Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. After reviewing his 401(k) rollover returns, Sam realized his Fidelity advisor was charging him 1.22% but delivering roughly half the returns of the S&P 500 over the same period. He recently wrote into Suze Orman's "Women & Money" podcast to seek guidance over his concerns. At age 57 with about $500,000 invested, Sam asked Orman, "Is this my wake-up call to get rid of my advisor and put it all in the S&P?" ...

Core Viewpoint - Index funds, once dismissed as nonsense, have now become the preferred choice for many individual investors [1] Group 1 - The initial skepticism surrounding index funds has shifted significantly over time [1] - Individual investors increasingly favor index funds over actively managed funds [1] - The rise of index funds reflects a broader trend in investment strategies among retail investors [1]

Group 1 - The executive order signed by President Trump allows Americans to include alternative assets such as cryptocurrency, real estate, and private equity in their 401(k) retirement savings [1][2] - This order is seen as a significant win for the cryptocurrency industry, which has been advocating for the inclusion of private assets in retirement plans [2][4] - Following the announcement, the price of bitcoin increased by 1% in the stock market, indicating a positive market reaction [2] Group 2 - The executive order opens up a "huge new pool" of retirement funds for alternative asset managers, allowing for greater diversification in retirement portfolios [4] - However, private companies are not mandated to include cryptocurrency in their 401(k) plans, and they must assess the associated risks and liabilities before doing so [5] - The incorporation of alternative assets into retirement accounts is expected to be a gradual process, with traditional index funds being recommended for the average investor [7]

Group 1: Investment Strategies - The article discusses the contrasting views on diversification in investing, highlighting Warren Buffett's support for index funds and diversification as a means to mitigate risk, while Mark Cuban argues against it, stating that diversification is "for idiots" [4][5][23] - A 2017 report from Cambridge Associates emphasizes that diversified portfolios tend to yield better long-term returns compared to concentrated investments, especially during market fluctuations [2] Group 2: Alternative Investment Opportunities - Real estate is presented as a viable alternative asset class for diversification, with platforms enabling easier access to the market without the burdens of property management [9][10] - Homeshares offers accredited investors access to the U.S. home equity market with a minimum investment of $25,000, providing exposure to owner-occupied homes [11] - Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived allow non-accredited investors to enter the real estate market with investments as low as $100 [12] - Commercial real estate is highlighted as a stable investment option, with First National Realty Partners (FNRP) providing access to institutional-quality investments [17][18] Group 3: Art as an Investment - Investing in blue-chip contemporary art is suggested as a unique diversification strategy, with historical performance outpacing the S&P 500 over the past 25 years [20] - Masterworks offers investors the opportunity to invest in art, reporting annualized net returns of +17.6%, +17.8%, and +21.5% from their previous sales [21] Group 4: Financial Advisory Services - The importance of having a team to support investment decisions is emphasized, with both Buffett and Cuban relying on experienced teams for guidance [23] - Advisor.com is mentioned as a platform connecting individuals with vetted financial advisors to help develop investment strategies [24][25]

Core Insights - The introduction of new tariffs, including a baseline 10% tariff on all imports, is expected to significantly impact consumer prices across various sectors, including electronics and groceries [3] - Experts recommend proactive financial planning to mitigate the effects of potential price hikes due to tariffs, emphasizing the importance of emergency funds and debt management [2][8] Financial Strategies - **Emergency Fund**: It is advised to bolster emergency savings to cover three to six months of expenses, especially in light of potential inflation from tariffs [1] - **Debt Management**: Paying off high-interest debt is crucial, as rising costs may lead the Federal Reserve to increase interest rates, making variable-rate debts more expensive [4] - **Investment Diversification**: Investors are encouraged to diversify their portfolios with index funds and ETFs to manage market volatility caused by trade wars and tariffs [5] - **Certificates of Deposit (CDs)**: CDs currently offer rates above 4.00%, which may become more attractive if interest rates rise due to tariffs [6] - **Timing Major Purchases**: Consumers are advised to consider making significant purchases sooner rather than later to avoid potential price increases on imported goods [7]