Skip to content
Home Blog
The Real Competitive Advantage in AI Is Knowing Your Business
Rakuten: $100/10,000 when opening Synchrony Savings Account (Must Deposit $1,000)
The Offer
Direct Link to offer
- Rakuten is offering $100/10,000 when you click through and open a Synchrony High Yield Savings Account.
- Must deposit $1,000 or more within 55 days. (No holding time requirement mentioned.)
The Fine Print
- Cash Back is provided by Rakuten, not Synchrony Bank.
- Cash Back is only available for new Synchrony Bank accountholders who do not have any active Synchrony Bank deposit accounts and all funds deposited must come from an external source and not from any funds currently on deposit at Synchrony Bank.
- Rakuten member must click and apply directly through the Rakuten link, open a new Synchrony Bank High Yield Savings account and fund the account with a minimum of $1,000.00 within 55 calendar days of opening the account to qualify.
- Cash Back reward is limited to one per Rakuten member.
- Synchrony Bank account will be reviewed to determine eligibility for Cash Back. Account application is subject to approval by Synchrony Bank. Synchrony Bank reserves the right to discontinue or modify the terms of the Synchrony Bank High Yield Savings account promo at any time without prior notice.
Our Verdict
Easy $100 bonus. $100 bonus is the bare minimum we talk about when it comes to bank bonuses. In this case it’s made better by the fact that the points can be received as MR/Bilt points which some value more.
Also worth noting that there won’t be a Form 1099 from the bank for this bonus, though it’s possible Rakuten will send a tax form (probably only if you get $2,000+ in total bonuses throughout the calendar year). This does not have an impact on tax liability, but worth noting regardless.
The Synchrony High Yield Savings Account itself is something worth considering if you don’t have a good high yield account. There are a bunch of other accounts with better rates, but Synchrony High Yield Savings is consistent in offering a good interest rate (their current rate 10/26/26 is 3.55%).
Note: they do a Chex inquiry. And they are Chex sensitive, per reader reports.
If you are new to Rakuten, sign up first via referral link for an extra $50 bonus – see this post for full details.
Hat tip to reader Pras
ADU project volume, cost growth an opportunity for lenders
Processing Content
- Key Insight: Discover how ADU construction activity is diverging sharply across different regions of the country.
- Expert Quote: “…economic uncertainty is making some potential customers hesitant…” — Elliott Pike, NAHB Remodelers Chair
- Supporting Data: Over 62% of surveyed remodelers reporting project costs within the highest price bracket.
Overview bullets generated by AI with editorial review.
In the past seven years, the share of renovation projects remodelers engaged in to create an accessory dwelling unit has grown to one quarter from about one-fifth of the total undertaken, the National Association of Home Builders said.
Supporters of ADU expansion see these as one tool to
The data comes from the third quarter Remodeling Market Index report released earlier in October.
“Remodeling is gaining share in the overall construction market, as it is somewhat less sensitive than new construction to the
Approximately 24% of the remodelers who answered the question in the third quarter survey said they are building an addition to be used as an ADU, up from 18% in
Separately, 23% responded they are doing an ADU construction through the remodeling of an existing space. For the first quarter of 2019, 20% provided an affirmative response to this question.
When digging into the data at the regional level, the Northeast found one-third of the respondents said they built an ADU in the prior 12 months, more than double the 16% in the 2019 query. Meanwhile, 35% were converting an existing space, up from 16%.
The other three regions were a mixed bag of results, with 1 percentage point of remodelers less in the West saying they were doing a new construction ADU and 5 percentage points lower for conversions.
In the South, while 10 percentage points more were doing new construction of an ADU, conversions of existing space were 1 percentage point less.
Cost is another striking change in the data over the seven-year period.
Respondents were able to choose more than one answer to take into account all of the projects they could be working on. In the 2026 survey, over 62% said the project cost $150,000 or more. In the 2019 edition, it was the No. 2 response at 28%.
Next in this year’s query was the $100,000 to $149.999 range, cited by 32%; it was the leading response in 2019 at 30%.
Just 13% said the ADU project cost was between $50,000 and $99,999, while 9% indicated it was between $25,000 and $49,999 in the third quarter survey. But in the first quarter 2019, this was cited by 23% and 19%, respectively.
Kukun just unveiled its
The NAHB Remodeling Market Index was 62 in the third quarter, up from
“Remodeler sentiment remained stable in the third quarter, although remodelers in certain parts of the country continue to report issues with high material costs and finding enough labor to finish projects on time,” said NAHB Remodelers Chair Elliott Pike, a remodeler from Homewood, Alabama, in the press release. “Remodelers also report that economic uncertainty is making some potential customers hesitant to move forward with projects.”
Megan Thee Stallion Says This Was Her ‘Biggest Mistake’ Early On
Key Takeaways
- Megan Thee Stallion is the stage name of the three-time Grammy Award-winning rapper Megan Pete.
- At Entrepreneur’s Overcoming Impossible event, Pete said that her biggest mistake was being scared to ask questions about her contract.
- Now, if she doesn’t understand something, she asks about it.
Before Megan Thee Stallion made it big and signed her first record deal, she thought that rappers made a tremendous amount of money. She saw the social media posts they made sporting new cars and fancy clothes. She couldn’t wait to become a rapper and take care of her whole family.
However, the three-time Grammy Award-winning star, whose real name is Megan Pete, said that the reality of her first record deal was that she wasn’t getting paid what she was worth.
At Entrepreneur’s Overcoming Impossible event last week, Pete said that when she signed her first deal, she knew “it wasn’t the best deal.” What pushed her to sign it was the knowledge that she was going to be able to take care of her mom and pay the bills with the money. She was excited to “take care of her people.”
However, the bigger she got, the more she realized how much her likeness and sound were worth.
“I started realizing I’m not making as much money as I should be making because I kind of just gave my life away to somebody else,” Pete said. “I had to take a step back and think, Okay, let me see what’s going on with my contracts. Let me figure out how I can be my own boss.”
Her biggest mistake
Pete said that her biggest mistake early on was being scared to ask questions about her contract.
“I was a little bit nervous about asking questions,” she said. “I feel like that is one of the biggest things that hold people back, being afraid of sounding stupid.”
Pete said that now, if she doesn’t understand something, she asks.
She added that she didn’t just want to be famous; she wanted to own her own music. Ownership became important to her because she was putting in all the work and felt like she wasn’t receiving anything back.
Asking questions and trying to figure out how she could be her own boss paid off. In 2024, Pete signed a deal with Warner Music Group that allowed her to have full ownership of her masters and publishing. She retains her independence as a musician while tapping into Warner Music for promotion and marketing.
“I do own my masters,” Pete said. “It was important to me, coming out of a situation where I didn’t own anything and I didn’t have control of my career. I just didn’t want to ever be in that position again.”
Her motivations
Only one topic made Pete tear up on stage.
It happened when she was talking about her “North Star,” or the guiding light that keeps her focused and shows her the way forward.
For Pete, her North Star is her family. Her mom, dad, grandmother and great-grandmother are her foundation.
“I do things that I feel like they would have wanted to see me do,” she said. “I just keep them in mind, and I just know that my mom is proud of me, my dad is proud of me.”
Wiping away tears, Pete said that her responsibility is bigger than herself. She wants to make her family proud and give her fans “little pieces” of her to incorporate into their everyday lives. She filters decisions by how her family would respond to them.
Pete also said that anyone in any career path can achieve success. They just have to follow one principle: Be true to themselves.
“When they’re being authentic to themselves, that’s when they win,” Pete said. “That’s when they’re most successful.”
Key Takeaways
- Megan Thee Stallion is the stage name of the three-time Grammy Award-winning rapper Megan Pete.
- At Entrepreneur’s Overcoming Impossible event, Pete said that her biggest mistake was being scared to ask questions about her contract.
- Now, if she doesn’t understand something, she asks about it.
Before Megan Thee Stallion made it big and signed her first record deal, she thought that rappers made a tremendous amount of money. She saw the social media posts they made sporting new cars and fancy clothes. She couldn’t wait to become a rapper and take care of her whole family.
However, the three-time Grammy Award-winning star, whose real name is Megan Pete, said that the reality of her first record deal was that she wasn’t getting paid what she was worth.
At Entrepreneur’s Overcoming Impossible event last week, Pete said that when she signed her first deal, she knew “it wasn’t the best deal.” What pushed her to sign it was the knowledge that she was going to be able to take care of her mom and pay the bills with the money. She was excited to “take care of her people.”
My 600-Lb. Audit | Financial Audit
*WAIT WAIT WAIT THE CRAZIEST EXPOSE IN FINANCIAL AUDIT HISTORY* I GO THROUGH HER PHONE AND FIND OUT THAT *SHE* IS CHEATING, AND SHE IS MAKING EVERYTHING UP SO THAT SHE CAN KEEP FULL CUSTODY. *This is the most insane post show in history* watch here: *OR* download the brand new Hammer Elite App ➡ (discounted annual)
🏆 Dollarwise Referral Games is Live! Earn up to $15 per qualifying referral:
💻 Not a Dollarwise member. Lock in 56% off monthly before October 9th:
=============================
*Caleb Hammer Financial Resources*
=============================
👉 *PERSONAL LOANS* Shop for the best personal loan for a new purchase, a consolidation, or something else →
👉 *DEBT RELIEF* Finally experience relief from your debt once and for all →
👉 *CREDIT BUILDER* Got crappy credit? Break free and finally build it for good →
👉 *AUTO LOANS* Get the best rates on an auto loan or refinance →
👉 *CAR INSURANCE* Find and compare much better AND cheaper car insurance for free →
=============================
🔥 MY NEW FLAVOR IS FINALLY LIVE!! Get Liquid Assets *NOW* for under 40 cents per serving!! Get 10% off your entire order with code CALEB –
🔥 Get Your Own *Hammer Financial Score* →
=============================
*Education*
=============================
👉 Get access to EVERYTHING I offer all in one place:
⚡Learn how to budget:
⚡Learn how to invest:
⚡Pay off your debt:
=============================
*Extra Resources*
=============================
👉 Land a high-paying job with no experience or degree: ➡
👉 Get FREE MONEY by investing with Public!
👉 Find the best credit cards for you with my quiz!
👉 Get $20 from Acorns for free: ➡
👉 Helium Mobile: Use promo code CALEB for a FREE plan ➡
👉 Protect your online privacy and security for free with Aura: ➡
👉 Checking & Savings: Get up to $350 and 3.75% APY on savings with Chime®:
=============================
*Chapters*
=============================
00:00 Intro
01:37 Jobs & Income
05:20 filing for divorce.. cause of a car???
12:38 bro doesnt remember threatening to unalive himself????
18:50 nothing is ever her fault!!
22:40 rip mens mental health
25:30 being fat is not her fault : (
41:30 w blood pressure pull
49:35 he gave her a WHAT???
01:05:40 conveniently didnt have time to gather incriminating evidence? interesting.
01:13:10 they will garnish his wages…
01:20:00 bullsh*t bullsh*t bullsh*t
01:26:31 Budget!!
=============================
Want more content?
=============================
🍿 Caleb Hammer Clips:
🍿 Front Page Documentaries:
🍿 Caleb Hammer Top Videos
=============================
*Connect with me!*
=============================
TikTok:
X:
IG:
Facebook:
=============================
*Want to be a guest on Financial Audit?*
=============================
👉 We film weekdays in our studio in Austin, Texas (in person only)! To apply, visit:
*Some of the links and other products that appear in this video are from companies for which Caleb Hammer will earn an affiliate commission or referral bonus. This is not investment advice.
Sponsorship and business inquiries: business@calebhammer.com
source
Debt-Free College Act Returns With A Federal Match For States That Cover Full College Costs
Key Points
- The Debt-Free College Act of 2026, S. 5403 and H.R. 10455, would match state funding for public colleges dollar for dollar if states commit to covering students’ full unmet need, not just tuition.
- States would have to cap tuition increases at inflation, maintain funding, and adopt five-year plans, while a separate $3 billion program would fund need-based aid at HBCUs, Tribal Colleges, and other minority-serving institutions.
- The bill would also open Pell Grants and other federal aid to certain DREAMers, and it has only Democratic cosponsors after four earlier versions failed to advance.
Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced the Debt-Free College Act of 2026 (S. 5403) last month. Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) introduced the House version (H.R. 10455) to be a companion bill. The bills would create federal-state partnerships so students can attend public colleges in their home state without borrowing, and they target helping families cover unmet need.
“Student debt isn’t just about tuition—it’s books, housing, supplies, and food,” Pocan said, according to Maui Now’s report on the bill. The Senate bill has nine Democratic cosponsors, and the House bill has 18.
Schatz and Pocan first introduced the idea in 2018, as free-tuition proposals gained ground and states began offering free community college.
Save For Later
Would you like to save this?
Why It Matters
Tuition is the one of the cheapest parts of the cost at public colleges. The College Board puts average 2025-26 in-state tuition and fees at public four-year schools at $11,950, but the full student budget is $30,990 once housing, food, books, and transportation are included. After grant aid, average net tuition is only about $2,300, so living costs drive most borrowing.
That’s why the average cost of college in 2026 looks so different from the sticker tuition.
And student loan borrowing remains a key way to pay for college. According to the College Board, 47% of 2023-24 bachelor’s degree recipients from public and private nonprofit four-year schools borrowed, averaging $29,560. That’s in line with the average student loan debt for recent graduates, and it’s the debt this bill aims to replace with grant aid.
How The Federal-State Partnership Would Work
The S. 5403 bill sets up the program like this. States would choose whether to join, so the benefit would depend on where a student lives, much like state 529 plan tax benefits do today:
- Federal match: A participating state’s grant equals its net state operating support for public colleges. Merit aid, capital projects, research, hospitals, and athletics don’t count toward that total.
- Spending order: Money first covers unmet need for Pell Grant recipients, then other students by financial need. Up to 1% can go to administration, and none can go to endowments or athletic venues.
- Unmet need: Cost of attendance at an in-state public college minus the student’s Student Aid Index and federal, state, and local grants.
- Tuition cap: Tuition and fees stay at their level on the date the bill becomes law, with yearly increases limited to inflation.
- Funding floor: State support per full-time student can’t fall below its prior three-year average.
- Benefits outreach: States must help students enroll in Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, and WIC (similar to what the BASIC Act is proposing).
States would submit five-year plans with yearly benchmarks to reach debt-free college. The bill authorizes $84 billion for fiscal 2027, then “such sums as may be necessary” through fiscal 2036.
Congress would still need to provide that money each year, the same budget fight that has left the Pell Grant program facing a shortfall.
.tci-debt-free-college-act{font-family:inherit;color:#141414;border:2px solid #141414;border-radius:8px;overflow:hidden;margin:24px 0;background:#fff}
.tci-debt-free-college-act .tci-debt-free-college-act-head{background:#141414;color:#fff;padding:14px 18px;font-weight:700;font-size:18px;line-height:1.3}
.tci-debt-free-college-act .tci-debt-free-college-act-head span{color:#f6c061}
.tci-debt-free-college-act table{width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:15px}
.tci-debt-free-college-act th{background:#f9f7f5;color:#55504a;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:12px;letter-spacing:.05em;text-align:left;padding:10px 14px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e0d8}
.tci-debt-free-college-act td{padding:11px 14px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e0d8;vertical-align:top}
.tci-debt-free-college-act tbody tr:nth-child(even) td{background:#fcfbf9}
.tci-debt-free-college-act td.tci-debt-free-college-act-label{font-weight:700}
.tci-debt-free-college-act .tci-debt-free-college-act-yes{display:inline-block;background:#dff3e4;color:#14532d;font-size:12px;font-weight:700;padding:3px 10px;border-radius:999px}
.tci-debt-free-college-act .tci-debt-free-college-act-no{display:inline-block;background:#fde2e2;color:#7f1d1d;font-size:12px;font-weight:700;padding:3px 10px;border-radius:999px}
.tci-debt-free-college-act .tci-debt-free-college-act-mixed{display:inline-block;background:#f6c061;color:#141414;font-size:12px;font-weight:700;padding:3px 10px;border-radius:999px}
.tci-debt-free-college-act .tci-debt-free-college-act-foot{background:#f9f7f5;color:#8a8378;font-size:12px;padding:9px 14px}
@media (max-width:640px){
.tci-debt-free-college-act thead{display:none}
.tci-debt-free-college-act table,.tci-debt-free-college-act tbody,.tci-debt-free-college-act tr,.tci-debt-free-college-act td{display:block;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box}
.tci-debt-free-college-act tr{border-bottom:1px solid #e5e0d8;padding:6px 0}
.tci-debt-free-college-act td{border-bottom:none;padding:5px 14px;display:flex;justify-content:space-between;gap:12px;text-align:right}
.tci-debt-free-college-act td.tci-debt-free-college-act-label{font-size:16px;padding-top:10px;text-align:left}
.tci-debt-free-college-act td[data-label]::before{content:attr(data-label);color:#55504a;font-size:12px;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.05em;font-weight:400;text-align:left}
}
How The Debt-Free College Act Would Work
| Provision | What The Bill Requires |
|---|---|
| Federal Match | Equal to state operating support for public colleges |
| First In Line | Pell Grant recipients with unmet need |
| Covered Costs | Full cost of attendance at in-state public colleges |
| Tuition Cap | Frozen at enactment, then inflation increases only |
| State Funding Floor | Per-student support at prior 3-year average |
| MSI Grants | $3 billion for HBCUs, TCUs, and other MSIs |
| DREAMers | Eligible for Pell Grants and federal aid |
| Private Colleges | Excluded from state partnership |
Source: S. 5403, H.R. 10455. The College Investor.
Who Would Benefit Most?
Pell Grant recipients at in-state public colleges come first under the bill, so low-income students would see help before anyone else. Private colleges are excluded from the state partnership, which matters for families who already weigh the value of in-state tuition at public schools. Community colleges are included, and the HBCU and minority-serving institution grants would also reach private nonprofit schools where at least 35% of students receive Pell.
Here’s how the unmet need math could work. A student with a $0 or negative SAI at a public four-year college with the College Board’s average $30,990 budget would receive the maximum Pell Grant of $7,395 for 2026-27. If the state adds $5,000 in grants, the student still faces about $18,600 in unmet need. Today that gap gets filled with loans, work hours, or family help, and the bill would aim to cover it with grant aid instead.
The bill would also expand federal aid to certain DREAMers. Undocumented students, including DACA recipients, can’t get federal student aid today, according to a Federal Student Aid fact sheet.
Under the bill, a student who entered the U.S. before age 16 and finished high school here, completed two years of college, or served four years in the uniformed services could qualify for Pell Grants and other federal aid. That would show up in the Pell Grant eligibility rules for the first time.
How This Connects
Federal support would arrive as states pull back. SHEEO reported that state education appropriations fell 1.0% to $12,082 per full-time student in fiscal 2025, the first per-student decline since 2012.
States like New Mexico already cover full tuition and fees at public colleges, but not books or housing. For families facing a gap now, our steps to close a last-minute tuition gap still apply.
What’s Next
S. 5403 went to the Senate HELP Committee, and H.R. 10455 went to the House Education and Workforce Committee. Schatz and Pocan introduced versions in 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2023, and none received a committee vote.
No Congressional Budget Office estimate is available. With Republicans controlling both chambers and the 119th Congress ending January 3, 2027, the bill works more as a marker for a future Democratic majority than a near-term change. Families should keep planning around current aid, starting with the 2027-28 SAI chart.
Editor: Colin Graves
The post Debt-Free College Act Returns With A Federal Match For States That Cover Full College Costs appeared first on The College Investor.
Cameco vs. Centrus vs. BWX Technologies: Ranking the 3 Nuclear Stocks That Get Paid Before a Reactor Is Built.
Cameco (CCJ +0.60%), Centrus (LEU -3.91%), and BWX Technologies (BWXT +3.15%) are all linchpins of the nuclear energy market. Cameco is one of the world’s largest uranium miners; Centrus is a major uranium enricher, and BWX builds crucial nuclear components.
In theory, all three companies should benefit from the nuclear market’s recent resurgence — which was driven by new decarbonization initiatives, safer nuclear technologies, and the expansion of the power-hungry cloud infrastructure and AI markets. But over the past 12 months, Cameco’s stock fell 8%, BWX’s dipped 7%, and Centrus’ plummeted 72%. Let’s see why these three nuclear stocks fizzled out — and which one is the best turnaround play.
Image source: Getty Images.
The differences between Cameco, Centrus, and BWX
Cameco, based in Canada, is the world’s second-largest uranium miner after Kazakhstan’s Kazatomprom (OTC:NATK.Y). It operates mines in Canada, the U.S., and Kazakhstan. It also owns nearly half of Westinghouse Electric, one of the world’s top nuclear plant builders, and Global Laser Enrichment (GLE), its uranium enrichment joint venture with Silex (SILXY +4.26%).
Cameco still generates most of its revenue from mining. Still, its investments in Westinghouse and GLE could eventually turn it into a “one-stop shop” for mining, converting, and selling enriched uranium. Instead of selling its uranium at spot prices (which would expose it to more volatility), Cameco locks most of its clients into long-term, partly fixed-price contracts. That approach is safer, but it also limits Cameco’s exposure to rising uranium prices.
CCJ Cameco
$79.07+$0.47 (+0.60%)
NYSE · As of 4:00 PM ET 10/26/26
Centrus is one of the few U.S. companies licensed to sell low-enriched uranium (LEU), the most common fuel for commercial nuclear reactors. It’s also the only public U.S. company authorized to sell high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) for next-gen reactors.
Centrus once enriched its own uranium, but it shut down its domestic plants over a decade ago when it became cheaper to import and sell overseas LEU. But in recent years, the sanctions against Russia and the U.S. government’s push toward energy independence have driven Centrus to restart its LEU plant in Ohio and begin producing HALEU in the United States. That transformation from a middleman to a first-party producer is squeezing its near-term margins.
LEU Centrus Energy
$98.44-$4.01 (-3.91%)
NYSE · As of 4:00 PM ET 10/26/26
BWX is the only large-scale producer of specialized nuclear components, fuel systems, and naval reactor systems in North America. It’s one of the few companies authorized to work with regulated nuclear materials, handle HALEU and tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) fuel, and develop naval reactor components for the U.S. Navy. It also produces tiny microreactors, which are cooled by gas rather than water and generate approximately 1-5 MWe.
BWX generates most of its revenue from the defense sector, so it’s better insulated from the macro headwinds than commercial-oriented nuclear companies. Its scale and diversification also keep it more profitable than smaller next-gen reactor makers.
BWXT BWX Technologies
$131.20+$4.01 (+3.15%)
NYSE · As of 4:00 PM ET 10/26/26
Which stock is the best turnaround play?
Rising interest rates pose the biggest near-term threat for all three companies, because they could throttle economic growth and compress their valuations. But over the next few years, analysts clearly expect BWX to grow faster than Cameco and Centrus.
|
Company |
Projected 2025-2028 CAGR for Revenue |
Projected 2025-2028 CAGR for EPS |
Forward P/E Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Cameco |
8% |
39% |
37x |
|
Centrus |
2% |
(11%) |
28x |
|
BWX Technologies |
13% |
16% |
25x |
Data source: Marketscreener.
Cameco’s growth rates are steady, but its conservatively hedged contracts limit its long-term growth potential compared to producers that directly sell their uranium at spot prices. Centrus’ earnings will decline through 2028 as it restarts its capital-intensive domestic plants and ramps up HALEU production, but those investments should pay off in the long run.
BWX is better positioned to profit from the nuclear market’s near-term growth. It’s better diversified, it controls a crucial link of the North American nuclear supply chain, and the growth of its defense business should insulate it from the next recession.
In addition to growing faster over the next few years, BWX’s stock also trades at a lower forward multiple than Cameco and Centrus. While that might seem like an apples-to-oranges comparison, BWX is clearly the safer overall play on the ongoing nuclear boom.
WOLFBOX 4000A Portable Car Jump Starter for Just $59.99 on Amazon
WOLFBOX 4000A Portable Car Jump Starter for Just $59.99
This article contains Amazon affiliate links.
Amazon is selling the WOLFBOX 4000A Portable Car Jump Starter for $59.99, normally $119.99.
To get this price, use promo code WB2026MV24 at checkout to save an extra $60. Shipping is free.
This portable jump starter is designed to get your car running when the battery dies, without needing another vehicle or jumper cables connected to another car. It also doubles as a power bank for charging devices.
Features
- 4000A peak current: Advertised to jump-start 12V vehicles with gasoline or diesel engines up to 10L.
- 24,000mAh battery: Provides portable power for emergency starts and charging devices.
- 65W fast charging: Includes a 65W wall charger and USB-C charging cable.
- LED display: Makes it easy to check battery status.
- Built-in LED flashlight: Handy for nighttime emergencies.
- Portable design: Keep it in your vehicle for roadside emergencies.
The package includes the jump starter, battery clamps and jumper cable, 65W wall charger, USB-C cable and carrying case.
How to Get the Deal
- Add the WOLFBOX 4000A Jump Starter to your cart on Amazon.
- Enter promo code WB2026MV24 at checkout.
- Your price should drop from $119.99 to $59.99, with free shipping.
Make sure the discount appears before completing your purchase.
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this article. Using links on the site for Amazon purchases is the best way you can support the site as you normally can’t earn cash back for these purchases. But, you should still check shopping portals such as Rakuten, TopCashback, RebatesMe, ShopBack and others for possible cashback. Your support is always greatly appreciated!
Fed preview: Inflation and jobs pulling FOMC in different directions, economist says
However, a softer-than-expected jobs report seemed to pump the brakes on an October increase. The Fed is widely expected to leave rates alone this week, and one economist says patience is the likelier path.
Sam Williamson (pictured top), senior economist at First American, said the Fed is more likely to hold off than act now.
“Election day may command the headlines, but the economic data will ultimately drive the Fed’s next move,” Williamson told Mortgage Professional America. “And in September, the data painted a mixed picture, with inflation coming in hotter than expected and job growth surprising to the downside. While an October rate hike remains a possibility, the Fed may prefer to proceed cautiously and wait until December.”
Why a pause looks likely
The jobs numbers in September spun the betting markets from a likely rate hike to a hold. As of Monday morning, CME FedWatch showed a 90.6% chance of a hold and a 9.4% chance of a quarter-point increase, compared with a 64.2% chance of an increase on Sept. 25.
In a LinkedIn poll after the last increase, some brokers said the Fed should have gone with a 50-basis-point bump. Williamson sees merit in the more cautious option.
The Best Types of Investments in an Unpredictable Economy
Author: Ben Fraser, President & CIO, Aspen Funds
Editor’s note from Peter: Aspen Funds is one of our sponsor partners. We asked them to share how they think about where to put capital when the economy is unpredictable. Their core business is real estate private credit, which is worth understanding whether or not you ever invest with them. As always, this is education, not a recommendation. Do your own due diligence. Here’s their take. Full disclosure at the end of the post.
When the economy is unpredictable and tumultuous, a few things happen.
The stock market (and retirement accounts) can have drastic fluctuations, often wiping out years of gains overnight.
People’s “risk meters” go into overdrive, keeping them in jobs they don’t like and scaring them away from continued investing. And in periods of high inflation, the future value of their savings is being chiseled away.
Navigating the complexities of a challenging economy without a crystal ball is tough. Knowing where to focus your investments to keep earning returns can be difficult.
Here’s something to consider. The best types of investments to focus on when the economy is unpredictable have two primary features: lower risk and income-producing.
Top Features for Investment Opportunities in an Unpredictable Economy
Lower Risk
Oftentimes, inexperienced investors view stock market investing as “low risk.” After all, if millions of other investors are doing this, it has to be safe, right? The truth is, the stock market has inherent volatility that many investors don’t consider.
And volatility kills the power of compounding. That’s why, when the economy is not stable, you want to focus on investment vehicles that are stable and carry lower risk.
How do you find lower-risk investments?
Finding investments that are lower-risk may seem daunting. Of course, you need to do your own research and due diligence, but here are a few steps to consider that can help you identify opportunities that are less risky:
- Look for inflation-protected investments. When inflation is high, it can have a big impact on your cash. Let’s say your money is tied up in a 5-year investment that doesn’t adjust for inflation, like a fixed-rate bond. By the end of that period, you may have “technically” made money on your investment, but the value of the dollar has decreased, and your terms didn’t adjust with inflation. So in reality, you made much less. Looking for inflation-protected investments, or investment vehicles that naturally adjust to inflation, can mitigate a lot of risk and help protect your capital. One of the more common inflation-protected vehicles is real estate. Property prices and rents have historically tended to track inflation. Other asset classes that can serve as a hedge against inflation, because they aren’t as sensitive to public equity markets, are commodities like oil and gas.
- Look for investments backed by actual assets. Investments whose value is (at least partially) based on a physical asset are often less risky than investments where this isn’t the case. Venture capital, for example, is a riskier investment because you’re betting on the future success of a business. Owning a share of a valuable piece of artwork, on the other hand, gives you the collateral of the actual piece of art. Its value may change, but it is less likely to go to zero. Common investment vehicles that are backed by assets include art, collectibles, and, most notably, real estate. Real estate can include everything from multifamily syndications to industrial properties to mortgage note investing.
- Look for a track record. Aside from the actual investment opportunity itself, it’s also paramount to evaluate the risk associated with the operator of the investment. When the economy is unpredictable and you’re looking to lower risk, it’s especially important to invest with operators that have a solid track record. Key things to look for in a track record include length of time in operation, total assets under management, whether any return payments have been missed or delayed, past capital losses, and historic performance during challenging economic environments, like during Covid. While past performance doesn’t guarantee future performance, positive indicators in all these areas can help mitigate some risk.
Want to learn more about a private credit fund targeting 10-12% annual returns?
Learn about the Aspen Real Estate Private Credit Fund.
Target returns are not guaranteed. Available to accredited investors only.
Income-Producing
Finding investments that produce regular returns in the form of monthly or quarterly checks is always top of mind for investors. But this becomes especially important in periods of economic uncertainty.
Income-producing investments can help supplement earned income or provide a financial buffer if you hit any road bumps during an economic downturn.
Types of income-producing investment assets
Alternative investments:
- Real estate. One of the easiest places to find investments that will generate regular income is real estate. There are crowd-favorite options like syndications in multifamily, commercial, and retail properties. There are also lesser-known real estate investments that can offer a different risk profile and more predictable cash flow, like mortgage notes or private lending strategies such as preferred equity or mezzanine debt.
- Oil & Gas. Investing directly into existing oil fields can produce strong yields. While these types of investments can have more volatility given the ties to commodity prices, generally the risk-adjusted returns can be compelling. And similar to real estate syndications, these types of investments are typically available to accredited investors.
Other less-common alternative investments that can produce income are things like investing in farmland that generates dividends or buying catalogs of music that produce royalties.
Public markets:
- Dividend stocks. Dividend stocks pay investors dividends, usually on a quarterly basis, based on company earnings. The dividend amount varies and is determined by the company’s board of directors each quarter.
- Bonds. Bonds are essentially loans to a government or corporation at a fixed interest rate. You receive payments at this fixed amount on a fixed schedule according to the loan terms.
- REITs. Real estate investment trusts are publicly traded shares in a company that owns physical real estate (like office buildings), collects rent from tenants, and distributes the majority of its earnings as dividends.
Why Invest with Aspen Funds
Aspen Funds is a macro-driven alternative investment firm providing private market investment opportunities to accredited investors in the U.S. Aspen focuses on middle market strategies with low correlation to public markets and attractive risk-adjusted return potential.
For more than 13 years, Aspen has built a track record of putting investors first and investing alongside them in every deal. This discipline has helped Aspen grow to more than $1 billion in AUM and has delivered more than $100 million in distributions back to investors.
Were these helpful in any way? Make sure to sign up for the newsletter and join the Passive Income Docs Facebook Group for more physician-tailored content.
Peter Kim, MD is the founder of Passive Income MD, the creator of Passive Real Estate Academy, and offers weekly education through his Monday podcast, the Passive Income MD Podcast. Join our community at the Passive Income Doc Facebook Group.
Disclaimer: This article is sponsored content from Aspen Funds, one of Passive Income MD’s sponsor partners. The opinions are the author’s and have not been independently verified by PIMD. This content is for educational purposes only and is not investment, tax, or legal advice, and it is not an offer to buy or sell any security. Aspen Funds’ offerings are available to accredited investors only and are made solely through their offering documents. All investments involve risk, including loss of principal. Target returns are not guaranteed, and past performance does not predict future results. Please do your own due diligence and consult your own advisors.
Further Reading