A surprising takeaway from peer-to-peer lending through Prosper and LendingClub was that the borrowers who most strongly promised to pay you back (e.g. "I promise I will pay you back, so help me God, thank you so much") turned out to also be the most … [Read the rest]
Crowdfunded Real Estate Investing: Is Due Diligence by Individual Investors Even Possible?
Posted on August 23, 2023 // 3 Comments
Different Types of Taxable Bonds: Long-Term Performance and Returns Comparison
Posted on August 22, 2023 // 1 Comment
As part of its "Portfolio Basics" series, Morningstar has an educational article on taxable bonds, including corporate bonds, US government bonds, and foreign government bonds, along with their different credit grades and maturity lengths. Over … [Read the rest]
Big List of Anti-Lists: Asset Classes NOT Owned By Some Experienced Investors
Posted on August 20, 2023 // 5 Comments
Every asset class has its energetic supporters, from rental properties to altcoins to gold. Listening to each group, you may feel that you need to own every asset class in order to be "diversified". However, sometimes less is more, and it can be … [Read the rest]
American Express® Green Card Review: 40,000 Points Welcome Offer
Posted on August 18, 2023 // 1 Comment
The American Express(R) Green Card is one of AmEx's classic cards, and they have revamped the rewards structure and added new travel perks. There is also a welcome offer for new cardholders. Here the the highlights: Earn 40,000 Membership … [Read the rest]
What’s Your Retirement Mindset? Escaping From vs. Escaping To
Posted on August 18, 2023 // Leave a Comment
In a recent Outside magazine article, the author examined research about how activities can be either positive or negative, not based on the actual activity itself, but your mindset while doing them. For example, exercising could be negative, while … [Read the rest]
The Scary Clause in Fixed Index Annuity Contracts
Posted on August 17, 2023 // 9 Comments
Allan Roth takes a closer look at the role of fixed index annuities as part of an "efficient" portfolio, and as usual makes some great observations. The first thing about fixed index annuities is that no two are the same - the insurance companies … [Read the rest]
TIPS Real Yields ~2% Across All Maturities; 4.4% Guaranteed 30-Year Withdrawal Rate
Posted on August 15, 2023 // 5 Comments
One of my regular bookmarks is the TIPS real yield page (along with the regular Treasury yields). I noticed that the real yield on the 30-year TIPS has nudged above the 2% mark: At the same time, the 30-year regular Treasury is at 4.3%, … [Read the rest]
Lesser-Known Cheap Cell Plans on Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile Networks – Unlimited Data from $25/Month
Posted on August 10, 2023 // 29 Comments
Updated 2023. You can save hundreds of dollars per year by shopping around and using a lesser-known plan. Every major network sells wholesale minutes and data to MVNOs (Mobile Network Virtual Operators), which they in turn sell at a significant … [Read the rest]
Best Interest Rates on Cash – August 2023
Posted on August 7, 2023 // 1 Comment
Here's my monthly roundup of the best interest rates on cash as of August 2023, roughly sorted from shortest to longest maturities. There are often lesser-known opportunities available to individual investors. Check out my Ultimate Rate-Chaser … [Read the rest]
Essentialism Book: More By Doing Less
Posted on August 7, 2023 // 4 Comments
If I were to summarize the book Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown, I would simply put up the graphic (from the book) above. We all have finite energy. Nobody can "have it all". You need take the time to explore and … [Read the rest]
Facebook User Privacy Class Action Settlement (File a Claim Soon)
Posted on August 2, 2023 // 1 Comment
Facebook has another class action settlement, this one for $725 million and different from the last $90 million one. Lots of people will be eligible: If you were a Facebook user in the United States between May 24, 2007, and December 22, 2022, … [Read the rest]
William Bernstein Interview #2: No Individual Stocks, Improved Safe Withdrawal Rate Outlook
Posted on July 30, 2023 // Leave a Comment
Dr. William Bernstein is continuing his press tour for the second edition of his classic investing book The Four Pillars of Investing, and I found myself listening/reading to another podcast from The Meb Faber Show: Bill Bernstein on Financial … [Read the rest]
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Big List of Free Stocks from Brokerage Apps
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Big List of Free Consumer Data Reports (Credit, Rent, Work)