A bi-weekly newsletter from our Founder & Portfolio Manager, Ryan A. Hughes. Straight talk on markets, taxes, and money. Read by 2,700+ people who value clear thinking.
If California were a country, it would instantly be a global force. It is the largest economy in the U.S. It has the largest military population. It is also a global tech leader in Silicon Valley, and the largest producer of agricultural products in the U.S. As the most productive and one of the most...
Where should you save your next dollar? Should you prioritize an emergency fund or pay off high-interest debt? Max out your 401(k) or fund a Health Savings Account first? These are not trivial questions. The order in which you save and invest your money has a direct impact on your long-term wealth and tax efficiency....
Every year, the IRS and Social Security Administration adjust key financial planning numbers for inflation. These changes affect how much you can save, how much you’ll owe, and how you should be thinking about your money. Here are the most numbers for 2026. Retirement Account Contribution Limits 401(k), 403(b), and 457 Plans The employee deferral...
There’s a new-ish investment strategy out there (new-ish to retail investors, at least), direct indexing, that’s gaining popularity among high-income earners. It seems to be on the radar of many people, as we’ve had numerous conversations with prospects and clients on this topic lately. Direct indexing, in a nutshell, is a pretty straightforward process: create...
Trump announced a sweeping tariff plan today, a date which he has dubbed “Liberation Day.” A full breakdown of the list of tariffs from the White House is below. These are some massive moves, ones that definitely change the status quo. China is hit with a reciprocal 34% tariff and the European Union a 20% tariff. The...
Looking for 2026 figures? See our 2026 Important Numbers guide. A few important tax, savings, and retirement planning updates are coming up in 2025. Feel free to download our PDF guide below. I’ve also summarized the main topics you most likely want to know below. Increased Retirement Plan Contribution Limits: The employer retirement plan (401(k),...
If you’re considered a high-earner, congratulations. Having enough cash coming in to cover expenses, niceties, and saving for retirement while enjoying life is increasingly rare these days. Still, this isn’t to say high earners don’t have troubles of their own – but many of the problems we see in new clients tend to be self-inflicted....
Are you interested in a little-known strategy that could help you save up to $43,500 into a Roth IRA every year? This method is known as the Mega Backdoor Roth IRA, and it can be a game-changer for individuals with high incomes. However, it can be complex and not suitable for everyone. The Power of...
You may be familiar with the concept of asset location. It’s a tax planning strategy that can help you optimize your investment portfolio’s tax efficiency. But despite the potential benefits, many argue that it’s not worth the effort due to its complexity and uncertain outcomes. We agree. There is a more straightforward alternative approach that...
Tax-loss harvesting is undoubtedly worth the effort in most cases (but not all). If done correctly, tax-loss harvesting can lead to higher overall portfolio returns. Yet, most investors do not implement this strategy. We’re not sure why, but most investors are either unaware of the strategy or do not understand it well enough to implement...
Are you considering moving out of California? You are not alone. California’s population decreased by 358,662 in 2021 and 113,649 in 2022. Both are unprecedented numbers and the first time in recorded history that California’s population has declined. Why are people deciding to leave? High taxes, cost of living, political friction, and affordable housing are...
There has been a lot of talk about Universal Basic Income (UBI) over the past few years. It has recently resurfaced as former Presidential hopeful Andrew Yang called for a $1,000/month payment (Freedom Dividend) to every American. UBI is seen as a potential solution to the growing income inequality in the U.S. It is also...
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