Good morning. It's Friday, March. 29 and we're covering top tips for starting a business in your 50s, best pieces of money advice for the middle class, how to successfully negotiate real estate commissions, and much more. | First time reading? Sign up here. | Stock Market Update | | | | | Market Performance: March 28, 2024. | Stocks rallied into the close to end the last trading day of the month, capping a fruitful first quarter of 2024 with a fresh record high for the S&P 500.
The S&P 500 (^GSPC) and the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) rose more than 0.1% on Thursday. Meanwhile, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) slipped about 0.1% on the day. Zooming out, though, all three major averages have now risen for five straight months.
With markets closed for the Good Friday holiday, Thursday marks the final trading session of the quarter. It's been a banner one for Wall Street: The S&P 500's more than 10% return to start the year marks its best first quarter performance since 2019. |
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| | Financial Maverick Insights | | | | | Warren Buffett: Best Pieces of Money Advice for the Middle Class | Investors no doubt also love his enviable track record, which has more than doubled the average annual return of the S&P 500 since 1965, an incredible run. The bottom line is that when Buffett talks, people listen. With that in mind, here are some of the best pieces of financial advice for the middle class offered up by the man known as the "Oracle of Omaha."
Pay Yourself First
Buffett isn't the first or the only one to recommend "paying yourself first," but he's a vocal advocate of it.
The idea behind this philosophy is that if you wait to sock away savings until after you've spent all your money in a given month, it's highly likely that you'll find there's nothing left. But if you instead save your money first, you'll have to budget what's left so that it stretches to cover all of your expenses. This serves the dual purpose of forcing you to cut down on needless expenditures, while at the same time forcing you to build up savings, even on a smaller salary.
Reduce Your Unnecessary Expenses
On the topic of budgeting, Buffett says that one of the keys to financial prosperity is simply to reduce your unnecessary expenses. How do you know which ones are unnecessary?
If you force yourself to live on a tighter budget, you'll see right away which expenses you prioritize in life and which ones might be extra costs that you don't really need. Over time, even a little amount of savings can build into a large amount.
Invest in the S&P 500
It's true that billionaire investors like Warren Buffett have something of a leg up over the average middle-class American when it comes to picking and choosing good investments. But that doesn't mean that you don't have access to wealth-building investments.
The humble S&P 500 index, which can be bought cheaply through an exchange-traded fund by anyone, has a remarkable record of putting even professional money managers to shame.
Avoid Consumer Debt
If you budget properly and spend less than you earn, you should be able to avoid consumer debt. To Buffett, that is an essential piece of advice if you want to get ahead. Buffett himself says that he has "an American Express card, which I got in 1964. But I pay cash 98% of the time." If using cash is one of the tools that has helped Buffett remain wealthy, perhaps it's good enough for the middle class, also. |
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| | | | | | Top 5 Tips For Starting A Business In Your 50s | As a mid-career entrepreneur, you bring a unique set of skills and experiences to the table that can help you succeed in your venture. Surround yourself with a supportive network, do your research, and take calculated risks. With dedication and perseverance, you can turn your passion into a successful business and inspire others to do the same.
Leverage your network
As an entrepreneur, your most valuable resource is your network. You've likely built up a community of colleagues, clients, and mentors over the years that you can turn to for support. Don't be afraid to tap into their expertise and ask for guidance. Seeking out mentors who have walked the same business paths you now tread is a smart move. They can help steer you away from potential pitfalls and toward valuable opportunities. Collaboration is also key, as no one achieves greatness in isolation. By teaming up with individuals or businesses whose services complement your own, you can broaden both your and their market reach.
Digitize your presence
Having a strong online presence is a must for any business looking to succeed. By transforming your career into a digital brand, you can exponentially expand your business's visibility and credibility. To achieve this, it's important to have a professional website and active social media profiles that showcase your business and allow you to interact with your audience. Consistency in messaging and content marketing are key for providing value and fostering customer loyalty.
Financial planning
Starting a business in your 50s presents unique financial considerations that must be considered for success. Financial planning is key to start up success and personal well-being. Starting lean and bootstrapping the business is important when possible, prioritizing necessary expenses and high-value services that contribute to business growth. While budgeting is essential, it's crucial to make quality investments for equipment, technology, and professional services that improve operational efficiency and meet industry standards.
Your unique selling point (USP)
Identifying and communicating your unique selling point (USP) can make all the difference in standing out among competitors. For those in midlife, your years of professional experience can be transformed into your business's standout feature. To create a strong personal brand, it is crucial to encapsulate your expertise and values in an authentic and compelling way that resonates with your target demographic. One way to create a powerful connection with customers is to share your personal story and the motivations behind your business. |
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| Real Estate News | :max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1760543503-021fce712cf74f2eb4551d06890e5b81.jpg) | US Economy News Today: Housing Market Could Be Thawing Going Into Spring Busy Season | Today, a measure of the economy's health was revised upward and pending home sales gave insight into whether the gridlock in the housing market is starting to clear. |
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|  | How to successfully negotiate real estate commissions | In a real estate transaction, there's always some level of negotiation. |
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|  | The Stunning Bedroom Extra That A Real Estate Agent Loves To See In Homes - House Digest | As times and trends change, so do the elements buyers look for in homes. Real estate agents are loving this stunning bedroom extra. Here's what to know. |
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| | Personal Finance Tips |  | How to Save Money: 28 Proven Ways - NerdWallet | Save money by using an automated tool or app, getting discounts on entertainment, lowering bills and getting savvy with shopping. |
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|  | How did 22m US millionaires become rich? This man breaks their success code into 5 vitals | Do you ever wonder what sets millionaires apart from the rest of us? It turns out that being a millionaire might not be as rare as you think. In fact, according to a 2021 study by Credit... |
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|  | How To Think Like A Millionaire: 10 Simple Steps To Success - New Trader U | Embracing the mindset of a millionaire and unlocking the secrets to success is an aspiration for many, but how exactly do you think like those who have |
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| | Alternative Investing |  | Elon Musk Says the Tesla Roadster Will Use SpaceX Tech and Also Might Fly | Each new Tesla Roadster delay gives Elon Musk more time to come up with outlandish possible features. |
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|  | Is This the End of Bitcoin's 4-Year Bull/Bear Market Cycle? | CoinFlip's Daniel Polotsky argues the introduction of ETFs and institutions could disrupt the cyclical price pumps that have historically trailed the Bitcoin halving. |
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|  | How to invest in AI for luxury | Giovanni Prigigallo thinks it's time for the watch auction market to embrace artificial intelligence. |
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| | Would you invest in AI for luxury? | | | Reach Over 100,000 Financial Mavericks | Advertise with Financial Maverick to get your brand in front of the Financial Gurus in the world. The Mavericks are high-income and highly knowledge people who are always looking for an interesting product or tool. | | | Share Financial Maverick | Calling all Financial Mavericks! To help out a family and friend in need by sharing this newsletter. Tell you what if you ever wanted to be a Hero, Financial Guru, or a Nice Person this is your time! | | | DISCLAIMER: None of this is financial advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research. | |
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