Household Equity Ownership Percentage vs. Future Stock Market Returns

Below is a chart that tracks two simple numbers over the years, each with their own vertical scale (click to enlarge): The average household's equity ownership share, as a percentage of total equity and credit (bond) assets. (Left-axis) The … [Read the rest]

Bond Market Risks: Keeping It Short, Simple, and Safe

A recurring theme in my asset allocation philosophy is to stick with simple and safe bonds in your portfolio. The problem is, there will be other bonds that outperform safe, shorter-term US Treasury bonds and you might start to question your … [Read the rest]

My Money Blog Portfolio Income – October 2018

For a young person making a plan to reach financial independence at a very early age (under 50), I think using a 3% withdrawal rate is a reasonable rule of thumb. For someone retiring at a more traditional age (closer to 65), I think 4% is a … [Read the rest]

TopCashBack Existing User Promo: Free Fall-Themed Dish Towel ($2.99 Value)

If you shop at Target stores and are an existing TopCashBack portal member, grab a free $2.99 Thanksgiving Dish Towel at this link. Offer expires Sunday, October 21st at 11:59pm PST. Instructions: 1) Simply click the "Get Offer" button to go to … [Read the rest]

My Money Blog Portfolio Asset Allocation, October 2018

Here's my quarterly portfolio update for Q3 2018. These are my real-world holdings and includes 401k/403b/IRAs and taxable brokerage accounts but excludes our house, cash reserves, and a few side investments. The goal of this portfolio is to … [Read the rest]

Infographic: Where Did Housing Prices Crash the Most and the Least?

The Washington Post had an article looking back 10 years later: How the housing market has changed since the crash. Inside was an interesting map of where the home prices crashed the most and the least (click to enlarge): I wish they had a … [Read the rest]

Ally Bank Payback Time Promotion: 1% Additional Cash Bonus (~6% APY 3-month CD)

Ally Bank has a new promotion called Ally Payback Time that is offering a 1% cash bonus (up to $1,000) on new deposits on top of their existing interest rates. Valid for both new and existing customers. Given the holding period, this roughly … [Read the rest]

Citi Simplicity® Card Review: 0% Intro APR for 21 months on Balance Transfers, No Late Fees, No Penalty Rates

Interest rates are rising, and that applies to credit cards as well. The Citi Simplicity® Card comes with an extended 0% intro period for balance transfers while also offering some "accident forgiveness insurance". Do you have a balance that you … [Read the rest]

Total Bond ETF Review: iShares Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG) or Vanguard Total Bond ETF (BND)

One of the major building blocks of your portfolio is probably a bond mutual fund or ETF. The most popular bond benchmark is the Bloomberg Barclays Aggregate Bond Index (AGG), which basically tracks all U.S. taxable investment-grade bonds. … [Read the rest]

Citibank $500 Checking Account Bonus 2018

Citibank has $500 bonus offer when you open a new eligible Citi checking account 10/1/18 through 12/31/18 and complete qualifying activities. This offer is restricted to those who have not had a Citibank checking account within the last 180 … [Read the rest]

Owning Businesses Around the World: Global Market Cap Breakdown 1990-2018

When you're deciding where to invest your money, a good starting point is to consider every single business that you can invest in around the world. I still find it amazing that with a few clicks, you can own a share of Alibaba in China, Nestle … [Read the rest]

Best Interest Rates on Cash – October 2018

Here's my monthly roundup of the best interest rates on cash, roughly sorted from shortest to longest maturities. Check out my Ultimate Rate-Chaser Calculator to get an idea of how much extra interest you'd earn if you are moving money between … [Read the rest]