Insight & Updates

Private loans aren’t stocks. They’re not bonds. They’re not even gold or silver. But they can still be a powerful addition to a retirement portfolio—precisely because they’re different. Private lending in a Self-Directed IRA offers diversification through a unique source of income: interest on debt. For many investors, it’s a way to reduce reliance on …

Real estate is often the first thing people think of when it comes to Self-Directed IRA investing. And for good reason. But there’s another corner of the real estate world that doesn’t get nearly as much attention: tax lien investing. For retirement investors who want exposure to real estate without directly owning property, tax liens …

There’s a clear boundary between two financial worlds. On one side, you have your retirement accounts—investments designed to grow with tax advantages over the long term. On the other, you have your personal finances, including your home, bank accounts, and taxable investments. So what happens when those two worlds mix? In many cases, it creates …

A lot of people think of a Self-Directed IRA as a tool for building retirement wealth. But what happens when you actually reach retirement? Does the strategy change? Do you finally take your foot off the pedal? Not entirely. In fact, there’s still a lot you can do to manage—and even optimize—your finances once you …

Why Tax Free Growth Matters More Than It Sounds Tax-free growth isn’t just a nice perk. It can completely change how people think about investing for retirement. With a traditional retirement account, part of your balance isn’t truly yours yet—future taxes will take their share when you begin taking distributions. With a Self-Directed Roth IRA, …

The “free lunch” in investing is often considered a myth. But when it comes to tax-free retirement income, the Self-Directed Roth IRA might be the closest thing available. A Roth IRA is one of the most powerful tax-advantaged retirement accounts available today. It allows you to contribute after-tax money (meaning contributions aren’t tax-deductible) and grow …

Imagine a retirement account where you can contribute far more money than you might expect. Now imagine one that also allows you to invest in a wider range of assets. Enter the Self-Directed SEP IRA—a powerful opportunity for entrepreneurs and self-employed investors who qualify. It’s not something every investor can use, but for those who …

Imagine being heavily invested in gold or silver during the precious metals surge of 2025. Not a bad thing to imagine, right? Precious metals performed strongly throughout the year. The rally was significant enough that many long-time precious metals investors saw returns that rivaled gains in other asset classes. But that introduces a new question: …

Let’s say you’re used to flipping houses. You take a hands-on approach to your investments: buy a property, fix it up yourself, sell it for a quick profit—you know the tricks of the trade. But what if you’re trying to use a Self-Directed IRA to invest in real estate without that experience? First-time investors may …

Maybe you’ve read a lot about Self-Directed IRAs. You know the idea: invest in more alternative assets within a retirement account, and maybe you won’t always have to worry about what the stock market is doing. Using a Self-Directed IRA opens up those alternative asset classes quickly and easily. But maybe you’ve also dismissed the …