Now that the new year is underway, you may be reflecting on both your financial situation and the greater financial landscape in the U.S. Though prices for everything — from groceries to housing to utilities — remain high, inflation has slowed over the last year. This prompted the Fed to cut rates three times during 2025. At the same time, the job market has cooled, and unemployment has risen. If nothing else, the current economic situation may be reinforcing how important it is to keep cash on hand. Whet ...

With a HELOC loan, you can turn all that equity into tax-free cash, which can be used to pay off high-interest loans. Rates on a home equity loan are typically lower than APRs on credit cards and personal loans, making it an appealing option for homeowners with substantial equity.The average homeowner sits on roughly $315,000 in equity as of the third quarter of 2024, according to CoreLogic. Year over year, homeowner equity is also up by 8%, for a national aggregate of $17.6 trillion (2).A Home Equity Line ...

If you have a spare $10,000, should you put it in crypto or stick with index funds? The choice depends on your risk tolerance. If you can stomach high volatility for a high-risk reward, crypto may be the way to go. But if you prefer slow and steady returns, index funds might be a good bet. But before you make any decisions, here’s how the two choices compare. The Case for Index Funds Index funds, like those tracking the S&P 500, let you own a piece of hundreds of U.S. companies. When the stock market go ...

PeopleImages.com - Yuri A / Shutterstock.com Quick Read The 4% rule assumes a 30-year retirement horizon with a balanced stock-bond portfolio. Ramsey’s 8% rule requires a stock-heavy portfolio to generate sufficient returns. Both strategies demand flexibility to adjust for market conditions. A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans’ retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read more here.   When you spend your entire life working hard to save fo ...

Stock-market booms always end the same way: Optimism outruns reality, then prices correct. - AFP/Getty Images If you’re like me and you’ve been hanging around investing websites for the past few weeks, you’re probably a little confused. One crowd is in full alarm mode: The underlying U.S. economy is weakening; consumers are hurting; layoffs are rising. There’s an “AI bubble,” they say, and “We’re headed for a crash.” Then there’s a group that couldn’t be more bullish about the stock market. They point to ...

Portfolio Allocation & Risk Management - The report suggests constructing a portfolio like a Thanksgiving plate, with the S&P 500 as the main course (turkey), representing the core market exposure [1][2] - Defensive sectors and bonds are likened to mashed potatoes and stuffing, providing stability to returns [2] - AI and growth stocks are the "gravy," enhancing returns but potentially leading to concentration risk due to existing S&P 500 exposure [2][3] - Speculative bets like high beta ETFs and crypto are the "cranberry sauce," to be taken in small portions to avoid significant losses [3] - Single stock trades and meme stocks are the "pumpkin pie," representing fun money with carefully sized positions [4] Market Analysis & Strategies - The report compares cap-weighted and equal-weighted S&P 500 strategies, noting the cap-weighted index's outperformance in the recent bull market [5][6] - Equal weighting offers broader exposure to industrials, financials, and smaller companies within the S&P 500 [6] - Small caps, REITs, and international stocks are presented as "unloved side dishes" that may offer opportunities, with tax deductions available for losses [7] - Gold, the dollar, foreign exchange, and crypto are likened to "uncomfortable politics," requiring careful consideration of risk tolerance and time horizon [8] Thanksgiving Week Market Outlook - Lower liquidity during Thanksgiving week can amplify market moves, potentially leading to surprises [9] - Black Friday sessions are shorter (9:30 a m Eastern until 1:00 p m) and can present buying opportunities [9][10] - Key retail numbers from big box and cyber sales will be closely watched by Wall Street [10]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of strategic investing in light of market volatility, suggesting that investors should not avoid investing but rather adopt a thoughtful approach to manage risks effectively. Group 1: Risk Assessment - Investors need to assess their risk tolerance to determine how much market fluctuation they can handle, which is crucial for successful investing [3] - A long-term perspective can help investors avoid reactive decisions during market corrections [4] Group 2: Diversification - Diversifying investments across various asset classes, such as stocks, bonds, and alternative investments, is essential to mitigate economic volatility [5] - The correlation between different asset classes can help stabilize a portfolio during downturns, as not all markets will decline simultaneously [5] Group 3: Stock Trading Strategies - Investors focusing on stocks can reduce risk by adjusting position sizes or using hedging strategies, such as purchasing put options [6] - For example, buying a put option for a stock like Apple can offset losses if the stock price drops below a certain level [6] Group 4: Portfolio Management - Regularly revising and rebalancing a portfolio is necessary to align with current financial goals and risk tolerance [7] - Many portfolios remain unchanged for extended periods, which can lead to misalignment with an investor's financial situation [7]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes that personal risk tolerance in investing is influenced by various factors including time horizon, financial goals, ability to absorb losses, and personality [1][3]. Understanding Investment Options - Brian Feroldi categorizes 16 investment options based on their risk and expected return, highlighting the importance of understanding these fundamentals before investing [4]. - Safer investment options include cash, money markets, and U.S. Treasuries, which are characterized by low risk but also low potential returns [5][6]. - The decision to invest conservatively or aggressively should be aligned with the investor's time horizon; shorter time frames may necessitate a more conservative approach [6]. Risk and Reward Spectrum - Investments are placed on a risk-and-reward spectrum, with safer options at one end and higher-risk, higher-reward options at the other [5][6]. - Real estate is positioned near the midpoint of this spectrum, indicating a balance between risk and potential return [9].

Core Viewpoint - The company has made a significant investment in Amazon, constituting a 20% position in its portfolio, indicating a belief in the stock's potential for growth in the near future [1]. Position Sizing - The company reflects on its evolving risk tolerance over the years, noting that personal circumstances, such as family commitments, have influenced its investment strategy [2]. - Despite a year-to-date gain of 30%, the company emphasizes a cautious approach to risk, contrasting its strategy with those of investors achieving higher returns through margin or concentrated positions in volatile stocks [3]. Investment Horizon - The company is focused on long-term investment, prioritizing family financial security over short-term portfolio maximization [4]. Portfolio Impact Analysis - A potential 50% increase in Amazon's stock could significantly impact the overall portfolio, while a similar decrease is deemed unlikely [5]. - In comparison, IREN Limited, with a smaller 2.5% position, is viewed as more susceptible to volatility, with a potential 50% loss having a lesser impact on the overall portfolio [6]. Position Building Strategy - The company prefers to start with smaller positions in high-growth stocks, gradually increasing them as confidence in the business grows, minimizing potential losses if the investment does not perform as expected [7]. Portfolio Performance - Since August 29, 2022, the portfolio has achieved a return of 111%, outperforming both the SPY and QQQ indices, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27% [8]. Current Portfolio Insights - The company shares its portfolio and transactions weekly, focusing on underfollowed small to medium-cap stocks to identify new investment opportunities [10].

Core Insights - The individual has $1.2 million in a money-market account earning a guaranteed 4.5% monthly, but this rate is expected to drop significantly soon due to the end of a 12-month entry period [3][7] - The individual is seeking investment strategies that allow for monthly income without touching the principal, considering options like a CD ladder [4] Investment Strategy Considerations - Typical money-market rates are around 2% to 3%, indicating the current rate of 4.5% is above average and may not be sustainable [7] - As the individual gains experience in managing investments, it is suggested to focus on long-term growth, such as investing in the stock market, which could significantly increase the principal over time [8] - A hypothetical investment of $600,000 in the S&P 500, assuming a 10% return, could grow to $4 million in 20 years with dividends reinvested [8]