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May 29, 2023 by Brett Tams

How This Couple Retired In Their 30s and Now Travel Around The World: An Interview With Go Curry Cracker

My monthly Extraordinary Lives series is something that I really enjoying doing. First up was JP Livingston, who retired with a net worth over $2,000,000 at the age of 28. Today’s interview is with Jeremy, Winnie, and Julian, also known as the family behind Go Curry Cracker.

With the goal of traveling around the world, Jeremy and Winnie were in their 30s when they retired around six years ago. Their 3-year-old son travels with them and has already been to 29 countries as well!

They were able to do this by saving intensively – over 70% of their after-tax income.

In this interview, you’ll learn:

How they retired in their 30s.
What made them want to retire early.
How they live comfortably, rent houses with private pools, fly business class, and travel a ton – as opposed to the myth that early retirees are boring and just eat beans and rice to survive.
How they decided on the amount they needed to retire.
What they do about health insurance in early retirement.

And more! This interview is jam packed full of great information!

I asked you, my readers, what questions I should ask them, so below are your questions (and some of mine) about their story and how they accomplished so much. Make sure you’re following me on Facebook so you have the opportunity to submit your own questions for the next interview.

Related content:

1. Tell me your story. When did you retire and HOW?!

We are Jeremy, Winnie, and Julian, also known as the family behind Go Curry Cracker!

Winnie and I retired about six years ago with the goal of traveling the world. Traveling more in retirement is a pretty common goal, so I suppose the interesting bits are that we were still in our 30s and our 3-year-old son has now been to 29 countries.

What made our location and financially independent lifestyle possible was a decade of intensive saving – we were literally saving 70%+ of our after-tax income. Instead of buying stuff or experiences, we were investing in our future freedom.

Alas, we had already succumbed to some lifestyle inflation so we sold the house and moved into a small apartment, sold the car and started walking and riding bicycles, and turned our home kitchen into the best restaurant in town.

Unwinding lifestyle inflation is a huge mental challenge, but we both grew up on the edge of poverty so we had some experience with prioritizing purchases and finding solutions that didn’t require money. Nowadays, our investments pay all of our bills, and we could buy a house, buy a car, live a typical life… we just happen to not want those things.

Instead, for the past many years, we’ve basically spent the summer in Europe, autumn in the US, and winter in Asia. It’s not quite a perpetual summer vacation, but close.

2. Was early retirement always something you were striving for? What made you want to retire early?

Prior to 2002, we were both essentially following the normal life script – go to school, get good grades, get a job, etc… Maybe the only unconventional thing is I had student loan payoff as the #1 priority. Every story I heard about debt while growing up had a tragic ending, so I wanted to be debt free ASAP. I even cashed out all of my vacation time for five years or so to get extra pay. We also did crazy things like using 0% interest credit card offers to accelerate student loan payoff. Literally every extra penny went to the student loans.

When I finally got my head above water, I took a vacation, my first as an adult. After three weeks of scuba diving, fresh seafood, and tropical drinks, I looked back at where life in the real world was headed and thought, “This is it? This is the American Dream?”

Within six months the house and car were gone and the early retirement plan was underway.

3. Would you say that you live comfortably?

If by comfortably you mean do we rent houses with private pools, fly business class, and enjoy an occasional Michelin Star restaurant, then yeah, that sounds about right. Combined with 52 weeks of vacation per year and full autonomy, we are probably at an above average comfort level.

That may sound a little smug, for which I apologize, but I think it is important to truly understand the power of deferred consumption. We can only live as we do today because we didn’t live like this yesterday.

By living well beneath our means for just a small part of our total lifetimes (10 years +/-), something many would consider “uncomfortable”, we are now able to live well above the standards of even high-income households – just without the need to consume all of our waking hours with a high-income job.

In summary – yeah, life is good.

4. What career did you have before you retired? Did that career help you to retire earlier?

Winnie was a Program Manager for a large PC company, and I was an Engineer at a large software company.

I do wish we had those insane technology salaries that I sometimes hear about in the news, but our average combined income over our hardcore saving years was only about $135k. I guess I should have studied harder.

I think more than the job, my degree helped us retire early. I basically applied engineering principles to our finances and our lifestyle, trying to optimize for quality of life and low expenses. I then used that same mentality in designing our investment portfolio (100% index funds) and minimizing our taxes ($100k income with $0 income tax.) If I had studied art history or interior design, I probably would have thought about these things from an entirely different perspective, perhaps one that required more expensive furnishings.

5. What advice do you have for the average person that doesn’t make six figures a year who wants to retire early?

The core principle to follow is living well beneath your means, aiming for at least 50% savings rates. Or in 1950s parlance, live off one income and save the other. This recipe for financial success has worked for much of recorded history.

Of course, this is easier when making $100k than it is when making $10k, all else being equal.

For many average income households, it helps to change perspective:
It isn’t that we can’t afford to save 50%, it is that we can’t afford our current lifestyle.

This is where we were when we got started, and some tough choices are ahead… it is necessary to either earn more, spend less, or wait (much) longer. Or all 3.

For households with incomes well below average, such as our families when we were growing up, it is absolutely necessary to grow income. Public assistance can help for a while (I’ve eaten a fair amount of government cheese), but ultimately skill development and probably even relocation to a job center are necessary.

6. Do you still earn an income in retirement?

We do. With all of this free time, it is fairly difficult to NOT do something that brings in some extra cash.

Last year Winnie published her first book (in Mandarin / Chinese) which was on the bestseller list in Taiwan for a while. About three years ago, Go Curry Cracker accidentally started to earn some affiliate income. I now actually try to run the site as a business, but limit myself to just a few hours per week.

I also employ a pretty aggressive long-term tax minimization strategy, which saves us thousands of dollars every year in taxes. I suppose that can also be thought of as extra income. We’ve actually reported about $100k annual income each of the last five years with income tax bills of $0.

For anybody who is interested, I do publish our full income statements and tax returns (business and personal) every year (linked to above). A lot of people have found those helpful to optimize their own finances.

7. How did you decide how much you needed to retire?

We set a target to have an investment portfolio worth 25x our desired cost of living in Seattle, where we were living at the time, although we were spending much less to turbocharge our savings.

25x is just the standard 4% Rule, which (in oversimplified terms) says you can annually spend an inflation adjusted 4% of your portfolio, probably forever. So, say if you wanted to spend $40k/year, you would need $1 million. That was our minimum.

When we hit that target, Winnie stopped working, and I continued on for about three more years, during which we were just living off dividends, so we were essentially investing 100% of my paycheck.

We also wanted the portfolio to continue to grow so we could leave a bit of a legacy, so even after we stopped working, we wanted to continue living beneath our means. We did this by living large in Mexico and Guatemala rather than Paris or Tokyo. And as luck would have it, the stock market performance over the past five years has been pretty good, so our portfolio just continues to grow, and we can’t spend it fast enough.

8. What sacrifices or hard decisions did you have to make?

This may sound cliché, but I don’t think of anything we did as a sacrifice – we just employed a suggestion my grandmother used to make all the time, “Hey there, you hold onto your britches now young man!” Roughly translated from the original Minnesotan, I think that means “slow down.” In other words, hold off on the lifestyle inflation for a while.

When people rush out to buy their dream house (with rented money) or a new car or a big vacation, they are sacrificing their future for immediate consumption. We just waited a little longer, and along the way we discovered that none of those trappings of success have any real meaning to us.

But of course, when society and advertisers are screaming at you that you need to consume and upgrade, it can be difficult to pause and reconsider. We avoided a lot of that by not owning a television and using the great outdoors for entertainment.

9. What do you do about health insurance in early retirement?

For many years, we were self-insured and just paid cash for any medical needs. We paid $3 for a doctor visit in Mexico, $20 for some dental care in Thailand, $50 for a chest X-ray in Taiwan, and $90 for a visit to the emergency room in Portugal. Medical tourism is your friend. What we weren’t spending on health insurance, we invested in more index funds, building our own healthcare fund.

If we were in the US, we would buy health insurance on the State or Federal Health Exchanges. The US health system is all kinds of messed up, so without insurance you are only one minor incident from total financial devastation.

As of about six months ago, we are now all covered by the Taiwan national health system, which is a single payer universal healthcare provider. We pay about $25/person/month for great coverage, which includes dental. (Hot tip: marry somebody from a country with a good health system.)

10. Will you be planning a place for your child to make long term friendships and connections? Do you plan to continue travel when your child is school age?

We like the idea of homeschooling up to age 10 or 12 or so, but we are still figuring it out. Even so, it probably won’t be all or nothing (Julian is enrolled part time in a Montessori pre-school now.)

The pros/cons of life-in-place vs nomadic living is such an interesting discussion for us, because we are inherently a global family (our nuclear families are spread across 2 countries, 3 States, and 6 cities) and despite our very different backgrounds, we independently concluded that the idea of “home” for us isn’t really a place.

Our thinking comes from our existing communities – Winnie grew up in a big city (Taipei), and she has friends from back in the 3rd grade who all have kids around the same age as Julian. When we are in Taiwan, we all get together and it is like they never missed a beat. It’s a beautiful thing.

I grew up in a small town in Minnesota, and 99% of my childhood / high-school friends and family moved away for college and career. There is literally no one place I can go where all long-term friendships and connections exist, and yet I have them, just spread around the world. It’s also a beautiful thing.

We try to get quality time with all of our family every year, which is much easier now that we don’t have jobs. 2 years ago, we had 4 generations together for a week on a lake, with Grandma, my parents, my sister and 2 brothers and spouses, and their 9 kids. This year we took my Mom and Grandma on an Alaska Cruise, and also spent a couple weeks with all of Julian’s cousins. Next year will be something special again, and we all stay in touch via Skype. We also plan on having more kids, which means sibling connections.

What we do will change and evolve as we learn more and figure things out, but overall, we’ll listen to our kids, make sure we have regular quality time with family, and stay connected with friends and family via Skype. And everywhere we go, we build community with friends, family, and other adventurers. I think it will be the same for the next generation.

11. What hardships come up when traveling with a child and what do you do about it?

The hardships of traveling with a child are largely the same as the hardships of parenting. Kids have needs and wants, and if they aren’t addressed in a timely fashion then chaos ensues. As with most things, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure – and even then, things go awry.

Where most families have to balance child rearing with a career and fixed schedules, we have a great deal of flexibility. Seldom are we schedule driven, and when we are (e.g. a flight departure time) we avoid other commitments. We also aren’t doing the quick 1 week vacation thing, with a lot of time getting from A to B and a whirlwind of tours and activities; that’s much too intense and exhausting. We are more so living our normal lives, just in different locations. We play at the park daily, take naps, explore by foot, and enjoy the local delicacies. If we are having too much fun at the park, we can always see the museum tomorrow. Somehow, we usually manage to see the highlights.

Since we aren’t always in one location with a regular schedule, we focus on having routine in the absence of routine. We have regular toys, regular nap time, and a bedtime ritual which involves a bath, songs, and books. Plus we all co-sleep, so we are together 24/7. It’s hard to provide a stronger sense of security than parental presence.

It all seems to be going well; Julian is a happy, healthy, normal kid. He loves being outside exploring, enjoys meeting new people, and is always ready for the next plane, train, or automobile.

12. If you were starting back in the beginning, what would you do differently from the beginning?

We made a lot of mistakes… buying a house, buying a car, spending money without a long-term plan, but I don’t know if I would change any of them. Those mistakes helped us grow and appreciate where we are today. For example, we are Renters for Life, but we probably wouldn’t really appreciate the total joy and financial advantages that come with not owning a deteriorating wooden box.

If I could go back in time and tell my younger self, “Hey, read this Go Curry Cracker blog, you’ll learn a lot!” we could probably have become Financially Independent 3 to 5 years earlier. That’s a lot, considering my entire career was only 16 years, but it’s not that that much in an 80 – 100 year life span.

But, what I would do differently:

invest only in index funds from the beginning
not waste my time dabbling in rental properties
always live within biking distance of work and prioritize biking and walking
always rent
learn to cook well sooner
start travel hacking sooner instead of paying for vacations

13. Lastly, what is your very best tip (or two) that you have for someone who wants to reach the same success as you?

Design your life so that saving a high percentage of income is the natural and ordinary outcome.

Aim for saving 50%+ of after-tax income, and minimize taxes

Do you have goals of retiring early?

Apache is functioning normally

May 29, 2023 by Brett Tams

This post may contain affiliate links, which helps us to continue providing relevant content and we receive a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the full disclosure here.

This may seem like a silly question. But, everyone needs to know…

What frugal billionaire eats almost every breakfast at McDonald’s?

While this billionaire isn’t as famous for their glamour shots as most on The Hollywood Gossip, they still drive many thought-provoking questions.

And today’s starts with breakfast…

Combined with is the market up or down?

I am sure you have all heard by now that McDonald’s is one of the most frugal places to eat, but how about a billionaire eating there for breakfast?

Every. Single. Day.

What frugal billionaire eats almost every breakfast at McDonald’s?

Warren Buffett, one of the richest people in the world, has a surprisingly frugal breakfast routine. Every day, he eats breakfast at McDonald’s.

Shocking, I know.

So why does Buffett eat McDonald’s every day for breakfast?

It likely has something to do with the low cost and convenience of the restaurant. He enjoys the food there, calling it “normal stuff.”

If you want to save money or a simple breakfast option, following Warren Buffett’s lead might be a good idea. Just head to your nearest McDonald’s for some cheap and tasty grub!

What does he eat for breakfast?

Warren Buffett is a famously frugal billionaire, and he has a particular fondness for McDonald’s breakfast items.

This is the rumor of how Buffett decides what to eat in the morning:

If the premarket or stock market is up, he chooses a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit.
If the premarket or stock market is down, he opts for two sausage patties – a cheaper option.
When the market is flat, he selects a sausage McMuffin

In 1975, the Egg McMuffin was about 63 cents at the time! Today, you would expect to pay $2.79.

This may not seem like much, but it’s an important part of his billionaire morning routine.

How can you save money on breakfast like the frugal billionaire?

There are many ways to save money on breakfast like the frugal billionaire.

One way is to cook at home, which can be a cheaper option than eating out.

Another way is to eat leftovers from dinner the night before, or pack a lunch instead of buying food at work. You could also try skipping breakfast altogether or buying food from a less expensive restaurant.

Whatever you do, remember that being frugal doesn’t mean sacrificing your health or your happiness.

There are plenty of affordable options for breakfast (and every other meal) that can help you stick to your budget without feeling deprived. So go ahead and enjoy that delicious breakfast McMuffin from McDonald’s—you deserve it!

How much is Warren Buffett worth?

Warren Buffett is an American business magnate, investor, and philanthropist. He is the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, and he has a net worth of $114 billion as of May 2022, making him the world’s sixth richest individual.

Buffett runs Berkshire Hathaway, which has over 60 organizations and owns such companies as Geico, Duracell, and Dairy Queen. In addition to his primary occupation, Buffett is also a noted value investor and has been referred to as the “Oracle of Omaha”.

Buffett initially purchased stock at the age of 11 and first documented taxes at 13 years old. He made his first million in 1962 when he sold shares in Graham-Newman Corp., where he worked for Benjamin Graham (a well-known value investor).

Buffett’s wealth has largely come from two sources: investments and dividends/interest payments on stocks he holds.

In late 1995, Warren Buffett bought a few shares of McDonald’s stock–and now owns more than $2 billion worth. However, he isn’t just interested in fast food; Buffett also owns sizable stakes in Coca-Cola Co., IBM Corp., Wells Fargo & Co., and American Express Co.

Yes, this is over 10 figures.

How much does Warren Buffett make per second?

Warren Buffett is without a doubt one of the most successful businessmen in the world.

According to Strive.co, it is estimated Warren Buffett makes $165 a second!!

Over $9,915 a minute, which is higher than most people make in one month! In fact, it is almost double the average monthly salary for someone making 60000 a year.

Buffett’s Long-Term Success

Buffett’s success comes from his ability to make smart investments and focus on long-term success rather than short-term gains. He is also very generous with his wealth, having given more than $41 billion to charitable causes over his lifetime.

Despite being one of the richest people in the world, Buffett remains humble and focuses on making decisions that will benefit his shareholders (per-share) rather than just increasing his total net worth.

This approach has served him well over the years and made him one of the most successful investors ever.

In fact, Buffett is one of the most quoted people especially for millionaire quotes to find success.

Warren Buffett Diet

Warren Buffett is a well-known billionaire and one of the most successful investors in the world. What you may not know, however, is that Buffett has a rather unhealthy diet. In fact, he drinks five cans of Coca-Cola products each day and eats mostly junk food.

An odd way to get the calories you need.

Buffett’s poor eating habits have raised eyebrows in the past, but it seems to work for him–he has the lowest death rate among his age group. His diet consists mostly of breakfast and lunch, with no desserts or snacks throughout the day. This may seem surprising given how unhealthy his diet is, but as Buffett himself says, “I’m not sure I would recommend my diet for everyone.”

Buffett’s diet is legendary and often studied by business people and students alike. He credits his success to eating what he calls “normal stuff for a six-year old.”

McDonald’s Stock Forecast

McDonald’s is an American icon. It has been around for over 60 years, and it has graced the faces of millions of Americans as they have enjoyed their morning meals.

In fact, McDonald’s is part of the Dow Jones Index. One of the top 30 companies that make up the stock market (source).

After reading this article, you may think that Buffett has something to do with keeping McDonald’s stock forecast rising.

How did Warren Buffett get Mcdonald’s gold card?

In an interview with CNBC, Buffett revealed that he has a card that allows him to get free McDonald’s anywhere in the world. This has caused some speculation, as it’s not clear how Buffett got the card or if it’s even real.

However, Bill Gates, Mitt Romney and Buffett are confirmed to have such a card.

In fact, the McDonald’s Gold Card is not just for celebrities and billionaires. “Supposedly,” any customer can get one by spending $2 million or more at the fast-food chain. The card entitles the holder to free food for life.

Now, you can play their Monopoly game for a chance to win a Mcdonald’s VIP Card. By winning a VIP Gold Card you will be able to claim a one-time free meal at McDonald’s every week for an entire year once using the My McDonald’s app.

Even Warren Buffett, one of the richest people in the world, frequents McDonald’s for breakfast and has a Gold Card to prove it. Yet, no photo of Buffett and the Gold Card.

How to Get the McGold Card with this Sweepstakes

Now, it is your time to get the coveted McGold card!

Not just for celebrities anymore!

You have the chance to win a “lifetime” supply of Mcdonald’s. (the fine print says up to two meals per week for fifty (50) years)

First, you need to download the McDonald’s app and be enrolled in the MyMcDonald’s Reward program.

Next, every time you make a purchase during the duration of the contest, you receive an entry to the sweepstakes, up to once per day.

Or, you can enter without making a purchase by clicking this link from December 5 through December 25 and entering once per day for the duration of the contest.

**The McD’s For Life Sweepstakes is only from December 5-25, 2022.**

Does Warren Buffett own McDonald’s?

No. Warren Buffett does not own and operate a McDonald’s Franchise.

However, he made an investment in the company that surprised many people – he invested in McDonald’s because he loved the franchise model.

He has invested in other well-known consumer brands such as Apple, Coca-Cola and Gillette. This gives us some insight into his investment philosophy–Buffett believes in buying businesses with strong fundamentals that will be around for a long time.

Top Warren Buffett Stocks By Size

At the end of Q4 2021, these were the top 10 Warren Buffett stocks by the number of shares:

Bank of America (BAC), 1.01 billion
Apple (AAPL), 887.1 million
Coca-Cola (KO), 400 million
Kraft Heinz (KHC), 325.6 million
Verizon (VZ), 158.8 million
American Express (AXP), 151.6 million
U.S. Bancorp (USB), 126.4 million
Nu Holdings (NU), 107.1 million
Bank of New York Mellon (BK), 72.4 million
Kroger (KR), 61.4 million

Specifically, this is what his company Berkshire Hathaway is invested in.

While Buffett has never authored a book himself, there are many books about him, his investment strategies, and his philosophies.

His life story and investment techniques are fascinating. There are a variety of books about Buffett, but some are more satisfying to read than others. Some books focus more on his life and achievements, while others focus on replicating his investment style.

Warren Buffett McDonalds breakfast

As you have now learned, Warren Buffett, one of the richest men in the world, has a particular fondness for McDonald’s breakfast menu items.

He has been photographed eating breakfast at McDonald’s locations almost every morning.

The billionaire investor says that he enjoys the food and finds it to be a cheap and convenient option.

He sticks to ordering sausage patties and eggs, or bacon and eggs from the menu.

Now, the questions to ponder, are you going to continue this frugal billionaire’s breakfast routine?

Or should you follow his investment advice instead…

Buffett has been quoted as saying “the greatest challenge is not in the selection of the right stocks, but in sticking with sound investments despite uncertainty.” In order to emulate Buffett’s investment strategies, it is important to be patient and remain committed to your investments through thick and thin.

Source: moneybliss.org

Apache is functioning normally

May 27, 2023 by Brett Tams

One of the best strategies for ensuring that loved ones will be able to carry on financially in case of the unexpected is to purchase a good, solid life insurance policy. This is because the proceeds that are received through life insurance – which is income tax-free to beneficiaries – can be used for continuing to pay living expenses or to pay off large debts. It can also be used for paying for the funeral and other final expenses of the insured. That way, loved ones will not have to go into debt – especially at an already difficult time in their lives.

When buying life insurance, it is important to consider several criteria. These include the type and the amount of coverage that you are purchasing. This is because you do not want your loved ones to have too little protection.

It is also essential to know that the insurance carrier you are purchasing the coverage from is strong and stable from a financial standpoint. That is so that you can better ensure that the company will be able to pay out its promised policy proceeds if or when the time should come. One company that made our honorable mention for best life insurance companies in the US and many individuals buy life insurance coverage from is Americo Life Insurance Company.

The History of Americo Life Insurance Company

Americo Life Insurance Company has been in the business of offering life insurance and other coverage products for more than 100 years. The growth of the Americo family of companies has built primarily on the successful acquisition of more than 15 insurance entities – each having its specific advantages.

The company has also won other accolades and has been the first insurer in a myriad of different events. For example, in 1922, a predecessor of Americo, Great Southern Life – which was initially founded back in 1909, became the first company in the United States to insure the lives of children.

In 1971, another predecessor of Americo Life Insurance Company, Ohio State Life, was the first insurer to advance death benefit payments to sustain the life of a policyholder. Likewise, in 1981, Great Southern Life led the way as one of the very first insurers in the U.S. to offer universal life insurance coverage – and more recently, Americo was also one of the very first to offer indexed universal life and annuity products.

Americo Life Insurance Company Review

Today, Americo Life Insurance Company has more than 659,000 insurance policies in force. The company has more than $6 billion in total assets, and the company’s statutory premiums have increased substantially over the years. Americo has more than $32.7 billion of just life insurance in force.

Americo is very competitive in the life insurance market – and the carrier maintains a high quality, liquid investment portfolio that consists of more than 95 percent investment grade bonds in its fixed income investments.

Personalized and trusted service is the cornerstone of Americo Life Insurance Company’s business. The company is considered to be progressive in its thinking, and it is highly solutions-oriented.

The company is one of the largest independent and privately held insurance groups in the U.S. Americo is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, and it serves it sales force via more than 350 company associates.

Insurer Ratings and BBB Grade

Due to its safe, yet liquid, portfolio, Americo Life Insurance Company has been given a rating of A (Excellent) from A.M. Best Company. This rating is the third highest possible rating on an overall scale of 15 total ratings.

Although Americo Life Insurance Company is not an accredited company through the Better Business Bureau (BBB), the company has been given a grade of C. This is on an overall grading scale of A+ to F.

Over the past three years, the company has closed out a total of 19 customer complaints via the Better Business Bureau. (Twelve of these 19 complaints have been closed out over the past 12 months). Of the 19 complaints, 12 had to do with problems with the company’s products or services. Another six were in relation to billing or collection issues, and one was in regard to delivery issues.

Life Insurance Products Offered Through Americo

At Americo Life Insurance Company, there are many different life insurance plans to choose from. This variety is beneficial in helping clients to more closely plan for their anticipated needs. Americo offers term and permanent life insurance protection.

Term Life Insurance

Term life insurance coverage provides pure life insurance protection only, without any cash value or savings build up in the policy. Because of this, term life insurance is often quite affordable – even for a large amount of death benefit coverage.

With term life insurance, the coverage is purchased for a certain amount of time – or “term” – such as for five years, ten years, 15 years, 20 years, 25 years, or even for 30 years. During this term of coverage, the premium will typically remain the same over time, and the amount of the death benefit will remain level.

Permanent Life Insurance

Permanent life insurance offers both life insurance protection and cash value. The funds that are in the cash-value component of the policy are allowed to grow on a tax-deferred basis, meaning that there will be on tax due on this growth unless or until the money is withdrawn.

The funds that are in the cash value component of a permanent life insurance policy may be withdrawn or borrowed by the policyholder for any reason that they see fit – including the payoff of debts, the supplementing of retirement income, or even for taking a nice vacation.

There can be many different types of permanent life insurance coverage. These include:

Whole Life Insurance – Whole life insurance offers a fixed amount of death benefit coverage, as well as a fixed premium that is typically locked in throughout the entire life of the policy. Whole life insurance is meant to be kept for an individual entire lifetime, or the “whole” of one’s life. The cash value that is in the cash component of the policy is able to grow via a fixed and guaranteed rate that is set by the issuing insurance company. In some instances, the insurance company will pay dividends to the policyholder of whole life insurance – although these are not guaranteed. A dividend may be taken as cash, or alternatively, it could be used to purchase additional insurance coverage or to add to the cash component.
Universal Life Insurance – Universal life insurance also offers death benefit coverage, along with a cash value component. In this case, however, universal life insurance is considered to be more flexible than whole life coverage. One reason for this is because a universal life insurance policyholder can – within certain guidelines – determine how much of his or her policy premium will go towards paying for the death benefit, and how much will go towards the cash value. Also, the timing of when the premium is due with a universal life insurance policy may also be altered to better fit with a policy holder’s changing needs.
Indexed Universal Life Insurance – Over the past several years, indexed universal life insurance has become a more popular product. That is because this type of coverage can be beneficial both for its life insurance coverage, but also for the opportunity that it provides for both growing and protecting funds. In this case, the return on the cash value in an indexed universal life insurance policy is based upon the performance of an underlying market index, such as the S&P 500. If the underlying index performs well during a given time period, the cash value will be credited – up to a certain cap. However, if the underlying index performs poorly in a given period, the cash value’s return for that time will simply be credited with a 0 percent. So, while there is no gain, there is also no loss for that time. Many who are savings for retirement can benefit from this ability to grow, yet still protect their funds.

The company’s specially designed life insurance products offer unique benefits, and there are simplified issue products available. This means that an applicant for coverage may not be required to take a medical examination as a requirement for policy approval. Because of that, there may be a better chance of someone qualifying for the life insurance coverage that they need – even in the event that they already have an adverse health condition.

The face amount of coverage on most of the life insurance policies that are offered by Americo Life Insurance Company can range between $25,000 and $400,000.

Final Expense Coverage

While all individuals and families may have differing needs, most people will have at least some amount of final expenses. Americo Life Insurance Company offers a series of whole life insurance products that are designed for helping to cover the costs that are associated with funeral and burial expenses, as well as uninsured medical bills and other financial obligations that one’s loved ones may face.

These policies can offer face amounts that range from $2,000 to $30,000. There are both fully underwritten and simplified issue policies – and, those who smoke cigars or pipes, as well as smokeless tobacco, could qualify for a non-smoker premium rate.

Mortgage Protection Coverage

One of an individual or a couple’s biggest expenses in life is their home mortgage.

Therefore, if an income earner passes away unexpectedly, this could mean that his or her survivors would no longer be able to pay the mortgage – and in turn, be forced to move from their home. This occurrence can be made even more difficult, as the family is already facing pain.

With mortgage protection coverage, should the unthinkable occur, this policy will pay out an amount that can pay off the survivors’ mortgage balance. Americo Life Insurance Company offers mortgage protection policies with face amounts of between $25,000 and $400,000.

There is no proof of mortgage required, and depending on the policy that is chosen, the applicant for this coverage may not even be required to undergo a medical exam. There are also some optional riders available that can allow policy holders to customize their coverage to better fit with their specific needs.

Other Products Offered By Americo Life Insurance Company

In addition to life insurance protection, Americo Life Insurance Company also offers a wide range of other products that can help its customers to grow and protect their wealth. These products include the following:

Medicare Supplement insurance – While Medicare Part A and Part B offer a long list of coverages, there are also many out-of-pocket expenses that are associated with Medicare coverage, such as co-payments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Having a Medicare Supplement insurance plan can help with covering some of the costs. There are several different Medicare Supplement plans to choose from – including a basic set of core benefits, as well as more comprehensive coverage.
Retirement Annuities – A retirement annuity can help individuals and couples to save in a tax-advantaged manner for the future, as well as to lock in an ongoing retirement income that can last throughout the remainder of their life – regardless of how long that may be.

How to Get the Best Life Insurance Premium Quotes

When seeking the best life insurance quotes, it is recommended that you work with an independent insurance brokerage. If you are shopping for life insurance coverage, we can help. We work with many of the top life insurers in the industry. If you are ready to compare, then just take a moment to fill out the quote from on this page.

Source: goodfinancialcents.com

Apache is functioning normally

May 27, 2023 by Brett Tams

When I worked in management consulting, one of my responsibilities was to help my company figure out ways to make money while we slept. As a consulting business, our revenue stream came from selling the hours of the people who worked at our company. But to grow our margins, we knew we had to scale our time. This is where I first learned about passive income — the Holy Grail of the business world.

Now that I’m in my 30s, I think a lot about how to direct my active streams of income into passive income opportunities. Here are some things I’ve learned about active and passive income in my wealth-building journey.

What’s Ahead:

What Is Active Income?

Active income is earned by trading your time for money. Most people at the beginning of their careers are focused solely on earning active income to make a living.

What Is Passive Income?

Passive income is earned from income-producing assets. Someone who has passive income is not trading their time for money. Instead, the assets they own produce income without much involvement from the owner of the asset.

With the rise of financial influencers and the FIRE movement, finding ways to earn passive income has become a popular topic in the personal finance community.

Is Any Income Truly ‘Passive’?

The idea of earning truly passive income sounds amazing, right? But what’s often not discussed about passive income is that unless you inherit passive income-producing assets, creating passive income streams actually requires a substantial amount of active work.

Famous American entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk has gone as far as to say that truly passive income doesn’t exist outside of passive public market investing and rental income.

I tend to agree with Gary that the term ‘passive’ income is something of a misnomer. Creating passive income is never truly passive; there is no free lunch when it comes to financial mobility!

But thinking of income in active and passive terms might nonetheless have some benefits for those who are assessing their current financial status and crafting their wealth-building strategy. For that reason, I’ll break down the broad differences between active and passive income streams, as well as the most prominent ways to generate active or passive income.

Pros & Cons of Active Income

Pros

Allows you to develop a specific skill or expertise consistently
May provide social interaction and camaraderie associated with a traditional worksite

Cons

Trades time for money
Takes time away from doing other things
Cannot scale income potential beyond time constraints
Can be taxed at high rates

Pros & Cons of Passive Income

Pros

Generates money while sleeping, vacationing, etc.
Frees up more time for recreational activities
Subject to potential tax deductions
Scales income potential beyond time constraints
Does not require physical presence at a work site

Cons

Often requires you to create active income first
Usually harder to create than active income

Types of Active Income

Salary and Wages

The most basic and obvious form of active income is the salary that you earn from a typical job. A salary is a fixed amount received for working a regular schedule like 9 to 5, Monday through Friday. While a salary is a consistent form of active income, it can be taken away at a moment’s notice due to layoffs or downsizing. Most people earn their living from this type of income.

Bonuses and Commissions

Bonuses and commissions are other forms of active income. This type of income is not fixed and can vary dramatically based on the type of work performed. Many jobs can have a bonus or commission element added to a base salary, while other jobs can be 100% commission based.

Real estate agents, commercial real estate sales professionals, and other types of salespeople tend to fall into this income category. 100% commission-based jobs tend to have higher earning potential compared to salaried positions. However, they are also highly competitive, and their profitability is subject to ups and downs based on the economy, seasonality, and other factors.

Read more: How to Become a Real Estate Agent

Consulting and Freelancing

Freelancing and consulting fees are other types of active income that can either make up 100% of one’s income or serve as a side hustle. Those with valuable skills in high demand are often able to build side businesses, selling their time for specific short-term projects or long-term contracts. As of August 2021, there are 57 million freelancers working in the U.S., with 10 million more considering freelancing.

Looking ahead, more and more businesses are noting they’re willing to hire freelancers to support their mission, growth, and revenue.

Being a freelancer or consultant requires an entrepreneurial spirit, as this type of work can be very inconsistent and requires building a strong brand/reputation. Some of the most popular types of freelance work include graphic design, software development, copywriting, and photography.

Read more: 35+ Side Hustle Ideas

Equity Compensation

Equity compensation is a type of bonus that is given out at public or private companies to senior individuals or particularly valuable employees. Different types of equity compensation include straight shares, stock options, and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs).

It’s not uncommon for equity compensation to make up most of an individual’s income. For example, in 2020, 85% of an average CEO’s income was stock-related compensation.

Capital Gains

Buying and selling certain types of assets, like stocks and real estate, can generate capital gains if the asset’s sale price was higher than its original purchase price. For example, you might buy shares in a company while its stock price is low and then sell those shares later after the stock’s price has increased. The difference between the price you paid and the price you sold at is a capital gain.

Generating capital gains as a means of consistent income requires a significant amount of work, expertise, and risk-taking. Capital gains also have different tax treatments depending on how and when they are generated.

Read more: Claiming Capital Gains and Losses

Renting Out Property

Listing your property on sites like Airbnb can help you earn active income. While listing your property for rent may not require a significant investment of time and energy upfront, it’s not a set-it-and-forget-it income source.

Actively managing your listings, communicating with renters, and maintaining your property certainly requires active effort (unless you have a property manager).

Old Goods and Furniture Flipping

I’ve seen lots of people recently on TikTok and Instagram building side businesses by taking old or broken furniture, refurbishing it, and selling it for a profit. If you are handy and have an eye for design, this can be a great way of making active income given the low startup costs.

In addition to making money from selling the furniture, after you’ve built an audience you can sign brand partners and feature their products on your social media pages to generate even more income. Lastly, this type of business is a great way to help recycle old products that would have otherwise been thrown out.

Types of Passive Income

Interest and Dividends

Interest from your savings can be generated from high-yield savings accounts or by investing in CDs or bonds.

Dividends are paid to the shareholders of public companies. Not all companies pay dividends and the amount of dividends paid varies significantly. While earning dividends is passive income, choosing the right investments that generate dividends is a very active and time-consuming process.

In my experience, those looking to earn dividends can typically expect returns of 1–5%.

Rental Income

You can earn passive income from real estate by investing in rental properties, commercial real estate, public real estate investment trusts, or real estate crowdfunding platforms. Income-generating real estate can also provide landlords with tax benefits by deducting depreciation costs, property management expenses, insurance, and other expenses.

But there’s always an active element of real estate investing, no matter what type of real estate you invest in. This includes property management, dealing with tenants, managing relationships with lenders or investors, ensuring upkeep, or simply picking the right real estate projects to invest in. Some forms of real estate investing can become so time consuming that many personal finance experts question if real estate investing can be considered passive at all.

Read more: How to Invest in Real Estate

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Lending

Peer-to-peer lending has attracted investors looking for an alternative to persistently low interest rates on savings accounts and bond yields. With P2P loans, investors make unsecured personal loans to others and can earn high returns.

While P2P lending has exploded in popularity (check out Lending Club and Prosper), these investments are very risky. The loans are often not secured against collateral, are not FDIC insured, and money invested in P2P lending can be difficult to access in times of economic stress.

Digital Product, Online Course, or Community Development

Creating digital products, courses, or online communities can be one of the best ways to earn passive income if you can package your skills and knowledge and sell it to a group of customers. In today’s digital age, the costs of creating a course, digital product, or community have never been lower, and all you really need is a computer and some creativity.

While there are lots of instances of everyday people earning millions on their digital products, don’t forget that getting to that point likely required a lot of work. Keeping these types of products relevant and up to date after launch also requires time, effort, and attention, not to mention having to market your product and keep up community engagement.

If you are interested in starting something like this up, platforms like Thinkific, Teachable, and Patreon are all options to explore.

YouTube/TikTok Ad Revenue

I became fascinated by the prospect of earning money on YouTube after coming across financial influencer Graham Stephan. Earning money on YouTube or Tik Tok generally comes down to building your channel’s audience and monetizing content through ads or affiliate marketing links. Once your presence meets a critical mass, every video you create has the potential to become an income-generating asset.

On the surface, making money on YouTube seems amazing, but again, it takes a lot of work and dedication to get there. For example, Graham has mentioned having to post videos at least three times a week for several years to get traction. And it often takes audiences of tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of followers to earn any money.

But there’s lots of potential to earn sizable passive income from YouTube after you build an audience. The average YouTuber can make $3 to $5 per 1,000 video views and the top YouTubers can make millions annually.

Final Thoughts

Passive income can be a great way to earn more while working a regular 9 to 5, or it could fully replace your current stream(s) of active income entirely.

When it comes to building real wealth, however, the discussion around active vs. passive income is more nuanced.

According to a five-year study of 233 wealthy individuals, a common thread between them was that self-made millionaires generated income from multiple sources. 65% of them had three streams of income, 45% had four streams of income, and 29% had five or more streams of income.

These figures suggest that when it comes to building wealth, it’s not just a question of prioritizing passive vs. active income. Rather, it’s about generating multiple streams of income and scaling your time.

Personally, I have four streams of income:

The income I make from my 9 to 5
Investment capital gains
Dividends
Freelancing work

You can leave it to your own creativity and aspirations to find what constellation of passive and active income streams works best for you. But remember, whether you are looking to create passive or active income, there is no free lunch, and any source of income that ultimately becomes passive will likely start as a highly active pursuit.

Apache is functioning normally

May 27, 2023 by Brett Tams

This post may contain affiliate links, which helps us to continue providing relevant content and we receive a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the full disclosure here.

Do you want to make your money work for you?

I know what you’re thinking—money doesn’t grow on trees.

It takes money to make money.

That is a true case, but it doesn’t mean you have to be a millionaire to start. You can invest $100 to make $1000.

But there are a few things that will help any of us start seeing some green: time, patience, and perseverance.

We all know that money is a powerful tool. It helps us get what we want, live the way we want to, and achieve our goals. But how do you make your money work for you?

If you’re new to financial success or are looking for some fresh ideas on increasing your wealth, then you are in the right place!

That’s where this post comes in! In it, we delve into the five best ways to grow your wealth and show you how they work.

Are you struggling to save money or grow your wealth? This guide will teach you the best ways to make your money work for you, no matter what your financial situation. From saving and investing to using passive income streams, this guide has everything you need to get on the right track.

How can you make your money work for you?

There are many ways to grow your wealth. You can invest in stocks, bonds, and other securities. You can also start your own business or invest in real estate. Whatever you choose to do, make sure you are diversified and have a plan.

Making your money work for you is all about creating passive income streams.

This means finding ways to make money without having to actively work for it. Some examples include investing in stocks, real estate, and businesses.

How to Make Your Money Work for You: The [Best Ways] to Grow Your Wealth.

Picture of stacked coins with plants growing out of them for how to make you your money work for you.

Your money is a powerful tool that can help you save, invest and grow your wealth, but only when you know the ways to make it work for you.

This is something that many people don’t learn and don’t invest the time to understand.

The best way to grow wealth is by taking your time and doing the research necessary for you to understand what it takes. You have to know how much money you need, where it will come from, and how you will invest it.

#1 – Create Financial Goals

It’s important to have specific financial goals because they give you something to work towards and help keep you motivated. Having specific goals also makes it easier to measure your progress and see how far you’ve come.

To create specific financial goals, start by thinking about what you want to achieve.

Do you want to save for a down payment on a house?
Are you looking to pay off debt?
Looking to increase your saving percentage?
Or do you want to retire early?

Once you know what your goal is, break it down into smaller steps that you can take to get there. For example, if your goal is to save for a down payment on a house, your first step might be saving $2000 for a down payment fund. Then, once you have that saved up, your next step might be saving $1,000 for the down payment fund.

Keep breaking your goal down into smaller and smaller steps until it feels achievable.

When setting financial goals, avoid setting goals that are too vague or unrealistic. For example, don’t set a goal of “saving money” without specifying an amount or timeline. Also, avoid setting goals that are so small they’re not worth achieving (like saving $5 over the course of a year).

#2 – Develop Passive Income Streams

Passive income is a type of earnings that does not require active work to generate. This can include earnings from investments, rental properties, and other business ventures in which you are not actively involved.

There are several different types of passive income:

Interest and dividends from investments: This can include earnings from stocks, bonds, and other investment vehicles.
Rental income: This can come from renting out a property you own, such as an apartment or vacation home.
Business income: This can come from owning a business in which you are not actively involved in the day-to-day operations. For example, you could own a franchise or be a money-only investor.
Royalty payments: These are payments made to you for the use of your intellectual property, such as patents, copyrights, or trademarks, a book, or a song.
Other types of passive income include blog or affiliate revenue. For example, if you have a blog and it generates ad revenue or affiliate income from referrals to third-party products, that would be considered passive income.

Passive income is money you earn without having to work directly for it. It can come from any number of sources. Remember, passive income is different than active income, which is money you earn through a job or business ownership.

In fact, most millionaires have at least 3 passive income streams (source).

Passive income is the Holy Grail for online marketers. It’s automatic. Effortless. But, not at first. In the beginning, it’s grueling. I liken this to doing the most amount of work for the least initial return. However, over time as your passive income begins to increase, your reliance on an active income plummets.

That’s when the real magic starts to happen.

#3 – Plan for Each Dollar

The first step to making your money work for you is creating a budget. This will help you track your income and expenses so you can see where your money is going. You can use a budgeting app or spreadsheet to do this.

When it comes to managing your finances, it’s important to have a plan for each dollar that comes in. You should make conscious choices about where to spend your money and what type of accounts to use.

Your highest priorities should be determined by what is most important to you.

It is also important to remember that every penny counts- so use your money wisely!

#4 Pay Yourself First

One of the best ways to grow your wealth is to save first. This means putting away money into savings or investments before you spend it. This will help you reach your financial goals more quickly.

When you get paid, make sure to put some money into savings or investments before spending it. This way, you are prioritizing your own financial well-being.

Automating your finances is a great way to make sure your bills first are always paid on time and that you are saving regularly. You can set up automatic transfers from your checking account to savings or investment accounts

#5 – Get Out of Debt

Debt can be a major financial burden, preventing you from achieving your financial goals. It’s important to get out of debt as soon as possible so that you can free up your money to save and invest for the future.

In fact, this is one of the first steps we stress here at Money Bliss – pay off debt!

There are a few different ways to get out of debt. You can try negotiating with your creditors, consolidating your debts, or making more money to pay off your debts faster. Whatever method you choose, make sure you have a plan and stick to it.

There are a few things you should avoid when trying to get out of debt.

First, don’t miss any payments or make late payments, as this will damage your credit score.
Second, don’t use credit cards while you’re trying to pay off debt, as this will only add to your balance.
Finally, don’t take on any new debts while you’re trying to get out of debt – focus on paying off the debts you already have first.

#6 – Start an online business

This can be a great way to create passive income and build wealth over time. There are many different types of online businesses that you can start, so do your research and find the one that is best suited for you.

Starting an online business is a great way to make some extra money on the side. It can be done relatively easily and doesn’t require much upfront work. Once you have the foundation in place, it’s easy to start generating income without any additional effort.

In fact, learning how to make money online for beginners is a hot topic!

The internet provides a unique opportunity to start and grow an online business. With the right tools, you can use the internet to your advantage and build a successful business.

#7 – Invest in the stock market

There are many ways to invest in the stock market, but the most common is through buying and selling shares on a stock exchange. You can also invest in mutual funds, which pool money from many different investors and then invests it in a portfolio of stocks or other securities. Another way to invest is through exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which are similar to mutual funds but trade like stocks on an exchange.

Before you start investing in the stock market, there are a few things you should consider.

First, you need to decide what your investment goals are. Are you looking to grow your wealth over time, or do you need access to your money quickly?
Second, you need to understand the risks involved with investing in the stock market. While there’s always the potential for making money, there’s also the potential for losing money.
Finally, you need to research different investments and choose one that fits your goals and risk tolerance.

Investing in the stock market comes with a number of risks, including the potential for losing money. While there’s always the potential for making money, there’s also the potential for losing money. Before you invest, you should understand the risks involved and make sure you’re comfortable with them.

#8 – Automate your finances

Automating your finances means setting up automatic payments for your bills and other regular expenses. This can help you to stay on top of your finances and avoid late payments or overdraft fees.

There are a few different ways that you can automate your finances. You can set up automatic payments through your bank or credit card company. Alternatively, you can use a service like Quicken to track your spending and create a budget.

Automating your finances can save you time and money. It can help you to stay on top of your bills and avoid late fees or overdraft charges. Additionally, it can free up more of your time so that you can focus on other aspects of life.

#9 – Habit of Automatic Savings

Automatic savings works similarly to automating your finances, but instead of paying bills, money is automatically transferred into a savings account each month. This can help you build up your savings without having to think about it.

With automatic savings, you can grow your savings without extra work; however, if you need access to the money in your savings account quickly, it may take a few days for the funds to transfer back into your checking account.

Challenge yourself to save more than the average 5% personal saving rate.

Overall, automating your finances can be a great way to stay on top of your bills and save money. Just be sure to consider the pros and cons of each method before you decide which one is right for you.

#10 – Use a Rewards Credit Card and Pay It Off Each Month

When you use a rewards credit card, you earn points for every purchase you make. These points can be redeemed for cash back, merchandise, travel, or other perks. Some cards also offer bonus points for spending in certain categories, such as gas or groceries.

To get the most value from your rewards card, it’s important to pay off your balance in full each month. This way, you’ll avoid paying interest on your purchases and will actually save money by earning rewards.

This is something we do on a regular basis and helps us to pay for our travel.

There are both pros and cons to using a rewards credit card. On the plus side, you can earn valuable rewards just by making everyday purchases. And if you pay off your balance in full each month, you’ll avoid paying interest and will actually save money.

On the downside, if you carry a balance on your card from month to month, the interest charges will outweigh any benefits you earn from the rewards program. Additionally, some cards have annual fees that can offset any savings you might accrue from using the card.

#11 – Learning How to Budget

A budget is an estimation of revenue and expenses over a specified future period of time. A budget is often created annually, but may also be created more or less frequently like biweekly or by paycheck.

Budgeting is important because it allows you to track your income and expenses so that you can make informed financial decisions. It also enables you to save money by identifying areas where you can cut back on spending.

Simple Budgeting tips:

Make sure your income and expenses are realistic
Track your progress over time
Don’t be afraid to adjust your budget as needed
Keep your long-term financial goals in mind

Budgeting shouldn’t feel constricting – just that you are able to do what you want to do.

#12 – Save Your Money

Saving money is a key component of building wealth. You need to have money saved in order to invest, and you need to be investing in order to grow your wealth. There are a few different ways that you can save money.

One way to save money is to create a budget and stick to it. This will help you track your spending and make sure that you are not spending more than you can afford.
Another way to save money is to make sure that you are taking advantage of all of the tax breaks that are available to you. This can help you keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket.
Finally, another way to save money is by automating your savings so that you do not have to think about it every month.

Try to save your money wherever you can, even if it is a small amount. Every little bit counts in the long run!

#13 – Now, Invest Your Money

Investing your money is one of the best ways to grow your wealth over time.

When you invest, you are essentially putting your money into something that has the potential to grow over time. This can be done through stocks, bonds, mutual funds, real estate, and other investments.

The key is finding an investment that has the potential for growth and then holding onto it for the long haul.

Especially learn how to flip money!

#14 – Put Money away for retirement

How much you need to save for retirement depends on a number of factors, including how long you expect to live and what kind of lifestyle you want in retirement.

A general rule of thumb is that you’ll need 70% to 80% of your pre-retirement income to maintain your standard of living in retirement.

There are a number of different options for where to save for retirement, including 401(k)s, IRAs, and annuities. Each has its own set of benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to do your research before choosing one.

The main benefit of saving for retirement is that it gives you a nest egg to help cover expenses for retirement. Additionally, many employer-sponsored retirement plans offer matching contributions, which can help boost your savings.

#15 – Invest in yourself

The most important thing you can do with your money is to invest in yourself by getting higher education or learning new skills. By investing in yourself, you are ensuring that you will be able to earn a higher income and grow your wealth over time.

There are a few different ways you can invest in yourself.

One way is to invest in your education by taking courses or attending seminars that will help you learn new skills.
Another way is to invest in your health by eating healthy foods and exercising regularly.
Finally, you can also invest in your relationships by spending time with positive people who will support and encourage you.

Investing in yourself has many benefits that are normally overlooked.

First, it will help you earn a higher income which means you will be able to save more money and grow your wealth faster. Second, it will improve your health so that you can live a longer and happier life. Third, it will help improve your relationships so that you can have more supportive and positive people in your life.

This can help you earn more money over time and set you up for success.

Bonus Tip = Be Generous

When you give to others, you are actually helping yourself. Numerous studies have shown that giving makes us happier and can even improve our health.

There are many ways to be generous. You can give your time, your money, or your talents. You can also simply be kind and helpful to others. Whatever way you choose to give, make sure it is something that feels good for you.

Many people ask what to give and there is no one answer to this question. It depends on what you have to offer and what would be most helpful to the person or cause you are supporting.

Things to consider when putting money to work

When it comes to making money, there are a lot of different ways you can go about your little endeavor. But before we get into the specifics of how and when you should put your change to work, we have some general tips to help you along the way.

Where are you today?

First, start by looking at your current spending and saving habits. If you’re not saving anything right now, start small by setting aside $50 from each paycheck into a savings account. Once you have a cushion built up, you can start thinking about investing your money.

Also, think about your long-term financial goals and how much money you’ll need to save to reach them. Automate your savings so that it’s easier to stay on track.

How Much are You Spending?

You should also be mindful of your spending habits as they can have a big impact on your ability to grow wealth over time. Try to live below your means and avoid unnecessary purchases so that more of your money can go towards savings and investments.

It can also be helpful to create a budget so that you have a better idea of where your money is going each month. This will allow you to make adjustments as needed in order to free up more money for savings and investing.

Are you Investing?

Investing is one of the best ways to grow your wealth over time. When you invest, you’re essentially putting your money into something that has the potential to earn more money in the future. This can be done through stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other investment vehicles.

It’s important to do some research before investing so that you understand the risks involved and don’t end up losing all of your hard-earned money.

Is Debt Holding You Back?

Last but not least, debt can also impact your ability to grow wealth over time. High-interest debt, such as credit card debt, can eat away at your savings and make it difficult to invest.

If you have high-interest debt, it’s important to focus on paying it off as quickly as possible. You may need to make some sacrifices in other areas of your life in order to do this, but it will be worth it in the long run.

How to Make Your Money Work for You FAQs

1. Invest in stocks: This is one of the most popular methods of growing wealth. When you invest in stocks, you are buying a piece of a company that will be worth more in the future. The key to making money with stocks is to buy low and sell high.

2. Invest in real estate: Another popular way to grow your wealth is to invest in real estate. When you invest in real estate, you are buying a property that will increase in value over time. The key to making money with real estate is to make sure your portfolio is set up for high probability of success.

3. Invest in bonds: Bonds are another way to grow your wealth. When you invest in bonds, you are lending money to a company or government that will pay you back over time with interest.

Saving money is one of the best ways to use your money. It allows you to have a cushion in case of an emergency, and it also allows you to save for future goals. There are many different ways to save money, but some of the best include setting up a budget and sticking to it, setting up a savings account, and investing in yourself.

Investing your money is another great way to use it. When you invest, you are essentially putting your money into something that has the potential to grow over time. This can be a great way to build your wealth over time and secure your financial future. Some of the best things to invest in include stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.

Of course, you can also use your money by spending it on things that you need or want. While this may not seem like the most productive use of your money, it is important to remember that spending is necessary in order to live a comfortable life. Therefore, it is important to find a balance between saving and spending so that you can enjoy both now and in the future.

Keep your money in a safe place.
Invest in a good financial institution.
Diversify your investments.
Review your insurance coverage regularly.
Have an emergency fund.

Money Works for You

In this article, we covered a few different ways to grow your wealth.

Making your money work for you is a great way to grow your wealth without having to put in a lot of extra effort. By following the tips and tricks in this guide, you can easily make your money work for you and watch your wealth grow over time.

If you are looking for where to put your money to make it work for you, we uncovered the 15 best ways to make your money work for you.

Whichever method you chose is up to you.

The best answer is to diversify your portfolio and create multiple streams of income.

So what are you waiting for? Get started today and see the results for yourself!

Source: moneybliss.org

Apache is functioning normally

May 26, 2023 by Brett Tams

Many consider the 2000s to be a “lost decade” for stock market investors. This view is not surprising since the 2000s marked the biggest loss for the S&P 500 of any decade, including the 1930s. However, it wasn’t what you invested, as much as how you invested that mattered the most in the 2000s. Some investors found success in the 2000s and those lessons can be applied to the 2010s.

What is the best investment for the 2010s?

We are often asked: What is the best investment for the 2010s? However, the question itself implies the wrong approach to how to best invest in the 2010s. The most effective approach to investing is not likely to be holding any single investment for the whole decade. Instead, a consistent approach to saving and tactically buying and selling a number of investments suited to different environments and conditions is more likely to result in investment opportunities for the decade as a whole.

Our outlook for the 2010s is for modest buy-and-hold returns and the likelihood of volatility as many factors influence the markets. However, to illustrate our point about successful investing let’s look at the 2000s when positive returns were even harder to come by. The 2000s offered tactical investors many opportunities to add value beyond the lackluster performance of the indexes; we expect the 2010s will also offer similar opportunities.

How much of a lost decade were the 2000s?

It depends on how consistently you saved and tactically you invested. As you can see in [Chart 1] with $120,000 invested in the S&P 500 at the beginning of the decade, it was only worth $109,082 (including dividends) 10 years later, for a loss of about $11,000. Looked at this way, the 2000s were certainly a lost decade — or, at the least, a decade of losses.

However, that wasn’t the only investor experience during the 2000s. It may seem that those investing money over the course of the 2000s probably wish that they hadn’t. In fact, for those that added to their investments over the course of the decade the experience was very different. For those that consistently invested $1,000 per month in the S&P 500 the decade produced a modest gain of over $8,000 instead of an $11,000 loss. The same $120,000 placed in the same investment provided very different results. While the gain isn’t big, it calls into question whether the 2000s were a lost decade. [Chart 2]

Source: LPL Financial, Bloomberg

This is a hypothetical example and is not representative of any specific situation. Your results may vary. The rates of returns used do not reflect the deduction of fees and charges inherent to investing.
The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index, which can not be invested into directly. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Source: LPL Financial, Bloomberg

This is a hypothetical example and is not representative of any specific situation. Your results may vary. The rates of returns used do not reflect the deduction of fees and charges inherent to investing.
The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index, which can not be invested into directly. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

More importantly, those investors that used a tactical asset allocation approach (here represented by the performance for a decade of the LPL Financial SAM/Research Recommended Mutual Fund Models Growth with Income Diversified and Diversified Plus Portfolios) as they consistently invested $1,000 per month ended up with a gain of $41,000 over the decade. This is $52,000 better than the $11,000 loss represented in the first example on the same $120,000. No lost decade here!

It’s How You Do It

In summary, it isn’t what you invested in; it is how you invested that mattered over the 2000s. We believe this is the secret to investing success in the 2010s, as well. Even if the 2010s offer only a repeat performance of the “lost” 2000s, investors can find opportunities to invest and profit by consistently saving and tactically managing the investments in their portfolio. Rather than look back with regret at what may have been a lost decade, we encourage investors to look forward with newfound wisdom and invest for success in the 2010s.

Important Disclosures

This was prepared by LPL Financial. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which investment(s) may be appropriate for you, consult your financial advisor prior to investing. All performance reference is historical and is no guarantee of future results. All indices are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly.
Investing in international and emerging markets may entail additional risks such as currency fluctuation and political instability. Investing in small-cap stocks includes specific risks such as greater volatility and potentially less liquidity.
Stock investing involves risk including loss of principal Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Small-cap stocks may be subject to higher degree of risk than more established companies’ securities. The illiquidity of the small-cap market may adversely affect the value of these investments.
Bonds are subject to market and interest rate risk if sold prior to maturity. Bond values will decline as interest rate rise, are subject to availability, and change in price.

Source: goodfinancialcents.com

Apache is functioning normally

May 26, 2023 by Brett Tams

Supplemental income is money that is earned above and beyond a person’s “regular” income, which, for most people, is earned through working a job.

Supplemental income could include income earned through a side hustle, or it could include money from a regular job that is extra: bonuses, overtime pay, tips, commissions, and so forth.

For many people, supplemental income can amount to “extra” money beyond what’s needed to cover their regular expenses. And there are some smart ways to handle that extra income, which may help people reach their financial goals sooner.

What Is Supplemental Income

As noted, supplemental income is money that is earned or otherwise accumulated beyond a typical income stream, like a paycheck. That can include bonuses or tips earned while working a job, too.

Supplemental income can also be earned in the form of a commission, by accumulating dividends on investments, or even by working a second job or side hustle.

There are numerous ways to tap into supplemental income streams, though that doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily easy. You should also know that there are generally two types of supplemental income: Active, and passive.

• Active income: This is often defined as trading time for money. The person puts in time, whether that’s through taking photographs for websites or walking dogs, and is paid for their services in exchange. It’s a typical job, in other words.

• Passive income: This kind of work involves little to no active investment in time once the gig is established. It could involve selling an uploaded ebook or affiliate marketing, as two examples.

For many people, a side hustle or second job is likely the quickest route to earning supplemental income. But there are government programs out there, too, that can help those in need, like the Supplemental Security Income program (SSI).

A Note About Supplemental Security Income

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a program administered by the Social Security Administration. SSI provides payments to people over the age of 65 who have a disability, including being blind or deaf. To qualify for Supplemental Security Income, people must also have limited financial resources, in addition to meeting the age and disability requirements. The purpose of the program is to help people meet their basic needs.

As the program is designed to help people meet their basic needs, some of the suggestions for handling supplemental income may not be applicable to those earning SSI benefits.That’s because those who do receive those benefits likely won’t have much room in their budget for additional spending, or the need to find ways to deploy that additional income — they’ll need it to cover their basic expenses.

Launching a Side Hustle

When choosing a side hustle or second job, it makes sense to pick one of interest to you; or, even better, one that inspires passion. This can help to prevent boredom and make it more likely that time and energy will continue to be invested in this income-generating activity. What hobbies, for example, can be monetized? Blogging? Making crafts or designing websites?

Ask yourself further questions: How much time can be invested in this side hustle? Can the required time ebb and flow as demands at the main job fluctuate? What resources are available to get started? And, perhaps most importantly, what’s the estimated earning potential?

Having a second job or side hustle isn’t terribly uncommon these days, as many people either need the extra money to make ends meet, or are looking for ways to pad their earnings to add to their savings or investment accounts.

One benefit of side hustles that are based on passive income is that, although work typically needs done up front to establish the side hustle, it shouldn’t need ongoing active involvement. And whether you’re renting out a room in your house, monetizing a blog, or writing ebooks to earn supplemental income, it’s important to keep some things in mind as you start to see that income roll in.

Tips for Using Your Extra Income

1. First, Manage Your Income Taxes

When working for an employer, relevant income taxes are typically withdrawn from each paycheck but, with a side hustle (one that doesn’t involve working for an employer and receiving a paycheck, that is), the worker is responsible for paying federal taxes, FICA, Medicare tax, and any state and local taxes on net income.

That’s because a “hustle” or “gig” is typically a form of self-employment. To help, the IRS has created a Gig Economy Tax Center with plenty of resources and pieces of important information, including that income taxes must be paid on side gig income of $400 or more annually.

Those earning money from a side gig may also need to pay estimated quarterly taxes. The deadline for these payments are:

• April 15 for payment period January 1–March 31

• June 15 for payment period April 1–May 31

• September 15 for payment period June 1–August 31

• January 15 for payment period September 1–December 31

At the tax-filing deadline, (typically mid-April), a Schedule C usually needs to be filed for people earning money in a self-employed side gig — and, when earning supplemental income, it’s important to deposit enough in a bank account so that funds don’t fall short when tax returns need to be filed. What’s left over after taxes are planned for can be spent in a variety of ways, some ideas might include:

• Paying off “bad” debt.

• Establishing an emergency savings account.

• Saving and investing.

• Enjoying some discretionary spending.

2. Paying Off “Bad” Debt

Bad debt can be defined, in general, as debt you acquire that results in a net loss. For example, going into debt for a vacation, a big party, clothes and/or gadgets doesn’t add to your net worth. Going into debt for your education or home may gradually add to your net worth in the future.

Bad debt can also refer to loan or lines of credit with higher interest rates, and which are harder to pay off as a result. Supplemental income can be used to pay this debt down or off.

Debt management plans to pay off debt include the snowball or avalanche methods — and a combo of the two, the fireball method. Different strategies work better for different people, so it can be worth experimenting with them to make the best choice.

With the snowball method, list bad debts by the amount owed, from the smallest to the highest. Include credit card debts, personal loans, and so forth. Then, make the minimum payment on each but put extra funds on the one with the smallest balance to get it paid off. Once that balance is zero, home in on the debt with the second smallest balance and keep using this strategy until all bad debt is paid off. Avoid using credit cards during this time.

With the avalanche method, list bad debt in order of its interest rate, from highest to lowest. Make minimum payments on all of them and put extra funds on the one with the highest rate. Pay it off and then move to the next highest rate, and so forth.

With the fireball method, take “bad” debt with interest rates of 7% or more and then list them from smallest to largest. Make the minimum payment on all and then put excess on the smallest of the “bad” debts. Rinse and repeat.

3. Establishing an Emergency Savings Account

Another smart idea is to put supplemental income into an emergency savings account. This can be accomplished in conjunction with a debt payment plan (put half of the excess funds into an emergency account and use the other half to pay down bad debt, for example) or as a single focused goal.

Funds in this account are intended for use if a financial emergency occurs. This can be a leaky roof that requires immediate attention, a significant car repair, or unexpected medical bills. Having a robust emergency fund can help to prevent the need to rely on credit cards to address unanticipated expenses.

It is commonly suggested that emergency savings accounts should contain 3-6 months’ worth of expenses. So, add those monthly bills up and multiply by three — and also by four, five, and six. This gives a range of the rainy-day fund’s goal.

4. Saving and Investing

You could save or invest your extra money! This can include saving for personal goals, from a down payment on a house to a vacation fund, and or for retirement. What’s important is to prioritize how it makes sense to use extra money being earned and then save and invest to help meet those goals. How you save or invest that money would be up to you, but you could look at some common investment choices including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and alternative investments, and more.

5. Enjoy Some Discretionary Spending

Once the financial “need-to” items are checked off the list, it can be okay to use some supplemental income to have fun. You could update your wardrobe, buy a new video game, take in a movie, or even go out to a nice dinner. If it’s within your budget parameters, treating yourself every now and then can be a nice thing to do.

Plus, getting a taste of the finer things may help keep you motivated to make sure your spending stays in check and that you stick to your budget going forward.

The Takeaway

Supplemental income is extra income earned beyond your primary income stream, and finding ways to drive supplemental or secondary income can help you reach your financial goals sooner. It can also help you free up some room in your budget to potentially treat yourself every now and then.

You can also put that extra money to work, by saving it and earning interest, or investing it for the future.

Ready to use extra funds to invest in your goals? It’s easy to get started when you open an Active Invest account with SoFi Invest. You can invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and more. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).

For a limited time, opening and funding an account gives you the opportunity to win up to $1,000 in the stock of your choice.

SoFi Invest®
The information provided is not meant to provide investment or financial advice. Also, past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Investment decisions should be based on an individual’s specific financial needs, goals, and risk profile. SoFi can’t guarantee future financial performance. Advisory services offered through SoFi Wealth, LLC. SoFi Securities, LLC, member FINRA / SIPC . SoFi Invest refers to the three investment and trading platforms operated by Social Finance, Inc. and its affiliates (described below). Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of the platforms below.
1) Automated Investing—The Automated Investing platform is owned by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC registered investment advisor (“Sofi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC, an affiliated SEC registered broker dealer and member FINRA/SIPC, (“Sofi Securities).

2) Active Investing—The Active Investing platform is owned by SoFi Securities LLC. Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.

3) Cryptocurrency is offered by SoFi Digital Assets, LLC, a FinCEN registered Money Service Business.

For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above, including state licensure of Sofi Digital Assets, LLC, please visit www.sofi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform. Information related to lending products contained herein should not be construed as an offer or prequalification for any loan product offered by SoFi Bank, N.A.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.
SOIN0523038

Source: sofi.com

Apache is functioning normally

May 26, 2023 by Brett Tams

In the past decade, we’ve seen a major transformation in the banking sector. As the world continues to digitize, the financial landscape has shifted in response, giving birth to a plethora of online banking services. One such innovation that has garnered widespread adoption is online checking accounts.

As a key financial tool, a checking account serves as a lifeline for day-to-day transactions, paying bills, and generally managing one’s finances. But with online checking accounts, convenience, accessibility, and often better rates and lower fees have made them an attractive alternative to traditional banks.

10 Best Online Checking Accounts

These best online checking accounts offer a range of features, from high annual percentage yield (APY) to robust mobile apps, all designed to meet the varying financial needs of users. Here are our top 10 picks for 2023.

1. Chime Checking Account

Chime, a financial technology company that offers online banking services, is revolutionizing the banking industry with its online checking account that pairs both convenience and value into a single offering.

2. Axos Bank Rewards Checking

Axos Bank is an online-based bank that’s shaking up the banking industry with its online Rewards Checking account, a unique blend of convenience and value.

3. Current Account

Current, a pioneering financial technology company, delivers cutting-edge banking solutions with its Current Account.

4. SoFi Checking and Savings Account

SoFi, a modern financial platform offering a suite of financial services, is setting new standards in the world of banking with its online bank account that combines remarkable earning potential and considerable convenience.

5. Ally Bank Interest Checking Account

Ally Bank, renowned for its customer-centric digital banking services, provides a comprehensive offering through its Ally Bank Interest Checking Account.

6. Consumers Credit Union Serious Interest Checking

Consumers Credit Union, committed to enhancing its members’ financial prosperity, offers an appealing solution with its Serious Interest Checking®, a high yield checking account.

7. Quontic High Interest Checking

Quontic Bank, committed to maximizing customer earnings and supporting financial inclusivity, offers a high interest checking account that combines convenience, high-yield potential, and an innovative digital banking experience.

8. Alliant Credit Union High-Rate Checking

Simplicity and high yields are the cornerstone of Alliant Credit Union’s High-Rate Checking account, a solution tailored to meet the needs of modern-day banking customers, whether they’re on-the-go or prefer traditional banking methods.

9. Schwab Bank Investor Checking

Charles Schwab brings its robust reputation in the investment sector to banking with its Schwab Bank Investor Checking account, designed for those seeking seamless integration of banking and investing.

10. Navy Federal Credit Union Free EveryDay Checking

Navy Federal Credit Union’s Free EveryDay Checking is an easy-to-use, accessible banking solution for everyone.

What is an online checking account?

An online checking account operates much like the checking accounts you’re accustomed to at traditional brick and mortar banks, with the primary difference being that it’s mostly or entirely digital. They are provided by online banks, credit unions, and even financial technology companies that are not banks themselves.

Online checking accounts have surged in popularity for a variety of reasons. Their major draw is the convenience and flexibility they offer. With these accounts, you can deposit cash, pay bills, transfer money, make debit card purchases, and even deposit checks digitally using the bank’s mobile app. This means that all your transactions can be completed without visiting a physical branch location.

Additionally, online only banks typically offer higher annual percentage yields (APY) than traditional banks, meaning your money grows faster. The absence of physical branches translates into reduced overhead costs for these financial institutions, enabling them to pass on the savings to customers in the form of higher interest rates and lower fees. These accounts also often have lower minimum balance requirements and monthly maintenance fees compared to their brick-and-mortar counterparts.

Lastly, many online banks are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), providing the same level of safety for your deposits as traditional banks.

Criteria for Evaluation

Selecting the best online checking accounts was not a task taken lightly. We’ve considered a variety of factors in our analysis to ensure that our picks provide a mix of the most advantageous features for diverse financial needs. Here are the key criteria we used in our evaluation:

Annual percentage yield (APY): We considered the APY offered on the checking accounts. Higher APY means your money grows faster, making it a key feature to look for in an account.

Monthly fees and other costs: Monthly maintenance fees can eat into your savings. We favored accounts with low or no monthly fees. We also looked at other potential costs like overdraft fees, out of network ATM fees, and foreign transaction fees.

ATM access: Easy and wide-ranging access to ATMs is crucial. We considered online banks with large ATM networks and those that offer ATM fee reimbursements.

Customer service: Exceptional customer service is important, especially for an online only bank where in-person assistance is not an option. We assessed the quality of customer service provided by each bank.

Mobile app experience: A great mobile app can make managing your money a breeze. We evaluated the usability, functionality, and reliability of each bank’s mobile app.

Additional features: Other features like early direct deposit, mobile check deposits, cash back rewards, and savings tools can add value to online checking accounts. We considered these additional features in our review.

How to Choose the Right Online Checking Account for You

Choosing the right online checking account is crucial. It can simplify your financial management, enhance your monetary gains, and align with your lifestyle needs. Below are key factors to consider in making an informed decision:

Financial Habits: Evaluate your typical financial behaviors. Do you frequently use ATMs, and will you need access to an extensive, fee-free ATM network? If you regularly maintain a high balance in your checking account, an interest-earning account could be beneficial. Conversely, if you tend to keep a low balance, consider an account with no minimum balance requirement to avoid potential fees.
Goals: What are your financial goals? If you’re aiming to save, consider an account that earns interest. If you’re focused on investing, select an institution that offers seamless integration between checking and investment accounts.
Lifestyle: Assess your lifestyle and daily needs. Do you travel often and need an account that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees? If you prefer digital banking, look for accounts with robust online platforms and mobile apps that allow for easy money management on the go.
Fees: Examine the fee structure carefully. Consider potential monthly maintenance fees, overdraft fees, and ATM fees. Look for accounts offering fee waivers or reimbursements.
Customer Service: Exceptional customer service is crucial, particularly for an online bank. Look for 24/7 customer support, availability of live chat, and timely response to queries.
Security: Ensure that the bank employs stringent security measures to protect your account from fraud or unauthorized transactions. Features like two-factor authentication, alerts for suspicious activity, and FDIC insurance are vital.

Bottom Line

In today’s fast-paced, digital age, online checking accounts provide a convenient, accessible, and often more financially rewarding alternative to traditional banking. However, the key to making the most of these benefits is to choose the right account based on your individual needs, lifestyle, and financial goals.

By carefully considering factors like your financial habits, goals, lifestyle, potential fees, customer service, and security measures, you can find an online checking account that not only meets but exceeds your expectations. Remember, your checking account is at the heart of your financial life – choose wisely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are online checking accounts safe?

Yes, online checking accounts are safe as long as they’re offered by a reputable bank or credit union that has FDIC or NCUA insurance. This insurance protects your money up to $250,000 per depositor.

Can I deposit cash into an online checking account?

Depositing cash into an online checking account can be more challenging than with a traditional bank. Some online banks have agreements with certain ATM networks or retail outlets where you can deposit cash. You can also deposit cash into a traditional bank account and then transfer it to your online account.

What should I do if I need to write a check?

Many online banks offer free or low-cost checkbooks. However, if you seldom write checks, you may not need a physical checkbook. Instead, you can use the bank’s online bill pay service, which sends a check or electronic payment to the recipient on your behalf.

Do online banks offer customer service?

Yes, most online banks offer robust customer service options, including phone support, live chat, email, and often extensive FAQ sections on their websites. Some even offer 24/7 support.

Source: crediful.com

Apache is functioning normally

May 26, 2023 by Brett Tams

Disclaimer: Bible Money Matters has entered into a referral and advertising arrangement with Wealthsimple US, LTD and receives compensation when you open an account or for certain qualifying activity which may include clicking links. You will not be charged a fee for this referral and Wealthsimple and Bible Money Matters are not related entities. It is a requirement to disclose that we earn these fees and also provide you with the latest Wealthsimple ADV brochure so you can learn more about them before opening an account.

In the past couple of years I’ve written about quite a few investing startups that offer easy ways to invest that take the human component out of the equation.

They’re typically simple enough for anyone to understand, low cost and try to capture market returns via low cost ETF index funds. Many people call them robo-advisors.

As I was researching some of the best robo-advisors I came across one that had previously only been available in Canada, Wealthsimple. As of earlier this year they have now crossed the border, and are now available to U.S. users (You can also get up to a $10,000 managed for free as a reader of Bible Money Matters).

Wealthsimple is a hot company, and there is a lot to like about this newer online investment manager.

Today I thought I would take a close look at this automated investment advisor in this Wealthsimple review. How does Wealthsimple work? How do they invest your money? What are the pros/cons of their service?

Wealthsimple Background

Wealthsimple was founded in September of 2014 in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Shortly thereafter it acquired ShareOwner Investments, the country’s first robo-advisor.

Wealthsimple Financial Inc. is an online investment management service focused on making “investing easier for millennials.” The firm was founded in September 2014 by Michael Katchen and is based in Toronto. As of August 2019, the firm had over C$5,000,000,000 in assets under management.

Wealthsimple has over $5 billion Canadian dollars in assets under management ($3.75 million U.S.) and over 175,000 clients as of August 2019. They’re growing at a decent rate, and with the jump to the U.S. market in January 2017, that can only accelerate.

The company has garnered several awards in it’s first few years including:

Fintech 100 – Top 100 Global Financial Technology Companies
2017 Webby Winner – Best Financial Services/Banking Website.
2016 Webby Winner – Best Financial Services/Banking Website.
2016 – Fintech Five – Hottest and most promising financial technology companies.
2015 Product Hunt Toronto – Product of the Year Award.

How Does Wealthsimple Work?

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Wealthsimple was founded on the idea of simplifying and automating investing in order to give newer and experienced investors alike a diversified long term portfolio, without any hassle.

How do they do that? They create diversified stock and bond portfolios that are typically made up of ETF index funds. The funds are low cost and diversify your holdings across different sectors of the global economy to increase your gains, and lower your risk.

When you sign up you’ll be given a personalized portfolio, based on your answers to a survey at the beginning of the process. It will be tailored to your personal level of acceptable risk, be automatically re-balanced (so that your investments stay in line with your goals) and dividends will automatically be reinvested.

In short, it’s a simplified, low cost and automatic investment portfolio that can help you to reach your long term goals.

Opening A Wealthsimple Account (Get Up To $10,000 Managed Free!)

Opening an investing account with Wealthsimple is easy, and users in the USA, Canada and UK are eligible.

To get started, and to get your sign-up bonus, just go through this process:

Go to Wealthsimple.com via this link. (Our link gives you up to a $10,000 managed for free as a bonus.)
Start the online application: From the landing page click “Claim your bonus” and follow the prompts.
Enter basic details: Enter some basic personal information, answer a few questions about your previous investment experience and e-sign one or more Investment Management Agreements.
Bank verification:Verify your banking information via one of the approved methods.
DONE!

No need to worry about providing your banking details as Wealthsimple is fully secure, using 128 bit encryption. They’re also SIPC insured up to $500,000.

After you verify your banking information, your Wealthsimple account should be up and running within 5 business days, according to their FAQ.

Wealthsimple Basic Vs. Wealthsimple Black

When you’re opening your account and making your initial deposits, one thing you may want to consider is just how much your initial deposit is. With a deposit of less than $100,000 you’ll be signed up for a Wealthsimple Basic account, which gives you everything you need to invest in a diversified portfolio, at an annual fee of 0.5%. Signing up for the Basic account will give you a $50 bonus through our link.

If you deposit more than $100,000 in your account you’ll be upgraded to a Wealthsimple Black account, which means you’ll have a lower annual fee of 0.4%, along with the following benefits:

Financial planning with a Wealthsimple advisor
Access to tax-efficiency benefits like tax-loss harvesting and tax efficient funds.
VIP Priority Pass access for you and a guest to more than 1,000 airline lounges in over 400 cities.

If you already have a large amount to transfer in, the added benefits of Wealthsimple Black are nice to have, and in many cases puts Wealthsimple ahead of the competition. In addition to the $50 bonus for opening a new Wealthsimple account, you’ll get an additional $50 bonus if you deposit over $100,000 and open a Wealthsimple Black account.

Wealthsimple Investment Portfolios

The Wealthsimple portfolios mainly invest in diversified ETF index funds and are based on Nobel Prize winning ideas behind Modern Portfolio Theory. Here’s how they explain it:

Our approach is based on Modern Portfolio Theory, introduced by the Nobel Prize-winning economist Harry Markowitz, who proved you can minimize volatility (risk) and maximize reward (money!) by diversifying your investments. We invest your money across thousands of companies using Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) that track different sectors of the global economy. This way, you bet on bigger slices of the economy while taking advantage of market diversification, without being impacted by the growth or loss of one company. In a few easy steps, we’ll determine the right mix of investments you should have based on your personal goals. We also designed a socially-responsible portfolio that prioritizes low carbon emissions, advances cleantech innovation, and promotes sustainable growth in emerging markets.

So their portfolios are based on a proven investment strategy, and are designed to maximize reward while minimizing risk. It’s a strategy similar to the ones used by other robo-advisors, although the details are a bit different.

Available Portfolios

When signing up there are 3 main portfolios that you can choose from:

Conservative: 65% Stocks, 35% Bonds
Balanced: 50% Stocks, 50% Bonds
Growth: 80% Stocks, 20% Bonds

As of 2017, the following low cost investments are in the portfolios:

Vanguard US Total Stock Market ETF (VTI)
Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF (VOE)
Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR)
Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK)
WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund (DXJ)
Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO)
iShares National Muni Bond ETF (MUB)
iShares TIPS Bond (TIP)
Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND)
VanEck Vectors Fallen Angel High Yield Bond ETF (ANGL)

Socially Responsible Investing

Wealthsimple recently released socially responsible investing options for investors who want to invest with their values. Those investments include:

iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target (CRBN)
PowerShares Cleantech Portfolio (PZD)
iShares MSCI KLD 400 Social ETF (DSI)
SPDR® SSGA Gender Diversity Index ETF (SHE)
PowerShares Build America Bond Portfolio (BAB)
iShares GNMA Bond ETF (GNMA)

Socially responsible investing options will carry a slightly higher fund cost associated with managing the funds to keep the investments “socially responsible”. Keep that in mind when choosing this option.

Investments in all of the portfolios can change over time, so check for current investment mix when you sign up.

Wealthsimple Roundup

Wealthsimple added a new feature in October of 2018 called Wealthsimple Roundup that helps you to save and invest in small increments, based on your daily spending in a linked account.

Spend $4.50 at Starbucks? The amount will get rounded up to the nearest dollar, $5 in this case, and once a week your combined roundups will be invested.

How can you take advantage? From their FAQ:

If you’re already a Wealthsimple client, open your mobile app and click on “Add funds.” There will be an option to turn on Roundup. Then just select the credit and debit cards you want to connect, and the Wealthsimple account you want your roundups to go to. Bingo, you’re done. Every time you spend money with one of your linked debit or credit cards, the amount gets rounded up to the nearest dollar, and once a week that money gets invested.

Investing 50 cents at a pop may not seem like much, but when the roundups are added together it can be a surprisingly significant amount of money.

In the past when I’ve used a roundup feature it can lead to saving $100-200 in a single month if I’ve spent enough. Definitely a cool feature and one to take advantage of.

Wealthsimple Mobile Apps

Wealthsimple has beautiful mobile apps for both iOS and Android. The apps were redesigned from the ground up at the end of 2016, and are now even more beautiful and functional.

Some of the functions you can perform in the app:

View your portfolio.
Track account activity.
Setup auto deposits, or make one time deposits.
Access educational content.
Update your profile information.

Wealthsimple Service Fees And Minimums

So how much will you be paying to use Wealthsimple? What are the fees and minimums for using the service?

Wealthsimple currently has no minimums on an account, and there are no trading, account transferring or rebalancing fees either. You can start investing when you deposit $500.

Low Annual Management Fees

The account management fees with Wealthsimple are pretty easy to break down.

$500-$99,999 invested: 0.50% annual management fee.
$100,000+ invested: 0.40% annual management fee.

While the fees for the service aren’t the lowest in the industry, they are often much lower than going with a traditional human advisor or a large mutual fund company. They are very much in line with much of the industry on pricing, especially if you’re investing more than $100,000 where they include meetings with advisors, lower fees and other perks.

Simplified & Automated Investing

Wealthsimple was launched in the U.S. market in January 2017, and has quickly become one of the premier options for people looking to have a simple, effective and automated investment portfolio. (If you’re a Canadian, check out this Wealthsimple review that was written specifically for a Canadian audience.)

Their portfolios are created and based on the ideas of Modern Portfolio Theory, and those proven strategies are the sound basis for a good long term investing portfolio for anyone.

Their fees are lower than you’d likely see when using a traditonal financial advisor, and are in the range of what other providers charge (although some are lower). The fact that they’re offering a $100 sign-up bonus through our link should give you plenty of time to test the service out, before deciding if you want to use them for the long term.

I think their service is top notch, and I’d recommend giving them a try.

Sign Up For Wealthsimple, Get Up To A $10,000 Managed Free!

Wealthsimple

Rating

8.3/10

Pros

Simple automated investing
Socially responsible investing options
Proven long term strategy
Retirement account options
No minimums

Cons

Cost a bit higher for low balances

Source: biblemoneymatters.com

Apache is functioning normally

May 25, 2023 by Brett Tams

Last Updated: July 2, 2017 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner – 24 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Please read my disclosure for more info.

This early retirement quiz will show you how prepared you are for early retirement. Come and take it now!

This early retirement quiz will show you how prepared you are for early retirement. Come and take it now! A few months ago, Joe from Retire by 40 published the quiz How Serious Are You About Early Retirement? I took the quiz (BudgetsAreSexy did too!) and found it informative and entertaining. I thought it would be fun to share my answers with you and let you know about the early retirement quiz, if you haven’t taken it yet.

Early retirement is a great financial goal to have.

1. You know your net worth

Yes, I know my net worth!

Tracking your net worth with a platform such as Personal Capital is a great way to stay on track and stay motivated.

2. You have a Roth IRA

Yes!

3. You have no consumer debt – car, credit card, etc…

We have no debt. We do some travel hacking (learn how to get to Hawaii for less than $25) but we pay off our credit cards every single month.

And, yes, even our RV was paid for with cash.

4. You have a “retire by” date

We have a date, but we are not super strict about it. We could retire right now if we wanted to, but we have chosen to keep working because we love what we do so much.

5. You have a side hustle or two

I have many different streams of income. However, I don’t currently have anything outside of my business going on. I think I’ll still give myself a point for this because I used to side hustle like crazy 🙂

Related: How To Make Extra Money

6. You have passive income

Yes, I have passive income through affiliate marketing on my blog. This isn’t considered 100% passive as I do need to do a little bit of work, but I’m still going to count it.

Plus, I also have retirement accounts that pay dividends.

7. Your investments are worth more than your house

Yes, our investments are worth more than our RV.

8. You have a post retirement plan – volunteer, etc…

We currently live a very exciting life and will probably be doing something quite similar even when we retire.

9. You save 50% of your household income

Yes, we currently save over 90%.

10. You have backup plans

Yes, we do have a backup plan. If things go downhill, then I am all about workamping – volunteering at campgrounds at national parks and state parks in return for a free campsite and electricity 🙂

Bonus point – You cut your own hair

Ha, nope! My hair is my one splurge. I like to have it colored different ways (multiple times a year), and I do get a haircut about once a year.

Early Retirement Quiz Scoring:

0-5: Skeptic. Do you believe in early retirement? Perhaps it’s not a goal of yours?
6-7: Novice. You’re on your way to early retirement!
8-9: Committed. You’ll get to early retirement soon.
10+: Driven. Early retirement is definitely on your mind, or you may even already be retired!

I scored 10 points on this early retirement quiz. And, early retirement is definitely something I am aiming for, although it’s just the independence that I’m crazy about because I still do love to work.

Now, even if your score wasn’t what you hoped, you can still work towards early retirement. It probably just means that you need to be aware of where you are at and where you want to be. Remember, being aware of your situation is the first step!

What was your early retirement score? Share in the comments and let’s start a discussion!

1. Tell me your story. When did you retire and HOW?!

2. Was early retirement always something you were striving for? What made you want to retire early?

3. Would you say that you live comfortably?

4. What career did you have before you retired? Did that career help you to retire earlier?

5. What advice do you have for the average person that doesn’t make six figures a year who wants to retire early?

6. Do you still earn an income in retirement?

7. How did you decide how much you needed to retire?

8. What sacrifices or hard decisions did you have to make?

9. What do you do about health insurance in early retirement?

10. Will you be planning a place for your child to make long term friendships and connections? Do you plan to continue travel when your child is school age?

11. What hardships come up when traveling with a child and what do you do about it?

12. If you were starting back in the beginning, what would you do differently from the beginning?

13. Lastly, what is your very best tip (or two) that you have for someone who wants to reach the same success as you?

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What Is Active Income?

What Is Passive Income?

Is Any Income Truly ‘Passive’?

Pros & Cons of Active Income

Pros

Cons

Pros & Cons of Passive Income

Pros

Cons

Types of Active Income

Salary and Wages

Bonuses and Commissions

Consulting and Freelancing

Equity Compensation

Capital Gains

Renting Out Property

Old Goods and Furniture Flipping

Types of Passive Income

Interest and Dividends

Rental Income

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Lending

Digital Product, Online Course, or Community Development

YouTube/TikTok Ad Revenue

Final Thoughts

Read More:

How can you make your money work for you?

How to Make Your Money Work for You: The [Best Ways] to Grow Your Wealth.

#1 – Create Financial Goals

#2 – Develop Passive Income Streams

#3 – Plan for Each Dollar

#4 Pay Yourself First

#5 – Get Out of Debt

#6 – Start an online business

#7 – Invest in the stock market

#8 – Automate your finances

#9 – Habit of Automatic Savings

#10 – Use a Rewards Credit Card and Pay It Off Each Month

#11 – Learning How to Budget

#12 – Save Your Money

#13 – Now, Invest Your Money

#14 – Put Money away for retirement

#15 – Invest in yourself