Coach Outlet Long Weekend Sale Ends Tonight!

Jimmy3

If you haven’t shopped the Long Weekend Sale at the Coach Outlet, then make sure you do so before it ends tonight!

Coach further reduced their outlet prices to give you an extra 20% off select styles, so hurry over and see if that bag or wallet you had your eye on is now affordable!

Deal Ideas

Mini Jane Camera Bag – $95.20 (reg. $278)

Boxed Mini Wallet On A Chain With Floral Print – $63.36 (reg. $198)

Hadley Mini Crossbody Bag – $151.20 (reg. $298)

Shipping is free on orders of $50+.

See more deals on bags and jewelry.

If you haven’t shopped the Long Weekend Sale at the Coach Outlet, then make sure you do so before it ends tonight! Coach further reduced their outlet prices to give you an extra 20% off select styles, so hurry over and see if that bag or wallet you had your eye on is now affordable! DealRead More

The Recipe Critic Delivers Fresh Ideas

Fluffy Lime Jello Salad

I gave the vintage lime Jello salad a modern makeover. With cream cheese for tang, pineapple and lime for zip,…
My Most Popular Recipes Meal Plan

I couldn’t let another week go by without making this meal plan for you! This is made up of all…
The Best BLT Pasta Salad

The best sandwich ever? Hands down, a BLT. Add in my obsession with pasta salads and, chef’s kiss! This BLT…

Break into investing and finance with Investopedia

Student Loans and Recession: What Borrowers Need to Know Now

There are resources available that can help you stay on top of your student debt
Could ETFs Be Your Key to a Worry-Free Retirement?

Fact checked by Vikki VelasquezEliot Wyatt / Investopedia Broad bond ETFs spread risk across many bonds, helping retirees reduce volatility and steady their income.Retirement might bring to mind some images of relaxation by the beach, traveling to a bucket-list destination, or spending more time with your grandkids. No matter your vision of the future, the one thing all retirees have in common is a need for a stable income. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have emerged as a powerful tool for retirees who want to generate reliable income while managing risk and maintaining flexibility. This guide will explain how to leverage ETFs to build a robust—and reliable—retirement income portfolio. Key TakeawaysETFs offer diversification, lower costs, and flexibility for retirement income.Dividend, bond, and REIT ETFs are key types for generating income.Asset allocation and risk management are crucial in an ETF retirement portfolio.Tax implications of ETF income should be considered for efficient investing.Avoid common mistakes by understanding ETF investment risks and strategies.Understanding ETFsETFs are investment funds that trade on stock exchanges, much like stocks. The difference is that ETFs hold a basket of assets, including stocks, bonds, or commodities. These funds aim to track the performance of a specific index (like the S&P 500), a sector, or a particular investment strategy. This structure provides built-in diversification, spreading your investment across numerous underlying assets. ETFs are highly tradable and built-in diversification.Benefits of Using ETFs for Retirement IncomeETFs offer several compelling advantages for retirees seeking income. The first is that they are inherently diversified, holding a variety of assets, reducing the risk associated with investing in individual securities. For instance, a broad market ETF tracking the S&P 500 offers exposure to the performance of 500 of the largest U.S. companies across various sectors.Similarly, a broad-based bond ETF can hold hundreds or even thousands of different bonds with varying maturities and credit qualities. This inherent diversification helps to smooth out portfolio returns and reduce volatility, which is particularly important for retirees relying on their investments for income.Another benefit of using ETFs is that they generally have lower expense ratios than actively managed mutual funds, meaning more of your investment returns stay in your pocket. Expense ratios represent the annual fees charged to operate the fund. Even seemingly minor differences in expense ratios can substantially impact your long-term returns, especially over the multi-decade horizon of retirement.ImportantMany well-diversified ETFs tracking major market indices have expense ratios below 0.10%, making them a cost-effective way to gain broad market exposure.ETFs also have lots of flexibility. They can be bought and sold throughout the trading day, making them more liquid than other investments."When selling ETFs, you can choose exactly which shares of the ETF you want to sell," said David Rae, a Los Angeles- and Palm Springs-based financial planner and president of DRM Wealth Management. "In your taxable investment accounts, this can help you minimize the capital gains taxes you owe by strategically selling shares depending on your overall income and your expected realized gains for the year." Types of Income-Generating ETFsDividend ETFsDividend ETFs hold stocks of companies that regularly pay dividends. The ETF collects and distributes these dividends to shareholders, providing a consistent income stream. According to Mark Fonville, CFP, president and CEO of Covenant Wealth Advisors, it's a good idea to start with broadly diversified value-company ETFs in addition to a total stock market ETF. "Value companies not only tend to pay higher dividends than growth stocks, but history shows they’ve outperformed over long time horizons, though not every year," he said. "They can serve as a steady source of equity income while offering long-term growth potential." Bond ETFsBond ETFs invest in various types of bonds, such as government, corporate, or municipal bonds. The regular interest payments from the underlying bonds can provide a more predictable income stream. "High-quality, short- to intermediate-term bonds can act as a buffer during stock market downturns and help manage what we call ‘sequence of return risk’—the danger of withdrawing money during a down market early in retirement," Fonville said. This is critical because poor early returns can significantly reduce a retirement portfolio's length.REIT ETFsReal estate investment trust (REIT) ETFs invest in companies that own, operate, and finance income-producing real estate. These ETFs are appealing mainly because they can offer attractive dividend yields and provide diversification into the real estate sector. Still, Fonville advises that although REITs can spice up the portfolio, they shouldn't be the main course. Building a Retirement Income Portfolio With ETFsAsset Allocation Strategies Balancing income generation with your risk tolerance and time horizon requires a well-defined asset allocation strategy. "An ETF’s real value lies in how it strengthens the overall portfolio, not in how large its headline dividend looks," Fonville said. He advocates for building a thoughtfully diversified blend of stock and bond ETFs where the long-term expected total return comfortably exceeds your anticipated withdrawal rate.Rae added that your ETF portfolio can work well without overcomplicating it. "You can cover the entire stock market with just a few ETFs," he said. "A bit of diversification around the globe is still wise, and owning a few different ETFs can give you more flexibility to generate income tax efficiently when you need to sell some shares." Risk Management Diversifying across asset classes and sectors within your ETF portfolio is a risk management tool. Another tip from Fonville is to avoid chasing those with the fattest yield. "Many high-payout ETFs achieve that income by loading up on concentrated sectors, lower-quality bonds, or extra leverage," he said. "Those hidden risks can turn a ‘safe’ 6 % dividend into an uncomfortable loss of principal just when a retiree needs steady cash flow." TipYou can also manage your risk by regularly reviewing and rebalancing your portfolio as your circumstances or market conditions change over time. Tax ConsiderationsUnderstanding the tax implications of income generated from ETFs is vital for maximizing your after-tax retirement income. Income from ETFs can come in the form of dividends (taxed as ordinary income or qualified dividends, depending on the holding period and the underlying stocks), interest (taxed as ordinary income), and capital gains (taxed at different rates depending on the holding period).Strategically holding different types of ETFs in various account types (e.g., tax-deferred accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs, as well as taxable brokerage accounts) can significantly impact your tax liability. For instance, holding bond ETFs that generate ordinary income in tax-deferred accounts can be advantageous. Rae notes that the ability to selectively sell specific ETF shares in taxable accounts offers a valuable tool for managing capital gains taxes. Consulting with a qualified tax advisor is highly recommended to develop a tax-efficient ETF investment strategy tailored to your individual circumstances.Common Mistakes To AvoidRetirees should be vigilant in avoiding common pitfalls that can undermine their ETF-based income strategy. A frequent and costly mistake that Rae sees is not giving your investments enough time. Impatience for high immediate income can lead to retirees making impulsive decisions, such as chasing unsustainable yields or selling investments prematurely during market downturns, thereby locking in losses.Other common mistakes include:Poor diversification: Although ETFs offer diversification, relying on only one or two types of income-generating ETFs (e.g., only high-yield bond ETFs or only dividend ETFs in a single sector) can expose you to unnecessary risk.Chasing high yields: As Fonville warned, focusing solely on ETFs with the highest dividend yields can lead to investing in riskier assets.Ignoring expense ratios: While generally low, ETF expense ratios can vary, and higher fees can erode your long-term returns, especially when compounded over many years in retirement.Not understanding underlying holdings: It is crucial to go beyond the ETF's ticker symbol and understand its specific assets, the index it tracks (if any), and the overall investment strategy it employs.Underestimating longevity risk: Retirees need to ensure their income strategy can sustain them throughout their retirement years.What’s the Ideal ETF Holdings at Retirement?A common approach involves a diversified mix of broad market equity ETFs, dividend-focused ETFs, a range of bond ETFs (with varying maturities and credit quality), and potentially REIT ETFs, allocated according to your specific circumstances.How Do ETFs Compare To Other Retirement Income Strategies?ETFs offer a compelling combination of diversification, low costs, transparency, and liquidity that may be less readily available with other retirement income strategies, such as individual stock and bond picking, actively managed mutual funds, or annuities.What Are the Long-Term Benefits of Incorporating ETFs Into a Retirement Plan?Long-term benefits include potential for steady income, diversification, lower costs, and flexible investment management.The Bottom LineETFs provide a versatile and efficient way for retirees to generate a reliable income stream. By understanding the different types of income-generating ETFs, implementing sound asset allocation and risk management strategies, and being mindful of tax considerations and common pitfalls (including not giving your investments enough time, as Rae cautioned), retirees can build a robust portfolio to support their financial well-being throughout their retirement years. The key is to focus on building a well-balanced portfolio where each ETF plays a strategic role in achieving your income goals. "Focus on the role each ETF plays inside a balanced cast, and let the ensemble, not a single soloist, carry the show," Fonville said.
How the Grandpa Robbers Made Off With Kim Kardashian's Gems Worth €9 Million

Fact checked by Stella OsobaAlain Jocard/Getty Images Kim Kardashian arriving at court to testify over the October 3, 2016 jewellery robbery.Kim Kardashian's emotional May 2025 testimony about being bound, gagged, and robbed of $9 million in jewelry and the subsequent conviction of most involved has revealed critical lessons for more than just high-net-worth individuals about the safety of themselves and their valuables.With banks and stores becoming more secure and holding less cash, criminals are increasingly targeting individuals directly, making personal security an even more important part of wealth management.Key TakeawaysHigh-profile heists show that displaying wealth publicly creates vulnerabilities that criminals exploit.Security strategies aren't just for celebrities like Kardashian. These include documenting valuable possessions, maintaining the right insurance coverage, and being cautious about displaying anything about your bling online.The "Grandpa Robbers" and Their High-Stakes CrimeEight out of 12 of those dubbed the "papys braqueurs" ("grandpa robbers") by French media were convicted in the May 2025 trial in Paris, while the court cleared two others, including the brother of Kardashian's driver, who was accused of providing insider information.Their ages ranged from 60s to 80s, and presiding judge David De Pas cited their advanced age and health issues among his reasons for leniency in their sentences, which ranged from three to eight years in prison, far less than prosecutors called for. Given that most sentences were suspended, none will return to prison after time already served.The violent attack took place during Paris Fashion Week in 2016 when five men disguised as police overpowered a watchman to access Kardashian's hotel room, where they bound and held her at gunpoint. One defendant, 72-year-old Yunice Abbas, brazenly published a book titled "I Kidnapped Kim Kardashian.""I absolutely thought I was going to die," Kardashian testified. "I have babies," she recalled telling the robbers. "I have to make it home. They can take everything. I just have to make it home."The robbers made off with about €9 million ($9 million) worth of jewelry, including a 20-carat diamond ring, in what experts agree was a sophisticated and well-planned robbery.No crime goes off like in the movies: Abbas got a flat tire during the escape, fell from his bicycle, and dropped a $40,000 cross, later recovered by police—an incident that helped lead to his arrest. He also nearly revealed himself to a patrol car when he was startled to see singer Tracey Chapman calling Kardashian's stolen phone.The Changing Nature of Financial CrimeThe Kardashian heist is part of a pivotal shift in how professional criminals target wealth. After the robbery, Paris Police Chief Christian Sainte explained to Vanity Fair that criminals are running out of traditional targets. Banks have become far more secure, and there's less money there and in store safes, too. "So the professionals have a solution: attack the person at home or in the street."This shift to "home-jacking"—robbing the wealthy in their residences—is increasingly common. As such, criminals have adapted their intelligence gathering from old-school surveillance to tracking social media.The attackers followed Kardashian's digital trail—during her Paris stay, she posted 15 Instagram photos to 85 million followers, including a selfie of her 20-carat diamond ring. Criminals have used similar methods to perpetrate so-called "wrench attacks" targeting those known to hold significant amounts of cryptocurrency offline. These violent assaults have included taking the victims hostage, with some having their fingers cut off to compel digital transfers from associates.Practicing Financial Self-DefenseThe Kardashian case demonstrates why specialized insurance coverage is essential for high-value items. Standard homeowners' policies cap jewelry coverage at $1,000-$2,000. For valuable items, you can add specific coverage or buy a separate policy.Whether you own high-end physical assets like jewelry or have cryptocurrency in cold storage, you can help protect yourself by doing the following:Document your assets with detailed records and photos.Be cautious about displaying wealth online or in public places.Get the relevant security for the asset, such as home safes for jewelry and multifactor authentication for digital assets.Create a security plan, including prevention strategies and responses to potential theft scenarios.The Bottom LineAs the Kardashian case shows, criminals are increasingly targeting individuals rather than institutions. Kardashian says the experience changed her life—she no longer stores jewelry at home or posts her location in real time.Despite the trauma and increased security since, Kardashian says it's given her a better perspective: “There was a lot of me that measured who I was by how much I had. I thought, ‘Oh, I’m worth so much,’” she told Alec Baldwin in a 2018 interview. “That needed to change in me.”