Exploring personal finance and investing
If I asked you “What is the most important organ in investing?” what would you say? The brain? According to the famed investor, mutual fund manager, author and philanthropist, Peter Lynch, who ran Fidelity’s Magellan Fund (which had an average 29.2% annual return from 1977 to 1990): “In the stock market, the most important organ … Read More “What Is The Most Important Organ in Investing?” »
You have $5k to invest and you’re not sure whether you should be dollar cost averaging your money or investing the entire lump sum all at once. Which is the best option? What Is Dollar Cost Averaging? Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA) is where you invest a fixed amount at regular intervals (e.g. monthly) regardless of … Read More “Is Lump Sum Investing Better Than Dollar Cost Averaging?” »
In the USA, you usually look to the stock market as a barometer of how the economy is doing. The S&P 500 index is considered one of the most reliable indicators of the performance of major American stocks and the stock market as a whole. In this post, I’ll examine how the S&P 500 is … Read More “How the S&P 500 Performed Under Biden vs. Trump” »
As 2023 comes to a close, here are 10 things to consider concerning your finances, for 2024. 10 Things to Consider To Improve Your Finances and Wealth in 2024 Review your income and expenses for 2023. This will help you see where your money went. It will also help you see where you are haemorrhaging … Read More “10 Things to Consider for the New Year” »
If you want to invest in property without investing in bricks and mortar, you should consider investing in real estate investment trusts (REITs). What Is A REIT? US Congress introduced the REIT Act legislation in 1960 as an amendment to the Cigar Excise Tax Extension. It provided a way for the average Joe and wealthier … Read More “REITS, How To Profit From Real Estate” »
If you are a non-US person and receive US income such as interest, dividends, and/or annuities from the US, then you will be subject to a 30% withholding tax on the gross amount. If you invest in US-listed shares in an ISA for example, the W-8Ben form can help you slash the withholding tax in … Read More “W-8Ben Form, How To Cut Tax When Investing in US Shares” »
Investing in bonds is clearly a popular investment class given there is over $100 trillion invested in bonds globally. How safe are bonds as an investment and what are the risks involved? What is a Bond? Governments and corporations issue bonds as a way to raise finance. In exchange for investing in bonds, the investor … Read More “Investing in Bonds – Risks and Rewards” »
The defence industry companies work with governments providing them with military capabilities across land, sea, air, and electronic systems. They help support current and future defence and military needs. Defence stocks, especially those of U.S. companies, have seen an increase following the outbreak of the Hamas-Israeli armed conflict on 7 October 2023. Defence Companies Whose Stock … Read More “Defence Stocks Rise Amid Conflicts” »
You may be investing in index funds, unaware of what is in them and whether they align with your values. If you are looking for a way to invest your money that aligns with your values and positively impacts the world, you may want to consider ESG investing. What is ESG Investing? ESG stands for environmental, … Read More “Align ESG and Index Fund Investing” »
If you have £100 to spare each month, this is how you can invest that £100 per month and potentially turn it into an investment pot of almost £250k. What is investing and why is it important? Investing is putting your money into something that can grow over time and potentially provide income, e.g., shares, … Read More “How to Invest in the UK with Just £100” »
This is a cautionary tale about how chasing dividends may ultimately lose you money. What is Dividend Investing? Dividend investing is a strategy that involves buying stocks of companies that pay regular dividends to their shareholders. A company distributes a portion of its profits as dividends to the owners of its shares i.e., the shareholders. … Read More “Losing Money by Chasing Dividends: A Cautionary Tale” »
Do you think you need lots of money to invest in the stock market and make money? The case of Ronald Read shows that you don’t. Who was Ronald Read? Ronald Read grew up in Vermont, USA. Furthermore, he served in the US Army during World War II. Also, from 1945, he worked as a petrol … Read More “Stock Market and Janitor’s $8M Fortune” »
In previous articles, I spoke about ISAs and Lifetime ISAs. If you wish to invest for your child/children, free from UK income tax and capital gains tax, you may wish to consider a Junior ISA (JISA). Who can invest in a Junior ISA? Your child must be both under 18 and living in the UK. … Read More “How to invest in a Junior ISA (JISA)” »
Invest in a Lifetime ISA In previous posts, I spoke about ISAs and Junior ISAs. If you want to invest your money, free from UK income tax and capital gains tax, AND get free money, then the Lifetime ISA (LISA) may be for you. The purpose of a Lifetime ISA The purpose of the LISA … Read More “Investing in a Lifetime ISA (LISA)” »
One of the most tax-efficient vehicles you can invest in is an Individual Savings Account (ISA) which is free from UK income tax and capital gains tax. Inflation eats away the value and buying power of your cash savings over time. However, if you invest long-term, this helps protect the value of your money. Who can invest … Read More “How to invest in an ISA” »
