Schwab SWVXX Costs .34%. Sell it and Buy T-Bills or SGOV.

by Ethan S. Braid, CFA | Jan 20, 2026 | Blog, Investing, Tax Planning for Retirement

Investors in Schwab prime advantage money fund SWVXX need to know they have better alternatives for large cash holdings. SWVXX is Expensive. The fund costs .34% per year. That is a hefty fee for a low-risk money market investment. SWVXX has Underperformed SWVXX has...

Retirement Planning with Zero Coupon Municipal Bonds

by Ethan S. Braid, CFA | Jan 1, 2026 | Investing, Retirement Planning, Tax Planning for Retirement

Zero coupon municipal bonds are an excellent investment for retirement planning. Investors in high tax brackets can purchase zero coupon municipal bonds, to lock in great yields and predictable future cash flows. Zero coupon municipal bonds are simple, you buy them at...

Retire on Dividends. Pros & Cons Explained.

by Ethan S. Braid, CFA | Dec 13, 2025 | Blog, Investing, Retirement Planning, Tax Planning for Retirement

Retiring on stock market dividends is a great way to retire but this approach is not for everyone. This article will review the pros and cons of retiring on dividends. The PROS are: Inflation protection Lower taxes Predictable Income Low volatility of your income....

Annuities are a Trap. Four Ways the Trap Happens.

by Ethan S. Braid, CFA | Dec 11, 2025 | Blog, Estate Planning, Investing, Retirement Planning, Tax Planning for Retirement

Annuities are bad investments designed to hold you hostage for the duration of your life. Annuities are nothing more than a complicated trap that many investors fall victim to. Here are the four most common ways investors get trapped in annuities. Taxes Death Benefits...

Fidelity 1099s, What You Need to Know – Do Not Miss State Tax Deductions!

by Ethan S. Braid, CFA | Jun 18, 2025 | Blog, Tax Planning for Retirement

If you have a taxable brokerage account with Fidelity, the 1099 you receive will not show what percentage of your ETF and mutual fund dividends came from U.S. government securities. Fidelity 1099 reporting only shows the total amount of your dividends received from...

Nine Reasons to Never Buy Annuities

by Ethan S. Braid, CFA | Mar 20, 2025 | Blog, Estate Planning, Retirement Planning, Tax Planning for Retirement

Annuities are among the worst investments an investor can make for their retirement. In this article, we will explore nine reasons why you should never buy an annuity. All Gains are Taxed as Ordinary Income Annuities do not qualify for favorable tax treatment in the...