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Should I Invest $500,000 in QQQI and SPYI for the Next 40 Years?

2025-12-11 15:43:15 By Jennifer Davis

The magnitude of enthusiasm surrounding higher-yielding covered call (premium income) ETFs has been strong among the retail crowd. And while the yields are above and beyond what you’d come to expect from an ETF that just owns shares of various dividend-paying companies, investors must consider the nuances before placing a big bet. Indeed, yields can be on the move. And when it comes to options market premiums, investors had better be prepared for a yield to go in any direction in the short run.

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For those who are fine with such dynamic yields, such products can really help one meet their individual investment goals. Maximization of yield, even if it means forgoing capital gains potential, is a priority for many. In any case, I’d check in with a financial advisor specializing in covered call ETF products if you’re not quite sure what you’re getting into. Indeed, if you’re going to put in half a million dollars, as this individual on Reddit wants to do, you should know the ins and outs of the product you’re looking to buy.

Key Points

The QQQI and SPYI are award-winning income-heavy ETFs that hold plenty of promise.
Placing a big bet in the pair of ETFs could make sense, provided one knows that distributions can fluctuate. Those who can’t brace for such flucutations may wish to consider buying individual dividend payers as well.
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The QQQI and SPYI show promise. But owning individual names as well could make sense

Notably, the individual highlighted that theNEOS Nasdaq 100 High Income ETF(NASDAQ:QQQI), which has a stunning 14.5% yield, and theNEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF(SPYI), with an equally impressive 12.1% yield, are on their radar.

And while I’m a fan of both ETFs as a way to move some of that growth more towards the yield side than capital gains (it’s a great pick for prospective early retirees seeking to live off portfolio dividends rather than scheduled withdrawals), investors should ensure that they’re properly diversified before putting in six figures in any one (or two) securities. Indeed, diversification into lower-yielding dividend ETFs or individual dividend stocks, I believe, could further solidify a portfolio that has the QQQI or SPYI at its core.

The yields are elevated, but they can move quite quickly

Though you could concentrate in both ETFs and still be sufficiently diversified across sectors, I do think that those who need a fixed amount of income should be prepared for fluctuations. A 14.5% yield could be at 10% next month and closer to 8% to end the year, depending on what’s hot and moving in markets.

If one can account for a wider range of potential yields, I have no problem in plowing such a big sum into the ETFs. That said, for a retirement plan that will be sunk if a percentage point or two were to be shaved off of a dividend payment, perhaps pairing QQQI and SPYI with a strong portfolio of individual high-yield dividend stocks could also make a lot of sense.

When it comes to the QQQI or SPYI, you’re not just getting a run-of-the-mill covered call strategy. You’re getting a sophisticated data-driven strategy led by some very capable active managers. Indeed, the gross expense ratio sits at 0.68%, which is quite a bit higher than that of index ETFs. However, given the active management and the labor involved in implementing options strategies, I’d argue the fees represent a good value compared to the benefits you’ll get over investing in a traditional index ETF that follows the S&P 500 or the Nasdaq 100.

The QQQI and SPYI have an intriguing value proposition

It’s not just the income boost you’ll get from the likes of a QQQI or SPYI, but you may get a softer landing if markets look to slide again. In any case, if a double-digit yield that can fluctuate with capped capital gains upside is more enticing, perhaps the pair of ETFs is worth a look.

Indeed, the AI bull market could propel broad markets to even higher highs (the S&P just broke 6,500 today), but if you’re in the camp that thinks prospective returns will be modest, ETFs like the QQQI and SPYI stand out as a potentially better bet, even if there are a few more basis points to pay in fees.

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Why I Questioned JEPQ’s High Returns and What You Should Know About Dividend Funds

TheJPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium ETF(NASDAQ:JEPQ) is a case study in higher yields not always being better for investors. On the surface, JEPQ’s 9.96% SEC yield looks like a compelling opportunity for investors. If you invest $100,000 into the fund, you will receive $9,960 in annual cash flow. Most dividend stocks and funds can’t keep up with that type of yield. nextstayCCSettingsOffArabicChineseEnglishFrenchGermanHindiPortugueseSpanishFont ColorwhiteFont Opacity100%Font Size100%Font FamilyArialText ShadownoneBackground ColorblackBackground Opacity50%Window ColorblackWindow Opacity0%WhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyan100%75%50%25%200%175%150%125%100%75%50%ArialGeorgiaGaramondCourier NewTahomaTimes New RomanTrebuchet MSVerdanaNoneRaisedDepressedUniformDrop ShadowWhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyan100%75%50%25%0%WhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyan100%75%50%25%0%However, you sacrifice a lot to get that yield, and the real yield is very different from the yield that JEPQ advertises. The challenges surrounding JEPQ’s high yield and the abundance of additional options make it a concerning ETF for long-term investors. These are some of the red flags to keep in mind.-->-->Key PointsJEPQ features a high yield but has some key downsides hidden beneath the surface.Discover what you should know before buying any ETF for its high yield.Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset’s free tool can match you with a financial advisor in minutes to help you answer that today. Each advisor has been carefully vetted, and must act in your best interests. Don’t waste another minute; get started by clicking here.(Sponsor)-->-->The Cash Flow Doesn’t Get Any Special TreatmentJEPQ aims to deliver monthly income to its investors and exposure to the Nasdaq 100 with less volatility. While volatility can be scary during the bad times, investors need volatility to realize the highest gains. It’s understandable that retirees want to avoid volatility and aim for steady cash flow instead, but JEPQ isn’t the best way to do that.The ETF’s 9.96% SEC yield sounds like a steal, but all of that cash flow comes from short-term options trading. All of the income from these trades is treated as ordinary income, and that will push up your tax bill. It can also push your Social Security checks to a higher tax bracket, which can reduce your benefits.ETFs that mirror benchmarks like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite have a history of annualized double-digit returns. However, those come as unrealized capital gains, which aren’t taxed until you sell your shares. Even when you sell those shares, you get a more favorable long-term gains tax rate. That perk doesn’t exist for JEPQ cash distributions.Returns Have Lagged The Stock MarketThe Nasdaq Composite is up by 25% over the past year, while JEPQ has only gained 6% over the past year. That 6% gain does not include the 11.1% trailing 12-month yield.  Investors are looking at a 17% return from JEPQ over the past year, but the real return is a bit lower since the proceeds from the 11.1% trailing 12-month yield are all treated as ordinary income.Ultimately, investors care about how much they can gain from an ETF based on their risk tolerance. A fund that lags the Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 while having an inefficient tax setup may not be what investors need. The Expense Ratio Is Higher Than Passively Managed FundsA 0.35% expense ratio isn’t bad, but when you can find better funds with expense ratios below 0.10%, it becomes a red flag to consider. A 0.35% expense ratio means you have to give up $35 of every $10,000 to the financial firm. That can add up, especially as the portfolio grows and you factor in all of the extra taxes that you have to pay.Investors can more easily deal with a 0.35% expense ratio if the fund is exceptional. For instance. theiShares Semiconductor ETF(NASDAQ:SOXX) has a 0.34% expense ratio, but it has also delivered an annualized 20.1% return over the past five years and an annualized 25.7% return over the past decade. Those returns make it easier to justify a 0.34% expense ratio compared to JEPQ’s 0.35% expense ratio.If You have $500,000 Saved, Retirement Could Be Closer Than You Think (sponsor)Retirement can be daunting, but it doesn’t need to be. Imagine having an expert in your corner to help you with your financial goals. Someone to help you determine if you’re ahead, behind, or right on track. With SmartAsset, that’s not just a dream—it’s reality. This free tool connects you with pre-screened financial advisors who work in your best interests. It’s quick, it’s easy, so take the leap today and start planning smarter!Don’t waste another minute; get started right here and help your retirement dreams become a retirement reality.(sponsor)

I have the freedom to stay retired but a dream job is pulling me back

It’s hard to accept the reality in the FIRE world that there have to be trade-offs from time to time between financial and work fulfillment. For most people in this space, they can’t wait to get out of the workforce and never stop to worry about whether or not they love their job. nextstayCCSettingsOffArabicChineseEnglishFrenchGermanHindiPortugueseSpanishFont ColorwhiteFont Opacity100%Font Size100%Font FamilyArialText ShadownoneBackground ColorblackBackground Opacity50%Window ColorblackWindow Opacity0%WhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyan100%75%50%25%200%175%150%125%100%75%50%ArialGeorgiaGaramondCourier NewTahomaTimes New RomanTrebuchet MSVerdanaNoneRaisedDepressedUniformDrop ShadowWhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyan100%75%50%25%0%WhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyan100%75%50%25%0%-->-->Key PointsThis Redditor is already in a great financial position, but has recently been presented with a dream work opportunity.The good news is that this Redditor doesn’t have to take any job as they already have double their initial FIRE goal.There are going to be two separate “what if” questions if they either take this job or decide to retire and spend quality time with family.Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset’s free tool can match you with a financial advisor in minutes to help you answer that today. Each advisor has been carefully vetted, and must act in your best interests. Don’t waste another minute; learn more here.(Sponsor)-->-->For a Redditor posting in r/fatFIRE, they have the good luck of already being in a great financial position, but are stuck between leaving the workforce now or accepting a dream job. It’s admittedly a terrible position to be in, but also one of great privilege, and it does lead to questions about regret. Choosing The Dream Job or Family In the case of this 40-something Redditor, they rightfully acknowledge they have the good fortune of already doubling their FIRE number. Unfortunately, we don’t get specifics on the math, but it’s great news for this Redditor to not only have hit their financial goals, but to have doubled the number they thought they needed to stop working forever. Under normal circumstances, this would have been fantastic news for someone who should be planning to walk away from the workforce for good. Instead, they are trying to look at this from two perspectives, and each perspective has its advantages and disadvantages. On the plus side, the Redditor can walk away and live out a fantastic life, going to every kid’s activity, traveling, and doing everything a retiree dreams of doing. The challenge is that this Redditor has also been presented with a rewarding “dream job” that would take away from the family time and flexibility that they know they will value greatly. The concern is that they don’t know what to do, as there is a “what if” question that, if they don’t take the job, five years from now, they will regret not taking it. The alternative is not taking the job and adding a few more weeks of vacation and a whole kids’ baseball practice schedule to their calendar. This indecision has led the Redditor to ask in the fatFIRE community how anyone else might have handled this situation and where they ended up. What To Do NextUltimately, there is no easy answer here as the Redditor can’t have it both ways, as they either need to take the job and roll the dice or live for their children and retirement life. This really comes down to a question of what they want more in life: family or professional fulfillment? It’s a difficult truth to accept, but these are sometimes mutually exclusive in that you can’t have your cake and eat it too. Thankfully, the Redditor acknowledges that if they had to choose, “gun to head,” it would be the family. This is the right choice, of course, but this isn’t a situation where a metaphorical gun is to someone’s head. A lot of Redditors chime in that going back to work means missing too much, while a few other Redditors indicate that the kids are young enough not to remember what activities their parents did or did not attend. At the end of the day, there is only one person who can answer the question of what is most important to this Redditor. Money Isn’t EverythingKnowing that this Redditor is already sitting on double the amount of money they originally believed they needed to retire, it begs the question of what is missing in their life. Any decision around this dream job can’t be about money, as money isn’t a factor in the family’s life right now. Instead, it seems like something else is missing in this Redditor’s life that their current consulting work isn’t providing them. Yes, they could give this job a shot and walk away, but this, too, might end up in a similar situation where there is a lot of regret. If the Redditor had teenagers who are independent and capable of doing things on their own, this would be an entirely different argument. However, given that the children are young and that life could end tomorrow, this Redditor should take advantage of his already outstanding financial success and focus on being a good father and husband for now. Get Ready To Retire (Sponsored)Start by taking a quick retirement quiz from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes, or less.Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.Here’s how it works:1. Answer SmartAsset advisor match quiz2. Review your pre-screened matches at your leisure. Check out the advisors’ profiles.3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future.

Is My Family’s Definition of Success Leading Me to Financial Mediocrity?

-->Key PointsA Reddit user is worried his family defines success the wrong way.The poster’s family focuses on status, not on building a solid financial life.The Redditor can avoid falling into this trap by setting financial goals and prioritizing investing.It sounds nuts, but SoFi is giving new active invest users up to $1k in stock, see for yourself (Sponsor)-->-->What does it mean to be financially successful? A Reddit poster is grappling with this question right now. As he explained, there’s a lot of focus onstatusrather than on quality of life within his family. He’s worried that buying into this version of success, where the goal is to impress the neighbors, could set him up for a life of mediocrity.nextstayCCSettingsOffArabicChineseEnglishFrenchGermanHindiPortugueseSpanishFont ColorwhiteFont Opacity100%Font Size100%Font FamilyArialText ShadownoneBackground ColorblackBackground Opacity50%Window ColorblackWindow Opacity0%WhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyan100%75%50%25%200%175%150%125%100%75%50%ArialGeorgiaGaramondCourier NewTahomaTimes New RomanTrebuchet MSVerdanaNoneRaisedDepressedUniformDrop ShadowWhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyan100%75%50%25%0%WhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyan100%75%50%25%0%So, what should the poster do? How can he define and achieve his ownversion of success instead of falling into the trap that his family has where appearances matter more than security and building a life you truly want?Far too many people focus on impressing the Joneses The OP told the story of his family’s money philosophy, and it’s familiar to many people. He said his brother has an important-sounding job as a consultant, which leads his parents to beam with pride, but his brother is also stressedallthe time, working 70-hour weeks, and not really doing much to build wealthHis cousin, on the other hand, works in HVAC, has a job no one really brags about, but bought a second rental property, takes three-day weekends, and is enjoying life.His family’s attitude towards the differing situations of the brother and the cousin has the OP worried that he could fall into the trap of “doing what sounds good at parties instead of what actually builds wealth,” when in reality, “maybe the goal shouldn’t be impressing relatives with your job title but actually creating something that works for you financially.”How to build your own version of financial successThe OP is absolutely right that a focus on external status symbols, like job titles, is not really as important as what you’re actually doing to build financial security and to create a life that you want.Of course, there’s nothing wrong with having a good job. And earning a generous income absolutely makes it easier to build a good life. However, that’s only true if:You have a reasonable work/life balance,orenjoy working the long hours the job requiresYou’re using the money from the good job to create long-term financial security by investing wisely in a good brokerage accountSome people thriveon working a big job, with long hours and a huge paycheck. If the OP’s brother is one of them, there’s nothing wrong with him doing that. There’salsonothing wrong with finding a job that might pay less and provide more flexibility, as long as it earns enough to cover your costs and allow you to invest for your future. Ultimately, the key is to create a vision of the life you want and figure out how much money you need to achieve it both now and in the future. If you want a job where you work fewer hours and work less hard, then you may need to accept that you have to live in a smaller house and keep fixed costs lower so you can invest despite the smaller paycheck.  You also need to have clearfinancial goals, no matter what job you have or how much you are earning, and make sure you have a detailed, measurable path to achieve them that you are following. Plenty of people with big incomes don’t end up financially secure because they don’t invest, so it’s not so much what you earn but what you do with the money that counts. Setting your financial goals and making them a realityIf you want to avoid the life of financial mediocrity that the OP is worried about, you should:Define what financial success and happiness look like to you: This may mean finding a way to work fewer hours while still investing for retirement, or it may mean earning the most you can now to build a more secure future later. Make detailedfinancial projections about how to achieve that vision.If you want to retire at 55 with $1 million in the bank, for example, you should be very specific about what it will take to get there and how much to invest each month to make that happenSet short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals that are specific, that you can measure the success of, and that you have time deadlines — and always break big goals down into small ones. If you dream of early retirement, for example, figure outexactlyhow much you have to save each month to make that happenBuild a budget that prioritizes your goals.Before any discretionary spending, you should automatically transfer the money you need into savings and investment accounts, so the default is that you grow your wealth. Automate your saving and investingso you don’t lose sight of your objectives. Making the process automatic helps to ensure that you stick to your plan. Most good brokerage firms will allow you to make automatic transfers of funds into your account so you can stay on track. Invest in a good brokerage accountas investing helps you to grow your wealth, so you can more easily achieve your dreams. If you do this, you can develop the type of true financial success the OP is looking for. 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Please view our fee disclosure to view a full listing of fees.Investing in alternative investments and/or strategies may not be suitable for all investors and involves unique risks, including the risk of loss. An investor should consider their individual circumstances and any investment information, such as a prospectus, prior to investing. Interval Funds are illiquid instruments, the ability to trade on your timeline may be restricted. Brokerage and Active investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA(www.finra.org) /SIPC(www.sipc.org).There are limitations with fractional shares to consider before investing. During market hours fractional share orders are transmitted immediately in the order received. There may be system delays from receipt of your order until execution and market conditions may adversely impact execution prices. Outside of market hours orders are received on a not held basis and will be aggregated for each security then executed in the morning trade window of the next business day at market open. Share will be delivered at an average price received for executing the securities through a single batched order. Fractional shares may not be transferred to another firm. Fractional shares will be sold when a transfer or closure request is initiated. Please consider that selling securities is a taxable event.Options involve risks, including substantial risk of loss and the possibility an investor may lose the entire investment Before trading options please review the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options [HYPERLINK: https://www.theocc.com/getmedia/a151a9ae-d784-4a15-bdeb-23a029f50b70/riskstoc.pdfInvesting in an Initial Public Offering (IPO) involves substantial risk, including the risk of loss. Further, there are a variety of risk factors to consider when investing in an IPO, including but not limited to, unproven management, significant debt, and lack of operating history. For a comprehensive discussion of these risks please refer to SoFi Securities’ IPO Risk Disclosure Statement [HYPERLINK https://www.sofi.com/iporisk/]. This should not be considered a recommendation to participate in IPOs and investors should carefully read the offering prospectus to determine whether an offering is consistent with their investment objectives, risk tolerance, and financial situation. New offerings generally have high demand and there are a limited number of shares available for distribution to participants. Many customers may not be allocated shares and share allocations may be significantly smaller than the shares requested in the customer’s initial offer (Indication of Interest). For more information on the allocation process please visit IPO Allocation [HYPERLINK https://support.sofi.com/hc/en-us/articles/360058602892-How-does-SoFi-allocate-IPO-shares].

Earn up to 4.18% APY. Here are the best CD rates today, Dec. 8, 2025

It’s still a good time to earn a great return on a certificate of deposit, just don’t wait to take action. After declining in 2024 as the Federal Reserve cut rates, average CD yields stabilized in early 2025 thanks to the central bank hitting pause on more rate changes for several months. However, the Fed finally took action with its first rate cut of 2025 after meeting Sept. 16-17, then made a second cut in October.The best CD rates yield up to 4.18% annual percentage yield. If you choose to open an account today, you could lock in high rates for years, depending on the term that best meets your financial goals. Experts expect the Fed may cut rates again when it meets this week, so don’t wait to invest.ADVERTISEMENTAdvertiser DisclosurePrivacy policyPowered byBest CD Rates for December 9, 2025ZIP Code Deposit Amount $Min. Term Length 6 months1 months6 months1 year18 months2 years3 yearsMax. Term Length 3 years6 months1 year18 months2 years3 years4 years5 years6 yearsFEATURED OFFERSAPYTERMMIN. DEPOSITEST. EARNINGSLoading...4.25 %December 9, 20252yr$ 1000$ 1063Over 1 Year2 years cd AccountUnited Fidelity BankMember FDICQUICK LOOK4.20 %December 2, 20256mo$ 1000$ 1050Over 1 Year6 Mo CD cd AccountLimelightBankMember FDICOFFER DETAILSQUICK LOOKLimelight Bank is the online division of Capital Community Bank. It offers competitive yields on CDs, but it doesn’t offer any other types of bank accounts.READ BANK REVIEW4.15 %December 2, 20259mo$ 500$ 1038Over 1 Year9 Mo CD cd AccountM.Y. Safra BankMember FDICOFFER DETAILSQUICK LOOKM.Y. Safra Bank is an FDIC-insured institution with just one branch in New York City and also offers strictly online accounts. It provides a full range of personal and business deposit products as well as loans and lines of credit. Its online-only CDs offer the most attractive rates the bank has to offer, but its savings and money market accounts also offer decent yields.READ BANK REVIEW12345...160Today’s best CD rates: Earn up to 4.18%The highest CD rate of 4.18% is offered by Citibank on its three-month CD. Note that the rates Citi offers on its CDs may vary based on location.Fortunemonitors the top rates offered by leading U.S. financial institutions to help readers obtain the best possible return on their CD investments. Here are the best rates on the market:Pro tipLooking for the best CD to fit your investment needs? See rates from top institutions:–Wells Fargo–Capital One–Chase–Bank of America–Discover Bank–Northern Bank Direct–Ally Bank–Newtek Bank–Popular Direct–Citibank–Sallie Mae BankCompare CD rates at top national banksIf you’re unfamiliar with most of the names mentioned above, there’s a straightforward reason why: CDs typically don’t yield substantial income for major financial institutions by themselves. Established banks like Chase, PNC, and U.S. Bank prioritize attracting customers through more profitable products like loans and credit cards, rather than CDs. Consequently, the APYs offered on CDs at these banks are often much lower compared to those available at smaller regional banks or online institutions and to get a good rate, you may be required to open other deposit accounts or deposit much higher minimums.CD rates news 2025Investors should understand that average CD rates closely track Fed monetary policy decisions, specifically changes to the fed funds rate. It’s essential for CD investors to follow the ebb and flow of the central bank’s policy decisions to plan for changes in rates.The federal funds rate currently stands at 3.75%-4.00%.Last year, the Fed cut interest rates three times, leaving fed funds at 4.25%-4.50% as of December 2024. High inflation left over from the post-pandemic period was cooling off, and the FOMC reduced rates to help the economy stay on track. CD APYs fell from two-decade highs as the Fed cut rates.With the Fed making its first cut of 2025 at the Sept. 16-17 meeting and a second at the Oct. 28-29 meeting, CD rates have again shown signs of dipping. It’s possible they could decrease further if the central bank moves forward with a third cut when it meets in December. The next FOMC meeting is on the calendar for Dec. 9-10.Those 20-year highs in CD yields were the result of the central bank’s rate hike campaign of 2022 and 2023. Inflation was rising at its highest rate since the early 1980s, thanks to the economic disruptions of the pandemic. Between March 2022 and July 2023, the FOMC raised interest rates 11 times, from zero to 5.25%-5.50%, to help tame inflation.Just remember, CD rates today aren’t far from their recent highs. You still have the opportunity to secure advantageous rates on both short-term and long-term CDs. By depositing a larger lump sum into your CD, you can earn substantial interest.Check Out Our Daily Rates ReportsDiscover the highest high-yield savings rates, up to 5% for December 8, 2025.Discover the current mortgage rates for December 8, 2025.Discover current refi mortgage rates report for December 8, 2025.Discover current ARM mortgage rates report for December 8, 2025.Discover the current price of gold for December 8, 2025.Discover the current price of silver for December 8, 2025.Historical CD ratesIn the early 1980s, CD rates hit double digits thanks to surging inflation and high interest rates. But by 2019, the APY for a 5-year CD hovered slightly above 3.00%. Until the early 2020s, top rates generally remained below 1.00% APY. In recent times, we experienced a period of increasing rates, with the best offerings exceeding 5.00% APY for 1-year CDs.How to get a good CD rateDetermining what a good CD rate looks like is subjective. It depends on how much money you have to invest, how long you can leave it locked up in a certificate, and what prevailing market rates are when you intend to open an account.For instance, a 5.00% APY CD over five years might not be the right choice if you need liquidity sooner or if rates rise, leaving you with a lower return. Generally, rates above the national average are advantageous. Compare rates across banks for your desired term to find the best option.Key factors to evaluate when comparing CDs include minimum balance requirements, available terms, offered interest rates (typically higher at online banks), penalties for early withdrawals, and any associated fees. Opting for a bank rather than a broker might help avoid unnecessary fees.Consider these factors:Term length:Ensure they match your savings goals.APY:Higher rates are available for longer CD terms.Minimum deposit:Ensure you can meet minimum deposit requirements.Penalties:Understand early withdrawal costs, in case you need to withdraw money before a CD matures.Deposit insurance:Always verify that your bank or credit union of choice has Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) or National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) coverage.Look into offerings from online banksOnline banks and fintechs typically offer better rates than national banks. Large financial institutions primarily generate revenue through interest earned on loans, fees, and investments in securities. In contrast, smaller banks and online fintech companies actively attract new customers by offering competitive APYs on deposit accounts. Moreover, online banks typically have lower overhead costs, allowing them to pass on better rates to their clientele.Set up a CD ladderCD ladders suit savers hesitant to lock funds for long terms. Splitting savings across CDs with varying maturities offers a blend of short-term access and higher long-term rates. For example, if you begin by investing $3,000 in three staggered CDs (1-year, 2-year, and 3-year), then as each matures you reinvest the money in a 3-year CD. With this plan, you get access to your money (plus the interest you’ve earned) every year. #qsWidgetContainer176, #qsWidgetContainer176 [data-widget-id] { background-color: transparent; font-family: var(--graphik-cond),Graphik Cond,Arial Narrow,Helvetica neue Condensed,sans-serif; letter-spacing: .5px; padding: 0; } #qsWidgetContainer176 .sizeone .header-section { border-bottom: 0 none; color: #666; font-weight: 600 !important; padding: 6px 0; } #qsWidgetContainer176 .sponsored { font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: .5px; } #qsWidgetContainer176 .sponsored .add-text { color: inherit !important; } #qsWidgetContainer176 .sponsored:not(.sponsored + .sponsored) { color: inherit; font-weight: 600; text-transform: uppercase; } #qsWidgetContainer176 .non_featured_list { background-color: transparent; border-top: 0 none; } #qsWidgetContainer176 .cdBankingDesignChanges .sh-listing { border: 1px solid #F2F2F2 !important; box-shadow: 4px 4px 20px 0 #1111110D; margin-bottom: 40px; } #qsWidgetContainer176 .listing { background-color: #fff; 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font-weight: 600; } }Types of certificates of depositVarious CD types cater to different needs, such as:Brokered CDsare bought and sold via brokerage accounts rather than banks or credit unions. They are typically issued by banks and sold to brokerages, which offer them to customers at higher APYs compared to conventional CDs.Callable CDsinclude a call feature allowing the issuing financial institution to end the CD before its maturity. Upon such a call, investors retain their principal along with any accrued interest up to that point.Bump-up CDsallow you to request a higher APY if interest rates increase after you’ve opened your account. Generally, you can adjust the rate on your CD once or twice during its term.No-penalty CDsdo not impose penalties for withdrawing funds before maturity. They are less prevalent than other CD varieties and may also feature lower APYs compared to traditional CDs.Jumbo CDsusually require a minimum initial deposit of at least $100,000 but generally provide higher APYs than standard CDs.Variable-rate CDs offerchanging APYs that are indexed to prevailing interest rates. They carry higher risk compared to traditional CDs because a decrease in interest rates before maturity can lead to a lower yield.Series on daily CD rates created by former Fortune editor Cassie Bottorff. This edition has been updated by Editor, Evergreen Content Glen Luke Flanagan.Fortune Brainstorm AIreturns to San Francisco Dec. 8–9 to convene the smartest people we know—technologists, entrepreneurs, Fortune Global 500 executives, investors, policymakers, and the brilliant minds in between—to explore and interrogate the most pressing questions about AI at another pivotal moment. Register here.

I Make $150,000 in Southern California But It Feel Like I’m Drowning Financially

It should go without saying that no matter how much money you make, it’s perfectly reasonable to feel stressed out about finances these days. This is especially true if you feel like you make a good living but also live in a high-cost-of-living area that leaves you feeling house-poor. nextstayCCSettingsOffArabicChineseEnglishFrenchGermanHindiPortugueseSpanishFont ColorwhiteFont Opacity100%Font Size100%Font FamilyArialText ShadownoneBackground ColorblackBackground Opacity50%Window ColorblackWindow Opacity0%WhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyan100%75%50%25%200%175%150%125%100%75%50%ArialGeorgiaGaramondCourier NewTahomaTimes New RomanTrebuchet MSVerdanaNoneRaisedDepressedUniformDrop ShadowWhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyan100%75%50%25%0%WhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyan100%75%50%25%0%-->-->Key PointsThis Redditor lives in Southern California, one of the most expensive places in the country.The family’s combined $150,000 salary leaves them struggling to make ends meet.This family absolutely needs to establish a budget so they can properly account for every dollar they make and spend.It sounds nuts, but SoFi is giving new active invest users up to $1k in stock, see for yourself (Sponsor)-->-->This level of stress over bills is exactly what one Redditor is feeling, according to their post in r/MiddleClassFinance. Living in Southern California is already expensive, but they are worried about how they will continue to earn $150,000 and barely make everything work. $150,000 in Southern CaliforniaFor this Redditor with a family of four, earning $150,000 was already a struggle to live on, but adding a child in college has made everything significantly worse. Unfortunately, their child wasn’t eligible for any kind of financial aid due to the family’s household income, as per FAFSA rules, which means the already struggling budget is even more challenging. As for their overall budget breakdown, the family is paying $2,150 for their mortgage and utility bills, $180 for cell phones, $1,400 for both health and car insurance, spending an average of $800 per month on groceries, and approximately $200 per month on dining out. Now add to this $850 in car loans, $250 for gas every month, plus another $2,200 across 401(k), kids’ college expenses, property taxes, and sports activities, and it’s clear that this family is barely able to survive. Admittedly, the Redditor states that they don’t have a method for tracking spending, which is clearly an issue that needs to be addressed. However, their $1,800 mortgage is manageable, so there is some positive news here. Out of their $7,700 in monthly expenses, they are likely taking home around $8,400 after taxes.This means that their financial buffer after all expenses and savings is just $700, or around 5% of their gross income, so it’s understandable that the family is feeling stressed. Lifestyle Inflation At WorkHere’s the thing for this Redditor, and what is likely making them feel stressed, and it’s something called “lifestyle inflation.” Taking on the responsibility of paying for the kids’ college apartment at $800 for both rent and utilities, as well as other kids’ private lessons and two vehicle payments, all means this family has an inflated sense of what is affordable. If you subtract just some of these things, such as college rent, two vehicle payments, and kids’ activities, they would be at a far more comfortable 46% in fixed costs compared to 67%. Not only would this provide them with a greater financial buffer, but they would also be able to contribute more to a retirement fund. Start With Some Important StepsIn the case of this family and the Redditor, it’s pretty clear what needs to be done first, as the Redditor has already acknowledged: tracking their expenses. Whether it’s through an app on the computer or phone or on a piece of paper every month, this family needs to visualize every dollar coming in and going out to see where they stand. From here, cutting discretionary spending is the next move, but they won’t be able to do this, at least not smartly, without a budget in place. They already have a fairly reasonable mortgage payment, so refinancing isn’t feasible; however, additional financial aid options should be explored for the college student. Is there anything else available from the school that might be helpful? This Redditor’s child isn’t the only one in this position, as $150,000 in Southern California isn’t a huge salary, so someone else has likely explored other financial aid options. Perhaps most importantly, it is to try to figure out a way to lower the vehicle costs. At this point, this family should have two vehicles they own outright and are just paying insurance for each month. Being able to add 11% of their after-tax budget to the financial pot for retirement or an emergency fund will go a long way. Separately, has the family explored combining both home and vehicle insurance, and if so, is there a discount available that might bring down the cost? All of these things are worth exploring, and it still leaves the door open to look at alternatives like finding a less expensive cell phone carrier, like a prepaid brand, where 4 lines are only $100 instead of $180 for two years locked in. Want Up To $1,000? SoFi Is Giving New Active Invest Users up to $1k in StockLooking to grow your money but unsure where to begin? SoFi Active Invest is offering a limited-time promotion—open an account, fund it with $50 or more, and you could receive up to $1,000 in complimentary stock for Active Invest accounts.From $0 commission trading to fractional shares and automated investing, this app is designed to simplify investing for everyone, whether you’re just starting or already experienced. Its easy to sign up and secure your bonus.(sponsor)DISCLOSURE:INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUEBrokerage and Active investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, member FINRA(www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org).Advisory services are offered by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Information about SoFi Wealth’s advisory operations, services, and fees is set forth in SoFi Wealth’s current Form ADV Part 2 (Brochure), a copy of which is available upon request and at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.Probability of Member receiving $1,000 is a probability of 0.026%; If you don’t make a selection in 30 days, you’ll no longer qualify for the promo. Customer must fund their account with a minimum of $50.00 to qualify.Other fees, such as exchange fees, may apply. Please view our fee disclosure to view a full listing of fees.Investing in alternative investments and/or strategies may not be suitable for all investors and involves unique risks, including the risk of loss. An investor should consider their individual circumstances and any investment information, such as a prospectus, prior to investing. Interval Funds are illiquid instruments, the ability to trade on your timeline may be restricted. Brokerage and Active investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA(www.finra.org) /SIPC(www.sipc.org).There are limitations with fractional shares to consider before investing. During market hours fractional share orders are transmitted immediately in the order received. There may be system delays from receipt of your order until execution and market conditions may adversely impact execution prices. Outside of market hours orders are received on a not held basis and will be aggregated for each security then executed in the morning trade window of the next business day at market open. Share will be delivered at an average price received for executing the securities through a single batched order. Fractional shares may not be transferred to another firm. Fractional shares will be sold when a transfer or closure request is initiated. Please consider that selling securities is a taxable event.Options involve risks, including substantial risk of loss and the possibility an investor may lose the entire investment Before trading options please review the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options [HYPERLINK: https://www.theocc.com/getmedia/a151a9ae-d784-4a15-bdeb-23a029f50b70/riskstoc.pdfInvesting in an Initial Public Offering (IPO) involves substantial risk, including the risk of loss. Further, there are a variety of risk factors to consider when investing in an IPO, including but not limited to, unproven management, significant debt, and lack of operating history. For a comprehensive discussion of these risks please refer to SoFi Securities’ IPO Risk Disclosure Statement [HYPERLINK https://www.sofi.com/iporisk/]. This should not be considered a recommendation to participate in IPOs and investors should carefully read the offering prospectus to determine whether an offering is consistent with their investment objectives, risk tolerance, and financial situation. New offerings generally have high demand and there are a limited number of shares available for distribution to participants. Many customers may not be allocated shares and share allocations may be significantly smaller than the shares requested in the customer’s initial offer (Indication of Interest). For more information on the allocation process please visit IPO Allocation [HYPERLINK https://support.sofi.com/hc/en-us/articles/360058602892-How-does-SoFi-allocate-IPO-shares].

My husband wants me to retire in my 40s but I don’t know if it’s financially realistic

For many couples out in the world today, the question of when to retire is naturally starting to come up more and more. With a tough job market, the decision to try and save up as much as possible so you can exit the workforce early is becoming increasingly attractive. nextstayCCSettingsOffArabicChineseEnglishFrenchGermanHindiPortugueseSpanishFont ColorwhiteFont Opacity100%Font Size100%Font FamilyArialText ShadownoneBackground ColorblackBackground Opacity50%Window ColorblackWindow Opacity0%WhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyan100%75%50%25%200%175%150%125%100%75%50%ArialGeorgiaGaramondCourier NewTahomaTimes New RomanTrebuchet MSVerdanaNoneRaisedDepressedUniformDrop ShadowWhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyan100%75%50%25%0%WhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyan100%75%50%25%0%-->-->Key PointsThis Redditor and her husband are trying to figure out how to retire early, even with an age gap.The challenge they are facing is how to navigate using two 401(k) accounts with an age gap retirement.The reality is that there are some options available, but they have strict requirements.Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset’s free tool can match you with a financial advisor in minutes to help you answer that today. Each advisor has been carefully vetted, and must act in your best interests. Don’t waste another minute; learn more here.(Sponsor)-->-->For one Redditor posting in the r/ChubbyFIRE subreddit, there is now a question of how to handle an age gap retirement between her and her husband. The hope is that they can both retire simultaneously, but given the age gap, this would require some 401(k) math magic to work. An Age-Gap CoupleAccording to the Redditor’s post, there is a 12-year age gap between her and her husband. On top of this, they were also set to have a child right around the time this was posted on Reddit, so the child is almost one year old at this point. However, this story isn’t about the child at all, but is something many age-couples have to navigate around, trying to find the right time for both parties to retire. The Redditor is thinking about retiring at 55, but that would put her husband at 67. An alternative scenario is to have him retire at 55, but then she would only be 43, and that would leave her another 16.5 years before she could access her own 401(k). Obviously, this leaves some pretty big questions as to how this couple should move forward, especially when the Redditor indicates her husband could walk away from work at any time. While we don’t know financial specifics, as this couple is posting in r/ChubbyFIRE, it’s likely their net worth is at least $3 million. As a result, the husband is now thinking that his wife, the Redditor, can or should retire in her 40s so they can travel together. On the other hand, there is also a consideration about waiting until their kids (assuming there will be a second or third) are either in college or have already graduated. So, how should this couple move forward? Kids Change EverythingOne thing that this Redditor hasn’t seemingly taken into consideration is how the arrival of a child changes everything. It’s not just the financial impact of raising a child that can change their retirement math, since raising a child in today’s world costs hundreds of thousands of dollars. No, the money isn’t the focus or worry here, but it’s all about how much someone may want to be around and help with the kids. Is this family planning to let a nanny or daycare do much of the lifting during the day while they are both working?  It doesn’t seem as if this couple has really sat down and sat through, or at least acknowledged, how much a child, never mind multiple children, will change their retirement plans dramatically. Look at Rule 72tLet’s ignore the subject of children for the moment and strictly look at this from a financial perspective. At the very top of the list is the idea that this Redditor might not want to retire early on, as she won’t have access to her 401(k). However, there are two considerations here that should be really focused on. The first is a strategy where the couple initially retires and lives on the husband’s 401(k) and uses this money until the Redditor turns 59.5 and can tap into her 401(k) without any penalties. This said, there is one other option, but only with an understanding of how careful they would need to be. Under rule 72(t) and SEPP, the Redditor could conceivably gain early penalty-free access to her employee-sponsored 401(k) account if she meets certain conditions. According to the IRS, Rule 72(t) indicates there is an opportunity to take a series of substantially equal periodic payments. Anyone who goes down this road must take the distributions, even if they don’t need them, for at least five years or until they reach 59.5, whichever is longer.If the Redditor did so under these conditions, she would not be subjected to the 10% penalty, but would still need to pay any applicable taxes for the year, and any money withdrawn. It would require a “triggering” event, but it’s an excellent idea for someone who has substantial retirement savings and wants to use this money as a bridge to Social Security, Medicare, pensions, etc. If You have $500,000 Saved, Retirement Could Be Closer Than You Think (sponsor)Retirement can be daunting, but it doesn’t need to be. Imagine having an expert in your corner to help you with your financial goals. Someone to help you determine if you’re ahead, behind, or right on track. With SmartAsset, that’s not just a dream—it’s reality. This free tool connects you with pre-screened financial advisors who work in your best interests. It’s quick, it’s easy, so take the leap today and start planning smarter!Don’t waste another minute; get started right here and help your retirement dreams become a retirement reality.(sponsor)

Current ARM mortgage rates report for Nov. 27, 2025

Homeowners with some tolerance for uncertainty might find that an adjustable-rate mortgage is worth considering as a way to get a low introductory rate before the adjustments kick in. This loan type can be a particularly good choice if you’re aiming to rent out for flip the property, or when you know you intend to move before the loan’s fixed-rate period ends.Keep reading and we’ll explain how ARMs work, consider when an ARM is worth considering as an alternative to a fixed-rate mortgage, and look at ARM rates from a few top lenders.You can see the previous business day’s ARM rates report here.Check Out Our Daily Rates ReportsDiscover the highest high-yield savings rates, up to 5% for December 8, 2025.Discover the highest CD rates, up to 4.18% for December 8, 2025.Discover the current mortgage rates for December 8, 2025.Discover current refi mortgage rates report for December 8, 2025.Discover current ARM mortgage rates report for December 8, 2025.Discover the current price of gold for December 8, 2025.Discover the current price of silver for December 8, 2025.ARM mortgage rates at top lendersFortune reviewed the most recent data available as of Nov. 26. These are sample rates provided by the institutions. Each one is based off specific assumptions about a hypothetical borrower’s credit profile and location. Estimates may include an assumption of mortgage discount points. If you choose to apply, know that the rate you receive may vary from the sample rates shown here.Bank of America 7/6 ARMU.S. Bank 7/6 ARMZillow Home Loans 7/6 ARMInterest Rate5.500%5.750%6.000%APR6.322%6.397%6.543%Interest RateBank of America 7/6 ARM5.500%U.S. Bank 7/6 ARM5.750%Zillow Home Loans 7/6 ARM6.000%APRBank of America 7/6 ARM6.322%U.S. Bank 7/6 ARM6.397%Zillow Home Loans 7/6 ARM6.543%A 7/6 ARM is one with a fixed rate for seven years, then adjustment periods every six months.Fixed-rate vs. adjustable-rate mortgagesFixed-rate mortgages dominate U.S. households, comprising about 92% of all home loans. Unlike adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs), which allow interest rates to change after an initial period, fixed-rate loans offer consistency throughout their term—which likely explains their popularity.That said, ARMs can be advantageous under specific circumstances. Around 8% of borrowers choose them for their unique benefits.When you might consider an adjustable-rate mortgageThree groups of homebuyers can commonly benefit from considering ARMs:Homeowners who intend to move soon:If you’re confident you’ll be moving in a few years, perhaps because this is a starter home, an ARM may let you enjoy a low introductory rate without worrying about future adjustments.Real estate investors:Landlords buying a property to rent out or house flippers intending to sell a property quickly may use ARMs with the intent of adjusting the monthly rent if interest rates increase or selling before the adjustment period kicks in.Buyers in high-interest environments:During times of elevated interest rates, ARMs can sometimes offer lower rates during the introductory period, and the potential for relief later if market conditions improve.Pro tipSaving up for a down payment? Make sure you have a high-yield savings account.How adjustable-rate mortgages workARMs begin with an introductory fixed rate that often lasts three, five, seven, or 10 years before the loan transitions into its adjustment periods. How much your rate changes during an adjustment period can depend on a variety of factors, including:Benchmarks like SOFR:An ARM’s rate is typically tied to a benchmark, commonly SOFR. This particular benchmark reflects the cost for banks to borrow money overnight. The U.S. Treasury publishes an updated each morning. Margins:Fixed margins are added by lenders on top of the benchmark to determine your ARM rate. These can often range between 2% to 3.5%.Caps:Adjustment caps limit how much rates can increase at specific intervals or over time. You may hear about initial adjustment caps, subsequent caps, and lifetime caps.Common ARM formats include 5/1 (an introductory rate that lasts for five years followed by annual adjustments) and 10/6 (a 10-year intro period followed by adjustments every six months) structures. Other structures on the market include 3/1 ARMs, 7/1 ARMs and 10/1 ARMs. Learn more:Why the Secured Overnight Financing Rate might matter for your mortgage.Refinancing from an ARM to a fixed-rate mortgageLife happens. Plans change. If it turns out you’re going to be in your starter home longer than expected, and you initially took out an ARM, you might opt to refinance to a fixed-rate loan.First, know you’re not alone. A large chunk of Millennial and Gen Z homeowners can’t afford to upgrade and are continuing on in their starter homesTo refinance from an ARM to a fixed-rate mortgage, the process is more or less the same as refinancing from one fixed-rate loan to another. You’ll shop around with various lenders, provide the application documents necessary to show your credit profile and income meet the lender’s requirements, and you’ll use the new loan to pay your old one off in full. Pros and cons of adjustable-rate mortgagesWork with a trusted loan officer to ensure you’re selecting the best mortgage type for your needs. To get you started, here are some basic factors to consider in evaluating if an ARM is right for you.N/AProsPossibly lower initial rate compared with fixed-rate loans.Potentially easier qualification standards for some borrowers. Chance to save if market conditions improve and rates go down.ConsPayments could spike after adjustments begin.Comparing offers is more complex than with common fixed-rate loans.Homeowners face more unpredictability than with a fixed-rate loan.Fortune Brainstorm AIreturns to San Francisco Dec. 8–9 to convene the smartest people we know—technologists, entrepreneurs, Fortune Global 500 executives, investors, policymakers, and the brilliant minds in between—to explore and interrogate the most pressing questions about AI at another pivotal moment. Register here.

With $90,460 in Debt, What Is The Realistic Path Out?

No matter how you cut it, debt is a very real part of our world, as much as we try to live on a budget. According to a recent CNBC study, the average American has approximately $90,460 in debt, which seems impossible to escape.nextstayCCSettingsOffArabicChineseEnglishFrenchGermanHindiPortugueseSpanishFont ColorwhiteFont Opacity100%Font Size100%Font FamilyArialText ShadownoneBackground ColorblackBackground Opacity50%Window ColorblackWindow Opacity0%WhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyan100%75%50%25%200%175%150%125%100%75%50%ArialGeorgiaGaramondCourier NewTahomaTimes New RomanTrebuchet MSVerdanaNoneRaisedDepressedUniformDrop ShadowWhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyan100%75%50%25%0%WhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyan100%75%50%25%0%-->-->Key PointsThe hope for most young people is that they can live debt-free, but it’s getting harder and harder to do so.In this individual Redditor’s case, they are finding themselves struggling with an oversized car payment and credit card debt.The single most important thing is to set and live with a substantial budget that accounts for every dollar.It sounds nuts, but SoFi is giving new active invest users up to $1k in stock, see for yourself (Sponsor)-->-->This is precisely how one Redditor feels based on a post they put up in r/personalfinance. Indicating that they feel like they are drowning in debt, this individual doesn’t know what to do, and whether regaining control of their finances will ever be possible again.Drowning in Debt In 2025Kicking things off, this Redditor is listing off her monthly fixed costs, which include rent at $1,250, a car payment of $568 per month, and car insurance that’s approximately $150 per month. As of the middle of August 2025, she was also facing credit card debt, with balances of $2,056 on her Apple Card, $1,700 on her Bank of America card, $4,500 on Citibank, and another $700 balance on a Discover card.While these numbers might not seem like a lot, for someone who is 23 years old and working as a bartender making between $3,000 and $6,000 monthly, they feel like they are drowning. There is also no help being received from anyone (e.g., parents), so the Redditor is responsible for all bills and emergency expenses that come up.On the plus side, this is good news, having moved out to live with roommates and no longer having to help out with her mom financially.Credit Karma to the RescueThis said, she has already gone through Credit Karma to refinance her vehicle, which helped her reduce the monthly payment to $411 for the car at 5.24% for 60 months. This is a big drop from her previous 9% interest at 75 months, but the $150 savings is already feeling more freeing.How to Develop Good Spending HabitsWhether you’re in your 20s like this Redditor or someone much older, it’s never too late to develop good spending habits. You’re going to start by creating good budgeting habits, which means meticulously tracking your cash flow.Build Your BudgetThis means being able to account for every dollar that comes in and every dollar that goes out. How this Redditor or someone else creates a budget is up to them, as using a piece of paper or a spreadsheet is not crucial.What does matter is that you know exactly how much you are spending on everything, so you can visualize where you can save and how you can create some extra cash flow. Make a list of everything you’re spending money on, like a car and car insurance, gas, groceries, cell phone bill, utilities, health insurance, and everything else, so it’s all visualized, including streaming services, which the Redditor smartly indicates she might be getting rid of.In other words, this needs to be a FULL budget as other Redditors point out, so nothing is missing from the equation.Pay Down DebtIn the case of this Redditor and anyone else in a similar position, once you have a firm grasp on your budget, it’s time to start paying down debt. While a car note isn’t considered bad debt, the credit card balances this Redditor has must be reduced before she does any non-emergency spending.Ideally, she could look at getting a credit card that has zero-interest for 15 months or so to consolidate her highest-rate cards or all of them into one card if she can. While it’s not going to be fun, paying off debt has to be her highest priority.This Redditor is a prime candidate for the snowball method, by paying off the smallest debt first, like her Discover card. Once this card is paid off, she should take the amount being paid to Discover and add it to the next highest balance, the Bank of America card, and so on until every card is paid off.Don’t Ignore Any OptionJust as this Redditor did with Credit Karma by refinancing her car loan, this is a prime example of what everyone in a similar debt situation should do. The hope is that you can find help from either your credit card company, a mortgage company that might help you refinance, or even consider moving to a different, less expensive place.The most important financial lesson here is that you shouldn’t ignore any option that might be on the table, including seeking financial counseling. There are plenty of local resources where most people live that are willing to help young adults establish good financial habits.Want Up To $1,000? SoFi Is Giving New Active Invest Users up to $1k in StockLooking to grow your money but unsure where to begin? SoFi Active Invest is offering a limited-time promotion—open an account, fund it with $50 or more, and you could receive up to $1,000 in complimentary stock for Active Invest accounts.From $0 commission trading to fractional shares and automated investing, this app is designed to simplify investing for everyone, whether you’re just starting or already experienced. Its easy to sign up and secure your bonus.(sponsor)DISCLOSURE:INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUEBrokerage and Active investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, member FINRA(www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org).Advisory services are offered by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Information about SoFi Wealth’s advisory operations, services, and fees is set forth in SoFi Wealth’s current Form ADV Part 2 (Brochure), a copy of which is available upon request and at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.Probability of Member receiving $1,000 is a probability of 0.026%; If you don’t make a selection in 30 days, you’ll no longer qualify for the promo. Customer must fund their account with a minimum of $50.00 to qualify.Other fees, such as exchange fees, may apply. Please view our fee disclosure to view a full listing of fees.Investing in alternative investments and/or strategies may not be suitable for all investors and involves unique risks, including the risk of loss. An investor should consider their individual circumstances and any investment information, such as a prospectus, prior to investing. Interval Funds are illiquid instruments, the ability to trade on your timeline may be restricted. Brokerage and Active investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA(www.finra.org) /SIPC(www.sipc.org).There are limitations with fractional shares to consider before investing. During market hours fractional share orders are transmitted immediately in the order received. There may be system delays from receipt of your order until execution and market conditions may adversely impact execution prices. Outside of market hours orders are received on a not held basis and will be aggregated for each security then executed in the morning trade window of the next business day at market open. Share will be delivered at an average price received for executing the securities through a single batched order. Fractional shares may not be transferred to another firm. Fractional shares will be sold when a transfer or closure request is initiated. Please consider that selling securities is a taxable event.Options involve risks, including substantial risk of loss and the possibility an investor may lose the entire investment Before trading options please review the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options [HYPERLINK: https://www.theocc.com/getmedia/a151a9ae-d784-4a15-bdeb-23a029f50b70/riskstoc.pdfInvesting in an Initial Public Offering (IPO) involves substantial risk, including the risk of loss. Further, there are a variety of risk factors to consider when investing in an IPO, including but not limited to, unproven management, significant debt, and lack of operating history. For a comprehensive discussion of these risks please refer to SoFi Securities’ IPO Risk Disclosure Statement [HYPERLINK https://www.sofi.com/iporisk/]. This should not be considered a recommendation to participate in IPOs and investors should carefully read the offering prospectus to determine whether an offering is consistent with their investment objectives, risk tolerance, and financial situation. New offerings generally have high demand and there are a limited number of shares available for distribution to participants. Many customers may not be allocated shares and share allocations may be significantly smaller than the shares requested in the customer’s initial offer (Indication of Interest). For more information on the allocation process please visit IPO Allocation [HYPERLINK https://support.sofi.com/hc/en-us/articles/360058602892-How-does-SoFi-allocate-IPO-shares].

Current price of silver as of Monday, November 24, 2025

At 8:15 a.m. Eastern Time on Nov. 24, 2025, silver was valued at $50.26 per ounce. That’s a $0.72 uptick from the same time on Friday and more than a $19 gain over the past year.Silver price per ounce% ChangePrice of silver yesterday$49.54+1.45%Price of silver 1 month ago$48.91+2.76%Price of silver 1 year ago$30.30+65.87%Price of silver yesterdaySilver price per ounce$49.54% Change+1.45%Price of silver 1 month agoSilver price per ounce$48.91% Change+2.76%Price of silver 1 year agoSilver price per ounce$30.30% Change+65.87%Check Out Our Daily Rates ReportsDiscover the highest high-yield savings rates, up to 5% for December 8, 2025.Discover the highest CD rates, up to 4.18% for December 8, 2025.Discover the current mortgage rates for December 8, 2025.Discover current refi mortgage rates report for December 8, 2025.Discover current ARM mortgage rates report for December 8, 2025.Discover the current price of gold for December 8, 2025.Historical silver performance Silver is not a get-rich-quick investment. It tends to far underperform traditional stocks over the long term. Since 1921, silver has declined around 96% against the S&P 500. In other words, if you had invested the same amount of money in both stocks and silver at the same time, your silver would now be worth 96% less than your stocks. Instead, silver is considered a comparatively safe and reliable asset that can help you to preserve the value of your money. You’ll sometimes hear it described as a “store of value.” It tends to retain its value during periods of inflation—so converting your money into silver is something like a cryogenic chamber to store your funds when inflation is weighing on your mind.Silver tends to be more volatile than gold. While gold is largely used as a store of value, silver is also widely used in industry (think electronics, medical devices, etc.). This means the value of silver is more directly susceptible to industry demands.What does “spot silver” mean? Put simply, the “spot silver” price is the current rate at which one could in theory instantly sell or buy silver. But, it’s crucial to note individual buyers will often have to pay above spot when buying silver, as there are other costs affecting the final price—think markups, shipping fees, and insurance.  The spot price of silver is a benchmark that investors use to monitor real-time demand and trends. If the spot price is higher, the demand is greater. What is “price spread” in silver trading? Silver’s “price spread” is the disparity between its buying and selling price. There are two terms you should know: Ask price (what you’ll pay to purchase silver). Bid price (what you’ll earn when selling your silver). As you’d expect, the bid price is lower than the ask price. The narrower the bid-ask spread, the higher the demand for silver. #qsWidgetContainer179, #qsWidgetContainer179 [data-widget-id] { background-color: transparent; font-family: var(--graphik-cond),Graphik Cond,Arial Narrow,Helvetica neue Condensed,sans-serif; letter-spacing: .5px; padding: 0; } #qsWidgetContainer179 .sizeone .header-section { border-bottom: 0 none; color: #666; font-weight: 600 !important; padding: 6px 0; } #qsWidgetContainer179 .sponsored { font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: .5px; } #qsWidgetContainer179 .sponsored .add-text { color: inherit !important; } #qsWidgetContainer179 .sponsored:not(.sponsored + .sponsored) { color: inherit; font-weight: 600; text-transform: uppercase; } #qsWidgetContainer179 .non_featured_list { background-color: transparent; border-top: 0 none; } #qsWidgetContainer179 .cdBankingDesignChanges .sh-listing { border: 1px solid #F2F2F2 !important; box-shadow: 4px 4px 20px 0 #1111110D; margin-bottom: 40px; } #qsWidgetContainer179 .listing { background-color: #fff; 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font-weight: 600 !important; letter-spacing: .5px !important; } @media only screen and (width: 768px) { #qsWidgetContainer179 .cdBankingDesignChanges .sh-row-product-title.sh-bank-name { position: relative; top: initial; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 767px) { #qsWidgetContainer179 .cdBankingDesignChanges .sh-first-product .sh-title-container { padding: 0; } #qsWidgetContainer179 .prop-conatiner:not(:first-child):before { height: 2px; left: 0; top: -12px; width: 100%; } #qsWidgetContainer179 .sh-row2-container { flex-basis: 100% !important; padding-bottom: 8px !important; } #qsWidgetContainer179 .sh-first-product .sh-title-container .sh-row-container { height: auto; padding: 8px; } #qsWidgetContainer179 .cdBankingDesignChanges .sh-row-product-title.sh-bank-name { font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; margin-top: 8px; top: 182px; } #qsWidgetContainer179 img.logo-image { margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 200px; } #qsWidgetContainer179 .listing-title { font-size: 20px; font-weight: 600; } }How to invest in silver Investing in silver can take many different forms. You can choose to collect physical silver, or you can (more commonly) invest in silver exchange-traded funds (ETFs).The latter allows you to buy shares in a fund that holds silver—meaning you won’t have to store and insure it yourself. Popular silver investment options include: Silver bullion.Sold as bars or rounds, you can purchase these by weight and purity. Silver coins.While coins and rounds may look similar, coins are government-minted currency. There are many silver coin options that tend to price higher than standard bullion, including American Silver Eagle and Silver Maple Leaf coins due to factors such as rarity and government backing. Silver jewelry.Silver crafted into jewelry prices above silver bullion of equal purity. Silver mining stocks.Purchasing stock in a company that mines silver allows you to bet on silver without owning any metals yourself. Silver investments, such as silver bullion and coins, follow the “three nines fine” rule to be traded on exchange platforms. If it’s less than 99.9% pure, it’s typically considered a collectible or industrial-grade.  The best silver IRA companies can walk you through the specifics.Is it a good time to invest in silver? Silver is doing well in 2025, rising nearly 25% year-to-date. It’s currently priced higher than any time in the previous decade. Still, the answer as to whether now is a good time to invest in silver is subjective. For example, if you’re worried about increased inflation, adding precious metals to your portfolio can be a smart choice. Or, if you’re looking toward an impending surge in silver demand (perhaps from increasing popularity in green initiatives that require silver, such as solar equipment) that could drive up value, buying silver might make sense. Current precious metals prices as of 8:15 a.m. ET on Nov. 24, 2025Precious metal Price per ounceGold$4,084.53Silver$50.26Platinum$1,538.10Palladium$1,374.86GoldPrice per ounce$4,084.53SilverPrice per ounce$50.26PlatinumPrice per ounce$1,538.10PalladiumPrice per ounce$1,374.86Gold, platinum, and palladium are also investor favorites. Platinum and palladium typically act similarly to silver in volatility. They’ve got a smaller global market compared to gold, meaning even seemingly trifling market changes can result in big price fluctuations. Gold, meanwhile, tends to be less volatile overall than these metals.Pro tipWant to stick with gold over other precious metals? See our recommendations for the best gold IRA companies.  The takeaway With the U.S. economy experiencing unique uncertainty of late, precious metals may be an investment on your radar. Silver has outpaced gold in 2025 in terms of growth, and some experts suspect a boom in the coming years that could result in silver pricing at an all-time high over again. Silver is a very accessible investment, especially compared to the price of gold. Even if you’re reluctant to hold physical coins or bars, you can choose to buy silver ETFs or silver mining stocks to ride the expert-predicted silver wave. Frequently asked questionsWhat percentage of my portfolio should I allocate to silver?Experts recommend between 10% and 15% of your portfolio to be in silver—with no more than 20% in total invested in precious metals. Can silver be held in an IRA?Yes, you use your IRA to invest in IRA-approved silver products, such as coins and bars. The silver must be 99.9% pure and stored with an IRS-approved custodian. This means constitutional or junk silver, referring to coins minted in the U.S. prior to 1965 and containing a substantial silver content (often around 90%), are not eligible to include in a silver IRA. That said, silver that doesn’t meet this purity threshold can still be a smart investment in jewelry or coins with numismatic value—you just can’t use funds from your IRA to buy it.What’s driving silver prices in 2025? Silver has been increasing in value due to a combination of scarcity and both industrial and investor demand.Fortune Brainstorm AIreturns to San Francisco Dec. 8–9 to convene the smartest people we know—technologists, entrepreneurs, Fortune Global 500 executives, investors, policymakers, and the brilliant minds in between—to explore and interrogate the most pressing questions about AI at another pivotal moment. Register here.

I Have 8 Credit Cards – Am I Keeping Too Many or Should I Close Some?

It won’t come as any surprise that more and more Americans these days are carrying credit, as the use of cash has dropped below 20% of purchases. For this reason, it also won’t come as a surprise to learn that the average American has at least four credit cards in their wallet at any given time. nextstayCCSettingsOffArabicChineseEnglishFrenchGermanHindiPortugueseSpanishFont ColorwhiteFont Opacity100%Font Size100%Font FamilyArialText ShadownoneBackground ColorblackBackground Opacity50%Window ColorblackWindow Opacity0%WhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyan100%75%50%25%200%175%150%125%100%75%50%ArialGeorgiaGaramondCourier NewTahomaTimes New RomanTrebuchet MSVerdanaNoneRaisedDepressedUniformDrop ShadowWhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyan100%75%50%25%0%WhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyan100%75%50%25%0%-->-->Key PointsThere is a real question in America about how many credit cards are too many.Redditors are unsurprisingly likely to have more credit cards than the average American, as they know how to utilize sign-up bonuses effectively.The hope is that this Redditor learns that you don’t need to close unused credit cards, just put them in a drawer.It’s hard to believe, but today there are credit cards offering up to 5% cash back, large statement credits, $0 annual fees, travel rewards, and more. See for yourself. If you apply for a card today you could secure some of the best rewards out there. Get started today.-->-->Should you be someone like this Redditor who posted in r/CreditCards, having more than four credit cards might seem excessive. In their case, they have eight credit cards filling out their wallet, which may feel like a lot, but without at least some of the cards having balances, it’s also a sign of strong financial discipline. Still, it begs the question of how many cards are too many? How Many Cards Are Too Many? In the case of this Redditor, with eight cards, four of them without any balance and not currently in the rotation, it does feel like a lot of cards either way. On the one hand, the Redditor is considering cutting down on the cards they have to simplify their wallet, but they are wondering how many other credit cards other Redditors have. The challenge here is that those who visit r/CreditCards are not the typical credit card user. Thankfully, one Redditor did a count in another thread earlier in the year and determined that the average Redditor has at least 10 cards in their possession at any given time. For most people, this is a ridiculous number. Still, for Redditors who like to gamify their earnings by opening cards and taking advantage of bonus offers, it’s probably okay as long as they aren’t all carrying a balance. Average Number of CardsConsidering Experian reports that Americans had an average of 3.9 credit cards at the end of 2023, it’s safe to assume this number hasn’t changed significantly in a year. Experian is also well-positioned to know how many credit cards Americans have, as one of the three major credit bureaus. However, credit bureaus also indicate that it’s acceptable to have five or more accounts that can impact your credit, including both credit cards and loans, so having more than four is likely okay, but 10 is just too much. Too Many Cards Can Be RiskyUltimately, there is no question that too many credit cards can be risky. First and foremost, if you have too many cards, you likely have a higher credit utilization ratio, which negatively affects your credit score.The best scenario is to use 30% or less of your total credit limits to have a good score, while those who lose 10% or less have the highest scores, think 750 or above. What this means is that paying off your balances monthly is the most critical thing you can do. Another downside with opening up too many cards is a limited credit history, as credit scoring formulas don’t really worry about having too many cards as much as they do about when the cards were opened. In other words, if you are only opening accounts to take advantage of bonuses, opening too many in a year can and will negatively affect your credit score. This is called a “Thin Credit File,” and it makes your FICO score all the harder to quantify, which can be a real disadvantage with a mortgage or car loans. The Best Advice For NowIf someone I know asked me how many credit cards they should have or what the recommended number is, I would say it doesn’t really matter the total number of cards. This means that the Redditor really doesn’t have to cancel any cards that are sitting unused; they just need to be unused with a zero balance. Once they are zeroed out, just stick them in a drawer and forget about them. I would recommend someone, not as a financial advisor, which I am not, but as someone who regularly checks their own credit score to make sure that nothing is affecting it, like ID theft. Regularly checking means that you can catch something before it’s too late and has a detrimental and lasting impact on your credit. I’d also remind someone that closing cards can have a negative impact on credit scores, at least in the short term, as the total amount of credit available is smaller, which means a credit utilization score can grow smaller as well. Today’s Top Rated Credit Cards Are Hard to Believe (sponsor)It’s hard to believe, but today there are credit cards offering up to 5% cash back, $0 annual fees, travel rewards, and more. See for yourself.I couldn’t believe it at first. Frankly, with rewards this good I don’t expect them to be available forever. But if you apply for a card today you could secure some of the best rewards out there. Get started and find your best card today. 