Author name: T.J. Fitzgerald

Last Updated on September 2, 2026 by T.J. Fitzgerald This week’s tip looks at why a performing seller-financed note often works better inside a self-directed IRA than in a taxable account. The interest on an 8–12 percent note is ordinary income if you hold the paper personally. Inside a Traditional IRA that same interest stays

Last Updated on August 27, 2026 by T.J. Fitzgerald This week’s tip centers on a shift many people notice once they hit their 50s and 60s: the difference between hoping the market delivers and locking in cash flow that does not depend on daily price swings. At that stage the recovery window is shorter, sequence-of-returns

This week’s tip is simple but often skipped: treat due diligence as non-negotiable before putting money into any alternative investment, including seller-financed notes. A solid check starts with the collateral. Confirm the property’s current market value against recent comparable sales, not just the original appraisal. Look at the loan-to-value ratio and make sure it leaves

This week’s tip looks at why many late starters comparing seller-financed notes to rental properties find the notes path less demanding on time and capital. Rental properties require down payments, ongoing repairs, tenant turnover, and property management decisions that can stretch a 50- or 60-something’s schedule thin. A single roof replacement or vacancy can erase

This week’s tip focuses on a practical path many late starters overlook when they want predictable passive income without needing large capital or market timing. At 40–65 you still have time, but the usual advice of “just max the 401(k) and wait” rarely closes a $20,000-plus annual gap on its own. One realistic layer is

This week’s tip is about the quiet mental adjustments that stop the constant sense of lagging behind. Most late starters I talk with carry an invisible scorecard that keeps them stuck. The first useful shift is to replace “I should have started earlier” with “What can $5,000 do in the next 36 months?” That single

This week’s tip focuses on a practical starting point for those of us past 50 who want to add reliable income streams without high risk or constant management. Many late starters feel the pressure of catching up, but the key is layering simple, secured options that compound over time rather than chasing flashy returns. Start