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A genuine rich life doesn’t have to cost a lot. Oftentimes the cost isn’t monetary anyway. Anytime you cut corners and slip into the easy short-term instant gratification comfortable route, you must expect less in the end. Life rewards those who are willing to do whatever it takes. The best investment will always be in […]

Believe it or not, not everyone is David Dobrik or even younger, Emma Chamberlain or Charlie D’Amelio, who earn millions from social media, YouTube, and various one-hit-wonder ventures that directly came out of a following. Success begets success. You only need to get it right once to catapult yourself but to sustain it requires an

Luckily real estate is one of the few sectors that benefits from rising rate hikes.  As rents rise, home prices ride along the wave of inflation offering utility acting as a hedge. Plus mortgage rates are influenced by the 10-yr Treasury bond yield so the Fed’s rate-hike cycle won’t have a drastic effect.  In this

My rule of thumb is to never have more than 20% of your capital or net worth in 1 investment or asset class. If you do, expect to become toast. Eventually. Just like there should never be a need for someone to pressure you to spend money, there should be absolutely no reason, no matter

Never thought that not having enough hours to work would be a problem but here we are! Although 4 hour work weeks seem nice, they can get boring quick if you’re unwilling to become uncomfortable and grow additional passive income streams. My fellow colleagues in college are facing a good problem. They have too many

40% of homes in the U.S. are selling above asking price, rents are through the roof in coastal cities, and offices are slowly filling up. This all comes to show that this is certainly not a buyers market. A balanced market is considered to have around six months of supply. Although we’ve been hovering in

Those who are least protected with fewer assets need to tackle their financial means more seriously. These are the people who cannot afford to wait. On the other hand, those who spend hundreds of thousands on lawyers, accountants, services, consultants, fiduciaries, and supervisors don’t have nearly as much pressure yet still prioritize this seemingly boring

Don’t edible spoons, chopsticks, plates, bowls, and cups sound delicious, better than the actual meal? The full-fledged edible-packaging revolution aimed at reducing single-use containers and plastic waste is here to stay! (A peaceful one)  If we can’t stop eating, at least we shouldn’t waste our pastic utensils and cutlery no more! I never thought I

During a low-interest-rate environment and high inflationary times, capital preservation assets such as cash and liquid securities do poorly since they end up having negative real interest rates. Despite the poor purchasing power, this is also an opportune time to pay off debt faster and lock in an attractive mortgage rate before they inch higher.

When Covid hit in March 2020, Manhattan elites and Upper East and West side city dwellers drove the exodus out of NY and fled to their Great Gatsby mansions in Long Island and hammocks in Long Beach.  If you can’t get away from property and state taxes, at least find a better view! Now they

The number one thing people will never complain about is that they could use more money. The number one thing people will never complain about or blame when they have too much money is money. The obvious reason for attaining more is fewer problems and more bliss yet behind the vast amount tends to be

One of the greatest things about investing is that no matter your prior experience, track record, performance, or stellar on-the-ball predictions, everything can and most likely will go out the window in the future. It won’t matter. The markets aren’t a formula or have 1 solution. They are unpredictable. As investors, we all sign up

Prior to the pandemic, I had been experimenting with this question for a few years until remote work became the norm and my hypothesis flipped on its head! If you are provided the luxury to skip out on the commute, ~30 min Sweetgreen lunch line, and WFH all day, every day instead, you don’t have

The most powerful force in the markets is compounded returns. Through the dollar-cost-averaging (DCA) approach which entails depositing a reasonable amount of funds in incremental amounts into your portfolio, you are more likely to earn a higher percentage in your portfolio over time than dumping a lump sum inheritance or lottery win once in a

Let’s flashback to a year ago. A great deal of Gen Zers and Millennials who were bored, exhausted, and online 24/7 took advantage of their stimulus checks, and the low-interest-rate environment easily and supported themselves better financially in 2021.  Their investment returns may have even surpassed a couple years of potential postgraduate earnings and paid

Consumers are STILL spending like there’s no tomorrow. We thought the buying spree was a quick fad once vaccines rolled out and cases slumped but now it’s gotten quite ridiculous. How much could one possibly buy? After a couple of beach homes, cars, MacBooks, furniture, the next stop are investments — the best financial decision one could

Some say EVs should be completely free and others say they are destroying the planet and consumers’ pockets even more. Sadly in this capitalistic society, EVs won’t become free and certainly aren’t disappearing with the reliance on one powerful entrepreneur charging the way. No pun intended. The stock market, environment, and Elon wouldn’t approve either.

Sadly during a deadly pandemic, the rich got richer and the poorer got poorer.  Is covid discriminatory? Yes and no.  Now the top 1% own over 50% of the nation’s wealth while the bottom 90% own less than 10%. Despite America being the wealthiest nation in the world, this money is not evenly distributed. The

Although many oppose gift cards as a gift, I truly don’t mind. It’s the thought that counts. It’s certainly better than receiving a present I end up returning. Surprises aren’t my style. Practicality and frugalism are. Although gift cards may seem sad and meaningless, it’s free cash that must be spent! As long as it’s

Although risk-free U.S. government securities don’t sound like a worthwhile juicy returnable investment in a low-interest-rate environment, they may be more enticing than you think especially as inflation is nearing record highs in nearly 40 years! There are a variety of treasury securities to choose from and one of the advantages to owning them is

Beach home? Doggie? Range Rover? Crockpot? We’ve all purchased something we thought would be handy in lockdown but at this point, we are over it. Alongside inflation bitting us, millions are now dealing with the financial, mental, and physical impact of their pandemic splurges! These splurges aren’t as easy as unsubscribing from one out of

The stealth wealth revolution is back! As a lifelong New Yorker, I’ve seen distinct changes in the ways residents and even tourists present themselves. Although tourists will always be recognizable. Living below your means and not showing off is not only a guaranteed way to seem more friendly and approachable, but it makes your personal

As a personal finance blogger and mentor, I’m always intrigued by investors’ and everyday people’s habits, especially students. They have the most hilarious excuses on why something was a ‘great deal’! Lately, I’ve been hearing many have massive regret over their abrupt pandemic purchases. You’re not alone. Over 64% of millennials alone have regrets about

I don’t know about you but prior to 2021, I haven’t heard of half of these terms that have taken the investment world by storm. Ryan Serhant, luxury real estate realtor and owner of Serhant predicts in 5 years 50% of real estate sales will be transacted through crypto and digital real estate will be

As a student, part of my mission in college is to meet as many students, professors, alumni, staff, etc. as possible and be immersed in everything. I believe there’s no better place to have this mindset than in NYC. NYU is one of the most diverse schools with the most unique campuses and it would

This year everyone’s holiday wish is to be able to intelligently discuss crypto and actually make sense. We’ve all heard of it but still cannot figure it out. After all, the best way to confirm you know something is to tell your family of all ages. When you can explain it to a toddler in

What’s certain is uncertainty. Part of investing requires becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable. ALWAYS. You cannot build true wealth without stepping out of your comfort zone. “Risk whatever you’re willing to loose” is a classic slogan to remember. Without it, there’s no exchange. You must get used to it and the best way to do

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! In the market’s case, it already surpassed its record highs and proven analysts’ predictions to be way off roughly a year and a half ago so by now, investors couldn’t be more eager to close out the year. December is a time investors have the most pent-up

Fighting climate change, eradicating hunger, demolishing poverty, and breaking the gender, pay, racial, wealth, you name it gaps won’t get resolved overnight, let alone in a lifetime. Many investors are in a toss-up. Dependent on your generation, you either love or hate value minded funds. Traditional investing seems to only focus on generating the biggest

In the short-run, grossing a high net-income per year would be preferred.  More deposited in one’s pocket per year, the easier it is for them to use it to their liking. The only problem is, net-income from an employer isn’t guaranteed to last or be as grand in subsequent years. Most people don’t even pay

If you want something, you’ll eliminate all possible excuses. If you don’t, you’ll find any excuse. Every decision in life works out this way. We have a choice to move forward or stop ourselves. We are the only ones in our way and when it comes to our perception about money and our ultimate fantasy

I suspect the housing bubble will become even hotter in the U.S. in 2022 once countries ease on restrictions, lockdowns, mandates, and increase spending limits for foreigners. Why do I believe the market will soon become a sauna? Believe it or not, American land, not real estate, is one of the cheapest in the world.

How would you describe the last year and half in the markets? (Besides Black Friday) Frothy, over-concentrated, speculative, peculiar, exuberant, possibly volatile? It’s important to keep in mind during any massive bull rally, especially with the one we have lived through for 13+ years till today, a prudent investor should never mix skills with momentum,

As a personal finance guru, one of my biggest worries coming out of the pandemic is that Americans will sabotage themselves financially. If you could afford to spend precious time working from home, saving, cooking, and being with family throughout the pandemic till today, it’s highly likely you are also in a better financial position

Although I’m too young to recollect on the Dotcom bubble, as a 20-year-old personal finance blogger and connoisseur, this tumultuous time in the markets has fascinated me and brought about a bit of skepticism for the horizon. I hope to never encounter a bubble at this magnitude in my lifetime but lately I’ve been increasingly

The clock is always ticking, especially in the markets. Time is our most precious resource because it is one of the few things that cannot be replenished or saved. If I had a superpower, it would be to teleport back into the past 7 years ago and quit social media earlier. It was the worst

I hope most would agree that the most logical time to flee to the Bahamas is during post-peak times when school is in session, rates are low, airports are empty, no holidays around the corner, and when a Nor’easter is brewing up north. Same goes for retirees. When the market is at its peak, the

The beauty about investing is that no one really knows anything. No matter how many guides, formulas, tabs, tools, terminals, charts, degrees, colleagues, subscriptions, mentors, one may possibly have at their disposal, it is extremely rare for investors to consistently beat the market. It seems like an overstatement to say investors don’t know anything but

Many are convinced once they hit a certain net-worth, they have made it and life is complete. Though if you’ve uncovered the hidden truth yet, that day never arrives for a good reason. There will always be more to do and the more you attain, the more you want. As with many things in life,

The main reason 401(k) contributors propose a Roth IRA conversion is to limit their tax liability in retirement. The only problem is, the conversion process costs more headaches and tax implications in the end, unless you are unemployed or in a low marginal tax bracket. A 401(k) and Roth IRA are both tax-advantaged investment saving

We all know the financial system makes more off of us than we can even fathom. By simply depositing a few dollars into a savings account and earning 2 cents each year, commercial banks go ahead and invest our deposits and make a handsome return trailing the S&P 500. Since the influence of the Robber

We can’t stop talking about inflation since we can’t run away from it. The only good thing is that it’s better than deflation and is erasing debt. Until the Fed begins pulling back their QE stimulus and increases interest rates which is reported to roll out later this year, toilet paper will continue to be

From inflation to supply bottlenecks, vaccination rates to weather forecasts, frothy stock prices to SeekingAlpha’s estimates, you name it, everything seems like a valuable indispensable indicator these days. What’s certain is uncertainty and there’s too much we cannot control. There’s a saying in investing and in life that goes something like this: “When you know

It’s no surprise homeowners are wealthier than renters but did you know they are actually less happier, healthier, and more stressed as well? If you had the choice to own a second home, most of us would say of course! 2 is better than one! Duh! More land, space, freedom, and stuff to store. Yet

While millions of students postponed or canceled their plans for attending college due to the economic financial constraints of the pandemic these past 2 years, countless universities have hit the jackpot once again with billions of dollars in endowment gains. Some weren’t so lucky and ended up going bankrupt having to shut down but the

When I stumbled into Sephora for the first time last year, I distinctly noticed the discriminatory price disparity on gender labeled products. A cosmetics shop wouldn’t be a typical place to compare male vs female products but somehow I saw the largest difference in pricing right there! At least makeup is finally being normalized across

Unfortunately not many people can say they have more than they know what to do with. Predominantly the top 10% and above stash the most cash since they know cash is king after all. The top 1% have a whooping $4.7 trillion currently in the bank since buying another beach home and investing in an

Getting rich is arguably the easy part. Keeping it is the challenge. You only have 3 options with your money. Save, invest or everyone’s favorite, spend it! Unfortunately in a world where we must fend for ourselves, spending cannot go on 24/7 although it seems like it is. Although these obvious restrictions have to be

I can feel it already… Put your thumbs down. This is going to take a lot of convincing for a majority of readers, specifically Millennials and men. What if I told you the recommended, safest, and no-fail proof emergency fund amount is equivalent to saving 6–12 months of expenses? (Absolute shock around the room) You

If you were one out of the million retail traders that was bored out of your mind at the start of this year, you’re not alone. We all did something in the last year and a half that we regret. At least in this situation, gambling on Robinhood can be considered education. Although the Robinhood

As economic mobility, housing and educational affordability, and the wealth gap have greatly widened in the past few decades, so has CEO-to-worker pay by unforeseen staggering amounts. Logically, it makes sense that a CEO would earn more than the rest who work for them. Yet to the point where it takes the average employee 10

I always wondered how celebrities look like a million bucks every time they take 2 steps into their Escalade and 2 steps back home. Not to mention the hefty transportation and security costs per week can easily add up to more than the average American’s total mortgage payment per year. In addition to the immense

I find most people are either a fan of art or hate it. If you’re in the middle, you must be an artist yourself. After all, there are endless styles, genres, and interpretations of art. What you consider a masterpiece, I may consider garbage and vice versa. But in terms of artwork in the investing

Unfortunately politics has to be intertwined into everything these days including the markets. Surprisingly one of the reasons why Americans vote for a certain party is due to their anticipated portfolio returns! Is that one of your reasons? Nevertheless, you’ll soon find out whether or not it actually matters. From masks to Big Tech, there’s

More time = more wealth? It does in fact work and the easiest way to do so with the least amount of effort. Someone who has worked in the industry for over 30 years naturally has accumulated more overtime than one starting out. It’s nothing to be shamed of, just facts. To be able to

Thanks to inflation, $3m is the new $1m. The dollar is eroding our purchasing power and it costs more to buy less. Although the current labor shortage is enticing companies to boost bonuses, salaries and add additional short life-time perks to attract skilled professionals, overall wages are still stagnant and inflation is eating into them.

You would think when one is insured, they are protected against whatever they paid to protect themselves against. After all, that is the sole purpose of insurance. An insurance policy is a contract between the insurance company and the insurer to cover any damage, loss, liability, harm or anything else that could possibly go wrong.

Too cool for the market? There’s no other demographic that is captivated by saga and suspense more than gullible attention-seeking teenagers. At the start of this year as the GameStop trading frenzy unraveled, teens, including myself, became more involved in the investing world. We had extra time on our hands and wanted to better ourselves

More risk = more reward is a common principle that tends to apply to most actions taken in the marketplace. The stock market is where you make decisions based on calculating future bets and expectations. It shouldn’t be treated like a gabling game rather an opportunity to build your future. Yet finding more reward while