How the pros set up income when rates move Pros don’t build retirement income that only works in one weather pattern. They build it to live through a full rate cycle, up, down, sideways, and that annoying “two cuts then…
What pros wish every retiree knew about "three cuts" You’ve heard the chatter about “three cuts.” Sounds tidy. But what pros wish every retiree knew is this: three 25 bp moves aren’t magic, they’re math. We’re talking about the cost…
How pros actually think about the “rate cuts = housing pop” trade You hear it every time the Fed hints at relief: rate cuts are coming, housing pops, Opendoor flies. Nice story, just not how pros actually run money. The…
What pros wish everyone knew about rate cuts and your payment Big misconception up front: the Fed can cut rates and your 30-year mortgage might not budge. The fed funds rate is an overnight lending rate for banks, not the…
What pros wish you knew on day one of a layoff What pros wish you knew on day one of a layoff? Two things: the money clock starts immediately, and you have more control than it feels like. This isn’t…
From free lattes to funded IRAs: the before-and-after Quick mindset shift here: the same points and cash-back you’ve been swapping for gift cards can be pointed straight into investments. Yes, literally the same rewards. If you’ve ever wondered “can I…
The costliest mistake: thinking “I didn’t make much, so I don’t need to file” The costliest mistake: thinking “I didn’t make much, so I don’t need to file.” I see this every single year. A part-time freelancer, rideshare driver, reseller,…
What the pros watch when headlines get loud Every Thursday morning, my phone lights up with the initial claims print and at least three texts asking, “Rate cuts now?” Cute. Pros don’t trade a single number; they map the trend,…
Old-school tax rules vs. how we plan now I still hear this at kitchen tables and across conference rooms: “I can’t take that bonus, it’ll kick me into the next bracket.” That old bracket cliff myth refuses to die. It…
The not‑so‑secret secret on rate cuts Here’s the not‑so‑secret secret on rate cuts: they don’t make your grocery bill cheaper by Saturday, and they definitely don’t shrink a 30‑year fixed mortgage unless you go through the joy (and cost) of…