Good morning!

Today's email includes:

--a podcast episode about ultra-wealthy money strategies

--a question about valuing Social Security as a lump sum (?)

--other articles about inherited money, bonds, and state estate taxes

Ultrawealthy Money Strategies: Good, Bad, and Ugly

In this podcast episode, we look financial strategies commonly associated with the ultra-wealthy and ask whether they are real, how they work, and whether ordinary retirees should consider using them.

Topics include...

How are the rich paying more/less taxes?

Is "infinite banking" a legit thing?

Are trusts really that powerful?

What is "buy, borrow, die" - and does it really work?

Listen to Episode 154

Pensions + Social Security = Fewer Bonds?

A reader asked:

Do you recommend treating social security income as part of your bond allocation by doing a present value calculation and apply that figure toward bond allocation?

My current allocation is 70/30 but with the recent in flux of cash flow from SS, I’m considering bumping that up to 90% stocks and 10% bonds.

What do you think?

Let's dive in!

Read the Article

The Top 3...

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Inherited Money Hits Differently

You have $100,000 in your bank. Perhaps it's an emergency fund, earmarked for a big cost, etc.

But what if a relative dies and bequests $100,000 to you...

Does that feel different?

Are you more likely to spend it, splurge, treat yourself?

What's Driving Bonds?

The bonds, they are a-changin'

But why?

"Like nearly everything in investing, it’s rarely about any one thing; instead, a mix of factors drives interest rates. Some matter more than others, but together, they can create a perfect storm of elements that have driven yields appreciably higher."