A surprising takeaway from peer-to-peer lending through Prosper and LendingClub was that the borrowers who most strongly promised to pay you back (e.g. "I promise I will pay you back, so help me God, thank you so much") turned out to also be the most … [Read the rest]
Crowdfunded Real Estate Investing: Is Due Diligence by Individual Investors Even Possible?
August 23, 2023 By 3 Comments
Last updated: August 23, 2023
Different Types of Taxable Bonds: Long-Term Performance and Returns Comparison
August 22, 2023 By 1 Comment
As part of its "Portfolio Basics" series, Morningstar has an educational article on taxable bonds, including corporate bonds, US government bonds, and foreign government bonds, along with their different credit grades and maturity lengths. Over … [Read the rest]
Last updated: August 22, 2023
Big List of Anti-Lists: Asset Classes NOT Owned By Some Experienced Investors
August 20, 2023 By 5 Comments
Every asset class has its energetic supporters, from rental properties to altcoins to gold. Listening to each group, you may feel that you need to own every asset class in order to be "diversified". However, sometimes less is more, and it can be … [Read the rest]
Last updated: August 21, 2023
American Express® Green Card Review: 40,000 Points Welcome Offer
August 18, 2023 By 1 Comment
The American Express(R) Green Card is one of AmEx's classic cards, and they have revamped the rewards structure and added new travel perks. There is also a welcome offer for new cardholders. Here the the highlights: Earn 40,000 Membership … [Read the rest]
Last updated: March 11, 2024
The Platinum Card® from American Express Review: 80,000 MR Points, New $200 Hotel Credits, $240 Streaming Credits, $200 Airline Fee Credits, $200 Uber Cash, $189 CLEAR Plus Credit, and More!
August 18, 2023 By Leave a Comment
The Platinum Card® from American Express is the classic premium travel card, with an extended list of luxurious perks along with a hefty annual fee. It's time for another look as they have improved their welcome offer, added many new perks, and … [Read the rest]
Last updated: March 27, 2024
What’s Your Retirement Mindset? Escaping From vs. Escaping To
August 18, 2023 By Leave a Comment
In a recent Outside magazine article, the author examined research about how activities can be either positive or negative, not based on the actual activity itself, but your mindset while doing them. For example, exercising could be negative, while … [Read the rest]
Last updated: August 18, 2023
The Scary Clause in Fixed Index Annuity Contracts
August 17, 2023 By 9 Comments
Allan Roth takes a closer look at the role of fixed index annuities as part of an "efficient" portfolio, and as usual makes some great observations. The first thing about fixed index annuities is that no two are the same - the insurance companies … [Read the rest]
Last updated: August 18, 2023
TIPS Real Yields ~2% Across All Maturities; 4.4% Guaranteed 30-Year Withdrawal Rate
August 15, 2023 By 5 Comments
One of my regular bookmarks is the TIPS real yield page (along with the regular Treasury yields). I noticed that the real yield on the 30-year TIPS has nudged above the 2% mark: At the same time, the 30-year regular Treasury is at 4.3%, … [Read the rest]
Last updated: August 15, 2023
Lesser-Known Cheap Cell Plans on Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile Networks – Unlimited Data from $25/Month
August 10, 2023 By 29 Comments
Updated 2023. You can save hundreds of dollars per year by shopping around and using a lesser-known plan. Every major network sells wholesale minutes and data to MVNOs (Mobile Network Virtual Operators), which they in turn sell at a significant … [Read the rest]
Last updated: February 21, 2024
Capital One 360 Checking $350 Bonus w/ Direct Deposit
August 8, 2023 By 3 Comments
Capital One is running a $350 bonus for new 360 Checking accountholders. There was a similar $400 bonus back in 2020, but this is still a relatively good bonus. Note that if you have or had an open checking account of any type from then on or … [Read the rest]
Last updated: August 8, 2023
Best Interest Rates on Cash – August 2023
August 7, 2023 By 1 Comment
Here's my monthly roundup of the best interest rates on cash as of August 2023, roughly sorted from shortest to longest maturities. There are often lesser-known opportunities available to individual investors. Check out my Ultimate Rate-Chaser … [Read the rest]
Last updated: August 7, 2023
Essentialism Book: More By Doing Less
August 7, 2023 By 4 Comments
If I were to summarize the book Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown, I would simply put up the graphic (from the book) above. We all have finite energy. Nobody can "have it all". You need take the time to explore and … [Read the rest]
Last updated: August 7, 2023
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