Why The Dollar Will Lose Its Status As The Global Reserve Currency

Why The Dollar Will Lose Its Status As The Global Reserve Currency

Notes From the Field  By James Hickman / Simon Black

By the early 400s, the Roman Empire was coming apart at the seams and in desperate need of strong, competent leadership. In theory, Honorius should have been the right man for the job.

Born into the royal household in Constantinople, Honorius had been groomed to rule, practically since birth, by the finest experts in the realm. So even as a young man, Honorius had already accumulated decades of experience.

Yet Rome’s foreign adversaries rightfully believed Honorius to be weak, out of touch, divisive, and completely inept.

He had entered into bonehead peace treaties that strengthened Rome’s enemies. He paid vast sums of money to some of their most powerful rivals and received practically nothing in return. He made virtually no attempt to secure Roman borders, leaving the empire open to be ravaged by barbarians.

Inflation was high. Taxes were high. Economic production declined. Roman military power declined. And all of Rome’s foreign adversaries were emboldened.

To a casual observer it would have almost seemed as if Honorius went out of his way to make the Empire weaker.

One of Rome’s biggest threats came in the year 408, when the barbarian king Alaric invaded Italy; imperial defenses were so non-existent at that point that ancient historians described Alaric’s march towards Rome as unopposed and leisurely, as if they were “at some festival” rather than an invasion.

Alaric and his army arrived to the city of Rome in the autumn of 408 AD and immediately positioned their forces to cut off any supplies. No food could enter the city, and before long, its residents began to starve.

Historians have passed down horrific stories of cannibalism– including women eating their own children in order to survive.

Rather than send troops and fight, however, Honorius agreed to pay a massive ransom to Alaric, including 5,000 pounds of gold, 30,000 pounds of silver, and literally tons of other real assets and commodities.

(The equivalent in today’s money, adjusted for population, would be billions of dollars… similar to what the US released to Iran in a prisoner swap last year.)

Naturally Honorius didn’t have such a vast sum in his treasury… so Romans were forced to strip down and melt their shrines and statues in order to pay Alaric’s ransom.

Ironically, one of the statues they melted was a monument to Virtus, the Roman god of bravery and strength… leading the ancient historian Zosimus to conclude that “all which remained of Roman valor and intrepidity was totally extinguished.”

Rome had spent two centuries in the early days of the empire– from the rise of Augustus in 27 BC to the death of Marcus Aurelius in 180 AD– as the clear, unrivaled superpower. Almost no one dared mess with Rome, and few who did ever lived to tell the tale.

Modern scholars typically view the official “fall” of the Western Roman Empire in the year 476. But it’s pretty clear that the collapse of Roman power and prestige took place decades before.

When Rome was ransomed in 408 (then sacked in 410), it was obvious to everyone at the time that the Emperor no longer had a grip on power.

And before long, most of the lands in the West that Rome had once dominated– Italy, Spain, France, Britain, North Africa, etc. were under control of various Barbarian tribes and kingdoms.

The Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Vandals, Franks, Angles, Saxons, Burgundians, Berbers, etc. all established independent kingdoms. And for a while, there was no dominant superpower in western Europe. It was a multi-polar world. And the transition was rather abrupt.

This is what I think is happening now– we’re experiencing a similar transition, and it seems equally abrupt.

The United States has been the world’s dominant superpower for decades. But like Rome in the later stage of its empire, the US is clearly in decline. This should not be a controversial statement.

Let’s not be dramatic; it’s important to stay focused on facts and reality. The US economy is still vast and potent, and the country is blessed with an abundance of natural resources– incredibly fertile farmland, some of the world’s largest freshwater resources, and incalculable reserves of energy and other key commodities.

In fact, it’s amazing the people in charge have managed to screw it up so badly. And yet they have.

The national debt is out of control, rising by trillions of dollars each year. Debt growth, in fact, substantially outpaces US economic growth.

Social Security is insolvent, and the program’s own trustees (including the US Treasury Secretary) admit that its major trust fund will run out of money in just nine years.

The people in charge never seem to miss an opportunity to dismantle capitalism (i.e. the economic system that created so much prosperity to begin with) brick by brick.

Then there are ubiquitous social crises: public prosecutors who refuse to enforce the law; the weaponization of the justice system; the southern border fiasco; declining birth rates; extraordinary social divisions that are most recently evidenced by the anti-Israel protests.

And most of all the US constantly shows off its incredibly dysfunctional government that can’t manage to agree on anything, from the budget to the debt ceiling. The President has obvious cognitive disabilities and makes the most bizarre decisions to enrich America’s enemies.

Are these problems fixable? Yes. Will they be fixed? Maybe. But as we used to say in the military, “hope is not a course of action”.

Plotting this current trajectory to its natural conclusion leads me to believe that the world will enter a new “barbarian kingdom” paradigm in which there is no dominant superpower.

Certainly, there are a number of rising rivals today. But no one is powerful enough to assume the leading role in the world.

China has a massive population and a huge economy. But it too has way too many problems… with the obvious challenge that no one trusts the Communist Party. So, most likely China will not be the dominant superpower.

India’s economy will eventually surpass China’s, and it has an even bigger population. But India isn’t even close to the ballpark of being the world’s superpower.

Then there’s Europe. Combined, it still has a massive economic and trade union. But it has also been in major decline… with multiple social crises like low birth rates and a migrant invasion.

Then there are the energy powers like Russia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia; they are far too small to dominate the world, but they have the power to menace and disrupt it.

The bottom line is that the US is no longer strong enough to lead the world and keep adversarial nations in check. And it’s clear that other countries are already adapting to this reality.

Earlier this month, for example, China successfully launched a rocket to the moon as part of a multi-decade mission to establish an International Lunar Research Station.

By 2045, China hopes to construct a large, city-like base along with several international partners including Russia, Pakistan, Thailand, South Africa, Venezuela, Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Egypt. Turkey and Nicaragua are also interested in joining.

This is pretty remarkable given how many nations are participating, even if just nominally. Yet the US isn’t part of the consortium.

This would have been unthinkable a few decades ago. But today the rest of the world realizes that they no longer need American funding, leadership, or expertise.

We can see similar examples everywhere, most notably in Israel and Ukraine. And I believe one of the next shoes to drop will be the US dollar.

After all, if the rest of the world doesn’t need the US for space exploration, and they can ignore the US when it comes down to World War 3, then why should they need the US dollar anymore?

The dollar was the clear and obvious choice as the global reserve currency back when America was the undisputed superpower. But today it’s a different world.

Foreign nations continuing to rely on the dollar ultimately means governments and central banks buying US government bonds. And why should they take such a risk when the national debt is already 120% of GDP?

In addition, Congress passed a new law a few weeks ago authorizing the Treasury Department to confiscate US dollar assets of any country it deems an “aggressor state.”

While people might think this is a morally righteous idea, the reality is that it will only turn off foreign investors. Why should China, Saudi Arabia, or anyone else buy US government bonds when they can be confiscated in a heartbeat?

All of this ultimately leads to a world in which the US dollar is no longer the dominant reserve currency. We’re already starting to see signs of that shift, and it could be in full swing by the end of the decade.

Schiff Sovereign   James Hickman/Simon Black   https://www.schiffsovereign.com/about/

https://www.schiffsovereign.com/trends/why-the-dollar-will-lose-its-status-as-the-global-reserve-currency-150843/

Why Your Checking Account May No Longer Be Free

Why Your Checking Account May No Longer Be Free

Ana Altchek  Fri, July 5, 2024    Business Insider

Chase Bank's boss warned that new federal fee caps could make everyday banking more expensive.

Marianne Lake said the bank is planning to pass the pain of their lost profits on to customers.

Some new costs may be placed on now-free services like checking accounts and financial tools.

Everyday banking might be about to get more expensive for consumers.

Marianne Lake, the CEO of consumer and community banking at Chase Bank, said federal regulations to cap overdraft and late fees would take a bite out of the company's bottom line.  And she warned that making up that loss would be passed on to consumers, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal.

Lake said the changes would be "broad, sweeping, and significant," the report said.

Some of those costs would be tacked onto services that have been free so far, like checking accounts and financial planning tools, the report said.

Business Insider reviewed a Chase presentation that covered the expected impact of proposed regulations. The presentation estimated that two out of three consumers would have to pay a fee for checking accounts if the cap went through.

Lake also said those impacted will be the ones "who can least afford to be" and credit access will also be more challenging.

Some of the regulations include a proposed $8 cap on late credit card payment fees and a $3 cap for overdrafting bank accounts. The limit is part of President Joe Biden's crackdown on hidden fees.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau estimated that about 45 million people are charged credit card late fees annually, and the change could save those people up to $220 a year.

TO READ MORE: https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/jpmorgan-warns-86-million-customers-150827155.html

JPMorgan Warns 86 Million Customers They Might Have To Start Paying For Their Bank Accounts

Chris Morris   Fri, July 5, 2024

Chase Bank customers could see some additional charges in the not too distant future.

The Wall Street Journal reports the country’s biggest retail bank is warning that it might begin charging customers for their accounts. That would impact some 86 million customers.

The potential charges, says Marianne Lake, CEO of consumer and community banking at JPMorgan, are a result of new regulatory rules that cap overdraft and late fees. Lake says Chase will be passing along those increased expenses to customers, which would put an end to now-free services such as checking accounts and wealth management tools. And she says she expects other banks will follow suit.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com

TO READ MORE: https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/jpmorgan-warns-86-million-customers-150827155.html

7 Expenses That Will Drain Your Retirement Savings the Fastest

7 Expenses That Will Drain Your Retirement Savings the Fastest

Casey Bond  Fri, July 5, 2024

You’ve spent a good portion of your life working and saving for retirement. Once you reach that milestone, you want to feel confident that your nest egg is big enough to cover your needs in your golden years.

As you retire, it’s important to anticipate some of the costs eating into your savings. Here are seven expenses that can drain your retirement savings — and how to plan for them.

Healthcare

Even with Medicare, out-of-pocket healthcare expenses can be significant, according to Taylor Kovar, certified financial planner and CEO at The Money Couple and Kovar Wealth Management. “This includes prescriptions, surgeries, and long-term care costs,” said Kovar.

One estimate by HealthView Services Financial finds that a healthy 65-year-old couple who retired in 2021 will likely spend between $156,208 and $1 million on healthcare costs during retirement, depending on where and how long they live.

How To Plan: Kovar said it’s a good idea to have a health savings account (HSA) or a similar fund specifically for medical expenses. “Regularly reviewing your health insurance and considering supplemental insurance can also help mitigate these costs,” he added.

Homeownership

If you own a home, that can be another source of major expenses that eat into retirement funds. “As homes age, significant repairs like roof replacements or plumbing issues become more frequent,” Kovar said. From 2016 through 2020, Americans aged 65 and older spent an average of $16,880 per year on housing-related costs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

How To Plan: Kovar recommends setting aside a home maintenance fund and conducting regular home inspections to help anticipate and spread out these costs.

Inflation

Inflation can significantly impact your future savings, since you’ll need to take larger withdrawals to make up for the higher cost of living, according to Jeff Busch, partner and investment advisor representative at Lift Financial. “This can be particularly troublesome if your portfolio is made up of fixed income strategies that can’t keep up with inflation by increasing income over time,” said Busch.

How To Plan: To mitigate inflation, Busch said you may want to invest a portion of your portfolio in stocks that have historically provided better returns than bonds and cash. In general, he added, maintaining a diversified portfolio can be a big help in the long run.

Adult Children (and Their Children)

From student loans to cell phone bills, many retirees find themselves financially assisting their adult children or even their grandchildren. A study by Merrill Lynch found that in 2018, 79% of parents were providing financial support to their adult children, contributing a combined total of $500 billion annually.

How To Plan: Kovar said it’s essential to set boundaries and have open financial discussions with family to ensure this support doesn’t derail retirement plans.

To Read More:

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/7-expenses-most-likely-drain-170042871.html

The Worst Case Of "Rich Kid Syndrome"

People Are Spilling On The Worst Case Of "Rich Kid Syndrome" That They Have Ever Seen, And Some Of These Might Make Your Blood Start Boiling

BuzzFeed   Thu, July 4, 2024

At some point in our lives, I am sure we all have found ourselves interacting with someone who is completely out of touch because of their wealth. And while the person might not be trying to be malicious or trying to flaunt their wealth with what they're saying, it can still leave you with a not-so-great impression of them.

Jessica Walter as Lucille Bluth says, "It's one banana, Michael. What could it cost, ten dollars?" while holding a banana in a luxurious living room

A few months back, Reddit user WaterWire was interested in just that, in particular with people who grew up wealthy, when they asked: "What’s the worst case of “rich kid syndrome” that you’ve ever seen?"

The thread got over a thousand responses. Below are the top and best comments — which will probably make you roll your eyes a few times:

1."I used to work with someone who proclaimed to be an environmentalist. She was very preachy. Once, I had a can of Coke on my desk. She said, 'You're going to recycle that, right?' She used her father's personal jet all the time. Once, just to fly from NYC to Boston to see a baseball game."

2."A girl I went to school with crashed and totaled six cars in three years, and her parents continued buying her better and newer cars 'cause every accident 'wasn’t her fault,' and if she had stuff like a backup camera and sensors, they 'wouldn’t have happened.' She got into a fender bender in the school parking lot, and her dad showed up with a wad of cash and paid the other student off."

3."A former friend stamping her foot and crying because 'dad sold the jet and I have to take a commercial flight to our ranch.'"

4."An 'influencer' wondering why other people in their home country don't spend their life traveling like them."

5."Not me, but a friend of mine was an assistant trainer at a Panera store. They hired a teenager who was only working there to meet people. One day, a group left a huge mess in the dining room. Apparently, the teen turned to my friend and said, 'Should we get the help to clean that?' And my friend had to explain that they were the help. He apparently quit not long after."

6."A senior rich kid in my high school was driving his dad's Jaguar when his buddy asked him what would happen if he threw into reverse at 60mph. So they tried it and essentially blew the transmission and the motor up. A few months later, he got a Porsche for Christmas."

7."Had a guy work for me in the military. He thought he didn’t have to do anything because his parents would just 'call their friends.' He ended up getting kicked out for LSD and cocaine use."

8."I have a lot of extended family out in California who I’ve never met, but I sometimes hear stories from my parents, who keep in touch with a few relatives out there. One of my distant cousins, who was, like, 17 at the time, intentionally totaled the new BMW his parents bought him because he wanted a Mercedes instead. Can't remember if they ended up buying him that Mercedes or not, but they probably did. Sadly."

To Read More:

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/people-spilling-worst-case-rich-034602841.html

Why So Few People Feel Secure About Money — Even When They Have Lots of It

Why So Few People Feel Secure About Money — Even When They Have Lots of It

And why the neighbors of lottery winners are often worse off.

Sean Kernan  June 21, 2024·

I’m not rich by any means. But I’ve done well enough to be comfortable, mostly because I saved aggressively early in my career. Yet I still feel like I’m only a stone’s throw from being in poverty, which is slightly irrational.

I remember having no money and having to budget until my next paycheck or risk groveling to my parents for help. It wasn’t a good life. And it still feels like yesterday, even though so many years have passed. Sadly, many people feel this way.

And to some extent — this stress can be constructive. It can mitigate risky spending. You’ll certainly never catch me with problematic expensive hobbies. But I wish I could feel more at ease about my station in life. Many of my friends are in this same psychological boat too. My buddy Brian is a software engineer, who has been making north of $180K per year — for years on end — while living in a low-cost area, and he’s still as cheap as he’s ever been.

So why are we like this? How do we level up and counteract this financial anxiety?

The origins of the problem

People tend to downgrade their financial standing. For example, per a survey by the financial firm Ameriprise Financial, only 13% of American millionaires classify themselves as wealthy. Even among those who had more than $5M in total assets — many still said they didn’t feel rich.

These weren’t people living in Silicon Valley, where $5M only gets you a shack. These were everyday people from all around the United States — still feeling underfunded.

Part of this is because of the disappearance of pensions — and fear that we’ll live on our savings and social security to get us through to old age. Both of my grandfathers had pensions, with one of them having two full separate pensions (military and government). But we are now the 401K generation — in a system that is more stressful than ever.

Why do people who have so much still feel sad about their financial standing?

Elizabeth Dunn, psychology professor at The University of British Columbia, and co-author of Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending, looked into this very question. She found that social comparison, in particular, drives much of our financial dissatisfaction.

How we compare our income to others of similar age, education, and region of residence, greatly shapes our self-perceptions and satisfaction. Unsurprisingly, those who compared themselves to groups of higher income, tended to be less happy and more anxious about money.

Unfortunately, a majority of people tend to do upward comparisons. The severity of this impact was most notable: “The income of the reference group is about as important as one’s own income for individual happiness.”

It pains me to admit it: I’m 100% a victim of this statistic. I often watch videos of lavish mansion tours on YouTube, despite knowing the likelihood of me ever owning such a property is slim (unless I somehow write the next iteration of Atomic Habits). But I still enjoy oohing and aahing over the stunning architecture, classy furniture and paintings hanging on the walls. It’s entirely possible this admiration is only heightening my anxiety about money.

Yet I know as well as you that the person in that mansion isn’t likely to be happier than the rest of us. Within a year of becoming rich, or facing tragedy, the vast majority of people return to their baseline happiness.

What’s most telling is that winning the lottery can significantly impact your neighbor’s wellbeing. One study in Canada found that as the magnitude of someone’s lottery winnings went up, their neighbors odds of financial distress and borrowing increased alongside it.

To Read More:

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/story/why-so-few-people-feel-secure-about-money--even-when-they-have-lots-of-it-212029309.html

Are You Rich? Here's What Americans Think You Need To Be Considered Wealthy

Are You Rich? Here's What Americans Think You Need To Be Considered Wealthy

Jeannine Mancini   Tue, Jul 2, 2024,

Bill Gates Was The 'World's Richest Man' For A Record 18 Years. His Secret To Success? 'Saving Like A Pessimist, Investing Like An Optimist'

Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and one of the most influential figures in the tech industry, is renowned for his business acumen and unique approach to financial management. After dropping out of college at 19, Gates cofounded Microsoft with Paul Allen, transforming it from a small startup into a global tech giant.

In the United States, the concept of being rich is often a subject of discussion, curiosity and, sometimes, aspiration. Charles Schwab's 2023 Modern Wealth Survey provides insights into this topic, revealing that the average American equates being wealthy with a net worth of approximately $2.2 million.

Although the most recent data from the Federal Reserve reveals the average American household is a millionaire with a net worth of $1.06 million, looking at the median or midpoint value portrays a more accurate picture. Based on the October report from the Federal Reserve, the median net worth of U.S. households overall is $192,900.

But how spot-on are Americans’ perceptions of wealth?

Top 2% wealth: The top 2% of Americans have a net worth of about $2.472 million, aligning closely with the surveyed perception of wealth.

Top 5% wealth: The next tier, the top 5%, has a net worth of around $1.03 million.

Top 10% wealth: The top 10% of the population has a net worth of approximately $854,900.

These figures illustrate a dramatic wealth gradient in the U.S., indicating a substantial increase in net worth needed to move from the top 10% to the top 2%.

Understanding Wealth Beyond Numbers

Wealth is not solely about the figures in your bank account or investment portfolio; it's also about how you perceive and use your resources. Here are some tips and perspectives to understand and potentially achieve wealth.

Savings and spending habits: Being able to save, that is, spending less than you earn, is a foundational aspect of accumulating wealth. Establishing robust financial habits like budgeting and goal-setting can pave the way to wealth, regardless of the specific dollar amount.

Living below your means: In a world where consumerism is rampant, living below your means is a key principle. This might involve cutting unnecessary expenses, like reducing monthly subscriptions or dining out less frequently. Such habits not only bolster savings but also prepare you for financial emergencies.

Affording desires: The ability to save and spend wisely often leads to the capacity to afford what you desire, whether it is a new vehicle or a vacation. Achieving financial goals is a strong indicator of wealth.

Life goals over money: Wealth is not just about accumulating money but also about fulfilling life aspirations. Whether it's running a business, becoming debt-free or saving for retirement, having a clear vision is crucial.

Preparing for retirement: A key aspect of being wealthy is having a solid retirement plan. This involves understanding how much to save and starting early to build a financial foundation for the golden years.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bill-gates-worlds-richest-man-155055431.html

5 Biggest Money Mistakes When Retiring in the Midwest

5 Biggest Money Mistakes When Retiring in the Midwest

Gina Hagler  Mon, July 1, 2024

Retiring with little to no savings is a situation that even Americans who made the effort to save can find themselves in. Creating a nest egg is the important first step, but there are a number of ways that you can end up poorly managing it — before and after retiring.

Some of the universal mistakes include taking on too much risk or withdrawing too much, too soon. While the Midwest is attractive to retirees for its relative affordability, retiring still requires careful planning.

If you’re retiring in the Midwest, these are the biggest areas of concern through which you could slip up, according to Johnson Wealth and Income Management.

Retiring Too Early

A Bureau of Labor Statistics survey found that the average boomer-aged worker in Iowa switches jobs roughly 12 times, while a Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis survey recently indicated that workers are struggling to find jobs that offer higher wages and stronger benefits among the rising cost of living.

It’s recommended to not change jobs or leave the workforce without fully assessing the options you have available. You could end up losing out on 401(k) employer contributions and stock options without remaining employed for a certain period of time.

Not Accounting for Taxes

If you have a 401(k), traditional IRA or other tax-deferred account, you need to be mindful that taxes will eat a portion of your balance. If your tax bracket will be higher post-retirement, a Roth IRA or Roth 401(k) is a good idea so that your withdrawals will be tax free. If your tax bracket will be lower, opt for a traditional IRA or 401(k) so you pay lower taxes after retiring.

South Dakota is a Midwestern state with no personal income tax. This contributes to it being seen as a good place to retire, according to Travel + Leisure, but don’t forget that you still have to consider the overall tax burden (i.e., property taxes).

Not Considering Future Healthcare

To Read More:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/5-biggest-money-mistakes-retiring-190108821.html

I Grew Up Rich: 6 Money Lessons I Learned After I Lost It All

I Grew Up Rich: 6 Money Lessons I Learned After I Lost It All

G. Brian Davis  Sat, June 29, 2024

An oft-cited statistic states that 70% of wealthy families lose their riches by the second generation, and 90% lose them by the third.

Why? Because the first generation earns it, the second generation spends it and the third finds itself back at square one.

It turns out that earning money and shepherding money long term require two different skill sets. All too often, no one in any of those three generations learns how to protect and grow wealth long term.

“I grew up in a wealthy family where my grandfather was the chairman of the largest textile processing mill in our city,” explained Muhammad Ali, sales director at George Digital. “Our business, established in the 1950s, was a significant player in the industry from 1970 to 2001 … However, our fortunes drastically changed, and by 2012, my father’s income dwindled to just $300 a month.

“In 2013, amidst our financial crisis, I developed an interest in programming. Unfortunately, we couldn’t afford a laptop, and we had to live with my grandparents, along with my father’s brothers and their families. This challenging period taught me several invaluable lessons about money and resilience.

“Eventually, I was the first person among my grandfather’s children and grandchildren to get a chance to study in the U.S.

“Here are some key money lessons I learned after losing it all.”

Diversify Your Income Streams

“Our family focused solely on the textile business, and when it failed, we had no backup.

“In 2015, I came across Russell Brunson’s book ‘DotCom Secrets,’ which sparked my interest in an online business. By September 2016, Adam C. Miller introduced me to the world of digital marketing. Despite the lack of resources and guidance, I persevered, slowly learning about digital PR … I also delved into local SEO (search engine optimization) and e-commerce business models.

“After our family’s textile business shut down, there was no one to restart the hosiery textile business. However, years later, I decided to reignite this passion to continue my family legacy and started Molani Enterprises, a textile sourcing and trading company. Alongside my ventures in PR and e-commerce, reviving the textile business was a way to honor my family’s history and rebuild our presence in the industry.”

Maintain a Financial Cushion

Everyone needs an emergency fund. Whether you keep two months’ or two years’ worth of living expenses in it depends on how stable your income and expenses are, but you need that cash cushion to carry you through the inevitable nasty surprises that life throws at you.

“Always keep cash savings to cover basic living expenses and emergencies. This reserve should not be touched for business investments. This lesson was crucial for me, as I witnessed bad financial decisions during our business downfall, where more money was sunk into a failing enterprise.”

Seize Opportunities

They say that when an opportunity knocks at your door, it does so dressed up like work.

To Read More:

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/grew-rich-6-money-lessons-210008891.html

6 Ways To Build Wealth After Getting Laid Off — That Don’t Include a New Job

6 Ways To Build Wealth After Getting Laid Off — That Don’t Include a New Job

Vance Cariaga   Thu, Jun 27, 2024

Layoffs are a fact of life in the modern economy — even when the economy is growing and unemployment is low, like now. The list of companies that have announced layoffs this year alone reads like a “who’s who” of corporate titans and includes Amazon, Walmart, Microsoft, Alphabet (Google), Tesla, Bristol Myers Squibb, Nike and Disney.

The disconcerting thing for workers is that employers sometimes announce layoffs even when they’re doing well financially. In some cases, businesses announce layoffs to make up for past hiring sprees. In other cases, they simply replace workers with AI or other technologies.

Given the size and frequency of layoffs these days, it’s understandable that some folks who have been given the pink slip have decided to stop looking for jobs altogether. If you fall into that category, here are six ways to build wealth that don’t include getting another full-time job.

Find a Side Hustle Instead

Unless you were given a generous severance package after getting laid off, you might need to bring in some immediate income to help navigate the initial rough patch. That doesn’t mean you have to get another job, however. There are plenty of side hustles available that let you work on your own schedule and be your own boss.

If you have expertise in a particular field, for example, you could serve as a consultant and earn up to $100 an hour or more. If you have a strong background in social media and a large network of online friends and followers, consider becoming an influencer. It’s not uncommon for successful influencers to earn six-figure incomes through sponsored promotions, brand collaborations, merchandise sales and other means.

Rent Out Part of Your House

If you are a homeowner, one of the best ways to earn immediate income following a layoff is to turn your house into a moneymaker. As the Virtual Vocations website noted, sites like Airbnb and Vrbo let you list single rooms in your house to travelers and traveling workers. You can earn an average of about $924 a month renting a room with a bed, bathroom access and cleaning services.

Invest In Dividend Stocks

You don’t have to be a stock market expert to find securities that can provide immediate income. The best way to do this is to build a portfolio of dividend stocks that let you collect regular passive income, which can compound into substantial long-term wealth.

Use your dividend payments to purchase additional shares through a dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP), and keep adding new capital. Modest initial investments can snowball into diversified six- and seven-figure portfolios over time.

Invest In Real Estate

To Read More:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/6-ways-build-wealth-getting-220008576.html

25 Things You Should Never Do With Your Money

25 Things You Should Never Do With Your Money

Roger Wohlner  Sat, June 29, 2024

Do enough digging and you’ll find that there is possibly an endless list of things you shouldn’t do with your money. From bad habits to decisions based on wishful thinking, some of the bigger missteps can really cost you.

To find out the biggest money mistakes you should avoid, GOBankingRates asked financial experts for their best advice.

Never Cash Your Paycheck Right Away

If you cash your paycheck right away, you might burn through it too quickly.

“You will most certainly spend it all if you cash your paycheck rather than have your employer directly deposit it into your bank account,” said Barbara Friedberg, a personal finance consultant. “Even better is to automatically transfer a percent of your paycheck into a retirement investment account and direct-deposit the remainder into a bank account.”

One advantage of having a workplace retirement plan, such as a 401(k), is that money is automatically deducted from your pay and invested. You don’t see it, so you won’t spend it. You can use a budgeting template to get the most mileage out of your paycheck.

Never Fall For ‘Special’ Finance Deals You Can’t Afford

Promotional finance offers that provide zero or low interest rates on a big purchase might sound like a great deal — until you wind up paying more than you expected. That’s what happened to Grayson Bell, founder of personal finance website Debt Roundup.

“Don’t finance a new vehicle, or watercraft in my case, based on the low promotional monthly payment,” he said. “I financed a new $10,000 Jet Ski with no money down and no real way to pay for it based on a radio ad promoting a super low $69 per month payment. What I didn’t read was the rate was only for two years, then it changes to include retroactive interest based on the loan amount.”

“Those financing deals can ruin you if you’re only looking at the monthly payment,” he continued. “Go through the math and read all of the fine print. They get you in with the low monthly payments, but keep you paying for much longer than you anticipated.”

Never Co-Sign a Loan You Can’t Afford

Michelle Schroeder-Gardner of personal finance blog Making Sense of Cents said you should never co-sign on a loan for someone unless you have the means to pay it back fully.

“The fact is that you never know if the person will be able to pay every single payment, so it’s best to prepare yourself,” she said.

Never Live Above Your Means

One of the tenets of building wealth is to live below your means. Saving and investing should be your priorities so you can help pay for your children’s college costs and live comfortably in retirement, said Cathy Curtis, a certified financial planner and author of “The Happiness Spreadsheet: How To Create A Budget Aligned with Your Values, Beliefs and Ideals.”

Never Rely Only on Cash When Traveling

Sure, carrying and using cash is a good alternative to running up credit card bills. But Curtis suggested using traveler’s checks or credit cards as an alternative to cash.

Holding substantial cash when you’re traveling can invite unfortunate situations. You could lose it or be a victim of theft, which is not uncommon in certain tourist areas.

To Read More: 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/finance/news/25-things-never-money-143113401.html

I Grew Up Rich: 6 Money Lessons I Wish My Parents Would Have Taught Me

I Grew Up Rich: 6 Money Lessons I Wish My Parents Would Have Taught Me

Cindy Lamothe   Fri, June 28, 2024

There’s no doubt that being born with a silver spoon in your mouth gives you a leg up in the world — but it can also have its downsides, financially speaking.

Growing up rich has many perks, but it can also hinder a person from learning essential money lessons.

GOBankingRates spoke with people who come from privilege but recognize their upbringing didn’t equip them with the necessary financial skills to set them up for long-term success. Read below for their insights on money lessons they wish they had learned.

Appreciating the Value of Money

“Having grown up in a wealthy family and now working for my own business, I have unique insights into the financial lessons often missed when money is readily available,” said Ben Hilton, founder and managing director of Switch Jam Digital.

 “I never felt the need to worry about money as a child, and therefore, I failed to understand its real value. I now wish that someone had inculcated in me an appreciation of the actual work that goes into making money,” he said. “For instance, why did someone waste hours in the pursuit of a better deal or draw up a stringent budget? If I had known better the value of money, perhaps I would have been more enlightened about money management and spending habits.”

Budgeting Skills and Money Management

“I didn’t have to budget because it wasn’t expected or required in my home, and I’m still unaware of how to properly maintain a budget,” Hilton said. “When I first left home and lived alone, I struggled to balance my expenses and income.”

He noted that making sure a person knows how to set up and maintain a budget is a rather important skill that prevents overspending and helps to uphold and support personal financial stability.

Nischay Rawal, CPA, founder and managing partner of NR Tax & Consulting, shared a similar experience.

“Growing up with wealthy parents, I never learned the value of a dollar or what it meant to budget,” he said. “Money was always there for whatever I needed or wanted. As a result, I didn’t develop key financial skills that most people gain from an early age.

“When I started my own business, I had no idea how to forecast expenses, set financial goals or manage cash flow,” Rawal explained. “The first few years were a crash course in Finance 101. I made many mistakes that could have been avoided if I had a better grasp of basic money management.”

Investing Wisely

“While I had the money, I never learned how to invest early. I lost the basis for generating wealth through investment,” Hilton said. “A clear illustration of this is the fact that I was unaware of compound interest when I was 20 years old, a knowledge that could have significantly increased my financial worth.”

Learning investment principles and how to build wealth is crucial, according to Hilton. “How to invest wisely is a critical lesson for long-term financial growth,” he said.

Financial Independence

“Financial security during childhood is typically already wealth-dependent,” Hilton said. “I wish somebody had taught me about financial independence very early. For instance, in the early days of my career, it became easy to reach out to family for money and support instead of struggling and fighting to succeed financially independently.”

To Read More:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/finance/news/grew-rich-6-money-lessons-180010744.html

How To Achieve Financial Freedom: 9 Steps Towards Financial Independence

How To Achieve Financial Freedom: 9 Steps Towards Financial Independence

Sheiresa McRae Ngo   Thu, June 27, 2024   Bankrate

If you’re like many people, you dream about reaching a point where you don’t have to worry about money, and you can quit your 9-to-5. According to Bankrate’s recent Financial Success Survey, 41 percent of Americans would consider themselves financially successful when they never worry about their finances.

Most Americans say they wouldn’t feel secure until they’ve made at least $233,000 a year, according to Bankrate’s Financial Freedom Survey. To feel rich and financially free, Americans said they would need to earn an average of $483,000 a year.

Fortunately, it’s possible to achieve financial freedom. With careful planning, disciplined savings and wise investments, you can reach your goal. Here’s how you can become financially independent.

What is financial freedom?

Financial freedom means different things to different people. Some define it as never having to work again, while others say being financially free means eliminating debt.

Among Bankrate’s Financial Success Survey, 19 percent of Americans say having enough money to quit working represents financial success while 41 percent say living without debt fulfills this goal.

“Financial freedom describes having enough wealth to live without having to work actively for necessities,” says Dennis Shirshikov, head of growth at gosummer.com and finance professor at the City University of New York. “It means having the means to afford the lifestyle you want for yourself and your family.”

“Achieving financial freedom allows you to make decisions that are not solely based on financial constraints,” Shirshikov adds. “For example, you can choose to pursue passions, hobbies or even career changes without worrying about the financial repercussions.”

What is the FIRE movement?

The Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) movement is a lifestyle and financial strategy that aims to achieve financial independence and early retirement. The goal is to save and invest enough money to provide a sustainable income for the rest of one’s life, allowing for retirement at a much earlier age than the traditional retirement age.

FIRE gained attention after the publication of the book Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez. The movement emphasizes assessing each purchase by analyzing the working hours needed to make the purchase.

Followers of the FIRE movement typically aim to save 50 percent to 70 percent of their annual income and plan to retire when their savings reaches around 30 times their yearly expenses, or roughly $1 million. Once retired, they make small annual withdrawals (usually around 3 percent to 4 percent) from their savings to cover living expenses.

“One would have to live significantly below their means and be aggressive when it comes to their asset allocations,” says Steven Charlton, certified financial fiduciary and founder of Wisdom Financial. “The FIRE movement can be utilized to find financial freedom by growing assets proportionately in order to be able to live off interest and dividends. This way you won’t have to live off the income when you decide to retire.”

How to create financial freedom

Achieving financial freedom involves careful discipline and planning. The following steps can help you reach this milestone.

To Read More: 

Our writers and editors used an in-house natural language generation platform to assist with portions of this article, allowing them to focus on adding information that is uniquely helpful. The article was reviewed, fact-checked and edited by our editorial staff prior to publication.

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/achieve-financial-freedom-9-steps-175605001.html

100 Ways To Live a Rich Life in Retirement — Without Spending All of Your Savings

100 Ways To Live a Rich Life in Retirement — Without Spending All of Your Savings

Preston Hartwick   Tue, June 25, 2024 

You may have more free time when you retire, but retirement certainly isn’t free.

Around half of retirees report that their overall spending is higher than they anticipated, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute. At the same time, the top concern of retirees is that the increased cost of living is making it harder to save money.

Ideally, you’ll have started preparing for retirement well before you hit the magic number. But even if you haven’t saved as much money as you would have liked, there are a multitude of ways to make your savings last.

While you may not be able to eat out at fancy restaurants every night or take big vacations every year, you can still live a rich, fulfilling life on a modest budget. Being smart with your money and taking advantage of free activities and experiences are keys to maintaining a satisfying lifestyle and healthy bank account balance.

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Design Your Ideal Lifestyle

Before you make all the small decisions that will affect your quality of life in retirement, you need to take a step back and think about the big picture. How would you design your ideal life, within reason, given your current finances?

How do you envision your post-working life? Is it filled with new experiences, activities and travel to exotic locations? Or is it simpler, quieter and closer to home? Do you dream of moving to a sunnier climate, or would you want to downsize to a smaller house?

You don’t have to stick to your initial vision forever, but it’s helpful to think through your standard of living before planning your budget, as it will inform your purchasing decisions and lifestyle choices.

Know the 4% Rule

One common calculation for estimating how much money you’ll need in retirement is known as the 4% rule. This generalized guideline suggests that you should spend roughly 4% of your retirement savings every year if you expect your savings to last 30 years.

For example, if you have a retirement fund of $750,000, you could take out $30,000 as your budget for the first year. The next year, multiply that $30,000 by the inflation rate to find your annual budget.

Of course, this is more of a suggestion than a rule. Your individual circumstances will vary, but you can use this calculation as a starting point for thinking about your retirement budget.

Make a Budget and Stick to It

Budgeting is the key to saving money. Start by listing groceries, rent, insurance, utilities and other essentials. Then, review your past spending to see how much you typically spend on other expenses. Don’t forget to factor in taxes and annual inflation rates, and include room in the budget for fun and relaxation.

Currently, Social Security retirement benefits average $1,867 per month. Calculate how this will impact your budget and see whether you can cut down spending in nonessential areas.

Trick Your Mind Into Saving by Paying Yourself a Salary

To Read More:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/100-ways-live-rich-life-213005303.html

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