My mother and father both worked for approx 35 years. But in two years after their retirement and after my sister's wedding, we exhausted the life savings. We are left with zero money.And I kept wondering how is this possible. Today I'm going to share that reason and also my 20 years of investment learnings in the theme seeds of change and the topic why and how learning to invest early can change the fortune of your life. I was fortunate to have born to a loving, caring and humble parents.My mother used to ...

Group 1: ETF Market Developments - Dimensional Funds became the first asset manager to gain approval for an ETF share class of an actively managed mutual fund, indicating a potential trend for other asset managers to follow in 2026 [2] - The Invesco QQQ Trust initiated the approval process to convert from a Unit Investment Trust structure to a more flexible open-end fund, which has been approved [4] - Active ETFs saw tremendous growth, gathering over $400 billion in the first eleven months of 2025, representing approximately one-third of total ETF assets [10] Group 2: Investment Trends and Strategies - Dividend ETFs attracted significant interest, capturing $21 billion of net inflows year-to-date through November, indicating a strong demand for resilient income amidst falling bond yields [4] - The article compared sector exposure differences between popular dividend ETFs, such as the Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) and the Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) [4] - Innovative, options-based ETFs were highlighted as key risk-mitigation tools during market sell-offs, providing diversification options for investors [5] Group 3: Notable ETF Products - The Avantis suite of ETFs, part of the American Century suite, crossed $100 billion in assets, with funds like the Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) and the Avantis International Emerging Markets ETF (AVEM) being recognized as versatile building blocks for asset allocation [11]

Group 1 - The traditional method of relying solely on bank deposits for asset appreciation is becoming unrealistic due to the downward trend in market interest rates, leading to lower bank deposit returns [2] - Three alternative asset options are suggested that have been proven to be relatively stable and yield better returns than current and short-term deposits [2] - Money market funds, such as "baby products," have a median seven-day annualized yield of 1.24%, with top funds like Tianhong Yu'ebao maintaining around 1.014%, providing a potential return of approximately 1,000 to 1,240 yuan for a 100,000 yuan investment over a year [2] Group 2 - Gold assets, including gold ETFs or physical gold, are recommended as a traditional hedge against uncertainty and inflation, with a suggested allocation of no more than 20% of idle funds, equating to 20,000 yuan for a 100,000 yuan investment [3] - The demand for gold typically increases during global economic uncertainty and geopolitical conflicts, supporting gold prices [3] - Caution is advised regarding short-term trading in gold due to price volatility, and a long-term holding strategy is recommended to avoid losses from short-term fluctuations [3] Group 3 - Mid to low-risk bank wealth management products are another option, with yields generally ranging from 2% to 3%, potentially generating returns of 2,000 to 3,000 yuan on a 100,000 yuan investment over a year [4] - It is important to understand that not all wealth management products labeled as mid to low risk are the same, as some may involve significant bond investments that carry slight volatility risks [4] - With increasing regulatory oversight, banks are now providing real-time updates on product net values, emphasizing the need for thorough understanding of product details before investing [4]

Group 1 - The primary goal of the "High Income DIY Portfolios" service is to provide high income with low risk and capital preservation for DIY investors [1] - The service offers seven portfolios designed for income investors, including retirees, featuring three buy-and-hold portfolios, three rotational portfolios, and a conservative NPP strategy portfolio [1] - The portfolios aim to create stable, long-term passive income with sustainable yields, including two high-income portfolios and two dividend growth investment (DGI) portfolios [1] Group 2 - The "Financially Free Investor" focuses on investing in dividend-growing stocks with a long-term horizon and employs a unique 3-basket investment approach [2] - This approach aims for 30% lower drawdowns, 6% current income, and market-beating growth over the long term [2] - The service includes a total of 10 model portfolios with varying income targets, buy and sell alerts, and live chat for portfolio management and asset allocation [2]

Core Viewpoint - The capital market is undergoing significant reforms since 2025, shifting from a "savings-led" to an "asset allocation" approach, driven by low interest rates and increasing demand for wealth management [2] Group 1: Financial Industry Trends - The 14th Annual Financial Industry Evaluation, themed "Innovative Services Benefit the Public, Financial Empowerment Starts Anew," has been launched to highlight inclusive financial innovations in 2025 [2] - The evaluation focuses on five dimensions: product innovation, service model upgrades, digital technology empowerment, precise support for the real economy, and value ecosystem protection [3][4] Group 2: Evaluation Framework - The evaluation framework emphasizes the design and implementation of inclusive financial products, assessing whether institutions lower investment thresholds and optimize product structures to meet diverse investor needs [3] - It also evaluates the effectiveness of institutions transitioning from "sell-side sales" to "buy-side advisory," including the establishment of professional asset allocation research systems and personalized service offerings [3] Group 3: Innovation in Financial Products - The selected cases showcase a trend towards "low thresholds, high adaptability, and favorable rates," with leading ETFs reducing management fees to attract investors and promote industry-wide fee reforms [6] - Institutions are increasingly adopting a "full-cycle companion" service model, enhancing service professionalism and customer loyalty through tailored offerings and intelligent tools [6] Group 4: Empowering the Real Economy - Innovative financial tools like asset-backed securities (ABS) are being used to help specialized small and medium enterprises convert technology patents into financing capital [7] - Selected cases reflect a dual focus on technological advancement and social value, integrating financial products with social welfare initiatives [7] Group 5: Upcoming Event - The awards for the "New Wealth New Investment Pioneer Cases" will be announced at a themed event on December 23, 2025, in Guangzhou, showcasing the achievements of various institutions in exploring inclusive financial pathways [8] - The event aims to gather industry insights and promote a consensus on the future direction of the financial sector, emphasizing the importance of compliance and public trust [8]

Core Insights - The article discusses the importance of aligning asset allocation with long-term financial goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon, particularly for retirement planning [3][12][13] - It emphasizes the need for a tailored approach to asset allocation based on individual circumstances, such as income stability, health considerations, and behavioral attitudes towards risk [6][7][8] Group 1: Asset Allocation Considerations - Investors should reflect on their long-term goals for savings, which will inform their time horizon, risk tolerance, and return objectives [3] - A conservative asset allocation may be warranted for business owners or those with fluctuating incomes due to the inherent risks associated with their income streams [5][6] - Health-related expenses can influence risk tolerance; higher expected healthcare costs may necessitate a shift towards more conservative investments [7] Group 2: Risk Tolerance and Behavioral Factors - Willingness to accept risk is crucial; investors must assess their ability to endure market volatility and potential drawdowns [8][9] - The decision to maintain a stock-heavy portfolio should consider the investor's capacity to withstand market downturns without selling off positions [9] Group 3: Retirement Planning and Income Sources - Evaluating retirement readiness involves considering all sources of income, including 401(k) plans, other investments, and Social Security [2] - Investors in their 60s typically hold 40% to 60% of their assets in stocks, but individual circumstances may justify a higher allocation [11] - Aligning overall asset allocation with long-term goals and risk/return objectives is essential, as age alone should not dictate investment strategy [11][12]

Core Insights - The article discusses the expertise of Sensor Unlimited, who has a PhD in financial economics and specializes in the mortgage market, commercial market, and banking industry [2] - Sensor Unlimited contributes to the Envision Early Retirement investing group, which focuses on generating high income and growth through dynamic asset allocation [2] Group 1 - Sensor Unlimited has been covering the mortgage market, commercial market, and banking industry for the past decade [2] - The investing group Envision Early Retirement offers two model portfolios: one for short-term survival and another for aggressive long-term growth [2] - Features of the investing group include direct access via chat for discussions, monthly updates on holdings, tax discussions, and ticker critiques by request [2]

Group 1 - The article discusses the appeal of investing in certificates of deposit (CDs) due to their high interest rates, suggesting that a 5% return with no fees is more attractive than hiring a financial advisor who charges around 1% of assets annually [1][2] - It emphasizes that while CDs offer low-risk, guaranteed returns, relying solely on them may not align with long-term financial goals and objectives [2][4] - The article highlights the importance of a diversified investment strategy, as a financial advisor can help create an asset allocation plan that balances risk and provides liquidity throughout different life stages [4][5] Group 2 - The discussion includes the risks retirees face, such as outliving their assets, and the need for a comprehensive asset allocation that considers longevity risk and unexpected expenses [6][7] - It points out that advisory fees can be justified by the holistic financial planning and management services that advisors provide, which encompass various aspects like Social Security, taxes, and estate planning [7]

Core Insights - The article discusses the expertise of Sensor Unlimited, who has a PhD in financial economics and has been covering the mortgage market, commercial market, and banking industry for the past decade [2] Group 1: Company Overview - Sensor Unlimited focuses on asset allocation and ETFs related to the overall market, bonds, banking and financial sectors, and housing markets [2] - The company offers two model portfolios: one for short-term survival/withdrawal and another for aggressive long-term growth [2] Group 2: Services Offered - Features include direct access via chat for discussing ideas, monthly updates on all holdings, tax discussions, and ticker critiques by request [2]

Group 1 - The article discusses the expertise of Sensor Unlimited, who has a PhD in financial economics and has been covering the mortgage market, commercial market, and banking industry for the past decade [2] - Sensor Unlimited focuses on asset allocation and ETFs related to the overall market, bonds, banking and financial sectors, and housing markets [2] - The investing group Envision Early Retirement, led by Sensor Unlimited, offers solutions for generating high income and growth with isolated risks through dynamic asset allocation [2] Group 2 - Envision Early Retirement features two model portfolios: one for short-term survival/withdrawal and another for aggressive long-term growth [2] - The group provides direct access via chat for discussing ideas, monthly updates on holdings, tax discussions, and ticker critiques upon request [2]