or emotional reason for pursuing financial freedom is essential for wealth-building [6]. - Personal experiences, such as dealing with debt in childhood, can motivate individuals to seek financial independence and become the first in their family to achieve wealth through investing [7].

Too many people from foster care community end up homeless in danger on America's streets. It was 2021 when I developed the idea to establish an impactful platform with an important mission to provide individuals from the foster care community the ability to secure an entrylevel job position and in turn financial independence. Fostering the future, a BB best initiative provides individuals from the foster care community with technology based scholarships to attend colleges and universities throughout Americ ...