Author: Alexis Oliver

BNPL Charge-Off Rates: What’s Really Happening in Buy Now, Pay Later Portfolios

BNPL Charge-Off Rates: What’s Really Happening in Buy Now, Pay Later Portfolios

BNPL charge-off rates are rising as more consumers struggle with multiple payments. Learn how defaults vary by credit tier, why younger users are at higher risk, and what regulators and lenders are doing to respond.

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Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from IRAs: Rules and Uses for Tax Efficiency

Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from IRAs: Rules and Uses for Tax Efficiency

Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) let retirees over 70½ give directly from their IRA to charity - tax-free. Learn the 2025 rules, limits, eligible charities, and how QCDs reduce taxes better than itemized deductions.

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Retail Sales Reports: How Consumer Spending Moves the Stock Market

Retail Sales Reports: How Consumer Spending Moves the Stock Market

Retail sales reports reveal real-time consumer spending trends that directly impact stock prices, especially in consumer discretionary sectors. Learn how these numbers move markets and what to watch beyond the headlines.

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Spotting Social Media Scams: How to Protect Your Accounts in 2025

Spotting Social Media Scams: How to Protect Your Accounts in 2025

Learn how to spot and stop social media scams in 2025-from fake job offers and QR phishing to AI deepfakes. Protect your accounts with passkeys, privacy settings, and family safe words.

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Transparent Fees and Disclosures: How Clear Costs Prevent Predatory Financial Practices

Transparent Fees and Disclosures: How Clear Costs Prevent Predatory Financial Practices

Transparent fees and clear disclosures stop predatory financial practices by giving consumers the power to make informed choices. Learn what’s required by law, where companies still hide costs, and how to protect yourself.

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Direct Indexing Minimums: Who Qualifies and Why

Direct Indexing Minimums: Who Qualifies and Why

Direct indexing offers tax savings and customization for investors with $100,000+ in taxable accounts. Learn who qualifies, why minimums are high, and whether it’s worth the cost.

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Zero-Based Budgeting in Apps: A Practical Walkthrough

Zero-Based Budgeting in Apps: A Practical Walkthrough

Zero-based budgeting apps help you assign every dollar a purpose, leading to better savings and less financial stress. Learn how YNAB, Goodbudget, and PocketSmith work-and which one fits your life.

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Fund Turnover: How Trading Activity Drives Tax Costs and Reduces Returns

Fund Turnover: How Trading Activity Drives Tax Costs and Reduces Returns

Fund turnover directly impacts your after-tax returns through trading costs and capital gains taxes. Learn how high turnover erodes wealth, why ETFs are more tax-efficient, and how to choose funds that preserve your returns.

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Coordinating Retirement Accounts: Taxable, IRA, and 401(k) Strategies for Higher After-Tax Returns

Coordinating Retirement Accounts: Taxable, IRA, and 401(k) Strategies for Higher After-Tax Returns

Learn how to coordinate taxable, IRA, and 401(k) accounts to reduce taxes and boost retirement income. Discover where to place bonds, stocks, and growth assets for maximum after-tax returns.

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Risk Limits for Traders: Daily, Weekly, and Max Drawdowns Explained

Risk Limits for Traders: Daily, Weekly, and Max Drawdowns Explained

Learn how daily, weekly, and maximum drawdown limits protect your trading account. Understand how prop firms use these rules to prevent blowups-and how to use them to build consistent profits.

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Comparing Your Investment Returns to Others: Why Benchmarking Against the Wrong Goals Hurts Your Portfolio

Comparing Your Investment Returns to Others: Why Benchmarking Against the Wrong Goals Hurts Your Portfolio

Comparing your investment returns to others is a common mistake that leads to poor decisions. Learn why benchmarking against wrong goals hurts your portfolio-and how to measure progress the right way.

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Rebalancing with Cash Flows: How Dividends and Coupons Keep Your Portfolio on Track

Rebalancing with Cash Flows: How Dividends and Coupons Keep Your Portfolio on Track

Learn how dividends and bond coupons can rebalance your portfolio without selling assets, cutting taxes, and reducing fees. A proven, low-effort strategy for long-term investors.

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