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Happy Sunday! Here’s what we’re covering in today’s Clark Smart Investing newsletter:
Is too much of your net worth tied up in your house?
Higher interest rates are good for savers, but what about investors?
When someone says “the market,” what do they actually mean?
Q&A with Wes Moss: What advice do you have for renters approaching retirement?
💵 Is Too Much of Your Net Worth Tied Up in Your House?
Having a high net worth on paper is great, but a paid-off home won’t pay your power bill in retirement. Two households can have the exact same total net worth, yet one might have nearly $30,000 less in spendable cash every year. So, how much of your wealth should actually be tied up in your walls versus sitting in liquid investments?
Read the full article to discover the 50% rule of thumb and see where your net worth stands.
📚 Recommended Reading
With the Fed raising rates again and Treasury yields climbing above 5%, what does this mean for your 401(k), home value, and stock portfolio? It’s great news for safe savings, but long-term investors need to know how these forces actually work — and why a rate hike doesn't mean you should panic. Read more.
"The stock market" isn't one single entity — the Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Russell 2000 all measure totally different groups of companies with totally different results. Before you react to the next financial headline, check out our simple guide to what these four major indexes actually mean for your money. Read more.
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Long-term care can become one of the most significant expenses families face later in life. Should you buy insurance, self-insure, or use a combination of both? Explore a four-step framework for how to evaluate the potential costs and consider how much risk you're comfortable keeping.
💬 Ask an Advisor
✅ Poll: What’s Your Take?
Every week, we'll ask a new question to get your take on the latest financial trends and topics.
Do you plan to pay off your mortgage before you retire?
Last Week’s Poll Results
We asked: “Did Medicare’s "IRMAA" surcharge catch you off guard when you turned 65 or retired?” Here’s how you answered:
Yes - (23%)
No - (36%)
What's IRMAA? - (23%)
I'm not retired yet - (18%)
💸 Money Tip of the Week
Check your savings APY: Now that the Federal Reserve has increased rates, don't assume your mega-bank will automatically pass that extra yield along to you. The big institutions love to sit on your cash while giving you breadcrumbs, but online high-yield savings accounts and credit unions will actually compete for your money. Take two minutes to check your current APY — if your bank isn't lifting its rate to match the market, move your hard-earned cash somewhere that pays you what you deserve. Run your numbers with our HYSA calculator.
☎ Need Money Help?
The Team Clark Consumer Action Center is a free helpline that can help you navigate your money questions. Call 636-492-5275. Visit clark.com/cac for more information.
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This information is provided to you as a resource for informational purposes only and is not to be viewed as investment advice or recommendations. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. There is no guarantee offered that investment return, yield, or performance will be achieved. This information is being presented without consideration of the investment objectives, risk tolerance, or financial circumstances of any specific investor and might not be suitable for all investors. Any company names shown are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. The views and opinions expressed are for educational purposes only as of the date of production/writing and may change without notice at any time based on numerous factors, such as market or other conditions. Always consult your own legal, tax, or investment advisor before making any investment/tax/estate/financial planning considerations or decisions.
