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. 5 min read

How I Choose Which Countries to Invest In?

Investing
economy
I spent the first 25 years of my life in India & the last 22 years in the US. I earned & invested almost all of my money in the US. There were times when I was tempted to invest in international stocks (India, China etc) or real estate (India). But my intuition kept telling me to stick with the US.
  • . 8 min read

    Making smarter real estate choice in silicon valley

    financial independence
    real estate
    Welcome to Real Estate IQ: Wisdom for Smart Moves. In this episode, we delve into the insider secrets tailored exclusively for Silicon Valley home buyers, sellers, and investors. Our goal is to arm you with the necessary tools to conquer the unique real estate landscape of this region.
  • . 2 min read

    Monthly Market and Economy Roundup - 31 Oct 2023

    monthly insights
    stocks
    US Economy
    Xillion brings you Economic Insights for October 2023 to navigate the ever-evolving economy. This analysis sheds light on key economic indicators impacting various sectors. It's your window into the financial pulse of today's world.
  • . 1 min read

    Why you should not invest in target date funds

    401k
    Retirement Savings
    Think Target Date Funds are your only option for a 401k? Learn why specific low-cost funds may be a smarter choice for long-term growth and how you can make the switch today.
  • . 1 min read

    The real cost of Starbucks coffee

    401k
    Retirement Savings
    Ever wondered how much your daily coffee really costs you? Dive into the surprising long-term financial impact of everyday choices like Starbucks vs homemade coffee.
  • . 1 min read

    Best funds to maximize 401k returns

    401k
    Retirement Savings
    Ready to maximize your 401k returns? Explore a curated list of top-performing small-cap, mid-cap, and large-cap funds. Plus, get tips on adventurous options for high-growth potential. Start investing wisely today!
  • . 1 min read

    Why you should maximize 401k contributions

    401k
    Retirement Savings
    Want to hit the financial fast lane to a comfortable retirement? Learn why maximizing your 401k contributions could turn you into a millionaire by 2040, all while enjoying tax benefits today.
  • . 1 min read

    Why should you rollover your old 401(k) plans?

    401k
    Retirement Savings
    Unsure what to do with old 401k accounts from past jobs? Discover why and how to roll them over for better growth and easier management.
  • . 2 min read

    Maximizing Fidelity 401(k) returns: a practical guide

    401k
    Retirement Savings
    Maximize your Fidelity 401(k) for a more comfortable retirement by choosing high-performing, low-cost Index Funds over default Target Date Funds.
  • . 1 min read

    Why Earning More Should Be Your Top Priority

    Earning
    Financial Success
    Learn why earning more is crucial for financial freedom. Increase your income by upgrading skills—see real-life examples that show income growth with education.
  • . 2 min read

    Start Investing Early and Wisely for Long-Term Success

    Investing
    Financial Success
    Discover why investing is key to financial freedom. Learn the power of starting early, the benefits of low-cost index funds, and how to make smarter choices. Transform your financial future now.
  • . 4 min read

    Should you Invest in Real Estate?

    Real Estate
    Financial Success
    Explore the pros and cons of Real Estate Investing vs Equity Investing. Understand opportunity costs and key factors for success. Use Xillion's tools for smart real estate decisions.
  • . 1 min read

    Planning Your Way to Financial Security

    Financial Planning
    Financial Success
    Understand the importance of financial planning for achieving independence. Learn how to digitize your life, simplify accounts, and use financial tools for better decision-making. Start your journey with confidence.
  • . 2 min read

    The 6 Pillars of Personal Finance You Need to Know

    Real Estate
    Financial Success
    Discover the 6 essential pillars of personal finance i.e. Earnings, Savings, Spending, Investing, Borrowing, and Planning. Start your journey to financial independence today!
  • . 2 min read

    Not all Debt is Bad

    Debt
    Financial Success
    Debunk the myth that all debt is bad. Learn to categorize debt by interest rates and make smarter financial choices. Use Xillion tools to manage good, bad, and not-so-bad debt.
  • . 2 min read

    How to Move a post-tax 401(k) to a Roth 401(k)

    401k
    Retirement Savings,
    Post Tax 401k
    Learn the simple steps to shift your post-tax 401(k) funds into a Roth 401(k). Find out if your plan allows it, how to get started, and what to know about taxes. Making the move could offer you tax advantages down the line.
  • . 3 min read

    How to Convert a post-tax 401(k) to a Roth IRA

    401k
    Retirement Savings,
    IRA
    Learn the step-by-step process to convert your post-tax 401(k) into a Roth IRA. Understand key steps, tax implications, and paperwork involved.
  • . 2 min read

    How Smart Borrowing Can Accelerate Your Journey

    Debt
    Financial Success
    Understand how smart borrowing can be a tool for wealth creation. Learn about debt-to-income ratios, safe interest rates, and how to wisely invest in real estate using debt.
  • . 2 min read

    The Power of Robust Savings

    Savings
    Financial Success
    Learn how robust savings can fast-track your journey to financial freedom. Master the art of saving with pre-tax 401(k)s, ESPPs, and Roth accounts.
  • . 2 min read

    Which is better, Pre-tax 401k or Post-tax 401k?

    401k
    Retirement Savings
    Maximize pre-tax 401k savings, then explore post-tax options for higher limits. Convert post-tax to Roth for future tax benefits.
  • . 2 min read

    Control Spending to Boost Savings and Investments

    Spending
    Financial Success
    Learn effective ways to control your spending and accelerate your path to financial freedom. Learn tips like buying used cars and refinancing, and why focusing on big expenses makes a difference.
  • . 2 min read

    Is High Deductible Insurance a Good Choice?

    Personal Finance
    Insurance
    Opt for a high deductible in auto and home insurance for lower premiums. Especially effective if you are a good driver or live in a low-risk area.
  • . 2 min read

    How I used Debt to Reach Financial Independence

    Debt
    Financial Success
    Discover how I transformed my view on debt from a burden to a powerful tool for financial independence. From high-interest loans for education to strategic borrowing for real estate, follow my journey and learn how you can also use debt wisely to achieve your financial goals.
  • . 2 min read

    How Jim Simons made $100 Billion by Day Trading

    Stocks
    Financial Success
    The secrets behind the success of stock market genius Jim Simons. Learn how data, mathematical models, and powerful computers contribute to massive profits.
  • . 1 min read

    Benefits of Maximizing your 401k

    401k
    Retirement
    Boost your wealth by maximizing 401k contributions. Benefit from tax-free growth and enforced saving habits. Start today, and you could accumulate over a million dollars in 17 years.
  • . 2 min read

    Can you Time the Market?

    Investments
    Financial Success
    Stocks
    Stop trying to time the market and focus on time in the market. Invest for the long term in quality assets for reliable growth. Buy and hold, do not trade.
  • . 2 min read

    3 Basic Steps to Achieve Financial Success

    Financial Success
    Investments
    Financial Future
    Achieving financial success might seem like a,
  • . 3 min read

    Monthly Market and Economy Roundup - 31 August 2023

    monthly insights
    stocks
    US Economy
    Welcome to this week's edition of the Economy and Stock Market Roundup. As we navigate through the complexities of the global economy,
  • . 2 min read

    Beyond Interest Rates: Exploring Tax Benefits, Rent Costs, Appreciation, and More in Your Housing Decision

    real estate
    Discover the intricate factors that shape your housing decision beyond interest rates. Explore tax benefits, rental costs, appreciation potential, and more. Make informed choices with insights from our comprehensive guide.
  • . 2 min read

    Which Stocks to Invest in?

    stocks
    investing
    stock market
    There are over 5,000 companies listed in the U.S., and if you're like most people just starting with investing, you might be scratching your head, thinking, Where exactly should I invest? It's a big question, and with so many options, it can feel a little overwhelming.
  • . 4 min read

    Why Don't We Recommend 529 Plans for Saving for Kids’ Education?

    Child Education
    529 Plans
    When it comes to saving for your child's education, the 529 Savings Plan often comes up as a go-to option. Widely known for its tax benefits, including deductions from state taxes or tax-free withdrawals, it's no wonder why it is a popular choice. Despite its popularity, here's a detailed look at why the 529 Plan might not be the best option and how Post Tax Brokerage accounts is better.
  • . 4 min read

    Don’t let a car be the reason you can’t retire. Four of the biggest auto-loan mistakes and how to avoid them.

    Auto Loans
    Debt
    Did you know that Ford makes nearly as much profit from auto loans as it does from manufacturing cars? The auto loan industry in the U.S. generates around $161 billion annually, which makes it larger by revenue than U.S. industries including newspapers, day care, movies, and home-building, according to IBISWorld estimates.
  • . 4 min read

    The soft landing is within sight but not guaranteed

    Interest Rates
    Market Indicators
    US Economy
    Ever since interest rate hikes began in 2022, economic pundits have wondered whether the U.S. would be able to achieve a soft landing,
  • . 3 min read

    Promises, Fallacies & Fantasies of AI

    Generative AI Tools
    Research
    After spending 15 years working in the data & AI space, I have been both mesmerized by its potential and humbled by its limitations.
  • . 3 min read

    Monthly Market and Economy Roundup - 31 July 2023

    monthly insights
    stocks
    US Economy
    Welcome to this week's edition of the Economy and Stock Market Roundup. As we navigate through the complexities of the global economy,
  • . 3 min read

    Weekly Market and Economy Roundup - 31 July 2023

    monthly insights
    stocks
    US Economy
    Welcome to this week's edition of the Economy and Stock Market Roundup. As we navigate through the complexities of the global economy,
  • . 3 min read

    3 Simple and Easy Tips to Save More Money

    Personal Finance
    Welcome to our June 2023 Economic Update. The past month has presented a dynamic landscape in the U.S. financial markets, filled with rallying indices...
  • . 2 min read

    Monthly Economic Insights - June 2023

    US economy
    stockmarket
    inflation
    FederalReserve
    creditcarddelinquency
    housingmarket
    Welcome to our June 2023 Economic Update. The past month has presented a dynamic landscape in the U.S. financial markets, filled with rallying indices...
  • . 2 min read

    Can you make money by day trading in stocks?

    stocks
    US Economy
    You've probably heard about day trading and how it can magically turn you into a millionaire overnight, right? It sure sounds tempting, but let's get real. The cold, hard truth is that about 95% of day traders actually end up losing money. Shocking, right?
  • . 4 min read

    Weekly Market and Economy Roundup - 24 June 2023

    monthly insights
    stocks
    US Economy
    This week, we delve into a range of topics, from the impact of interest rate hikes on the stock market and housing prices to the political implications of Argentina's soaring inflation rate. We also cover the Bank of England's decision to raise its benchmark interest rate to a level not seen since 2008 and Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell's defense of the recent pause in rate hikes.
  • . 2 min read

    Weekly Market and Economy Roundup - 16 June 2023

    monthly insights
    stocks
    US Economy
    This was an exciting week, as Apple gave us a preview of its vision for spatial computing, the stock market officially entered Bull territory, and Saudi Arabia continued to flex its dealmaking muscles. Plus, we preview the Fed’s big upcoming decision.
  • . 3 min read

    Weekly Market and Economy Roundup - 9 June 2023

    monthly insights
    stocks
    US Economy
    This was an exciting week, as Apple gave us a preview of its vision for spatial computing, the stock market officially entered Bull territory, and Saudi Arabia continued to flex its dealmaking muscles. Plus, we preview the Fed’s big upcoming decision.
  • . 2 min read

    Monthly Economic Insights - May 2023

    monthly insights
    stocks
    debt
    inflation
    US Economy
    So far, in 2023, the index has returned 31%. Surprisingly 70% of the gains came from 6 stocks; Apple, Microsoft & Nvidia, Meta, Amazon, and Alphabet.
  • . 2 min read

    Monthly Economic Insights - April 2023

    monthly insights
    US economy
    inflation
    unemployment
    housing market
    The U.S. economic growth slipped in the first quarter amid still-high inflation and rising interest rates.
  • . 1 min read

    A Weekly Fed Update on the Latest Macroeconomic Highlights

    inflation
    GDP growth
    interestRates
    construction
    hospitality
    consumer spending
    Wages are still growing. In the first three months of 2023, employers spent 1.2% more on wages in the U.S.
  • . 2 min read

    The Avocado Toast Myth: Millennials Seek Financial Advice Beyond Condescension

    millenials
    financial advice
    net worth
    wealth building
    avocado toast
    portfolio optimizer
    know financial struggles of millenials
  • . 1 min read

    Don't let high-fees funds drain your money

    401k
    targetdated fund
    index funds
    financial literacy
    Remember, just because you don't see the fees being deducted doesn't mean they aren't there.
  • . 2 min read

    Understanding the World Economy: Exploring three macro trends"

    aging populations
    deDollarization
    growing debt
    economic consequences
    inflation
    An analysis of three significant macro trends - aging populations, de-dollarization, and growing debt - and their potential impact on the world economy.
  • . 1 min read

    Do you know why the S&P 500 is the greatest wealth-generating machine?

    investing
    SP500
    warrenbuffet
    long term investing
    If you invested in the S&P500 for any 25-year period since 1928, there’s no way you could have made less than a 5% return.
  • . 1 min read

    Everything you need to know about Apple Card Savings Account

    apple
    apple card
    apple savings account
    Apple has recently launched its highly anticipated Apple Card Savings Account
  • . 1 min read

    Are you aware of the living wage in the United States?

    united states
    living wage
    Salary is important, but your standard of living has a lot to do with location.
  • . 3 min read

    Counting on social security in retirement? Think again.

    retirement
    social security
    The Western retirement model is under strain. Developed nations are growing much older since people live longer and have fewer children. By 2050, the proportion of the world population over the age of 65 is expected to nearly double.
  • . 3 min read

    Becoming a Better Investor Through Tax Optimization

    tax
    capital gains
    stock market
    When we talk about good investing, too often we focus on the ability to pick stocks and index funds. And while this is important, it overlooks one of the most underappreciated differences between good and great investors: optimizing taxes. Understanding capital gains can easily cut your investment tax bill in half — and sometimes it’s just a matter of holding an investment for a few more days.
  • . 4 min read

    The Fed wants to eliminate jobs, whether they admit it or not

    inflation
    recession
    stock market
    The Federal Reserve has two primary duties: promote price stability (tame inflation) and keep unemployment low. Unfortunately, those two goals often directly conflict with one another. When labor demand is low, companies can attract workers with lower wages, so the price of goods and services goes down. On the other hand, high employment means workers can bargain for higher wages, thus increasing the cost of goods and services.
  • . 1 min read

    What is money score and why you should care?

    personal finance
    money
    money score
    xillion
    compounding
    investing
    investments
    Money Score: The personalized financial assessment that puts your interests first.
  • . 1 min read

    Monthly Economic Insights - March 2023

    monthly insights
    bank failure
    bank deposit
    interest rates
    US Economy
    The banking crisis leads Fed to slow rate increases due to a decline in asset values after the fastest rate hike in history.
  • . 1 min read

    Will AI change the world?

    artificial intelligence
    technology
    Elon Musk
    Risk
    Advancements
    market
    Elon Musk and other technologists believe that AI will have a significant impact on the world and markets.
  • . 1 min read

    Power of Compounding

    investments
    investing
    wealth
    S&P 500
    growth
    personal finance
    financial freedon
    warren
    Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it; he who doesn’t, pays it” - Albert Einstein
  • . 1 min read

    Apple's Wearables Unit: A Fortune 500 Company on Its Own with Higher Revenue Than Major Brands

    apple
    investments
    investing
    The wearables business unit ALONE could be a Fortune 500 company (with more annual revenue than Oracle, Nike, American Express, Coca-Cola, and Tesla)
  • . 1 min read

    Long-Term Investing Pays Off: Trusting the Process Over Timing the Market with the S&P 500

    S&P 500
    investing
    financial planning
    personal finance
    Why Time in the Market Trumps Timing the Market with the S&P 500
  • . 3 min read

    Why Following Celebrity Investors Isn't Always a Good Idea: Rethinking Our Approach to Investing

    investing
    celebrity investors
    personal finance
    It’s time to rethink celebrity investors
  • . 1 min read

    Apple's Soaring Success: A 2,402% Rally Since 2010 with Impressive CAGR Excluding Dividends

    apple
    investing
    investments
    $AAPL has rallied a whopping 2,402% since 2010 (a CAGR of 28.4% excluding dividends)
  • . 1 min read

    The Inflation Threat to Your Retirement: How to Plan and Protect Your Golden Years

    retirement
    financial planning
    personal finance
    Unmasking the True Cost of Retirement
  • . 1 min read

    How to invest $10,000?

    investing
    sp500
    large cap
    growth etf
    bond etf
    REIT
    personal finance
    Investing made simple: your guide to a $10,000 ETF portfolio 💰
  • . 6 min read

    Is it time to invest in China instead of the U.S.?

    investing
    united states
    china
    comparison
    xillion newsletter
    Every great civilization in human history has gone through a cycle that includes a rise to power, a period of stability, and a period of decline. Eventually, the decline becomes so tumultuous that the empire itself collapses. Is it time to bet against the U.S.? According to Bridgewater founder Ray Dalio, things aren't looking great for the U.S. According to Warren Buffet: Our unwavering conclusion: Never bet against America. Who is right and who is wrong? Check out our first Xillion newsletter to learn more.
  • . 1 min read

    Are you tired of spending countless hours researching ETFs and Mutual Funds?

    funds
    compare funds
    ETF
    mutual funds
    We are excited to announce our new comparison feature on our website that allows you to easily compare and analyze various ETFS and Mutual Funds side-by-side.
  • . 1 min read

    How long will it take to double your money?

    investing
    double the money
    rule of 72
    Use the Rule of 72 and find out!
  • . 1 min read

    How you can protect yourself from bank failure?

    bank deposit
    FDIC
    silicon valley bank
    protect
    Don't take chances with your hard-earned savings. Use Xillion Protect to help you diversify your cash, giving you the confidence and security, you deserve.
  • . 2 min read

    Vacations are a big expense — but can they be financially responsible? 🤔

    vacation
    finance
    mentoring
    With summer approaching, many of us are opting for “staycations” rather than travel. In this economy, the idea of splurging on a vacation might seem irresponsible, but you’re not alone in thinking this way.
  • . 1 min read

    Are you holding any of these stocks in your portfolio?

    stocks
    portfolio
    wealth creators
    investing
    Listed below are the top wealth creators of the decade.
  • . 1 min read

    Are you worried about the safety of your bank deposits?

    bank deposit
    FDIC
    silicon valley bank
    You're not alone. Recent bank failures like SVB Bank and Signature Bank have left people feeling uneasy about the security of their money.
  • . 3 min read

    How to prepare yourself for the uncertainty in the economy?

    emergency fund
    layoffs
    It’s a scary time to be a tech worker. For years, software engineers grew accustomed to rapidly rising incomes, job security, and a job market hungry for their talent. But since the Federal Reserve began raising interest rates, things have changed.
  • . 2 min read

    Are you holding too much cash in your emergency fund?

    emergency fund
    While having an adequate emergency fund is crucial to your financial health, holding too much cash holds you back from achieving long-term financial goals.
  • . 1 min read

    What would the Federal Reserve Chair do now?

    inflation
    silicon valley bank
    interest rate
    Inflation is still stubbornly high at 6% in February. Normally, that would suggest the Fed will continue raising interest rates. But some analysts on Wall Street think the Fed will actually cut interest rates.
  • . 1 min read

    Impact of rising interest rates on Silicon Valley Bank

    interest rate
    sillicon valley bank
    What just happened to Silicon Valley Bank? And what does it have to do with inflation?
  • . 2 min read

    Investing lessons from Sillicon Valley Bank collapse

    sillicon valley bank
    investing
    investing lessons
    Silicon Valley Bank is the talk of the town. What's going on? And what can it teach us about investing?
  • . 1 min read

    What is Opportunity Cost?

    opportunity cost
    investing
    Opportunity cost is what you give up by choosing one investment over another 🤔
  • . 2 min read

    Mutual Fund Fees and Expenses

    mutual fund
    advisory fee
    expense ratio
    As payment for managing a mutual fund, investors are charged an advisory fee. An expense ratio measures how much of a fund’s assets are used for paying this fee and other operating costs, and the general rule is that the lower this is, the better for investors.
  • . 2 min read

    How Gen Z Should Prepare Their Finances

    gen z
    opportunity cost
    investing
    As you embark on your career and financial journey, it's important to understand the basics of personal finance
  • . 1 min read

    What is a High Yield Savings Account

    emergency funds
    high yield savings account
    Most people forget: money in your emergency fund can still earn money 🚀 📈
  • . 1 min read

    Optimize your retirement portfolio with Xillion

    401k
    401k optimizer
    Financial psychology is a funny thing: if you could turn five minutes from today into millions of dollars 30 years from now, would you do it?
  • . 1 min read

    Guide for first-time home buyers

    home buying
    buy vs rent
    First-time buyers made up the smallest share of home-buying activity in the U.S., at just 26%.
  • . 4 min read

    What are Target Retirement funds?

    retirement
    retirement funds
    target funds
    financial freedom
    Target retirement funds are supposed to further simplify retirement investing by automatically shifting your allocation of investment assets - between stocks, bonds, and treasuries -as you get closer to retirement.
  • . 1 min read

    🔒 How secure is Xillion?

    data security
    financial data
    data protection
    secured
    Xillion uses Plaid to connect your financial information to your Xillion account. Setting up your accounts can take less than 5 minutes.
  • . 1 min read

    🕘 Delayed investing can cost you a lot of money!

    investing
    financial freedom
    data protection
    secured
    Starting $1,000 investment every month now gives you 3x the money as compared to starting in 10 years from now.
  • . 2 min read

    Calculate ideal savings amount today

    income
    savings
    emergency funds
    expenses
    job security
    inflation
    😧 Nearly half (45%) of high-income earners are living paycheck to paycheck 💵 ➡ 💵
  • . 1 min read

    Monthly Economic Insights - February 2023

    monthly insights
    US Economy
    rents
    inflation
    stock market
    ⬆️ The US economy is still going strong, despite the Fed trying to slow it down by raising interest rates.
  • . 2 min read

    👶 Gen Z was the only generation with rising 401k balances in 2022

    investing
    gen z
    401k
    portfolio
    portfolio optimizer
    They still have a lot of room to catch up 📉 📅 One key investment advantage can bridge the generational asset gap ...
  • . 2 min read

    Saving for retirement can lower your tax bill

    retirement
    401k
    401k optimizer
    tax
    saving
    Wondering about the tax implications of your retirement contributions? You're not alone. As the tax code grows increasingly complex, it can be tough to keep track of all the different ways investments impact your bottom line.
  • . 2 min read

    🏡 Deciding whether to renew your sublease? 🏡

    real estate
    mortgage
    investing
    asset management
    home buying guide
    🏡 If you decide no, you might finally be in the majority.
  • . 1 min read

    Did you know your employer might soon be paying off your student loans? 👩‍🎓 😌

    student loans
    employer pay off
    loans
    401k
    401k optimizer
    Yes, you read that right 😎. 🏛 The government wanted to make it easier for people with student debt to save for retirement 🧓
  • . 2 min read

    How To Get Free Money From Your Employer?

    free money
    401k
    ESPP
    401k optimizer
    investing
    💵 Do you want free money? 1️⃣ Get the maximum 401k match from your employer. 2️⃣ Enroll in your company’s ESPP program.
  • . 2 min read

    Did you ever wonder about the history of the 401(k)? 🤔💭

    investment
    career
    retirement
    free money
    401k
    government
    🏛 Back in the late 1970s, the U.S. government faced a serious problem: with the rise of inflation and the decline of traditional pension plans, workers were struggling to save for retirement.
  • . 1 min read

    Moving 401k funds just got easier

    investments
    401k
    work
    retirement
    401k optimizer
    Moving your 401(k) can be a massive headache. 🤒 🍀🍀🍀 Luckily, it just got easier thanks to a huge move from Fidelity Investments, Vanguard, and Alight Solutions 😮
  • . 2 min read

    401k Plan cheatsheet

    retirement
    financial freedom
    401k
    Follow below suggestions to get maximum benefits from 401k account
  • . 2 min read

    Which investment is better?

    investing
    better returns
    snp500
    1️⃣ 10% per year returns + Complete liquidity (being able to convert the investment into cash)
  • . 1 min read

    A bit of planning can prepare your family for the uncertainties of a recession

    recession
    personal finance
    investing
    emergency savings
    mentoring
    Plans are worthless, but planning is everything - President Eisenhower.
  • . 2 min read

    Should you check your portfolio today?

    portfolio
    personal finance
    portfolio optimizer
    investing
    📈 😯 📉 You just heard the market went way up (or down) and want to check your portfolio. Here's why that might not be such a good idea
  • . 4 min read

    Recession Checklist - How to prepare for a downturn?

    recession
    personal finance
    investing
    emergency savings
    portfolio analyzer
    mentoring
    To prepare for a recession, spend a few minutes reviewing job security, savings, expenses and investments.
  • . 2 min read

    Liquidity & Other Investment Risks

    liquidity
    investing
    real estate
    financial freedom
    🕵️‍♀️ I was helping a friend, who is also a Xillion customer, solve some of their financial puzzles when this came up. They were being pitched an investment idea where their funds would be locked for years in return for slightly better returns.
  • . 2 min read

    Is Inflation Cooling?

    economy
    planning
    inflation
    portfolio optimizer
    emergency savings guide
    The Bureau of Labor Statistics released the latest inflation data today. They found that inflation slowed down for a seventh straight month in January. So prices are still up 6.4% year-over-year, but that's a slower rate than the 9% rate we experienced in the middle of 2022.
  • . 1 min read

    CPI might be deflating

    CPI
    retweet
    The issue with CPI is it doesn't sufficiently account for asset / fixed costs. CPI might be deflating, but do Americans feel less financial strain?
  • . 1 min read

    Student Loan Debts

    education loans
    good debt
    debt
    Student loan debt is getting out of hand, but that doesn't mean you should avoid it at all costs. The White House recently released data illustrating the extent of our student loan problem
  • . 1 min read

    NYC rents are rising!

    rent
    retweet
    home buying guide
    Nationwide, rents tend to rise 5-10% annually. NYC is an entirely different beast.
  • . 1 min read

    Paycheck To Paycheck

    inflation
    retweet
    How much of what we call "inflation" for high earners is fixed costs versus consumer goods?.
  • . 2 min read

    Do you have time to manage your finances?

    time management
    wealth management
    mentoring
    It’s no secret that millennials have gone through their fair share of financial turmoil. Recessions, pandemics, and politics have simply tired us out. It seems we can barely think a month ahead, much less consider what we want to do with our savings.
  • . 5 min read

    Starting your investing journey? Avoid these 5 common mistakes.

    investing
    financial independence
    fit
    401k
    401k optimizer
    portfolio analyzer
    home buying guide
    Time is the most important ingredient in investing. That’s why it’s so important to set yourself up for success early
  • . 1 min read

    How much should I need to Save?

    stats
    investing
    401k
    401k optimizer
    portfolio analyzer
    emergency savings guide
    emergency funds
    fit
    📢📢 The median millennial household saved $50,000 for retirement and had $3,000 in emergency savings.
  • . 5 min read

    How interest rates impact your portfolio - everything you need to know

    interest rates
    portfolio
    portfolio optimizer
    The Federal Reserve sets the federal funds rate, which guides interest rates and the flow of money in an economy.
  • . 3 min read

    Should you wait to buy your dream house?

    REIT
    real estate
    home buying guide
    Are you thinking of buying a home, but don’t know if it’s the right time to pull the trigger? Surely, you might think, these sky-high housing prices need to go down soon.
  • . 2 min read

    How often should I look at my 401k or IRA portfolio?

    401k
    401k optimizer
    IRA
    portfolio
    401k & IRA are great for saving and investment because they can be on autopilot most of the time and provide great returns. But this is also one of the biggest problems: we expect everything will work perfectly on autopilot no matter what. In reality, autopilot only works if you have all the inputs right. This only takes a few minutes, but it can make the difference of whether you get to your desired financial destination or not.
  • . 2 min read

    Monthly Economic Insights - January 2023

    monthly insights
    US Economy
    economic indicator
    inflation
    recession
    Inflation has started to cool, even turning negative month over month. The annual inflation rate in December was 6.5% annually, but it declined by 0.1% from the previous month. We believe inflation is likely to come back to 2%-3% within the next 12-18 months.
  • . 3 min read

    Your credit score isn’t your friend. Try Money Score instead

    money score
    credit score
    Credit score has become an integral part of our financial lives. Many people view it as the single most important measure of financial health. And while there’s a correlation between financial health and credit score, that’s not the whole story. You should know credit score was not created to help consumers, but to help banks make more money.
  • . 4 min read

    Why index funds should be the foundation of your portfolio

    investing
    index funds
    mutual funds
    ETF
    SP500
    SPX
    SPY
    VTI
    VUG
    VGTSX
    Warren Buffet advises people to invest in index funds. But he himself also invests in individual stocks. Why? Because everyone should invest in what they know well. For Buffet, it’s primarily US businesses because he and his team have studied them for decades. But for most people who don’t have the skills, time, and passion for doing hours of research on specific businesses, investing in index funds makes perfect sense.
  • . 2 min read

    Recession checklist

    financial independence
    401k
    recession
    emergency savings
    emergency savings guide
    We're in the middle of a global recession. Tech giants like Amazon, Salesforce & Microsoft are laying off 1,000s of employees. 50+ US companies have laid off almost 30K people in 2023 alone. 💼😢
  • . 1 min read

    What is Portfolio's Alpha?

    portfolio
    alpha
    portfolio analyzer
    Is my stock portfolio doing better than S&P 500? 🤔. The simple answer is to check if your portfolios annual returns are more than S&P 500's annual return. But this approach doesnt consider the risk you took by investing in direct stocks.
  • . 2 min read

    What is Portfolio's Beta?

    portfolio
    beta
    portfolio analyzer
    Stock market is down by 1%, but why is my portfolio down by 2%? 🤯 The answer is your portfolio beta is high! ⬆️
  • . 3 min read

    How to Maximize 401k Returns by Avoiding Common Pitfalls

    401k
    401k optimizer
    investing
    Investing in a 401(k) is usually the smart thing to do — but not all 401(k) investments are equally smart. In fact, you might think you’re doing everything “right” — maxing out your employer match, contributing the full amount, investing in index funds — but you can still be leaving hundreds of thousands of dollars on the table over the course of 10 to 20 years.
  • . 5 min read

    How I Make Investment Decisions

    investing
    financial independence
    investing ideas
    fit
    🙊 I once lost 99% of an investment when I tried to get too smart about investing. Then I learnt to invest at the intersection of: where I live, what I do, and what I love. ✅
  • . 2 min read

    The Magic Recipe to protect you against Bear Market

    dollar cost averaging
    investing
    bear market
    2022 was one of the worst years for the stock market, with S&P 500 down by almost 15% and the tech-heavy Nasdaq down 27% YTD
  • . 3 min read

    Stock Price and Bond Price

    stocks
    bonds
    investing
    📉 Lower stock price for a company means lower profits in future than previously assumed. 🚩 Sharply falling bond price signals the company has a higher bankruptcy risk than previously assumed.
  • . 3 min read

    What is Tax Loss Harvesting?

    financial independence
    fincance
    tax
    tax benefits
    Save some income tax by tax loss harvesting before end of the year. In 10 minutes, learn how to save taxes on investment gains. What exactly is tax loss harvesting?
  • . 1 min read

    FSA and HSA

    fsa
    hsa
    investing
    long term growth
    tax benefits
    tax
    In this open enrollment season, make sure you maximize your HSA or FSA contributions to get tax benefits. If you’re eligible for both, HSA is a better choice.
  • . 2 min read

    How to open a brokerage account within 401k to buy low cost ETFs?

    401k
    401k optimizer
    ETF
    retirement
    investing
    Open a brokerage account within 401k to buy low cost ETFs. 🔑 Why use Brokerage Link? All employers limit the number and type of funds that are available in your 401k plan. Most of these plans are higher cost, and often lower performing as well, as compared to other funds available via BrokerageLink.
  • . 2 min read

    Biggest lesson from the crypto meltdown

    crypto
    risk
    investing
    🛑 Biggest lesson from the crypto meltdown: if anyone promises greater than 10% returns & says nothing about tradeoffs involved, JUST SAY NO ⛔. Let’s dig in.
  • . 1 min read

    Move 401(k) funds to lower cost funds?

    401k
    401k optimizer
    financial independence
    funds
    index funds
    mutual funds
    Move 401k funds into lower-cost funds like FXAIX, VOO, VTI, etc. 🥷
  • . 2 min read

    What is Money Score?

    money score
    free money
    financial freedom
    Americans have $25 in money (assets) for $1 in credit (liabilities). That’s why we created Money Score to be at least 25 times more impactful to your finances than the credit score.
  • . 2 min read

    How big of an emergency fund do you need to survive a layoff or an emergency?

    emergency savings
    emergency fund
    emergency savings guide
    ⛔ Tech industry has lost 200k+ jobs in the last few months with companies such as Microsoft, Netflix, Robinhood, Coinbase, Shopify, Docusign, JP Morgan laying people off. We are sliding into a recession that is primarily impacting tech workers. Even Jeff Bezos recently warned everyone to “batten down the hatches”.
  • . 1 min read

    How to manage your 401k

    401k
    401k optimizer
    How to manage your 401k accont? Are you on track to contribute the maximum amount of $20,500 to your 401k accounts this year? If not, you still have 3 paychecks to make up for lost time. How?
  • . 3 min read

    Combine old 401k accounts to save hundreds of thousands by retirement

    financial independence
    financial freedom
    investing
    401k
    rollover
    401k optimizer
    Elon: What did you get done this weekend? You: Rolled over my old 401k's so I will have $700,000 more at retirement! 💰
  • . 2 min read

    Want to make some free money (up to $10k per year)?

    financial independence
    investing
    free money
    ESPP
    💰 Want to make some free money (up to $10k per year)? Enroll in your company’s ESPP & get 30% annualized returns with zero risk.
  • . 3 min read

    Looking for good investment ideas? Look no further than Xillion Invest!

    financial independence
    investing
    stocks
    personal finance
    Why should you get punished for not being an expert in finance? You don’t get punished for lack of expertise in music or art or software or medicine. But not knowing about finance carries huge penalties.
  • . 2 min read

    Want to save thousands of dollars in your retirement account?

    financial independence
    investing
    save
    retirement
    401k
    401k optimizer
    💵 Change your default investment allocations to lowest cost index funds
  • . 2 min read

    Is now a good time to invest with the market fluctuating so much?

    financial independence
    investing
    💵 Yes! Buy great companies and hold them for 5+ years. 📈 Market turmoil usually means uncertainty. The market dropped 5% last week because more people were pessimistic. It rose today because more people are optimistic. Individual stocks are even bumpier. 📉
  • . 1 min read

    Collaborating in person beats working remotely by a mile!

    team collaboration
    team bonding
    start up
    family time
    xillion
    wealth management
    Collaborating in person beats working remotely by a mile! Entire Xillion team was in Bangalore last week. We worked hard, collaborated well and also found time to socialize with the families of Bangalore based teammates.
  • . 2 min read

    Why are stocks falling?

    investing
    stocks
    ETFs
    recession
    inflation
    Because recession + inflation reduce profits while rising interest rates make stocks less valuable.
  • . 2 min read

    Do you have some extra savings and are not sure where to invest?

    investing
    financial independence
    sp500
    Buy VOO & SCHA
  • . 3 min read

    Do you need life insurance?

    life insurance
    risk management
    financial independence
    Buy a term life insurance policy worth 15x your gross annual income.
  • . 3 min read

    What's the greatest wealth generation machine known to humankind?

    investing
    stock market
    stocks
    financial independence
    fit
    What is the greatest wealth generation machine known to humankind?
  • . 3 min read

    Invest Your Retirement (401k as well as Roth) Savings Into Index Funds

    retirement savings
    index funds
    investing
    401k
    401k optimizer
    Until last year, I invested all my retirement (401k as well as Roth) savings into two index funds: 50% in **Vanguard S&P 500 index fund**; 50% in **Vanguard Russell 2000 index fund**. The thought process was simple but saved me lot of money and anguish. **By spending less than 10 minutes**, you can also **save tens of thousands of dollars** by following a few simple steps listed here.
  • . 1 min read

    How To Make Great Financial Decisions

    financial independence
    finance
    financial freedom
    wealth management
    fit
    We started Xillion because we couldn’t find honest expert mentoring/advice on how to make great financial decisions. Banks are not great place for financial advice.
  • . 1 min read

    Real Estate Buying & Investing

    real estate
    investing
    home buying guide
    Real estate buying and investing has many layers of complexity. When comparing renting versus buying, the first instinct is to compare the total rent versus total mortgage payment.
  • . 1 min read

    Guide To Investing, In Order Of Highest Returns With Lowest Risk (In US)

    investing
    financial independence
    wealth management
    Here’s my handy guide to investing, in order of highest returns with lowest risk (in the US).
  • . 2 min read

    Opportunity To Invest In Growth Stocks

    investing
    tech
    stocks
    growth stocks
    US growth stocks, especially tech stocks, have taken a huge beating over the last six months.
  • . 1 min read

    Hypothesis Behind Buying Stocks

    investing
    stocks
    optimism
    War is still raging in Ukraine. COVID is still wrecking China. Inflation is up & stocks are down. I’m buying stocks. Because the world will likely be in a better place in 5-10 years. Feel free to reach out if you would like to know my hypothesis behind buying these stocks (my investment horizon is 10+ years).
  • . 4 min read

    Debt: Build Wealth by Being Smart About It

    debt
    build wealth
    wealth management
    investing
    discover invest
    invest
    When utilized well debt can be a useful tool in building wealth. Low interest rate debt is better than high interest debt.
  • . 4 min read

    Emergency Savings Guide

    emergency savings
    emergency fund
    emergency savings guide
    In the tech sector alone, more than 100,000 people have lost their jobs. in the last few months. Companies ranging from Microsoft, Tesla, Netflix, Robinhood, Coinbase, Shopify, Redfin, Peloton, Carvana, JP Morgan etc have been laying off employees by hundreds if not thousands. We are either already in a recession or slowly sliding into one.
  • . 2 min read

    Manage Your Net Worth to Attain Financial Independence

    financial independence
    net worth
    fit
    Net Worth is the best way to measure your financial health. What is Net Worth?
  • . 3 min read

    Trust & Blockchain

    block chain
    trust
    crypto
    Once the current crypto boom & bust cycle blows over, property rights can be an area where technology underlying crypto can potentially benefit the society by reducing costs and increasing velocity for certain transactions.
  • . 2 min read

    Are you Financially Fit?

    financial independence
    investing
    asset allocation
    fit
    Using Xillion’s newly launching “Financial Independence Tool” (FIT), you can organize your financial independence journey right at your fingertips and become financially fit.
  • . 4 min read

    Investing with Confidence

    investing
    asset allocation
    financial independence
    millennials
    discover invest
    invest
    Xillion’s Money Allocation Tool helps you make smart and informed investment decisions for long term financial success.
  • . 3 min read

    Benefits of Working Under One Roof

    benefits
    startup
    team bonding
    wealth management
    xillion
    First some background. We are building world’s best wealth mentoring platform that will provide tools, ideas and mentoring to the masses.
  • . 2 min read

    Demystifying Real Estate Investing

    real estate
    investing
    home buying guide
    During a recent chat about real estate investing with a friend, I realized that some of the things are not too clear to a lot of people. Real estate buying and investing has many layers of complexity. When comparing renting versus buying, the first instinct is to compare the total rent versus total mortgage payment. But there’s more to consider.
  • . 2 min read

    Our Story

    start up
    fintech
    wealth management
    xillion
    Xillion was born out of a deep desire to help others make great financial decisions.