The benefits of social media are evident: It can help bring in new clients and teach basic financial concepts. But all that glitters is not gold. As more Americans turn to social media for financial advice, the risks of overreliance become increasingly apparent. Investment content shared online may be inaccurate, misleading or biased, according to a recent FINRA report, and so-called “finfluencers” often lack formal financial training. The agency issued a request for public comment earlier this month on h ...

The flux capacitor is operational. We just need enough runway to hit 88 miles per hour. The year 2030 isn’t far off — although it’s 15 years past where Doc Brown and Marty McFly travelled in “Back to the Future Part II” — but a lot can change by then. The CFP Board revved up its DeLoreans in a recent report and outlined a handful of possible scenarios for AI’s transformation of financial advice over the next four years. Whether trust in AI grows or fades, the human elements of financial planning will beco ...

Core Insights - The advisory M&A market is experiencing record activity, with expectations for continued growth into 2026, despite smaller firms pulling back due to increased competition among mid-sized sellers [1][2]. Group 1: Market Activity - A record 94 deals were completed in the third quarter, positioning the market to exceed 300 transactions by the end of the year, marking an all-time high [2]. - Private equity (PE) is significantly influencing RIA dealmaking, driven by interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve, which have reduced capital costs [4]. - Sub-acquisitions have reached a record high, accounting for nearly one-third of all transactions, while minority transactions represent 14% of total deals [6]. Group 2: Competitive Landscape - Mid-sized companies are increasingly active in the M&A market, seeking to acquire a wider range of services to remain competitive as they grow beyond boutique clients [5]. - The market is evolving, with a broader range of buyers and sellers, and many firms are exploring different business models to adapt to changing client needs [4][5]. - Medium-sized sellers, managing between $501 million to $1 billion in assets under management (AUM), have completed nearly 30% more deals in 2024 compared to the previous year [6].

Core Insights - Suze Orman, a successful financial expert, emphasizes frugality and respect for money despite her wealth [1] Spending Habits - Orman has a strict policy against dining out frequently, citing high costs as a primary reason [2] - She advocates for long-term car ownership, having owned her car for twelve years without plans to replace it [3][4] Personal Style - Orman maintains a minimalist approach to her wardrobe and accessories, wearing the same jewelry since 1994 and owning only one purse from 1993 [5] Financial Planning - Emphasizing retirement savings, Orman advises choosing the right retirement account, favoring Roth accounts for their tax benefits [6] - She highlights the importance of emergency savings, noting that 75% of Americans lack at least $400 in savings for emergencies and recommends saving at least $100 monthly [7]

Autonomous Vehicles - Waymo, owned by Alphabet Inc., plans to launch a driverless taxi experiment in London in early 2026, making it the first European city to host such technology [1] - The UK government accelerated the approval for the Automated Vehicles Act in 2024, providing a legal framework for autonomous vehicles to operate across UK cities, enhancing competition with the US and China [2] - Wayve, a British autonomous driving AI company and competitor to Waymo, is in talks with SoftBank and Microsoft for a $2 billion fundraise, which would increase its valuation to $8 billion [6][7] - Wayve's approach utilizes 'Embodied Artificial Intelligence' to adapt to new roads, potentially accelerating expansion into new cities [7] - Uber is partnering with Wayve to launch a driverless ride-hailing program in London around the same time as Waymo's launch [3][7] Ride-Hailing Competition - The introduction of Waymo's driverless taxis is expected to intensify competition among London ride-hailing services, particularly with Uber and Bolt [3] - The announcement has reignited tensions between Uber and London black cabs, with criticism from the Licensed Taxi Driver Association [4] Financial Technology - GoCardless, a UK FinTech unicorn, reported its first positive EBITDA quarter, signaling a shift towards profitability and strategic scaling [8][9] - GoCardless operates as a bank-to-bank payment processor, avoiding high payment card fees and benefiting from regulatory approval from the FCA [9] Start-Up Funding - Sitehop, a cybersecurity start-up, raised £7.5 million to develop defenses against quantum threats, bringing its total funding to £13.5 million [12][14] - Clove, a financial advice start-up, secured $14 million in pre-seed funding to address the financial advice gap in the UK [15][16] - Wild Bioscience, a University of Oxford spin-out, raised $60 million in Series A funding to develop climate-resistant crops [18][19] Market Activity - The Beauty Tech Group has successfully IPO-ed on the London Stock Exchange Main Market, raising $106.5 million and achieving a market cap of £315.5 million, targeting the $600 billion beauty industry [20]

Core Insights - Dave Ramsey's brand focuses on straightforward financial advice aimed at helping individuals build wealth and eliminate debt without resorting to complex investment strategies or quick-fix schemes [1] Group 1: Emergency Fund - The first step in Ramsey's financial strategy is to save an initial $1,000 for a starter emergency fund, which serves as a buffer against small emergencies [3] - This $1,000 helps prevent reliance on credit cards during unexpected financial situations, breaking the cycle of borrowing [4] - To accumulate this amount, individuals are encouraged to drastically cut expenses, such as dining out and unnecessary subscriptions, and to sell unused items [4] Group 2: Debt Repayment Strategy - The second step involves using the Snowball Method to pay off debts, where individuals list debts from smallest to largest and focus on paying off the smallest first while making minimum payments on others [5] - This method emphasizes psychological benefits over mathematical efficiency, as paying off smaller debts first provides emotional wins that encourage continued progress [6] - Although this approach may result in slightly higher interest payments, it tends to keep individuals motivated to stick with their debt repayment plan [6] Group 3: Fully Funded Emergency Fund - The third step is to build a fully funded emergency fund of three to six months' worth of expenses after becoming debt-free (excluding mortgage) [7] - This fund should be kept in a readily accessible savings account for quick access when needed [7]

Financial Planning & Taxation - Australia's wealthiest savers are seeking financial advice due to the proposed new super tax [1] Market Trends - Bloomberg provides daily updates on Australian and global financial news [1]