Ask Doc When people think of Wall Street, they often picture a flurry of floor traders in color-coded vests barking bids at one another. Or they think of riding a hot tip they got from a guy who "knows something" and then seeing an immediate windfall.
That's not how it works. Or rather, that's not how it should work.
We don't want excitement in our investment accounts. We don't want risk and drama, or to spend all of our time sitting in front of a computer watching our brokerage account, reading the financial news, or studying the latest company filings.
We want to put our money to work for us while we enjoy our lives.
For years, I've told readers that their portfolios should be largely made up of what I call Sleep Well at Night ("SWAN") stocks.
I'm talking about opportunities that can pay you regular income – dividend stocks, master limited partnerships ("MLPs"), real estate investment trusts ("REITs"), utilities, and preferred shares...
SWAN stocks are incredibly safe investments... but still typically produce way more income (combined with capital gains in many cases) than you can get in a savings account, certificate of deposit, or Treasury bond.
But the question is, how do you find out which stocks to invest in for the long term without all the tiring research?
To solve this problem, we're opening enrollment to Stansberry's Forever Portfolio with a huge discount for the first time in three years.
When we launched this product during the COVID-19 crash – a time when you were likely more worried about the future of the markets and the longevity of your money than you had been in years – we made you a bold promise.
We said that this is the single best way to build generational wealth... and make sure future market crashes are never painful for you again.
And we're proud to say we made good on that promise... with average annual returns of 16.2% and seven different stocks that grew subscribers' money by 100% or more.
It's time to focus on SWAN stocks again... or, as our Stansberry Research founder Porter Stansberry calls them, forever stocks.
Yesterday, Porter went on camera to issue a warning on the future of the markets. He also shared how you can get discounted access to the Forever Portfolio.
If you missed yesterday's event, catch up on all the details here.
Now, let's dig into some questions... As always, keep sending your comments, questions, and topic suggestions to [email protected]. My team and I really do read every e-mail.
Q: Hey Doc, I have heartburn (gets pretty bad at night). I know you don't say people should take meds. What else can I do? – S.L.
A: Sleep on your left side. Sleeping on your left side uses gravity and the shape of your gut tube to make it harder for stomach acid to move up into your esophagus.
A study published last year evaluated 57 people with chronic heartburn. Those who slept on their left sides had shorter acid exposure time and shorter esophageal acid clearance time than those sleeping on their right sides, backs, or stomachs.
Do what I do to make sleeping on your side extra comfortable:
- Place a firm pillow between your knees to support your hips and lower back.
- Find a pillow that supports your shoulder width and collarbone structure, so your head stays aligned with your spine.
- Hug a pillow to give your right arm a place to rest and keep your chest from caving.
If you're already taking proton pump inhibitors ("PPIs") and they aren't working, don't abruptly stop taking them. Often your body makes extra stomach acid once the drug is out of your system. This is called "acid rebound." It makes your heartburn worse than before, and it further damages your esophagus and throat.
So talk to your doctor about weaning you off PPIs if you need to.
Q: I didn't buy I-bonds when you first recommended. Are they still a buy? – D.H.
A: As I mentioned last month, I originally told readers to buy I-bonds back in March 2022, when these bonds were paying a 7.12% annual rate. The rate has fallen significantly since then. Right now, new I-bonds are paying 4.3%. (The next rate announcement should happen next month.)
The current rate isn't as attractive. You can find high-yield savings accounts paying higher rates right now. And with savings accounts, you can take your money out whenever you want, while I-bonds make you wait a year until you can cash out. And if you cash out within the first five years, you'll give up three months of interest.
Whether or not you want to buy I-bonds might change depending on the next rate announcement. So keep your eyes out for a potentially higher interest rate. And if you do buy, make sure you understand how much money you could lose if you cash out early (and the amount you'll owe in federal taxes).
What We're Reading...
- Did you miss it? People were pessimistic in Vegas.
- Something different: How to scrub your personal information from Google searches.
Here's to our health, wealth, and a great retirement,
Dr. David Eifrig and the Health & Wealth Bulletin Research Team
October 27, 2023