Author: Smart Wealthhabits

If you have $2 million in retirement savings, congratulations. That’s well above the $1.46 million that Americans believe they need to retire comfortably, according to a 2025 Northwestern Mutual study (1).At this point, you’ve probably overcome the challenge of saving enough. Now, your next mission is wealth preservation. High taxes and bad lifestyle choices can quickly destroy what looks like a huge treasure.Must readIt is not easy to change our perspective from wealth creation to wealth protection. But the journey can be less risky if you avoid these five common money traps that high-net-worth individuals sometimes fall into.1. Not knowing…

President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post on July 6 that Walmart would lower prices on several products, including ground beef. “This is a great thing for the millions of Americans who shop wisely at Walmart, a truly patriotic company that loves America,” Trump said. “Walmart is moving big and bold, and other retailers should follow the lead of these accomplished patriots.” The move was confirmed by the supermarket chain in a news release on July 6, which said prices on thousands of products would be reduced at Walmart and Sam’s Club stores throughout the summer. “Customers rely…

Income investors entering July will face a friendlier arrangement than six weeks ago. The 10-year Treasury yield sits at 4%, down from May’s peak of 5%, while the 2026 Social Security Colla Came in at just 3%. That combination, low risk-free rates and modest cost of living, is pushing retirees back toward dividend equities that pay out every 30 days. Income receipts on assets reached $4,281.5 billion in the first quarter of 2026, underscoring how dependent boomer cash flows now are on portfolio income. Below are five monthly salary names worth researching for July. Each ticker has been verified for…

Organic blueberries sold at Publix grocery stores have been recalled due to possible E. coli contamination. According to a public news release, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur SA recalled its frozen GreenWise Organic IQF blueberries because the fruit may be contaminated with E. coli. Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur SA and Publix received 12 reports of consumers experiencing stomach illnesses linked to E. coli infections between May 11 and June 5, a Publix news release said. Here’s what you need to know about the blueberry recall. Which blueberries are being recalled at Publix? Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur SA issues…

The energy sector is ripe with both high-dividend stocks and consistently paying producers. To the delight of income-hungry investors, some stocks fit both bills. A good place to find high-yield dividend producers in the energy sector is the midstream space, home to master limited partnerships (MLPs) and pipeline stock. the middle of the stream is littered Famous Income PowerhouseInvolved enbridge And energy transferAmong others, but some less publicized names are also worthy of investors’ attention. enter MPLX LP (MPLX 0.33%). This pipeline could provide comfort to stock income investors for years. Image Source: Getty Images. For those who are not…

Microsoft is cutting 4,800 jobs and reshaping its Xbox business in one of its largest workforce cuts this year, a move that will eliminate thousands of gaming division roles and spin off four studios from the company. The tech giant announced the cuts on Monday, July 6, saying about 2% of its workforce would be affected. Xbox is expected to be responsible for about 3,200 layoffs, with additional job losses planned through fiscal 2027 as the company restructures its gaming operations under CEO Asha Sharma. “The way technology is built, deployed, and used is changing faster than at any time…

Here are 5 important investing skills you must develop for successful long-term investing (typically 10+ years or more). Long-term investing, especially in equities through shares or mutual funds, has historically beaten inflation and created significant wealth for patient investors. However, success depends more on skills and behavior, not on market timing or chasing hot tips.1. patience and emotional discipline – Markets are volatile – corrections, downturns and euphoria are common. Indian equity markets (Nifty/Sensex) have delivered strong long-term returns despite several declines. Panic selling during downturns (for example, the COVID-19 crash or election instability) minimizes losses, while staying invested allows…

A recall has been issued for Kimchi and Tofu Kimbap product sold at ALDI stores in 19 states and Washington, DC, after it was discovered that the food may contain undeclared tuna, which could pose a serious risk to anyone with allergies. This is one of several recalls of ALDI products in recent months, including more than 500,000 boxes of mac and cheese. If you or someone you know is allergic to tuna, here’s what you need to know about the latest incident. Fuchsia Asian Inspirations Kimchi and Tofu Kimbap Remembered New Jersey-based Gellert Global Group announced July 2 that…

Investors are choosing between Invesco S&P SmallCap 600 Revenue ETF (RZG +0.90%) And Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (woog +1.22%) The high historical returns of large-cap growth must be weighed against the recent momentum of small-cap revenue-weighted stocks.Both funds aim for growth, but they seek it in completely different corners of the market. While RZG uses a revenue-weighted strategy to filter the small-cap universe, VOOG tracks a growth-oriented subset of the S&P 500, offering a traditional large-cap growth profile.Snapshot (cost and size)metricRZGVOOGIssuerinvescovanguardShare price (as of June 30, 2026)$72.69$82.62expense ratio0.35%0.07%1-Year Returns (by June 30, 2026)44.5%25.7%dividend yield0.40%0.50%beta1.121.17Om$142.9 million$26.5 billionBeta measures price volatility…

If you really love your car, you’ll probably want to keep it in great condition for as long as possible. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the average age of a car on American roads is about 13 years, so many people are doing everything they can to keep their old reliable wheels going for more than a decade. Things like changing your oil regularly, taking care of your battery, keeping your vehicle filled with fluids and keeping your windshield covered can help your car last longer. This will also help keep some unexpected items in your car.…