Mind The Gap: How Investor Timing Affects “Real-World” Returns

Morningstar has released the 2021 update to their annual Mind The Gap study, which measures the gap between reported investment returns (buy and hold throughout the entire period) and investor returns (actual returns experienced due the real-world … [Read the rest]

Reminder: Consider Downgrading Annual Fee Cards Into Their No-Annual-Fee Versions

As another year of limited travel passes, this is a quick reminder that many credit cards with an annual fee have another version with no annual fee. You've already had the temporary ding on your credit report, and this allows you to keep that … [Read the rest]

Savings Rate vs. Income Bracket: How Impressive Is Your Savings Rate?

One of the criticisms of the pursuit of financial independence is that it is "only for the rich". Certainly, having a lot more money coming in every month should make it easier to set some of it aside. However, you might also observe that most … [Read the rest]

Public REITs vs. Private Equity Real Estate Funds: A Performance Comparison

There are many ways to access real estate as an asset class - publicly-traded REITs like Realty Income, diversified REIT ETFs, private funds that hold baskets of individual properties, and many new fintech varieties. This Institutional Investor … [Read the rest]

Monifi Fintech Bank App: $250 Direct Deposit Bonus Extended

Extended through end of November 2021. This $250 bonus has been extended through the end of November 2021. I can also report that I've already successfully gotten my $250 rather quickly after my 2nd deposit, for my account opened at the time of my … [Read the rest]

Stash Review: Simplified Automated Investing, Improved $80 New Account Bonus, Stock Parties

Updated with MyPoints promo and Stash Stock Party info. MyPoints has a new Stash promo that has a total value higher than the $20 Stash referral offer. If you don't already have a MyPoints account, you can first join via this $10 MyPoints … [Read the rest]

Were Vanguard’s 10-Year Stock Market Return Forecasts Accurate? Or Really Wrong?

Periodically, Vanguard publishes asset class return forecasts for the next 10 years. Here is their most recent one for September 2021. To their credit, they have also published a recent follow-up post tracking both those forecasts alongside the … [Read the rest]

Reader Question: Should I Buy Savings Bonds in September/October 2021 or November 2021?

Here's a timely reader question about Series I Bonds. It's a good question because I predict that Series I Bonds will be soon getting even more media attention soon due to an even higher inflation-linked rate. Would it be best to wait till … [Read the rest]

The Gift by Edith Eger: Combat Victimhood. Be Ready For Change. Forgive. Take The Risk.

Edith Eger was only a teenager when she and her family were sent to Auschwitz. She never saw her father and mother again. While she showed amazing mental strength to survive those horrors, it took her decades more before should could fully process … [Read the rest]

Don’t Die With Zero: Money Still Buys Better Experiences When You’re Old

The idea of "consumption smoothing" tries to balance how our income changes over time with our spending needs. In theory, it may be ideal to go into debt when you are really young, save heavily when you are middle-aged, and spend it down when you … [Read the rest]

U.S. Bank Cash+ Plus Visa Signature Card Review – Choose Your 5% Cash Back Categories + $200 Bonus

New $200 welcome bonus. Here is a lesser-known card in the world of 5% cash back credit cards. The U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature card actually lets you choose and change the categories in which you can earn 5% and 2% cash back. Here are the … [Read the rest]

PFS Buyers Club: New US Mint Coin Deal on 9/13 ($100+ Net Profit, September 2021)

Another new coin deal on Monday, September 13th, 2021. PFS Buyers Club has another coin deal on a limited-edition American Eagle 2021 One Ounce Silver Reverse Proof Two-Coin Set Designer Edition. They will pay you a guaranteed fixed profit of … [Read the rest]