Natalie Pace Blogs
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 SpaceX IPO Soars. Should You Take Flight, Too? You know you want to… “Never bet against Elon Musk,” Peter Thiel, billionaire investor (Palantir) and Paypal co-founder. “Investing is easy. It’s just a case of what and when.“ Kelley Wright, publisher of Investment Quality Trends. Be sure to watch my videoconference on YouTube.com/NataliePace and listen to my podcast on NataliePace.Substack.com. The SpaceX IPO will become publicly traded on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange on or about June 12, 2026, with the ticker symbol SPCX. You know you want to buy it. It is likely that the world will see its 1st trillionaire crowned on the 1st day of trading (Elon Musk), if the IPO comes in at $1.6 trillion or higher, and stays there. However, as Wall Street pros remind us, price matters. So, should you buy now or put the company on your stock shopping list? Will the Wall Street insiders who have been investing in SpaceX for half a century use the IPO to sell high and turn their paper profits into hard cash at retail investors' expense? I have been receiving inquiries and emails from our subscribers for months, with links to YouTube gurus and social media stars who are weighing in on whether you should invest. The S-1 filing was only released late Wednesday night (May 20, 2026). Any guru who was espousing a strategy prior to looking at the S-1 filing was really flying by the seat of their pants – or using the interest in the IPO to line their own wallets. (Many sell a newsletter subscription and sometimes a scam. The “research” that people forwarded to me have very poor customer reviews. Grade your guru before you read or listen to anything.) Let’s dive into the data to see what the numbers tell us about this opportunity. Here are the topics I’ll cover in this blog. The Elon Musk Premium The Qualities of a Successful IPO A Deeper Dive into the Board and Management The Opportunities and Challenges of Space Exploration The Opportunities and Challenges of Starlink The Opportunities and Challenges of AI Valuation Macro Considerations Should You Buy Now? And here is more information on each topic. The Elon Musk Premium Whether you are pro or against SpaceX’s founder, CEO and CTO Elon Musk, the man attracts investors. Tesla is worth $1.6 trillion. SpaceX has had some notable, game-changing achievements in space exploration, broadband and AI. Musk knows how to build and run companies and attract the venture capital to keep them going through a lengthy cash burn period, which is what SpaceX is still in. Tesla posted net losses for 17 years before its first cash-positive year in 2020. SpaceX has been unprofitable every year since its founding in 2002, except for 2024, with cumulative losses of $41.3 billion. In the first three months of 2026, SpaceX’s net loss (-$4.3 billion) was almost as much as the losses in all of 2025 (-$4.9 billion). SpaceX is aiming for a $1.75-$2.0 trillion IPO. The investor roadshow will launch on June 8, 2026, with the share price to be set on June 11, before the first day of public trading on June 12, 2026. A lot can happen during the investor roadshow. I’ll keep you updated in the comments section of this blog. While the long-term expectations for SpaceX are interstellar, many analysts are skeptical at valuing the company at $1.75-$2.0 trillion. The Qualities of a Successful IPO In 2004, I went on the Forbes on Fox television show and picked Google before the IPO. At the time many analysts were poohpoohing Google for many reasons, including the fact that there had been an entire Dot Com meltdown between 2000 and 2003. I used the metrics below as part of my analysis to pick Google. If you’d like to see how that analysis works with Alphabet Inc. (Google), read the “Hitch Your Wagon to a Star” chapter of Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is. Incidentally, I used General Motors as an example of a company that would likely go bankrupt, giving it a D-. The book was written in 2007. General Motors did indeed declare bankruptcy in early 2009. That’s how auspicious reading the crystal ball of data can be.  Chart by Natalie Pace. NataliePace.com So how does SpaceX measure up using these metrics?
A Deeper Dive into the Board and Management The management of SpaceX is very strong, having achieved SpaceX’s game changing recovery and reuse of orbital class boosters, rather than them being burned up or lost at sea after one use (costing hundreds of millions of dollars), as was the norm before the SpaceX innovation. This makes space travel more affordable than it has ever been. The CEO/CTO (Musk), president/COO and CFO are all experienced executives. However, the SpaceX board is very overweighted with Wall Street whales. Five out of six of the non-management directors are finance professionals. That has a lot to do with keeping the company private for so long and having cash negative operations, which required SpaceX to keep borrowing money. While this is good for keeping a company alive and getting it to that cash breakeven point, other skill sets are necessary in the boardroom for running a $2 trillion company. Donald Harrison, Google’s president of global partnerships and corporate development is a great asset and is the only non-finance executive on the board. When there are this many finance guys on the board of a company attempting its IPO, there is always the danger of the insiders jumping ship at the IPO liquidity event. That could tank the share price once it hits the big boards. We have seen this play out with a great deal of IPOs, including Snap Inc., Lyft, WeWork, Uber and more. (Click to access my warnings before the IPOs.) The Opportunities and Challenges of Space Exploration While the idea of making “life multiplanetary” is an exciting dream (for some), the universe is a cold, dark, lifeless place, especially compared to our vibrant, beautiful blue home planet. However, Low-Earth Orbit is being used for satellites for everything from Starlink, to weather and defense application. SpaceX is the clear winner with regard to innovation and reliability. Boeing is under intense scrutiny after its high-profile failure and abandonment of two astronauts on the Space Station in 2024. The astronauts were returned to Earth on a SpaceX ship in March of 2025. According to BryceTech and Ars Technica, SpaceX successfully delivered 86% of the world's total payload mass to orbit starting in 2024 with 82% to 84% share of all global mass to orbit through 2025 and early 2026. Virgin Orbit filed for bankruptcy on April 4, 2023, after failing to complete a satellite launch in the U.K. (The company had carried payloads for NASA, the US Space Force, and various private companies before the failed launch that took the company into bankruptcy.) The challenge of space shows up in the financials. It’s an expensive, often cash burn, business. SpaceX is counting on Starlink and eventually Cloud Services to be the steady money for the company. The Opportunities and Challenges of Starlink Starlink is where SpaceX is monetizing space exploration. SpaceX began beaming satellite highspeed broadband Internet to mobile phones in 2025. According to the S-1 filing, Starlink has 10.3 million subscribers in over 164 countries. Connectivity revenue grew by 49.8% in the 1st quarter of 2026 to $3.26 billion on a year over year basis. Income was $1.2 billion in the last quarter. There are clear advantages to having satellite internet for governments to eliminate wifi dead zones. According to the S-1 filing, Starlink’s unique capabilities are well‑suited for deployments across “field offices, remote worksites, research stations, drilling rigs, rural hospitals, aircraft, cruise ships, trains, and hotels.” So, what could possibly go wrong with the connectivity cash cow of SpaceX? In addition to competition from China and Russia, it’s important to remember just how highly regulated the radio frequency spectrum is. (China and Russia are both launching their state-backed broadband constellations.) The S-1 filing outlines the risks, writing: Our satellite connectivity… depend on access to radio frequency spectrum and authorizations from the FCC in the United States and telecommunications regulators in other countries. Without these licenses and approvals, we generally cannot offer connectivity services in a given market. Acquiring the necessary authorizations can be a complex and time-consuming process, often involving technical coordination, public-interest or national security reviews, and cross-border considerations, including in certain jurisdictions where regulatory processes may be influenced by protectionist policies or preferences. Spectrum access itself is limited and highly regulated. It’s also getting quite crowded in low-Earth orbit. There is a risk of collisions with space debris, other satellites and even spaceships. The Opportunities and Challenges of AI AI pioneers have high expectations for what artificial intelligence can achieve – from understanding our universe to breakthroughs in everything from energy to medicine and beyond. SpaceX believes that their vertical integration can support AI infrastructure in space [which will] utilize the “virtually limitless power of the Sun.” SpaceX’s AI business (Grok and X) is investing in R&D and burning through cash, like all AI companies. However, they are starting to monetize and have a $15 billion annual revenue Cloud Services Agreement (once fully operational) with Anthropic. That would bring in more than five times the AI vertical’s revenue in 2025 of $3.2 billion. That’s the good news. The challenges of AI are getting on a pathway to profitability, navigating government regulations, beating the competition, keeping your brand popular and potential liability claims for harms that might occur as a result of “harmful, misleading or illegal content, accuracy, misinformation and deepfakes, bias, discrimination, toxicity, sycophancy, AI deception, consumer protection and notification, products liability, intellectual property infringement or misappropriation, defamation, data privacy, cybersecurity, and sanctions and export controls,” (according to the SpaceX S-1 filing). Powering AI is also a challenge, which SpaceX proposes to solve with low-Earth orbiting data centers. As noted in the SpaceX S-1 filing, “We expect Earth’s finite resources will not be able to sustain the immense computational demands of advanced AI models. Sustainably satisfying this compute demand will require space-based infrastructure that utilizes the ultimate fusion energy source: the Sun.” On Feb. 4, 2026, SpaceX filed regulatory paperwork with the FCC proposing the launch of up to 1 million satellites that will act as self-contained, solar-powered data centers in low-Earth orbit. Valuation A great deal of the independent 3rd-party analyst reports I’m reading are concerned about SpaceX’s lofty valuation. (There are many investment banks involved in the IPO. Those bank analysts are in a “quiet period” where they won’t be issuing any commentary.) One anonymous Wall Street insider sent me a text, writing, “When younger, we were required to learn about imaginary numbers in math class. This IPO analysis may be one of the few times such education had a real-world application. This is not to say this stock won’t go up. Imaginary numbers can rise, as one’s imagination is infinite. But what isn’t infinite is life span.” Macro Considerations While the long-term nature of space, security, internet, cloud and AI contracts could help keep SpaceX’s revenue stable in a recession, the expensive valuation could see the share price drop. Publicly traded space companies saw an average drop of -45% in 2008, during the Great Recession. While no recession is predicted in 2026 or 2027, it’s important to remember that economists are lousy at forecasting economic contractions. Even without a recession, we saw AI and technology stocks plummet in 2022, and again in April of 2025. Learn more in my “Capture Gains at an All-Time High” blog.  Data as of May 18, 2026 Should You Buy Now? I will be monitoring the roadshow and the price and will update here in the comments of this blog. I will also see which of the funds might be including SpaceX, for investors to consider. (iShares TECB, XT and ARTY might include the company.) Given the competing interests of insiders who have a lot of wealth who would like to sell and retail investors who are very interested in owning, the first day of trading will likely be volatile. Whales tend to make a big splash when they sell, so, be cautious. It might be a good idea to wait for the waves to calm a bit. When I think a price is too high, I put the company on a Stock Shopping List. That way I’m ready to go if the price plunges. Most Main Street investors will have an easier time owning hot companies in a targeted ETF to reduce volatility and risk. Investing in any individual company requires a great deal of wisdom, research and babysitting. If we do invest, it’s a good idea to consider it our Vegas money. If we buy high in a great company, that can be an investment that loses money. Bottom Line SpaceX’s business model is sound. Its innovations are extraordinary. Elon Musk is a proven executive who’s probably going to be the world‘s first trillionaire in a few weeks. However, even though it’s a good idea to own SpaceX in our portfolio ultimately, owning it when it hits the big boards could be a very expensive lesson in what happens when insiders use IPOs as a liquidity event to turn their paper profits into cash. Should a company with $18.7 billion in revenue and a loss of -$4.94 billion in 2025 be worth $2 trillion? In the short-term, Wall Street prices can be a popularity contest, which SpaceX can easily win. In the mid- and long-term, however, valuation does matter. Buying high, at a 50X forward revenue multiple, is rarely a great idea, even if the company is one of the most valuable enterprises in the world. ### Are you aware that the hot funds we've been featuring in our sample pie charts and retreats performed at the top of Wall Street in 2025? Silver gained 141%. Peru (copper) was on fire with 83% gains. Even clean energy scored 44%... Why not treat yourself to the gift of financial freedom to create a New Year, New Me in 2026? Register now to join us at our online Financial Freedom Retreat June 5-7, 2026 where you'll learn how to protect your wealth, save thousands annually in your budget, invest in hot industries like AI, gold, crypto and more, and how to be in the best seat during our volatile Debt World. Register with family and friends to receive the best price. (Ask for access to a recording of our Bond masterclass as our gift to you.) Email [email protected] to learn more and register now. If you'd like a life-changing adventure of a lifetime, be our guest at a royal manor house in Cornwall, England, March 4-11, 2027. (With just three rooms still available, this exclusive, private, bucket-list adventure sells out a year in advance!) Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] to learn more. The 2025 Restormel Retreat was a magical and royal experience. Click to learn more. Request testimonials at [email protected]. You can also view some on the flyer page of the retreat. Learn how to: * Invest in hot industries, such as cryptocurrency, Nvidia, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing, * Save thousands annually with smarter big-ticket choices * Hedge against a weaker dollar, * Invest and compound your gains, * Green your retirement plan, * Easy and efficacious nest egg strategies, * Get hot and diversified (including in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and crypto), * Evaluate stocks, * Avoid capital gains and financial predators, * Keep an age-appropriate amount safe, and, * Know what's safe in a Debt World. Yes, it's a complete money makeover. Email [email protected] or call 310-430-2397 to learn more and register. Learn the 15+ things you'll master and read testimonials in the flyer on the home page at NataliePace.com. "Ten minutes into the first day I was already much smarter about investing than I ever thought I would be in my life and I knew I was in exactly the right place at this retreat. I am amazed at how EASY and FUN it is to make my money work for me and those I love. I think this kind of information should be compulsory in schools. I wish I'd learned this sooner." CM "Many people, including educated men and women, often get into trouble when they neglect to follow simple and fundamental rules of the type provided [by Natalie]. This is why I recommend them with enthusiasm." Professor Gary S. Becker. Dr. Becker won the 1992 Nobel Prize in economics for his theories on human capital "College students need this information before they get their first credit card. Young adults need it before they buy their first home. Empty nesters can use the information to downsize to a sustainable lifestyle, before they get into trouble." Joe Moglia, former Chairman & CEO, TD AMERITRADE. If you’d like an unbiased 2nd opinion on your current wealth plan, email [email protected] for pricing and information.  Click through to the flyer to learn more. Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] for pricing, additional information and to register. Register with family and friends to receive the best price. Teens and college students can attend for just $99.  Join us for our Restormel Royal Immersive Adventure Retreat. Spring Equinox 2027. Email [email protected] to learn more. Click for testimonials, pricing, hours & details. Register now to receive two 12-month all-access passes to our online training and four private, prosperity coaching sessions. There are only 3 rooms available. Considering the perks, you're receiving a 65% discount to learn the life math that we all should have received in high school, and the room is free! Email [email protected] to learn more. Yes, it's a great idea to register and start transforming our lives now with the online ABCs of money courses.  Natalie Wynne Pace is an Advocate for Sustainability Financial Literacy & Women's Empowerment. Natalie is the bestselling author of The ABCs of Money (6th edition) and The Power of 8 Billion: It's Up to Us, and is the co-creator of the Earth Gratitude Project. She has been ranked as a No. 1 stock picker, above over 835 A-list pundits, by an independent tracking agency (TipsTraders). Her book The ABCs of Money remained at or near the #1 Investing Basics e-book on Amazon for over 3 years (in its vertical), with over 120,000 downloads and a mean 5-star ranking. The 6th edition of The ABCs of Money and the 2nd edition of The ABCs of Money for College are the most recent releases of these books. Follow her on Instagram. Natalie Pace's easy as a pie chart nest egg strategies earned gains in the last two recessions and have outperformed the bull markets in between. That is why her Investor Educational Retreats, books and private coaching are enthusiastically recommended by Nobel Prize winning economist Gary S. Becker, TD AMERITRADE chairman Joe Moglia, Kay Koplovitz and many Main Street investors who have transformed their lives using her Thrive Budget and investing strategies. Click to view a video testimonial from Nilo Bolden. Check out Natalie Pace's Substack podcast and watch videoconferences and webinars on Youtube. Other Blogs of Interest Capture Gains at an All-Time High. Rebalance. Whirlpool Suspends Dividend. Share Price Sinks. Why I Prefer Select Corporate Bonds to Treasuries. When Superstars Burn Out. Should You Just Own an S&P 500 Fund? Gold, Silver and Crypto. Are the Safe Havens Sinking? Hot Countries. Oil Prices Soar. Stocks Sink. 15 Rules of the Rich. The Venus Fly Trap of High-Yield and Private Credit Funds. AI Says There is a 70% Chance of a Correction in 2026. Learn why. Investors Sell Magnificent 7 for Chevron and Caterpillar. (Is this a good idea?) 6 Rules to Earn Tens of Thousands with Low Risk. 2026 Investor IQ Test. Answers to the 2026 Investor IQ Test. Finding Harmony: A King's Vision. Half a Century of Sustainability Leadership. Silver and Gold's Very Bad Day. Why are Mortgage Rates so High? The War Over Warner Bros. Is an EV Winter Coming? Copper and Peru are Hot, Hot, Hot. 2026 Rebalancing IQ Test. Answers to the 2026 Rebalancing IQ Test. 2026 Crystal Ball. Is the AI Bubble About to Pop? A+ 2025 Performance Report Card with Bragging Rights. Are We Headed for Another Crypto Winter? Will the World Cup Save the Travel Industry? Save Thousands Annually on Health Insurance and Medical Care. 2026 Bonds and Fixed Income Without Paper Losses Strategy. Magnificent 7 Update. On Fire. Expensive. Crypto. Copper. Silver. Gold. More Magnificent than the Magnificent 7. Stablecoins. Should You Invest? Clean Energy. Solar Generation is On Fire. HHS Cuts MRNA Research. Weight Loss Drugs Soar. Are You Paying Thousands to Lose Money? Crypto Goes Mainstream. The Genius Act Becomes Law. Wealth Hacks: Are You Getting Killed in Capital Gains Taxes? Our Super Performing Hots and Value Replacements. Is Your Income Strategy Losing Money? Gold and Silver Soar. Get Safe & Hot in 1 Easy Plan. Home Prices Soften. Is Your City Next? Tesla Vision vs. Waymo LiDAR and Air Taxis. Are Any of Them Safe? Archer Aviation is Chosen to be the Exclusive Air Taxi Service for the 2028 L.A. Olympics. Company of the Year? USA Downgraded. Is U.S. Reserve Currency Status Threatened? Utilities: In the Eye of the Natural Disaster Storms. Aging Mom Doesn't Want to Discuss Dilapidated House. Investors Ask Natalie. Tesla, Tariffs, Chinese Competition and Price Wars. Health Savings Accounts. Save Thousands. Get a Tax Credit. Provide for Tomorrow's Healthcare Needs. Restormel Manor House 2025. A Truly Royal and Magical Adventure. 9 Ways to Cut Your Tax Bill in Half and Save Thousands Annually. Should I Have a Money Manager? 10 Rules of Successful Investing. Indonesia: Rich in Nickel with Ambitions of Becoming an EV Battery Hub. RoboTaxis. AI. The Magnificent 7. Canadian, Australian and U.S. Banks. Are Any of Them Safe? Ireland. Rich in Technology, Biotechnology and Agribusiness. 9 Money Secrets of the Ultra Wealthy. Housing & Budgeting Solutions. Fast Fashion. Fossil Fuels. Plastic Clothing. Atacama Desert Waste Dumps. Fintechs and Brokerages that Fail are Not FDIC-Insured. Housing. Unaffordable. What Works? Case studies and creative solutions. The Underperforming DJIA, Full of Fossil Fuels and Forever Chemicals. 13 Lifestyle Choices to Reduce Waste, Pollution & CO2 & Save a Boatload of Dough. 11-Point Green Checklist for Schools. 10 Wealth Secrets of Billionaires and Royals. Fiat. Crypto. Gold. BRICS. Real Estate. Alternative Investments. BRICS Currency. Will the Dollar Become Extinct? Is Your FDIC-Insured Cash Really Safe? Money Market Funds, FDIC, SIPC: Are Any of Them Safe? Important Disclaimers Please note: Natalie Pace does not act or operate like a broker. She reports on financial news, and is one of the most trusted sources of financial literacy, education and forensic analysis in the world. Natalie Pace educates and informs individual investors to give investors a competitive edge in their personal decision-making. Any publicly-traded companies, funds or projects mentioned by Natalie Pace are not intended to be buy or sell recommendations. ALWAYS do your research and consult an experienced, reputable financial professional before buying or selling any security, and consider your long-term goals and strategies. Investors should NOT be all in on any asset class or individual stocks. Your retirement plan should reflect an age-appropriate, diversified wealth plan, which has been designed strategically, with the assistance of financial professionals who are familiar with your goals, risk tolerance, tax needs and more. The "trading" portion of your portfolio should be a very small part of your investment strategy, and the amount of money you invest into individual companies should never be greater than your experience, wisdom, knowledge, patience and diversified strategy. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, NataliePace.com does not warrant its completeness or accuracy. Opinions constitute our judgment as of the date of this publication and are subject to change without notice. This material is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument.
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 Capture Gains at an All-Time High. Rebalance. Stocks just hit another all-time high on Thursday, May 14, 2026. Everything seems to be coming up roses despite the significant amount of economic uncertainty in the world. Many analysts are expecting the S&P 500 to rise to 7,600 – 8,100 this year. The index is already up 9.6% year to date. At the same time, 2026 is a mid-term year in the election cycle. We have seen stocks drop in the last two mid-term election years of 2022 and 2018, with losses of -19.44% and -6.24%, respectively. Gemini notes that there is a 70% chance of a correction in 2026, based upon the mid-term trend. So, we must be mindful that there is a risk that the stock market could weaken.  Rather than hoping that our superstars keep lighting up the sky, why not capture some gains at an all-time high? It’s never a question of all or nothing but rather making sure that we have an age-appropriate, properly diversified plan every year. This keeps our wealth growing instead of just riding a Wall Street rollercoaster. Fortunately, that can be done in one, easy, well-designed plan – something I write about in my bestselling book The ABCs of Money, 6th edition, teach at our online Financial Freedom Retreats and masterclasses and offer private coaching and an unbiased 2nd opinion on. Email [email protected] to learn more. Here are the things I will cover in this blog. Stocks are at an All-Time High Rebalance and Employ a ‘Capture Gains’ Mindset An Age-Appropriate, Properly Diversified Plan Tax-Protected Retirement Accounts Hot Industries Underweight Excessive Debt, Leverage and Poor Credit Quality Review the 15 Wealth Rules of the Rich Sounds Complicated? It’s as Easy as a Pie Chart! And here is additional information on each point Stocks are at an All-Time High The S&P 500 hit another high on May 14, 2026. We’ve been singing that tune for two and a half years now! It’s still all about the Magnificent 7. However, in 2022, the highest flyers were the largest sinkers, as you can see in the chart below. Many of the Magnificent 7 companies were the biggest losers, with Amazon and Nvidia sinking by half, and Meta and Tesla plunging by -64-65%.  The chart also reveals that silver was more buoyant (as was gold), which is one of the reasons why we’ve been leaning into the precious metal for one or more of our hot slices. Peru was another 2025 superstar, as was clean energy. These all outperformed the Magnificent 7 (as a whole) in 2025 and 2026, and most of them individually as well, with the exception of Google (Alphabet). Do your wealth and retirement plans include hot sectors? Do you place the top performing funds in your Roth IRA to eliminate capital gains and income taxes? These are some of the strategies that we teach in the Financial Freedom Retreat. Adding performance and protection to our wealth plan is a game changer. Rebalance and Employ a ‘Capture Gains’ Mindset Rebalance now, while stocks are at an all-time high to capture gains. When we don’t have this important discipline baked into our plan, we might be led by emotions. Are you complacent thinking that stocks will just keep going up – with Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) on more money if you capture some gains now? Did you feel like selling (low) in 2022 or April of last year, when stocks dropped -20%? If so, that’s a sign that you need a better system. Emotions almost always put us on the wrong side of the trade. It’s been so long since we had a recession that most of us have forgotten just how painful they are. Younger retail investors might have never seen a sustained downturn. The pandemic recession was the shortest in history – largely because we printed up over $4 trillion and passed it out to everyone with a heartbeat. That is not the way that normal corrections run. There won’t be a blank check from Congress in the next one. (If there is, that can spark its own set of problems, given that public debt is already at $39 trillion.) An Age-Appropriate, Properly Diversified Plan As we get closer to retirement, we just can’t afford to lose half of our wealth. So, having enough safe – not at risk of losing money – and knowing what is safe in a Debt World (so we don’t have to endure paper losses either) is critically important. A properly diversified plan adds performance, while reducing risk. It also allows us to invest in industries we think are going to outperform – whether we love precious metals, copper, AI, breakthrough technology, quantum, robotics, cybersecurity, clean energy or crypto. Tax-Protected Retirement Accounts Why not put your best performing target sector ETFs in your Roth IRA? Do you have most or all of your investments in tax-protected retirement accounts, so that you don’t have to worry about capital gains taxes? You can even put your crypto investments (at least a Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF) in your self-directed IRA. Employer-sponsored plans have more limited options, which is why it is important to contribute to your own IRA (hopefully a Roth IRA), in addition to getting the free match that many employers offer. If you’ve left your job, then rolling over your 401k or RSP into a self-directed retirement account is going to offer greater freedom of choice. Start with your 1st job! The Rule of 72 means that you could be a millionaire before you retire if you are simply depositing 10% of your income into a tax-protected retirement account and earning a 10% annualized gain – something that stocks have done and more over the past 30 years.  Hot Industries What do you think is hot in 2026? Is the good news already priced in? Should you be capturing gains? If you don’t own it, should you dollar-cost average in, instead of buying high? Is there something that is currently out-of-favor that might gain ground going forward? Could you be buying low on an Indonesian ETF or medical devices? Having a strategy that includes hot industries increases performance, provided we have a way of capturing gains and sticking with that age-appropriate, properly diversified plan. As we’ve seen above, superstars are also the ones that crash and burn. This is something we cover in-depth in the Financial Freedom Retreat. Join us! Even if you have a managed plan, it’s a very good idea to be the boss of your money and to know exactly what you own and why. Now. Underweight Excessive Debt, Leverage and Poor Credit Quality. We’re using country diversified value replacement funds to skirt the debt and leverage load of many U.S. companies. Are you aware that over half of the S&P 500 is at or near junk bond status? Check out my blogs on “Hot Countries,” and “Whirlpool Cutting Their Dividend.” Also, our safe strategies have been earning a competitive yield with no paper losses – since 1999! Getting safe is not difficult, but it is very tricky. This is why we spend one full day on “What’s Safe?” at the Financial Freedom Retreat. Also, refer to my blogs, “Why I Prefer Select Corporate Bonds to U.S. Treasuries,” and “6 Rules to Earn Tens of Thousands With Low Risk.” Review the 15 Wealth Rules of the Rich There are so many small and subtle changes that can compound and add up. The general theme is that the more money we can keep in the family, the better. So my “15 Wealth Rules of the Rich” blog offers many budget and investing hacks that stop us from making the taxman, the landlord, the health insurance company, the utility, the gas station and so many others rich at our own expense. With more money in our wallet, we can invest, compound gains and live a much richer life. Sounds Complicated? It’s as Easy as a Pie Chart! Having an age-appropriate, properly diversified plan can be as easy as a pie chart. We’ve got free web apps where you can personalize your own plan. These will make more sense when you read The ABCs of Money 6th edition and attend the Financial Freedom Retreat. Also take our Investor IQ Test and Rebalancing IQ Test to learn more about implementing this time-proven system. Bottom Line Rebalancing 1-3 times a year is an important part of an age-appropriate, time-proven plan. The end of the Spring Rally (now) is typically a great time to rebalance and capture gains. If you don’t know how to do this, now is the time to learn. The sooner we adopt an age-appropriate, properly diversified wealth plan, the faster our lives transform. ### Are you aware that the hot funds we've been featuring in our sample pie charts and retreats performed at the top of Wall Street in 2025? Silver gained 141%. Peru (copper) was on fire with 83% gains. Even clean energy scored 44%... Why not treat yourself to the gift of financial freedom to create a New Year, New Me in 2026? Register now to join us at our online Financial Freedom Retreat June 5-7, 2026 where you'll learn how to protect your wealth, save thousands annually in your budget, invest in hot industries like AI, gold, crypto and more, and how to be in the best seat during our volatile Debt World. Register with family and friends to receive the best price. (Ask for access to a recording of our Bond masterclass as our gift to you.) Email [email protected] to learn more and register now. If you'd like a life-changing adventure of a lifetime, be our guest at a royal manor house in Cornwall, England, March 4-11, 2027. (With just three rooms still available, this exclusive, private, bucket-list adventure sells out a year in advance!) Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] to learn more. The 2025 Restormel Retreat was a magical and royal experience. Click to learn more. Request testimonials at [email protected]. You can also view some on the flyer page of the retreat. Learn how to: * Invest in hot industries, such as cryptocurrency, Nvidia, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing, * Save thousands annually with smarter big-ticket choices * Hedge against a weaker dollar, * Invest and compound your gains, * Green your retirement plan, * Easy and efficacious nest egg strategies, * Get hot and diversified (including in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and crypto), * Evaluate stocks, * Avoid capital gains and financial predators, * Keep an age-appropriate amount safe, and, * Know what's safe in a Debt World. Yes, it's a complete money makeover. Email [email protected] or call 310-430-2397 to learn more and register. Learn the 15+ things you'll master and read testimonials in the flyer on the home page at NataliePace.com. "Ten minutes into the first day I was already much smarter about investing than I ever thought I would be in my life and I knew I was in exactly the right place at this retreat. I am amazed at how EASY and FUN it is to make my money work for me and those I love. I think this kind of information should be compulsory in schools. I wish I'd learned this sooner." CM "Many people, including educated men and women, often get into trouble when they neglect to follow simple and fundamental rules of the type provided [by Natalie]. This is why I recommend them with enthusiasm." Professor Gary S. Becker. Dr. Becker won the 1992 Nobel Prize in economics for his theories on human capital "College students need this information before they get their first credit card. Young adults need it before they buy their first home. Empty nesters can use the information to downsize to a sustainable lifestyle, before they get into trouble." Joe Moglia, former Chairman & CEO, TD AMERITRADE. If you’d like an unbiased 2nd opinion on your current wealth plan, email [email protected] for pricing and information.  Click through to the flyer to learn more. Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] for pricing, additional information and to register. Register with family and friends to receive the best price. Teens and college students can attend for just $99.  Join us for our Restormel Royal Immersive Adventure Retreat. Spring Equinox 2027. Email [email protected] to learn more. Click for testimonials, pricing, hours & details. Register now to receive two 12-month all-access passes to our online training and four private, prosperity coaching sessions. There are only 3 rooms available. Considering the perks, you're receiving a 65% discount to learn the life math that we all should have received in high school, and the room is free! Email [email protected] to learn more. Yes, it's a great idea to register and start transforming our lives now with the online ABCs of money courses.  Natalie Wynne Pace is an Advocate for Sustainability Financial Literacy & Women's Empowerment. Natalie is the bestselling author of The ABCs of Money (6th edition) and The Power of 8 Billion: It's Up to Us, and is the co-creator of the Earth Gratitude Project. She has been ranked as a No. 1 stock picker, above over 835 A-list pundits, by an independent tracking agency (TipsTraders). Her book The ABCs of Money remained at or near the #1 Investing Basics e-book on Amazon for over 3 years (in its vertical), with over 120,000 downloads and a mean 5-star ranking. The 6th edition of The ABCs of Money and the 2nd edition of The ABCs of Money for College are the most recent releases of these books. Follow her on Instagram. Natalie Pace's easy as a pie chart nest egg strategies earned gains in the last two recessions and have outperformed the bull markets in between. That is why her Investor Educational Retreats, books and private coaching are enthusiastically recommended by Nobel Prize winning economist Gary S. Becker, TD AMERITRADE chairman Joe Moglia, Kay Koplovitz and many Main Street investors who have transformed their lives using her Thrive Budget and investing strategies. Click to view a video testimonial from Nilo Bolden. Check out Natalie Pace's Substack podcast and watch videoconferences and webinars on Youtube. Other Blogs of Interest Whirlpool Suspends Dividend. Share Price Sinks. Why I Prefer Select Corporate Bonds to Treasuries. When Superstars Burn Out. Should You Just Own an S&P 500 Fund? Gold, Silver and Crypto. Are the Safe Havens Sinking? Hot Countries. Oil Prices Soar. Stocks Sink. 15 Rules of the Rich. The Venus Fly Trap of High-Yield and Private Credit Funds. AI Says There is a 70% Chance of a Correction in 2026. Learn why. Investors Sell Magnificent 7 for Chevron and Caterpillar. (Is this a good idea?) 6 Rules to Earn Tens of Thousands with Low Risk. 2026 Investor IQ Test. Answers to the 2026 Investor IQ Test. Finding Harmony: A King's Vision. Half a Century of Sustainability Leadership. Silver and Gold's Very Bad Day. Why are Mortgage Rates so High? The War Over Warner Bros. Is an EV Winter Coming? Copper and Peru are Hot, Hot, Hot. 2026 Rebalancing IQ Test. Answers to the 2026 Rebalancing IQ Test. 2026 Crystal Ball. Is the AI Bubble About to Pop? A+ 2025 Performance Report Card with Bragging Rights. Are We Headed for Another Crypto Winter? Will the World Cup Save the Travel Industry? Save Thousands Annually on Health Insurance and Medical Care. 2026 Bonds and Fixed Income Without Paper Losses Strategy. Magnificent 7 Update. On Fire. Expensive. Crypto. Copper. Silver. Gold. More Magnificent than the Magnificent 7. Stablecoins. Should You Invest? Clean Energy. Solar Generation is On Fire. HHS Cuts MRNA Research. Weight Loss Drugs Soar. Are You Paying Thousands to Lose Money? Crypto Goes Mainstream. The Genius Act Becomes Law. Wealth Hacks: Are You Getting Killed in Capital Gains Taxes? Our Super Performing Hots and Value Replacements. Is Your Income Strategy Losing Money? Gold and Silver Soar. Get Safe & Hot in 1 Easy Plan. Home Prices Soften. Is Your City Next? Tesla Vision vs. Waymo LiDAR and Air Taxis. Are Any of Them Safe? Archer Aviation is Chosen to be the Exclusive Air Taxi Service for the 2028 L.A. Olympics. Company of the Year? USA Downgraded. Is U.S. Reserve Currency Status Threatened? Utilities: In the Eye of the Natural Disaster Storms. Aging Mom Doesn't Want to Discuss Dilapidated House. Investors Ask Natalie. Tesla, Tariffs, Chinese Competition and Price Wars. Health Savings Accounts. Save Thousands. Get a Tax Credit. Provide for Tomorrow's Healthcare Needs. Restormel Manor House 2025. A Truly Royal and Magical Adventure. 9 Ways to Cut Your Tax Bill in Half and Save Thousands Annually. Should I Have a Money Manager? 10 Rules of Successful Investing. Indonesia: Rich in Nickel with Ambitions of Becoming an EV Battery Hub. RoboTaxis. AI. The Magnificent 7. Canadian, Australian and U.S. Banks. Are Any of Them Safe? Ireland. Rich in Technology, Biotechnology and Agribusiness. 9 Money Secrets of the Ultra Wealthy. Housing & Budgeting Solutions. Fast Fashion. Fossil Fuels. Plastic Clothing. Atacama Desert Waste Dumps. Fintechs and Brokerages that Fail are Not FDIC-Insured. Housing. Unaffordable. What Works? Case studies and creative solutions. The Underperforming DJIA, Full of Fossil Fuels and Forever Chemicals. 13 Lifestyle Choices to Reduce Waste, Pollution & CO2 & Save a Boatload of Dough. 11-Point Green Checklist for Schools. 10 Wealth Secrets of Billionaires and Royals. Fiat. Crypto. Gold. BRICS. Real Estate. Alternative Investments. BRICS Currency. Will the Dollar Become Extinct? Is Your FDIC-Insured Cash Really Safe? Money Market Funds, FDIC, SIPC: Are Any of Them Safe? Important Disclaimers Please note: Natalie Pace does not act or operate like a broker. She reports on financial news, and is one of the most trusted sources of financial literacy, education and forensic analysis in the world. Natalie Pace educates and informs individual investors to give investors a competitive edge in their personal decision-making. Any publicly-traded companies, funds or projects mentioned by Natalie Pace are not intended to be buy or sell recommendations. ALWAYS do your research and consult an experienced, reputable financial professional before buying or selling any security, and consider your long-term goals and strategies. Investors should NOT be all in on any asset class or individual stocks. Your retirement plan should reflect an age-appropriate, diversified wealth plan, which has been designed strategically, with the assistance of financial professionals who are familiar with your goals, risk tolerance, tax needs and more. The "trading" portion of your portfolio should be a very small part of your investment strategy, and the amount of money you invest into individual companies should never be greater than your experience, wisdom, knowledge, patience and diversified strategy. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, NataliePace.com does not warrant its completeness or accuracy. Opinions constitute our judgment as of the date of this publication and are subject to change without notice. This material is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument.
Whirlpool Suspends Dividend. Share Price Sinks. Wall Street keeps hitting new highs. So, why did Whirlpool’s stock sink -22% last week, and why is it down -83.5% over the five-year period? Have you been lured into dividend stocks for easy income without understanding the risk of losing money, as investors in Whirlpool did? Whirlpool is just one example of why we are using value replacement funds in our sample nest egg pie charts. Here is what I’ll cover in this blog. Earning Income The Higher the Dividend, the Higher the Risk Dividends Can be Cut Without Warning Gap Down in Stock Price Country Diversification for Value Replacements Other Solutions? And here is more information on each point. Earning Income Value and growth play different roles in our portfolio. The growth funds typically offer capital gains in sectors that have high revenue growth year over year. We’re aiming to buy stocks on sale and earn income in our value funds. The Magnificent 7 have been the super performers on Wall Street since 2023, accounting for most of the gains. The three-year total return of the S&P 500 (2023-2025) was 86.11%, or 23.01% annualized. Without the Magnificent 7, the performance would have been cut in half, at 38.89%, or 11.57% annualized (source: S&P Dow Jones Indices). If you did not have large cap growth in your wealth plan, your plan probably performed at half the speed of this broad-based index. In a normal world, value funds would add stability, in addition to income. However, in today’s Debt World, we’ve seen traditionally stalwart assets lose. As one example, in 2022, long-term government bonds lost -26% -- more than the S&P 500. (Bonds are often used as the safe side of our wealth plan, while stocks are the at-risk side.) Weakness in long-term bonds was at the heart of the bank failures in early 2023 and would have taken out more if the Federal Reserve had not stepped in with some financial engineering to prevent more banks from wiping out.  Because of the legacy perception that value funds are more stable, and particularly if we are a conservative investor, many of us are going to have a lot of value stocks and funds in our wealth plan. How many of these income stocks are vulnerable to the kind of losses that we have seen in Whirlpool and long-term government bonds over the past 5-years? Many broker/salesmen will tell us that it all works out in the end because the yield increases when the stock price plunges. However, that assumes that the company has a renaissance. If what’s happening is just borrowing from Peter to pay Paul, without a significant improvement in the company’s products and profitability, there can come a time when the dividend is cut or suspended and the stock slides even further, as we just saw in Whirlpool and in a great deal of commercial real estate companies. We’ve seen this story plenty of times before. General Electric was a dividend darling in 2017, before the company slashed its dividend by half. (We warned of this for years before GE’s cut happened. Keep reading for the red flags.) The Higher the Dividend the Higher the Risk The higher the dividend, the higher the debt and leverage and the lower the credit quality. If the company has a great credit rating, it doesn’t need to give you a higher coupon rate to get you to loan money. The higher the risk, the more likely there could be a loss of principle. How many Whirlpool investors were aware that the company was downgraded to junk status on May 1, 2025, and was at the lowest rung of investment grade since May 6, 2024? The stock has been on a downtrend since 2021. As the shares lost value, the dividend soared, until it was suspended last week. However, the additional income doesn’t make up for losing most of our principal investment. iRobot, makers of the popular Roomba, filed for bankruptcy on December 14, 2025. The company is selling itself on the cheap to its Chinese manufacturer. Other U.S.-based home goods manufacturers, particularly those that were founded more than 50 years ago, have very high debt and very low credit quality. Hamilton Beach Brands was also below investment grade when they requested that their rating be withdrawn in 2011 (source: S&P Global). Dividends Can be Cut Without Warning When we wait for the headlines, it’s too late. By the time, a company announces a suspension of their dividend, as Whirlpool did on May 6, it’s too late to protect your investment. In truth, the whales of Wall Street understood the risks of Whirlpool far sooner than retail investors did. The stock was trading very high in 2021 and gradually began its descent. It was already down by more than -77.6% before the dividend suspension announcement. While dividends can be suspended or cut without warning, there are red flags flying for years before that sad day. In addition to low credit quality, high debt and leverage, many companies also experience slow growth or contracting revenue and thin or negative profit margins. If companies are borrowing to stay afloat, there comes a time when the lenders demand a pathway to profitability and to stem the capital burn. When Whirlpool suspended the common dividend on May 6, 2026, the company explained that they were going to “prioritize debt paydown.” Gap Down in Stock Price The minute that there is a shock, such as a dividend cut or suspension, there is a gap down in share price. (This often happens after the markets are closed.) Main Street investors who try to sell are trying to catch a falling knife. That’s why it’s important to know exactly what you own and why during the good times. Wall Street is at an all-time high. Do you know what you own? Is it time to fix the roof while the sun is still shining? Country Diversification for Value Replacements Most of us are aware of the $38 trillion in public debt, while few of us are aware that the total debt and loans in the U.S. is closer to $108 trillion, with non-financial corporate debt and liabilities, including bonds and loans, topping $14 trillion. Check out the Asset & Debt Bubble Chart below.  The country-diversified value replacement funds that we feature in our Financial Freedom Retreat have much lower debt to GDP than the U.S. Some offer a much higher yield, as well. So, we are getting paid more to take on less risk. Other Solutions? The solution that has been working quite well is to opt for value replacement funds in countries that have much lower debt. One of our value replacement funds was Peru (symbol: EPU). That fund outperformed Wall Street with gains of 85% year-over-year, while also paying a dividend. The Australia fund offers double the dividend of its U.S. based equivalent. It is important to understand whether your portfolio is concentrated in value or growth, is age-appropriate, and is properly diversified. You can read about it in my bestselling books. You can learn and implement this easy system by attending my Financial Freedom Retreat. If you’d like an unbiased second opinion on your current plan to discover how exposed you are to heavily indebted companies that might be subject to losing share price value and/or cutting their dividend, email [email protected] for pricing and information. Bottom Line We want to earn income safely without principal loss. That is the role of our value funds. However, with so much debt in the U.S., and with many legacy brands struggling with high debt and leverage, low credit ratings, intense global competition, squeezed profit margins (if they’re making money at all) and revenue that might be contracting, it’s a great idea to look for income and value outside of this country. Now is the time to know exactly what we own and why. ### Are you aware that the hot funds we've been featuring in our sample pie charts and retreats performed at the top of Wall Street in 2025? Silver tripled. Peru (copper) was on fire with over 100% gains. Even clean energy scored 55%... Why not treat yourself to the gift of financial freedom to create a New Year, New Me in 2026? Register now to join us at our online Financial Freedom Retreat June 5-7, 2026 where you'll learn how to protect your wealth, save thousands annually in your budget, invest in hot industries like AI, gold, crypto and more, and how to be in the best seat during our volatile Debt World. Register by May 15, 2026 to receive the best price. (Ask for access to a recording of our Bond masterclass as our gift to you.) Email [email protected] to learn more and register now. If you'd like a life-changing adventure of a lifetime, be our guest at a royal manor house in Cornwall, England, March 4-11, 2027. (With just three rooms still available, this exclusive, private, bucket-list adventure sells out a year in advance!) Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] to learn more. The 2025 Restormel Retreat was a magical and royal experience. Click to learn more. Request testimonials at [email protected]. You can also view some on the flyer page of the retreat. Learn how to: * Invest in hot industries, such as cryptocurrency, Nvidia, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing, * Save thousands annually with smarter big-ticket choices * Hedge against a weaker dollar, * Invest and compound your gains, * Green your retirement plan, * Easy and efficacious nest egg strategies, * Get hot and diversified (including in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and crypto), * Evaluate stocks, * Avoid capital gains and financial predators, * Keep an age-appropriate amount safe, and, * Know what's safe in a Debt World. Yes, it's a complete money makeover. Email [email protected] or call 310-430-2397 to learn more and register. Learn the 15+ things you'll master and read testimonials in the flyer on the home page at NataliePace.com. "Ten minutes into the first day I was already much smarter about investing than I ever thought I would be in my life and I knew I was in exactly the right place at this retreat. I am amazed at how EASY and FUN it is to make my money work for me and those I love. I think this kind of information should be compulsory in schools. I wish I'd learned this sooner." CM "Many people, including educated men and women, often get into trouble when they neglect to follow simple and fundamental rules of the type provided [by Natalie]. This is why I recommend them with enthusiasm." Professor Gary S. Becker. Dr. Becker won the 1992 Nobel Prize in economics for his theories on human capital "College students need this information before they get their first credit card. Young adults need it before they buy their first home. Empty nesters can use the information to downsize to a sustainable lifestyle, before they get into trouble." Joe Moglia, former Chairman & CEO, TD AMERITRADE. If you’d like an unbiased 2nd opinion on your current wealth plan, email [email protected] for pricing and information.  Click through to the flyer to learn more. Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] for pricing, additional information and to register. Register by May 15, 2026 to receive the best price. Teens and college students can attend for just $99.  Join us for our Restormel Royal Immersive Adventure Retreat. Spring Equinox 2027. Email [email protected] to learn more. Click for testimonials, pricing, hours & details. Register now to receive two 12-month all-access passes to our online training and four private, prosperity coaching sessions. There are only 3 rooms available. Considering the perks, you're receiving a 65% discount to learn the life math that we all should have received in high school, and the room is free! Email [email protected] to learn more. Yes, it's a great idea to register and start transforming our lives now with the online ABCs of money courses.  Natalie Wynne Pace is an Advocate for Sustainability Financial Literacy & Women's Empowerment. Natalie is the bestselling author of The ABCs of Money (6th edition) and The Power of 8 Billion: It's Up to Us, and is the co-creator of the Earth Gratitude Project. She has been ranked as a No. 1 stock picker, above over 835 A-list pundits, by an independent tracking agency (TipsTraders). Her book The ABCs of Money remained at or near the #1 Investing Basics e-book on Amazon for over 3 years (in its vertical), with over 120,000 downloads and a mean 5-star ranking. The 6th edition of The ABCs of Money and the 2nd edition of The ABCs of Money for College are the most recent releases of these books. Follow her on Instagram. Natalie Pace's easy as a pie chart nest egg strategies earned gains in the last two recessions and have outperformed the bull markets in between. That is why her Investor Educational Retreats, books and private coaching are enthusiastically recommended by Nobel Prize winning economist Gary S. Becker, TD AMERITRADE chairman Joe Moglia, Kay Koplovitz and many Main Street investors who have transformed their lives using her Thrive Budget and investing strategies. Click to view a video testimonial from Nilo Bolden. Check out Natalie Pace's Substack podcast and watch videoconferences and webinars on Youtube. Other Blogs of Interest Why I Prefer Select Corporate Bonds to Treasuries. When Superstars Burn Out. Should You Just Own an S&P 500 Fund? Gold, Silver and Crypto. Are the Safe Havens Sinking? Hot Countries. Oil Prices Soar. Stocks Sink. 15 Rules of the Rich. The Venus Fly Trap of High-Yield and Private Credit Funds. AI Says There is a 70% Chance of a Correction in 2026. Learn why. Investors Sell Magnificent 7 for Chevron and Caterpillar. (Is this a good idea?) 6 Rules to Earn Tens of Thousands with Low Risk. 2026 Investor IQ Test. Answers to the 2026 Investor IQ Test. Finding Harmony: A King's Vision. Half a Century of Sustainability Leadership. Silver and Gold's Very Bad Day. Why are Mortgage Rates so High? The War Over Warner Bros. Is an EV Winter Coming? Copper and Peru are Hot, Hot, Hot. 2026 Rebalancing IQ Test. Answers to the 2026 Rebalancing IQ Test. 2026 Crystal Ball. Is the AI Bubble About to Pop? A+ 2025 Performance Report Card with Bragging Rights. Are We Headed for Another Crypto Winter? Will the World Cup Save the Travel Industry? Save Thousands Annually on Health Insurance and Medical Care. 2026 Bonds and Fixed Income Without Paper Losses Strategy. Magnificent 7 Update. On Fire. Expensive. Crypto. Copper. Silver. Gold. More Magnificent than the Magnificent 7. Stablecoins. Should You Invest? Clean Energy. Solar Generation is On Fire. HHS Cuts MRNA Research. Weight Loss Drugs Soar. Are You Paying Thousands to Lose Money? Crypto Goes Mainstream. The Genius Act Becomes Law. Wealth Hacks: Are You Getting Killed in Capital Gains Taxes? Our Super Performing Hots and Value Replacements. Is Your Income Strategy Losing Money? Gold and Silver Soar. Get Safe & Hot in 1 Easy Plan. Home Prices Soften. Is Your City Next? Tesla Vision vs. Waymo LiDAR and Air Taxis. Are Any of Them Safe? Archer Aviation is Chosen to be the Exclusive Air Taxi Service for the 2028 L.A. Olympics. Company of the Year? USA Downgraded. Is U.S. Reserve Currency Status Threatened? Utilities: In the Eye of the Natural Disaster Storms. Aging Mom Doesn't Want to Discuss Dilapidated House. Investors Ask Natalie. Tesla, Tariffs, Chinese Competition and Price Wars. Health Savings Accounts. Save Thousands. Get a Tax Credit. Provide for Tomorrow's Healthcare Needs. Restormel Manor House 2025. A Truly Royal and Magical Adventure. 9 Ways to Cut Your Tax Bill in Half and Save Thousands Annually. Should I Have a Money Manager? 10 Rules of Successful Investing. Indonesia: Rich in Nickel with Ambitions of Becoming an EV Battery Hub. RoboTaxis. AI. The Magnificent 7. Canadian, Australian and U.S. Banks. Are Any of Them Safe? Ireland. Rich in Technology, Biotechnology and Agribusiness. 9 Money Secrets of the Ultra Wealthy. Housing & Budgeting Solutions. Fast Fashion. Fossil Fuels. Plastic Clothing. Atacama Desert Waste Dumps. Fintechs and Brokerages that Fail are Not FDIC-Insured. Housing. Unaffordable. What Works? Case studies and creative solutions. The Underperforming DJIA, Full of Fossil Fuels and Forever Chemicals. 13 Lifestyle Choices to Reduce Waste, Pollution & CO2 & Save a Boatload of Dough. 11-Point Green Checklist for Schools. 10 Wealth Secrets of Billionaires and Royals. Fiat. Crypto. Gold. BRICS. Real Estate. Alternative Investments. BRICS Currency. Will the Dollar Become Extinct? Is Your FDIC-Insured Cash Really Safe? Money Market Funds, FDIC, SIPC: Are Any of Them Safe? Important Disclaimers Please note: Natalie Pace does not act or operate like a broker. She reports on financial news, and is one of the most trusted sources of financial literacy, education and forensic analysis in the world. Natalie Pace educates and informs individual investors to give investors a competitive edge in their personal decision-making. Any publicly-traded companies, funds or projects mentioned by Natalie Pace are not intended to be buy or sell recommendations. ALWAYS do your research and consult an experienced, reputable financial professional before buying or selling any security, and consider your long-term goals and strategies. Investors should NOT be all in on any asset class or individual stocks. Your retirement plan should reflect an age-appropriate, diversified wealth plan, which has been designed strategically, with the assistance of financial professionals who are familiar with your goals, risk tolerance, tax needs and more. The "trading" portion of your portfolio should be a very small part of your investment strategy, and the amount of money you invest into individual companies should never be greater than your experience, wisdom, knowledge, patience and diversified strategy. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, NataliePace.com does not warrant its completeness or accuracy. Opinions constitute our judgment as of the date of this publication and are subject to change without notice. This material is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument.  Why I Prefer Select Corporate Bonds to Treasuries “We need an emergency break-the-glass plan, which is targeted and short-term, on the shelf, so it’s ready to go when we hit the wall,” former Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson, on April 16, 2026, speaking about U.S. Treasuries. Let’s break down what this means, why Paulson said it and why I’m loaning money to the Magnificent 7 (with a notable exclusion) instead of buying U.S. treasuries. I’ll also include information on how to avoid paper losses on your fixed-income investments. Here is what I’ll cover in this blog. Side-by-Side Comparison Keep the Terms Short and the Creditworthiness High Not all Corporate Bonds are Created Equal Hank Paulson Warning Lessons from The UK Gilt Crisis The Strengths of the United States Takeaways And here is more information on each point. Side-by-Side Comparison As you can see in the chart below, the United States is running a sizeable deficit, and the total debt and loans are an eye-popping $107.6 trillion (source: FRED). The $38.9 trillion in public debt is what politicians rant about incessantly. However, that excludes corporate debt and loans, bank debt, consumer debt and state and local government debt.  By comparison, the six Magnificent 7 companies I’ve included above (Walmart is not in the Magnificent 7) all have much higher revenue growth and profit margins. They also have healthier debt to equity ratios. Keep the Terms Short and the Creditworthiness High Whether we choose treasuries or corporate bonds, it’s very important to keep the terms short and the creditworthiness very high. There is just too much risk (credit and duration) in the marketplace. That is why long-term government bonds lost even more than Stocks did in 2022. This problem was also at the heart of the five banks that failed in early 2023.  Bond performance since then hasn’t been enough to recover those losses. You probably have heard the term “paper losses” in your own portfolio, which are far more problematic than we’re being told. We are very proud to report that the fixed income strategies that we’ve been teaching at the Financial Freedom Retreat for decades have not reported paper losses. Not all Corporate Bonds are Created Equal There is another screen that is important to use in addition to the high credit quality and short duration. We are leaning into 21st century companies and underweighting the legacy brands that were founded last century. The reason for that is that even within the same credit rating, there can be a quite different profitability and leverage profile. Older companies tend to have slower revenue growth, squeezed profit margins, and typically a lot more debt and leverage. You see all of this in Walmart’s numbers in the chart above. Yet S&P Global has assigned an AA credit rating to the company. If you do not want to do the proper due diligence to investigate all of this, then just skew for new. It’s an easy hack that works very well alongside the mantra, “Keep the terms short and the creditworthiness high.” Hank Paulson Warning Paulson’s warning wasn’t all doom and gloom. “We’ve got the biggest, most innovative, diverse economy; we’ve got the strongest, best-governed, most profitable companies; we live in a safe neighborhood; we’re energy independent,” Paulson said. However, the debt, fiscal and political challenges, along with the rise in nationalism, could mean that interest rates have to rise or risk that the Federal Reserve Banks are the only buyers of treasuries. This is why Paulson is warning that the central bank and Treasury Secretary need a break-the-glass plan. It’s important to remember that this plan is always paid for by the taxpayer. An anonymous Wall Street whale wrote to me by text, “And when they ‘break the glass,’ it’s always someone else’s glass. Avoidance of the expensive decisions when problems are solvable become the very expensive “solutions” when they are near beyond solving. The former deferred by the powerful, the latter born by the powerless.” Lessons from The UK Gilt Crisis When yields rise rapidly, value plunges. This creates chaos, margin calls, and, if sustained, a mark-to-market valuation that could put various investors (institutional, financial, pension providers and otherwise) into a crisis of liquidity (and potential risk of liquidation). We saw this in the U.S. in 2023 with the bank failures. It also happened with U.K. Gilts (similar to U.S. Treasuries) in September of 2022. Duration risk expounds the problem. As you can see in the liquidity chart below, the longer the duration, the less liquidity there is.  I bring up the U.K. gilt crisis because it lasted only 5 days. The Bank of England stepped in to buy £65 billion in long-term gilts, stabilizing the price and short-circuiting the spiral into a doom loop. This is the kind of plan that Hank Paulson is thinking about. It’s not a long-term fix. It’s a temporary solution financially engineered to stabilize the economy, in the hopes that the politicians will fix the national debt and budget deficit problems and that the heavily indebted corporations will get back to fiscal health and stability. The Strengths of the United States There are many strengths of the United States, including that our entrepreneurs can find capital funding for their innovative ideas. One example of this is in the air taxi sector. Just a few years ago, many European air taxis ran out of cash and were forced to liquidate. Meanwhile, even though this is a disruptive industry with little or no revenue, the American companies Joby ($2.5 billion) and Archer Aviation ($1 billion) are publicly traded and should have enough cash on hand to get them through the necessary fast-tracked final stages of the federal aviation requirements before they can start operating officially and charging for their service. The Magnificent 7 companies are the most valuable in the world, with products and services that are used globally. The U.S. is known for inventing and scaling the solutions of tomorrow. Yes, there are competitors, including China’s investment in AI, EVs and smart phones. However, innovation, combined with being bordered by two oceans, a rich and deep capital market and the economic freedom policies that support entrepreneurialism are unique and valuable American assets. Takeaways There is a lot of debt in the U.S. and the world. There is also a great deal of risk, including war, inflation, natural disasters, political uncertainty and nationalism. Interest rates are still low, at under 4%. Yet, 3.5% return on $1,000,000 is $35,000 every year. If we can earn money while we sleep without losing any of our principal (in other words no “paper losses”), then it is a worthy endeavor, particularly since we should all be keeping an age-appropriate amount of our wealth safe from capital losses. Bottom Line It’s important to always keep our principal intact, while earning some income. It is the safe side of our wealth plan that protects us when stocks head south -- allowing us to keep our money and have the liquidity to buy low when the opportunity arises. (Most people don't buy low because they can't.) As Will Rogers was fond of saying, “I’m more concerned with the return of my money than the return on my money.” In today’s Debt World that saying is quite relevant. Getting a safe 3.5-3.9% return on investment is not difficult, but it is tricky in today’s Debt World. This is why we spend one full day on What’s Safe? at the Financial Freedom Retreat. Keep the terms short. Keep the creditworthiness high. Lean into the future and underweight the past. Have rolling maturity dates. Know when you’ll need access to your money. If you have paper losses, or if you’d like an unbiased 2nd opinion on your current wealth plan, email [email protected] for pricing information on our private coaching. You can also register for our June 5-7, 2026, Financial Freedom Retreat. Sign up by May 15, 2026, for the best price. ### Are you aware that the hot funds we've been featuring in our sample pie charts and retreats performed at the top of Wall Street in 2025? Silver tripled. Peru (copper) was on fire with over 100% gains. Even clean energy scored 55%... Why not treat yourself to the gift of financial freedom to create a New Year, New Me in 2026? Register now to join us at our online Financial Freedom Retreat June 5-7, 2026 where you'll learn how to protect your wealth, save thousands annually in your budget, invest in hot industries like AI, gold, crypto and more, and how to be in the best seat during our volatile Debt World. Register by May 15, 2026 to receive the best price. (Ask for access to a recording of our Bond masterclass as our gift to you.) Email [email protected] to learn more and register now. If you'd like a life-changing adventure of a lifetime, be our guest at a royal manor house in Cornwall, England, March 4-11, 2027. (With just three rooms still available, this exclusive, private, bucket-list adventure sells out a year in advance!) Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] to learn more. The 2025 Restormel Retreat was a magical and royal experience. Click to learn more. Request testimonials at [email protected]. You can also view some on the flyer page of the retreat. Learn how to: * Invest in hot industries, such as cryptocurrency, Nvidia, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing, * Save thousands annually with smarter big-ticket choices * Hedge against a weaker dollar, * Invest and compound your gains, * Green your retirement plan, * Easy and efficacious nest egg strategies, * Get hot and diversified (including in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and crypto), * Evaluate stocks, * Avoid capital gains and financial predators, * Keep an age-appropriate amount safe, and, * Know what's safe in a Debt World. Yes, it's a complete money makeover. Email [email protected] or call 310-430-2397 to learn more and register. Learn the 15+ things you'll master and read testimonials in the flyer on the home page at NataliePace.com. "Ten minutes into the first day I was already much smarter about investing than I ever thought I would be in my life and I knew I was in exactly the right place at this retreat. I am amazed at how EASY and FUN it is to make my money work for me and those I love. I think this kind of information should be compulsory in schools. I wish I'd learned this sooner." CM "Many people, including educated men and women, often get into trouble when they neglect to follow simple and fundamental rules of the type provided [by Natalie]. This is why I recommend them with enthusiasm." Professor Gary S. Becker. Dr. Becker won the 1992 Nobel Prize in economics for his theories on human capital "College students need this information before they get their first credit card. Young adults need it before they buy their first home. Empty nesters can use the information to downsize to a sustainable lifestyle, before they get into trouble." Joe Moglia, former Chairman & CEO, TD AMERITRADE. If you’d like an unbiased 2nd opinion on your current wealth plan, email [email protected] for pricing and information.  Click through to the flyer to learn more. Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] for pricing, additional information and to register. Register by May 15, 2026 to receive the best price. Teens and college students can attend for just $99.  Join us for our Restormel Royal Immersive Adventure Retreat. Spring Equinox 2027. Email [email protected] to learn more. Click for testimonials, pricing, hours & details. Register now to receive two 12-month all-access passes to our online training and four private, prosperity coaching sessions. There are only 3 rooms available. Considering the perks, you're receiving a 65% discount to learn the life math that we all should have received in high school, and the room is free! Email [email protected] to learn more. Yes, it's a great idea to register and start transforming our lives now with the online ABCs of money courses.  Natalie Wynne Pace is an Advocate for Sustainability Financial Literacy & Women's Empowerment. Natalie is the bestselling author of The ABCs of Money (6th edition) and The Power of 8 Billion: It's Up to Us, and is the co-creator of the Earth Gratitude Project. She has been ranked as a No. 1 stock picker, above over 835 A-list pundits, by an independent tracking agency (TipsTraders). Her book The ABCs of Money remained at or near the #1 Investing Basics e-book on Amazon for over 3 years (in its vertical), with over 120,000 downloads and a mean 5-star ranking. The 6th edition of The ABCs of Money and the 2nd edition of The ABCs of Money for College are the most recent releases of these books. Follow her on Instagram. Natalie Pace's easy as a pie chart nest egg strategies earned gains in the last two recessions and have outperformed the bull markets in between. That is why her Investor Educational Retreats, books and private coaching are enthusiastically recommended by Nobel Prize winning economist Gary S. Becker, TD AMERITRADE chairman Joe Moglia, Kay Koplovitz and many Main Street investors who have transformed their lives using her Thrive Budget and investing strategies. Click to view a video testimonial from Nilo Bolden. Check out Natalie Pace's Substack podcast and watch videoconferences and webinars on Youtube. Other Blogs of Interest When Superstars Burn Out. Should You Just Own an S&P 500 Fund? Gold, Silver and Crypto. Are the Safe Havens Sinking? Hot Countries. Oil Prices Soar. Stocks Sink. 15 Rules of the Rich. The Venus Fly Trap of High-Yield and Private Credit Funds. AI Says There is a 70% Chance of a Correction in 2026. Learn why. Investors Sell Magnificent 7 for Chevron and Caterpillar. (Is this a good idea?) 6 Rules to Earn Tens of Thousands with Low Risk. 2026 Investor IQ Test. Answers to the 2026 Investor IQ Test. Finding Harmony: A King's Vision. Half a Century of Sustainability Leadership. Silver and Gold's Very Bad Day. Why are Mortgage Rates so High? The War Over Warner Bros. Is an EV Winter Coming? Copper and Peru are Hot, Hot, Hot. 2026 Rebalancing IQ Test. Answers to the 2026 Rebalancing IQ Test. 2026 Crystal Ball. Is the AI Bubble About to Pop? A+ 2025 Performance Report Card with Bragging Rights. Are We Headed for Another Crypto Winter? Will the World Cup Save the Travel Industry? Save Thousands Annually on Health Insurance and Medical Care. 2026 Bonds and Fixed Income Without Paper Losses Strategy. Magnificent 7 Update. On Fire. Expensive. Crypto. Copper. Silver. Gold. More Magnificent than the Magnificent 7. Stablecoins. Should You Invest? Clean Energy. Solar Generation is On Fire. HHS Cuts MRNA Research. Weight Loss Drugs Soar. Are You Paying Thousands to Lose Money? Crypto Goes Mainstream. The Genius Act Becomes Law. Wealth Hacks: Are You Getting Killed in Capital Gains Taxes? Our Super Performing Hots and Value Replacements. Is Your Income Strategy Losing Money? Gold and Silver Soar. Get Safe & Hot in 1 Easy Plan. Home Prices Soften. Is Your City Next? Tesla Vision vs. Waymo LiDAR and Air Taxis. Are Any of Them Safe? Archer Aviation is Chosen to be the Exclusive Air Taxi Service for the 2028 L.A. Olympics. Company of the Year? USA Downgraded. Is U.S. Reserve Currency Status Threatened? Utilities: In the Eye of the Natural Disaster Storms. Aging Mom Doesn't Want to Discuss Dilapidated House. Investors Ask Natalie. Tesla, Tariffs, Chinese Competition and Price Wars. Health Savings Accounts. Save Thousands. Get a Tax Credit. Provide for Tomorrow's Healthcare Needs. Restormel Manor House 2025. A Truly Royal and Magical Adventure. 9 Ways to Cut Your Tax Bill in Half and Save Thousands Annually. Should I Have a Money Manager? 10 Rules of Successful Investing. Indonesia: Rich in Nickel with Ambitions of Becoming an EV Battery Hub. RoboTaxis. AI. The Magnificent 7. Canadian, Australian and U.S. Banks. Are Any of Them Safe? Ireland. Rich in Technology, Biotechnology and Agribusiness. 9 Money Secrets of the Ultra Wealthy. Housing & Budgeting Solutions. Fast Fashion. Fossil Fuels. Plastic Clothing. Atacama Desert Waste Dumps. Fintechs and Brokerages that Fail are Not FDIC-Insured. Housing. Unaffordable. What Works? Case studies and creative solutions. The Underperforming DJIA, Full of Fossil Fuels and Forever Chemicals. 13 Lifestyle Choices to Reduce Waste, Pollution & CO2 & Save a Boatload of Dough. 11-Point Green Checklist for Schools. 10 Wealth Secrets of Billionaires and Royals. Fiat. Crypto. Gold. BRICS. Real Estate. Alternative Investments. BRICS Currency. Will the Dollar Become Extinct? Is Your FDIC-Insured Cash Really Safe? Money Market Funds, FDIC, SIPC: Are Any of Them Safe? Important Disclaimers Please note: Natalie Pace does not act or operate like a broker. She reports on financial news, and is one of the most trusted sources of financial literacy, education and forensic analysis in the world. Natalie Pace educates and informs individual investors to give investors a competitive edge in their personal decision-making. Any publicly-traded companies, funds or projects mentioned by Natalie Pace are not intended to be buy or sell recommendations. ALWAYS do your research and consult an experienced, reputable financial professional before buying or selling any security, and consider your long-term goals and strategies. Investors should NOT be all in on any asset class or individual stocks. Your retirement plan should reflect an age-appropriate, diversified wealth plan, which has been designed strategically, with the assistance of financial professionals who are familiar with your goals, risk tolerance, tax needs and more. The "trading" portion of your portfolio should be a very small part of your investment strategy, and the amount of money you invest into individual companies should never be greater than your experience, wisdom, knowledge, patience and diversified strategy. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, NataliePace.com does not warrant its completeness or accuracy. Opinions constitute our judgment as of the date of this publication and are subject to change without notice. This material is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument.  When Superstars Burn Out, Featuring the Magnificent 7. News of the ceasefire on Tuesday evening, April 7, 2026, sparked a rally on Wall Street the following day. The S&P 500 jumped 166 points (2.5%) on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. The S&P500 is now only -3.13% off its all-time high of 7,002.28, set on Jan. 28, 2026. So, why are Tesla, Microsoft, Palantir (and other technology stocks) off their all-time highs by -31.90%, -32.60% and -38.3%, respectively? Here are the topics I’ll cover in this blog. I’ll also answer a few key questions that are on everyone’s mind. The Superstars of 2025 The Year-to-Date Burnouts 2026 Supernovas Price Matters A Quick Q&A And here is more information on each point. The Superstars of 2025 By now, the term Magnificent 7 has been burned into Wall Street lore. However, did you know that First Majestic Silver (our pick in June of 2025) was the real superstar of last year? The company was up 368% by Jan. 26, 2026. While it was important to lean into AI and the Magnificent 7 in 2025, it was an even better idea to stock up on silver. Copper was strong, but Peru (the world’s 2nd largest exporter of copper) was the better investment. Check out the Superstars Performance Chart below.  The Year-to-Date Burnouts AI was already starting to disrupt select technology stocks, including Microsoft, Palantir, Salesforce, Workday and many cybersecurity companies – even before the war in Iran. A lot of technology stocks hit an all-time high between August and October of 2025. While the concerns that some of these industries and companies will be negatively impacted by AI are real – including the challenge that AI-dominant firms have in earning profits, one of the reasons for the plunge in share price of select technology stocks was that they were outlandishly expensive – something we’ve been warning about all stocks, but pronounced quite significantly in the Magnificent 7. I warned about Tesla on Jan. 7, 2026, when it was trading close to $500/share. (There were many valuation warnings in 2025.) “Should a company with $5 billion in net profits be worth $1.43 trillion?” I wrote. Crypto. Bitcoin is down -17.62% year to date. While the White House is pro-crypto, there are more than a few trends that could keep us in a Crypto Winter until 2027. Bitcoin often performs terribly during periods of stock weakness. In 2022, when the S&P 500 sank by -19.44%, Bitcoin bottomed out at -67% losses.  Sources: Morningstar Direct, S&P Dow Jones Indices, MSN.com, Gold.org. While Bitcoin was the top performer in 2023 and 2024, it’s difficult to lose 2/3rds of your wealth for any period of time. It’s not just a matter of sitting on your hands to endure the downturn. You might actually need that money for something. Your FICO score plunges, particularly if you have any debt. There is also a very strong correlation between halving events and Crypto Winters. If Bitcoin follows the strong halving trend, Bitcoin could fall further in 2026 and 2027. The recovery might not happen until late 2027 or early 2028. Learn more in my Crypto Winter blog from Nov. 30, 2025. The $126,280/coin high for Bitcoin was on Oct. 6, 2025, right on track with the halving trends. As you can see in the CAPE chart below, equity prices are still quite expensive.  Source: Prof. Robert Shiller, Nobel Prize winning economist. The historical trends when prices get so high are not good. Between March 2000 and October of 2002, the NASDAQ Composite Index dropped -78%. A million dollars sank to just $220,000, which is quite a challenge for any person to endure financially and emotionally. It took 16 years to return above 5,000. You know what happened in the Great Depression – another period preceded by outlandish stock prices, leverage and debt. If you’ve attended a retreat or followed my blogs, you know that I stress rebalancing 1-3 times a year. That is the way to capture gains and smooth out the volatility. Dollar cost averaging into funds that are trading at an all-time high is another important tool to keep us on the right side of the trade. Making sure we have an age-appropriate, diversified plan is the time-proven foundation of any wealth plan. 2026 Supernovas If you’d like updated stock report cards on the industries listed below, email [email protected]. If you’re attending the April 24-26, 2026 ONLINE Financial Freedom Retreat, we’ll be looking at these industries in greater depth on Day 2 of the retreat. Email [email protected] or call 310-430-2397 to register now. Oil. So far in 2026, oil stocks are the superstars. However, there are two obstacles that impede continued strength. If the war in Iran is over quickly, prices could return to the $60-$65/barrel range they were mired in prior to the war. The demand for oil products has weakened as global consumers, especially China and Europe, opt for electric vehicles. Fed-up, gas guzzler auto owners might expedite the EV transition. If the war in Iran continues, that is also negative for oil. Why? High oil prices are highly correlated with recessions, as you can see in the chart below. (The gray lines are recessions.) Although we didn't (technically) have a recession in 2022, when oil prices were as high as they are today, we did have two quarters of contraction and a Wall Street rout, particularly in technology and crypto.  When oil and gas prices rise so dramatically, the demand for oil products plunges. The worst example of this was during the early days of the pandemic, when oil prices dropped to -$37.63/barrel. Yes, you read that right. Future traders were having to pay buyers to take possession of the oil that they wouldn’t be able to store. When all the family budget is going to the gas pump and the utility bill, no one can afford to take a vacation. Without consumer support, many companies will slash jobs. A rising number of people will be out of work. With almost 70% of the U.S. economy relying upon consumer spending, the cascade of problems becomes chaotic and concerning – two words that investors don’t like. It’s worth looking at your exposure to oil, gas and defense stocks to consider capturing gains at an all-time high. Defense. Many defense companies are also trading near an all-time high. Prices hit their zenith at the end of February and have pulled back a little since then. Many of the biggest players have quite low profit margins, substantial debt and very high share prices. If the ceasefire holds and the war in Iran ends, prices could drop quickly – not because there won’t be another war or conflict, but because the prices are high. Boeing, Huntington Ingalls, Textron, RTX Corporation, Northrop Grumman and OshKosh are all rated in the BBB range (the lowest rung of investment grade). Peru and Clean Energy. These two plays are holding up strong in 2026, with gains of 18.45% and 15.16%, respectively. When people can’t afford to put gasoline in their car or heat or cool their home, they become more interested in electric vehicles and solar panels. Copper is essential to the clean energy revolution, and Peru is the 2nd largest exporter of copper. However, even here, if war continues and a recession kicks in, both sectors will be negatively impacted. Learn more in my Peru blog. (Click to access.) Our pie chart system, which encourages an age-appropriate, diversified strategy that is rebalanced 1-3 times a year to remain so keeps us protected and performing. If you don’t have these investments and want to, consider dollar cost averaging in. If you have them and are in the money, consider selling high and trimming back your exposure to the appropriate slice amount. You can construct your sample pie chart using our free web app. Email [email protected] for the link. We cover this strategy in detail on Day 1 of the Financial Freedom Retreat. Email [email protected] or call 310-430-2397 to register now. Gold and Silver. Gold and silver are up 9.90% and 7.28% on the year as of April 9, 2026, respectively. Safe havens can get dragged down in the first phase of a stock rout. However, there will come a point that precious metals decouple, if stocks continue sinking. It’s a smart idea to capture gains if you’ve already doubled your money, and to dollar cost average into a slice or two of a diversified, age-appropriate plan, if you are just now investing. Watching silver pull back 39% from the high set on January 29, 2026, is a reminder of the power of capturing gains and having a rebalancing strategy. Rebalancing at the end of December, after the Santa Rally, is almost always a great idea. Price Matters Stocks, in general, are still trading at very elevated prices. The effects of unaffordable oil prices (for average consumers) will linger, which is negative for GDP growth and Wall Street. According to Mark Zandi, the chief economist of Moody Analytics, “Recession risks thus remain uncomfortably high, with close to even odds of a downturn in the coming year.” Google AI notes that there is a 70% chance of a correction in 2026 – a mid-term year. The past two midterm years have been down years. In 2022, the technology-rich NASDAQ Composite Index dropped by -33%. In 2018, the S&P 500 was down -6.24%. If you haven’t rebalanced your wealth plan, or if you don’t have a crystal clear understanding of what you are invested in, whether it is your employer-sponsored retirement or a managed plan, now is the time to know exactly what you own and why, and what a healthy wealth plan that protects your wealth, while performing above the market on the at-risk side, looks like. Learning the life math that we all should have received in high school (at the Financial Freedom Retreat) is a great way to start the process of being the Boss of your Money. Email [email protected] or call 310-430-2397 to register now. A Quick Q&A 1. Will oil prices fall quickly if the war ends? This is possible, since demand is weakening worldwide. However, it is also likely that it will take time to get the global supply chain functioning at full force again, which could keep prices high in the short- and mid-term. 2. Why have the Magnificent 7, Bitcoin and even silver and gold pulled back so much from their all-time highs, especially when compared to the S&P500? Each story is slightly different, as you can see in the details above. However, much of the story has to do with irrational exuberance and very high prices. When things soar too high, they can also drop like a rock. I’ll keep you updated on each of these industries throughout the year. However, in general, we still have hot slices of silver, AI (which a lot of the Magnificent 7 companies are leading in), cybersecurity and clean energy. Even with the recent pullbacks, over the 12 months: * Silver is still up 150% * Peru 122% * Google (Alphabet) 115% * Nvidia 89% * Clean Energy 75% * Gold 59% * Tesla 55% * Apple 50% * S&P 500 36% Rebalance. The pie chart system prompts us to buy low and sell high, and takes emotions (which often stoke us to do the opposite of what we should) out of the equation. 3. Is it a good idea to just buy and hold an S&P500 index fund? I just wrote a blog on this! Click to access it. 4. If AI is so hot, why are all the Magnificent 7 stocks down -10-33% off their highs, while the S&P500 is only down -3.13%? The 2023 – 2025 period was all about the Magnificent 7. They were the drivers on Wall Street. Most of these companies have impressive year-over-year revenue growth, robust profit margins and a treasure chest of cash. The price earnings ratios were just ridiculous. When prices get so far out of whack from reality, they might crash – even in healthy, strong companies. (Wall Street whales know how to take their profits.) 5. How can a Main Street investor smooth out the Wall Street rollercoaster? Adopt an age-appropriate, diversified strategy and rebalance 1-3 times a year. Understand what’s safe in a Debt World. Be the boss of your money. This can be on autopilot with our easy pie-chart system. Read about it in my bestselling books. Learn and implement it at our online Financial Freedom Retreat. Or get an unbiased 2nd opinion and an effective, easy-to-follow blueprint in my private coaching. Email [email protected] or call 310-430-2397 to learn more now. Bottom Line Rebalancing to capture gains is a much better idea than thinking stocks only just go up. Chasing headlines, whether it was AI last year or oil and defense stocks today, can be a losing bet. If you placed that bet early and are in the money, now might be a great time to cash in your winnings. If you’re tempted to buy high, remember that we’re always late when we chase headlines. When everyone wants to buy, it’s better to be in the position of selling and capturing gains. When no one wants to buy (or can’t because they lost too much money), opportunities abound. That’s why buy low, sell high is so easy to say and so hard to do. Are you aware that the hot funds we've been featuring in our sample pie charts and retreats performed at the top of Wall Street in 2025? Silver tripled. Peru (copper) was on fire with over 100% gains. Even clean energy scored 55%... Why not treat yourself to the gift of financial freedom to create a New Year, New Me in 2026? Register now to join us at our online Financial Freedom Retreat April 24-26, 2026 where you'll learn how to protect your wealth, save thousands annually in your budget, invest in hot industries like AI, gold, crypto and more, and how to be in the best seat during our volatile Debt World. Register with friends and family to receive the best price. (Ask for access to a recording of our Real Estate, Bond or Rebalancing masterclass as our gift to you.) Email [email protected] to learn more and register now. If you'd like a life-changing adventure of a lifetime, be our guest at a royal manor house in Cornwall, England, March 4-11, 2027. (With just eight rooms available, this exclusive, private, bucket-list adventure sells out a year in advance!) Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] to learn more. The 2025 Restormel Retreat was a magical and royal experience. Click to learn more. Request testimonials at [email protected]. You can also view some on the flyer page of the retreat. Learn how to: * Invest in hot industries, such as cryptocurrency, Nvidia, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing, * Save thousands annually with smarter big-ticket choices * Hedge against a weaker dollar, * Invest and compound your gains, * Green your retirement plan, * Easy and efficacious nest egg strategies, * Get hot and diversified (including in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and crypto), * Evaluate stocks, * Avoid capital gains and financial predators, * Keep an age-appropriate amount safe, and, * Know what's safe in a Debt World. Yes, it's a complete money makeover. Email [email protected] or call 310-430-2397 to learn more and register. Learn the 15+ things you'll master and read testimonials in the flyer on the home page at NataliePace.com. "Ten minutes into the first day I was already much smarter about investing than I ever thought I would be in my life and I knew I was in exactly the right place at this retreat. I am amazed at how EASY and FUN it is to make my money work for me and those I love. I think this kind of information should be compulsory in schools. I wish I'd learned this sooner." CM "Many people, including educated men and women, often get into trouble when they neglect to follow simple and fundamental rules of the type provided [by Natalie]. This is why I recommend them with enthusiasm." Professor Gary S. Becker. Dr. Becker won the 1992 Nobel Prize in economics for his theories on human capital "College students need this information before they get their first credit card. Young adults need it before they buy their first home. Empty nesters can use the information to downsize to a sustainable lifestyle, before they get into trouble." Joe Moglia, former Chairman & CEO, TD AMERITRADE. If you’d like an unbiased 2nd opinion on your current wealth plan, email [email protected] for pricing and information.  Click through to the flyer to learn more. Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] for pricing, additional information and to register. Register with friends and family to receive the best price. Teens and college students can attend for just $99.  Join us for our Restormel Royal Immersive Adventure Retreat. Spring Equinox 2027. Email [email protected] to learn more. Click for testimonials, pricing, hours & details. Register now to receive two 12-month all-access passes to our online training and four private, prosperity coaching sessions. There are only 4 rooms available. Considering the perks, you're receiving a 65% discount to learn the life math that we all should have received in high school, and the room is free! Email [email protected] to learn more. Yes, it's a great idea to register and start transforming our lives now with the online ABCs of money courses.  Natalie Wynne Pace is an Advocate for Sustainability Financial Literacy & Women's Empowerment. Natalie is the bestselling author of The ABCs of Money (6th edition) and The Power of 8 Billion: It's Up to Us, and is the co-creator of the Earth Gratitude Project. She has been ranked as a No. 1 stock picker, above over 835 A-list pundits, by an independent tracking agency (TipsTraders). Her book The ABCs of Money remained at or near the #1 Investing Basics e-book on Amazon for over 3 years (in its vertical), with over 120,000 downloads and a mean 5-star ranking. The 6th edition of The ABCs of Money and the 2nd edition of The ABCs of Money for College are the most recent releases of these books. Follow her on Instagram. Natalie Pace's easy as a pie chart nest egg strategies earned gains in the last two recessions and have outperformed the bull markets in between. That is why her Investor Educational Retreats, books and private coaching are enthusiastically recommended by Nobel Prize winning economist Gary S. Becker, TD AMERITRADE chairman Joe Moglia, Kay Koplovitz and many Main Street investors who have transformed their lives using her Thrive Budget and investing strategies. Click to view a video testimonial from Nilo Bolden. Check out Natalie Pace's Substack podcast and watch videoconferences and webinars on Youtube. Other Blogs of Interest Should You Just Own an S&P 500 Fund? Gold, Silver and Crypto. Are the Safe Havens Sinking? Hot Countries. Oil Prices Soar. Stocks Sink. 15 Rules of the Rich. The Venus Fly Trap of High-Yield and Private Credit Funds. AI Says There is a 70% Chance of a Correction in 2026. Learn why. Investors Sell Magnificent 7 for Chevron and Caterpillar. (Is this a good idea?) 6 Rules to Earn Tens of Thousands with Low Risk. 2026 Investor IQ Test. Answers to the 2026 Investor IQ Test. Finding Harmony: A King's Vision. Half a Century of Sustainability Leadership. Silver and Gold's Very Bad Day. Why are Mortgage Rates so High? The War Over Warner Bros. Is an EV Winter Coming? Copper and Peru are Hot, Hot, Hot. 2026 Rebalancing IQ Test. Answers to the 2026 Rebalancing IQ Test. 2026 Crystal Ball. Is the AI Bubble About to Pop? A+ 2025 Performance Report Card with Bragging Rights. Are We Headed for Another Crypto Winter? Will the World Cup Save the Travel Industry? Save Thousands Annually on Health Insurance and Medical Care. 2026 Bonds and Fixed Income Without Paper Losses Strategy. Magnificent 7 Update. On Fire. Expensive. Crypto. Copper. Silver. Gold. More Magnificent than the Magnificent 7. Stablecoins. Should You Invest? Clean Energy. Solar Generation is On Fire. HHS Cuts MRNA Research. Weight Loss Drugs Soar. Are You Paying Thousands to Lose Money? Crypto Goes Mainstream. The Genius Act Becomes Law. Wealth Hacks: Are You Getting Killed in Capital Gains Taxes? Our Super Performing Hots and Value Replacements. Is Your Income Strategy Losing Money? Gold and Silver Soar. Get Safe & Hot in 1 Easy Plan. Home Prices Soften. Is Your City Next? Tesla Vision vs. Waymo LiDAR and Air Taxis. Are Any of Them Safe? Archer Aviation is Chosen to be the Exclusive Air Taxi Service for the 2028 L.A. Olympics. Company of the Year? USA Downgraded. Is U.S. Reserve Currency Status Threatened? Utilities: In the Eye of the Natural Disaster Storms. Aging Mom Doesn't Want to Discuss Dilapidated House. Investors Ask Natalie. Tesla, Tariffs, Chinese Competition and Price Wars. Health Savings Accounts. Save Thousands. Get a Tax Credit. Provide for Tomorrow's Healthcare Needs. Restormel Manor House 2025. A Truly Royal and Magical Adventure. 9 Ways to Cut Your Tax Bill in Half and Save Thousands Annually. Should I Have a Money Manager? 10 Rules of Successful Investing. Indonesia: Rich in Nickel with Ambitions of Becoming an EV Battery Hub. RoboTaxis. AI. The Magnificent 7. Canadian, Australian and U.S. Banks. Are Any of Them Safe? Ireland. Rich in Technology, Biotechnology and Agribusiness. 9 Money Secrets of the Ultra Wealthy. Housing & Budgeting Solutions. Fast Fashion. Fossil Fuels. Plastic Clothing. Atacama Desert Waste Dumps. Fintechs and Brokerages that Fail are Not FDIC-Insured. Housing. Unaffordable. What Works? Case studies and creative solutions. The Underperforming DJIA, Full of Fossil Fuels and Forever Chemicals. 13 Lifestyle Choices to Reduce Waste, Pollution & CO2 & Save a Boatload of Dough. 11-Point Green Checklist for Schools. 10 Wealth Secrets of Billionaires and Royals. Fiat. Crypto. Gold. BRICS. Real Estate. Alternative Investments. BRICS Currency. Will the Dollar Become Extinct? Is Your FDIC-Insured Cash Really Safe? Money Market Funds, FDIC, SIPC: Are Any of Them Safe? Important Disclaimers Please note: Natalie Pace does not act or operate like a broker. She reports on financial news, and is one of the most trusted sources of financial literacy, education and forensic analysis in the world. Natalie Pace educates and informs individual investors to give investors a competitive edge in their personal decision-making. Any publicly-traded companies, funds or projects mentioned by Natalie Pace are not intended to be buy or sell recommendations. ALWAYS do your research and consult an experienced, reputable financial professional before buying or selling any security, and consider your long-term goals and strategies. Investors should NOT be all in on any asset class or individual stocks. Your retirement plan should reflect an age-appropriate, diversified wealth plan, which has been designed strategically, with the assistance of financial professionals who are familiar with your goals, risk tolerance, tax needs and more. The "trading" portion of your portfolio should be a very small part of your investment strategy, and the amount of money you invest into individual companies should never be greater than your experience, wisdom, knowledge, patience and diversified strategy. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, NataliePace.com does not warrant its completeness or accuracy. Opinions constitute our judgment as of the date of this publication and are subject to change without notice. This material is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument.  Image created by MetaAI. Should You Just Have an S&P500 Fund? Is your managed plan worth the fees? Are you at greater risk than you realize? Are you underperforming the S&P500? Most managed plans do what the markets do, only 1.5-2% lower due to the fees ($15,000-$20,000 in fees per million dollars per year). If you were focused on a lot of older companies or a Dow Jones Industrial Average index fund, your portfolio would have performed far lower than the S&P500 – and dismally beneath a diversified plan that included hot industries and growth.  How can you tell how well you did? Simply ask for a chart of your return compared to the S&P500 over the last three, five, and 20 years. If you are shadowing the market, there are a number of concerns you should be aware of, including the fact that you’re paying 1.5-2.0% annually for something that you could get almost free. (Many online discount brokerages do not charge trading fees at this time.) If all you are doing is shadowing the market, then you can have all those companies that your broker-salesman is trading in one easy fund and be just as diversified. FYI: a professional analyst would be tasked with less than a dozen companies. A hundred or more companies is impossible to keep track of even if your account was being managed by the minute, which it isn’t. The total return of the S&P 500 between 2023 and 2025 was 86.11%. How much more are you worth today than you were at the end of 2022? Has your plan almost doubled in value? The main things that I’ll discuss in this blog are performance and protection. We want both. As we get closer to retirement, we can’t afford to have too much of our money riding on the Wall Street rollercoaster. The placating platitude that many of us receive that we should just sit on our hands during corrections, bear markets, and recessions doesn’t work in the real world. If we lose half of our wealth, our FICO score plunges, the interest rates that we’ll have to pay to borrow skyrocket, we might have trouble paying our bills and we could even be at risk of losing our home. This is not what the Whales of Wall Street do. Investing is easy when you adopt a time-proven system. There are a few foundational rules. Everybody wants the value of their stocks to go up. In a downturn, nobody wants to lose. Both performance and protection are important, as is income. However, in today’s Debt World, people are getting sold into some very risky money losing, illiquid “safe” assets in the name of earning income. I’ll talk about that after we discuss protection and performance. You can also learn more about Safe, Income-Producing Assets with No Paper Losses in the resources directly below. Bond and Fixed Income Without Paper Losses Masterclass (Oct. 2025). Receive access to the recording when you register for the Spring Financial Freedom Retreat. (You’ll want to attend the retreat before watching the masterclass.) The Venus Fly Trap of Private Credit Funds Should You Have a Managed Portfolio? (There are a few important and true cautionary tales included in this blog.) (Click on the blue-highlighted words to access additional information.) Here are the main topics of this blog. Performance Rebalancing Protection Income 21st Century Recessions Here is more information on each point. Performance As I mentioned above, many people could beat the performance of their managed plan with a simple S&P500 index fund. It offers more gains with far lower fees. However, as you can see in the chart above, if you are only doing the S&P500, and are not leaning into some hot industries, you’re missing out on the incredible performance of silver, Peru, the Magnificent 7 and clean energy. Every year, what’s hot and what is safe changes. Over the long-term, small caps outperform large caps. (That hasn’t been the case over the last decade.) If you didn’t have growth in the most recent up cycle, you were really missing out on the performance of the Magnificent 7. Silver, Peru, technology (including AI and cybersecurity) and clean energy (four of the hot slices mentioned in our sample pie charts at our Financial Freedom Retreat) were the superstars of 2025. Rebalancing Rebalancing at least once a year, preferably 1-3 times a year, ensures that you remain properly protected and diversified. It also encourages you to capture gains, and to buy low when stocks go down. In other words, using our pie chart strategy, we have a buy low, sell high plan on autopilot that prompts us to do what we’re supposed to do. This system takes the emotions out of investing and is very easy to self-direct. Even if you have a managed plan, it’s important that you are adhering to a properly protected, age-appropriate, diversified, plan that is rebalanced regularly to ensure that you are staying within the proper risk/reward parameters. Of course, if you only have 10 funds (which is all you need), you don’t necessarily need a money manager. Most people would be a lot more diversified with the 10 funds mentioned in our sample pie charts than they are in a managed plan, which tends to be concentrated on large caps. Either way, be the boss of your money. Your financial advisor works for you. Protection As we get older, we can’t afford to have as much at risk. Having exposure to growth and hot industries can keep our at-risk side earning above market gains. At the same time, we can earn 3.5-3.9% safely without any losses, which also secures our portfolio. In downturns, it is the side that is protected from losses that’s going to keep us happy and fiscally strong. Buy and hope only works when the markets go up. When the markets go down, and especially when they go down like a normal recession does – which hasn’t happened since 2009 – we could lose half of our wealth. For many of us who are hoping to earn some income, the amount that we can earn income on can be cut in half, if we haven’t properly protected our assets from corrections, bear markets and recessions. On the other side, if we are 50 and we’re keeping 50% safe, a downturn of 50% or more in stocks is not going to cut our portfolio in half. Many people who used our strategy in the Great Recession earned gains, while those around them lost more than half of their wealth.  If there are a lot of economic storms on the horizon, and there are plenty in today’s world, including war, elevated share prices and outlandish debt, you might even act a little older than you are, overweighting more safe. It’s important to remember that most people don’t buy low because they can’t. When you lose half of your wealth, you might be struggling to pay your bills and to keep your home. You are not going to be in a position to buy stocks for a bargain or purchase an affordable home. Only those who have liquidity are in a position to take advantage of great prices when the economy struggles for everyone else. Income A 3.9% return on $1 million is $39,000 every year. I want to stress that paper losses are far more problematic than the salesperson is telling us. High-yield bonds and above-market dividend-paying stocks are also high-risk. If the company gets into trouble, they may cut the dividend without warning. A gap down in share price occurs before we (or our money manager) can do anything to protect our principal. Our sample fixed income strategies have been enjoying a safe, competitive return since 2009 with no paper losses. It’s not difficult to do this. It’s just tricky. Many broker-salesmen are compensated and rewarded more when they sell higher-risk assets. As I mentioned above, I hosted a Bond and Fixed Income Without Paper Losses masterclass a few months ago. Register for the Spring Financial Freedom Retreat, and we would be happy to provide you access to the recording of that. We spend one full day on What’s Safe at the retreat to lay the foundation for what you will need for the Bond masterclass. 21st Century Recessions The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 55% in the Great Recession and took about six years to recover. You don’t want to spend half of the bull market earning back losses. The NASDAQ Composite Index plunged 78% in the Dot Com Recession. It didn’t return to its March 2000 highs until 2016. That’s a 16-year recovery period. Since 2009, the trajectory for stocks has been up. There have been brief episodes where they went down. We had a correction that almost became a bear last April 2025. We had a big scare in the pandemic when the S&P500 dropped almost 38% in less than a month. However, we printed up $4.6 trillion, so that we wouldn’t have a recession of note. The concern was that we could enter a Great Depression without that level of financial engineering. The result was the shortest recession in history, and a very quick recovery (by August 2020). That is not normal, however. Even after losing -19.44% in the S&P 500 and -33% in the NASDAQ Composite Index in 2022, everything recovered and came up roses.  Source: MSN.com. (c) Microsoft. Used with permission. However, it’s hard to watch your money drop that much without getting disillusioned and wanting a new money manager or wealth plan – unless you’ve kept the proper amount safe. (We received many love letters in the pandemic.) Imagine a million dollars dropping to just $330,000, as a Bitcoin or Tesla investor would have endured during 2022. Again, regular rebalancing and an age-appropriate, diversified plan positions and prompts us to be on the right side of the trade. Our emotions are more in check when our wealth is stable. Bottom Line If you want to set it and forget about it then just keep a percent equal to your age safe and the rest in an S&P500 fund. That is assuming you want to have all your wealth plan betting on the U.S. We are using value replacement country funds, which offer increased diversification in countries with lower debt to GDP. (Click to read my blog about that.) Rebalance at least once a year to keep the plan age appropriate. In a Debt World, getting safe is tricky. It’s not difficult, but it is tricky. We must know basic life math and take ownership of our wealth. If you’d like an unbiased 2nd opinion (I don’t sell financial products) or personalized education, I offer that in my private coaching. You can read about this time-proven system, which is enthusiastically recommended by Nobel Prize winning economist Gary S. Becker, in my bestselling books or learn and implement it at our Financial Freedom Retreats. If you are concerned about the massive amount of debt in the United States, there are ways to add performance and reduce risk through a simple, easy diversified plan that keeps enough safe. Having blind faith that somebody else is navigating all of this for you could prove to be a very bad bet, as it often is in recessions. Self-directing your own easy plan, or making sure that your managed plan is well-designed, will keep you achieving your performance goals, while protecting your principal. It's important to do this before the recession. As you can see in the charts below, if you wait for the headlines, it's too late.
Are you aware that the hot funds we've been featuring in our sample pie charts and retreats performed at the top of Wall Street in 2025? Silver tripled. Peru (copper) was on fire with over 100% gains. Even clean energy scored 55%... Why not treat yourself to the gift of financial freedom to create a New Year, New Me in 2026? Register now to join us at our online Financial Freedom Retreat April 24-26, 2026 where you'll learn how to protect your wealth, save thousands annually in your budget, invest in hot industries like AI, gold, crypto and more, and how to be in the best seat during our volatile Debt World. Register with friends and family to receive the best price. (Ask for access to a recording of our Real Estate, Bond or Rebalancing masterclass as our gift to you.) Email [email protected] to learn more and register now. If you'd like a life-changing adventure of a lifetime, be our guest at a royal manor house in Cornwall, England, March 4-11, 2027. (With just eight rooms available, this exclusive, private, bucket-list adventure sells out a year in advance!) Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] to learn more. The 2025 Restormel Retreat was a magical and royal experience. Click to learn more. Request testimonials at [email protected]. You can also view some on the flyer page of the retreat. Learn how to: * Invest in hot industries, such as cryptocurrency, Nvidia, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing, * Save thousands annually with smarter big-ticket choices * Hedge against a weaker dollar, * Invest and compound your gains, * Green your retirement plan, * Easy and efficacious nest egg strategies, * Get hot and diversified (including in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and crypto), * Evaluate stocks, * Avoid capital gains and financial predators, * Keep an age-appropriate amount safe, and, * Know what's safe in a Debt World. Yes, it's a complete money makeover. Email [email protected] or call 310-430-2397 to learn more and register. Learn the 15+ things you'll master and read testimonials in the flyer on the home page at NataliePace.com. "Ten minutes into the first day I was already much smarter about investing than I ever thought I would be in my life and I knew I was in exactly the right place at this retreat. I am amazed at how EASY and FUN it is to make my money work for me and those I love. I think this kind of information should be compulsory in schools. I wish I'd learned this sooner." CM "Many people, including educated men and women, often get into trouble when they neglect to follow simple and fundamental rules of the type provided [by Natalie]. This is why I recommend them with enthusiasm." Professor Gary S. Becker. Dr. Becker won the 1992 Nobel Prize in economics for his theories on human capital "College students need this information before they get their first credit card. Young adults need it before they buy their first home. Empty nesters can use the information to downsize to a sustainable lifestyle, before they get into trouble." Joe Moglia, former Chairman & CEO, TD AMERITRADE. If you’d like an unbiased 2nd opinion on your current wealth plan, email [email protected] for pricing and information.  Click through to the flyer to learn more. Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] for pricing, additional information and to register. Register with friends and family to receive the best price. Teens and college students can attend for just $99.  Join us for our Restormel Royal Immersive Adventure Retreat. Spring Equinox 2027. Email [email protected] to learn more. Click for testimonials, pricing, hours & details. Register now to receive the best price, the best room and four private, prosperity coaching sessions. There are only 4 rooms available. This retreat includes an all-access pass to all of our online training for a full year for two. Considering the perks, you're receiving a 65% discount to learn the life math that we all should have received in high school, and the room is free! Email [email protected] to learn more. The best rooms at the 2025 retreat were sold out in 2024! Yes, it's a great idea to register and start transforming our lives now.  Natalie Wynne Pace is an Advocate for Sustainability Financial Literacy & Women's Empowerment. Natalie is the bestselling author of The ABCs of Money (6th edition) and The Power of 8 Billion: It's Up to Us, and is the co-creator of the Earth Gratitude Project. She has been ranked as a No. 1 stock picker, above over 835 A-list pundits, by an independent tracking agency (TipsTraders). Her book The ABCs of Money remained at or near the #1 Investing Basics e-book on Amazon for over 3 years (in its vertical), with over 120,000 downloads and a mean 5-star ranking. The 6th edition of The ABCs of Money and the 2nd edition of The ABCs of Money for College are the most recent releases of these books. Follow her on Instagram. Natalie Pace's easy as a pie chart nest egg strategies earned gains in the last two recessions and have outperformed the bull markets in between. That is why her Investor Educational Retreats, books and private coaching are enthusiastically recommended by Nobel Prize winning economist Gary S. Becker, TD AMERITRADE chairman Joe Moglia, Kay Koplovitz and many Main Street investors who have transformed their lives using her Thrive Budget and investing strategies. Click to view a video testimonial from Nilo Bolden. Check out Natalie Pace's Substack podcast and watch videoconferences and webinars on Youtube. Other Blogs of Interest Gold, Silver and Crypto. Are the Safe Havens Sinking? Hot Countries. Oil Prices Soar. Stocks Sink. 15 Rules of the Rich. The Venus Fly Trap of High-Yield and Private Credit Funds. AI Says There is a 70% Chance of a Correction in 2026. Learn why. Investors Sell Magnificent 7 for Chevron and Caterpillar. (Is this a good idea?) 6 Rules to Earn Tens of Thousands with Low Risk. 2026 Investor IQ Test. Answers to the 2026 Investor IQ Test. Finding Harmony: A King's Vision. Half a Century of Sustainability Leadership. Silver and Gold's Very Bad Day. Why are Mortgage Rates so High? The War Over Warner Bros. Is an EV Winter Coming? Copper and Peru are Hot, Hot, Hot. 2026 Rebalancing IQ Test. Answers to the 2026 Rebalancing IQ Test. 2026 Crystal Ball. Is the AI Bubble About to Pop? A+ 2025 Performance Report Card with Bragging Rights. The 6 Rs of a Sustainable Holiday. Are We Headed for Another Crypto Winter? Will the World Cup Save the Travel Industry? Save Thousands Annually on Health Insurance and Medical Care. The S&P500 Has Doubled Over the Last 5 Years. Which Industries Performed Best? Bank Stress. Loan Fraud. Auto & Airline Bankruptcies. Augurs of a Recession? 2026 Bonds and Fixed Income Without Paper Losses Strategy Magnificent 7 Update. On Fire. Expensive. Crypto. Copper. Silver. Gold. More Magnificent than the Magnificent 7. Stablecoins. Should You Invest? Clean Energy. Solar Generation is On Fire. HHS Cuts MRNA Research. Weight Loss Drugs Soar. Are You Paying Thousands to Lose Money? Coke & Pepsi Suffer From Poor Fiscal Health. Crypto Goes Mainstream. The Genius Act Becomes Law. Wealth Hacks: Are You Getting Killed in Capital Gains Taxes? Our Super Performing Hots and Value Replacements. Is Your Income Strategy Losing Money? Gold and Silver Soar. Get Safe & Hot in 1 Easy Plan. Home Prices Soften. Is Your City Next? Tesla Vision vs. Waymo LiDAR and Air Taxis. Are Any of Them Safe? Archer Aviation is Chosen to be the Exclusive Air Taxi Service for the 2028 L.A. Olympics. Company of the Year? USA Downgraded. Is U.S. Reserve Currency Status Threatened? Utilities: In the Eye of the Natural Disaster Storms. Aging Mom Doesn't Want to Discuss Dilapidated House. Investors Ask Natalie. Tesla, Tariffs, Chinese Competition and Price Wars. Will Oil Prices Sink or Soar? Executives are Uncertain. Health Savings Accounts. Save Thousands. Get a Tax Credit. Provide for Tomorrow's Healthcare Needs. Restormel Manor House 2025. A Truly Royal and Magical Adventure. 9 Ways to Cut Your Tax Bill in Half and Save Thousands Annually. Should I Have a Money Manager? 10 Rules of Successful Investing. Indonesia: Rich in Nickel with Ambitions of Becoming an EV Battery Hub. RoboTaxis. AI. The Magnificent 7. Canadian, Australian and U.S. Banks. Are Any of Them Safe? Ireland. Rich in Technology, Biotechnology and Agribusiness. 9 Money Secrets of the Ultra Wealthy. Housing & Budgeting Solutions. Fast Fashion. Fossil Fuels. Plastic Clothing. Atacama Desert Waste Dumps. Fintechs and Brokerages that Fail are Not FDIC-Insured. Housing. Unaffordable. What Works? Case studies and creative solutions. The Underperforming DJIA, Full of Fossil Fuels and Forever Chemicals. 13 Lifestyle Choices to Reduce Waste, Pollution & CO2 & Save a Boatload of Dough. 11-Point Green Checklist for Schools. 10 Wealth Secrets of Billionaires and Royals. Fiat. Crypto. Gold. BRICS. Real Estate. Alternative Investments. BRICS Currency. Will the Dollar Become Extinct? Is Your FDIC-Insured Cash Really Safe? Money Market Funds, FDIC, SIPC: Are Any of Them Safe? Important Disclaimers Please note: Natalie Pace does not act or operate like a broker. She reports on financial news, and is one of the most trusted sources of financial literacy, education and forensic analysis in the world. Natalie Pace educates and informs individual investors to give investors a competitive edge in their personal decision-making. Any publicly-traded companies, funds or projects mentioned by Natalie Pace are not intended to be buy or sell recommendations. ALWAYS do your research and consult an experienced, reputable financial professional before buying or selling any security, and consider your long-term goals and strategies. Investors should NOT be all in on any asset class or individual stocks. Your retirement plan should reflect an age-appropriate, diversified wealth plan, which has been designed strategically, with the assistance of financial professionals who are familiar with your goals, risk tolerance, tax needs and more. The "trading" portion of your portfolio should be a very small part of your investment strategy, and the amount of money you invest into individual companies should never be greater than your experience, wisdom, knowledge, patience and diversified strategy. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, NataliePace.com does not warrant its completeness or accuracy. Opinions constitute our judgment as of the date of this publication and are subject to change without notice. This material is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument.
Gold, Silver & Crypto. Are the Safe Havens Sinking? The S&P 500 is down -7.2% on the year, and off -9.3% from the high of 7002 set on January 28, 2026. How are gold, crypto and silver holding up? Should you pile into these safe havens? Here are the things we will cover in this blog. What happens to safe haven investments in bear markets? Who owns the most gold? Why is silver outperforming gold ? Why has silver dropped so much since Jan 29, 2026? Are safe havens a good strategy against a downturn? And here is more information on each topic. What happens to safe haven investments in bear markets? Gold & Silver Gold and silver are precious metals. The price tends to run with investor sentiment. When the world is swooning over stocks, the safe havens can be left behind. When equity prices plunge, initially everything can go down, including gold and silver. There typically comes a point, however, when the precious metals decouple and start soaring. In the Great Recession, gold and silver suffered, initially. In 2008, gold was down -9.4% on the year, while the S&P 500 lost -38.5%. Both gold and silver hit their all-time highs (of that period) in September 2011, after S&P Global downgraded the US credit rating from AAA to AA plus. However, the 2011 highs were very short-lived. For the decade between 2012 and the pandemic, gold and silver plunged again, with losses of over -45%. It’s important to know that the safe havens can go down in value quite suddenly and stay there for a while. Between 1980 and 2005, there was a 26-year period of gold prices in the $250-$450/ounce range, after hitting a high of $800/ounce in January of 1980. Having an age-appropriate, properly diversified plan and using gold or silver as one or two hot slices, combined with 1-3 times a year rebalancing, will help to keep us on the right side of the trade. The bottom line is that gold and silver can perform better in corrections and bear markets, but they are also volatile. It’s not a good idea to go all in, especially when gold fever is raging. Bitcoin Bitcoin has two historical trends that play against it performing well in 2026. The first one is that when stocks plunge, bitcoin tends to cave in even further. That happened in spades in 2022. The S&P 500 lost -19.44%. Bitcoin lost -67%.  The other historical trend that plays against good performance in 2026 is the halving trend. I have been warning about this repeatedly in my Bitcoin blogs. (Click to access the most recent one from Nov. 30, 2025.) https://www.nataliepace.com/blog/are-we-headed-for-another-crypto-winter#/ 2026 could see a Crypto Winter that doesn’t end until mid or late 2027. Copper Copper is often referred to as Dr. Copper because when the economy weakens, copper prices are usually the first to plunge. Supply is a little constrained, while demand is very hot right now. So, there is a supply/demand case where copper prices remain elevated. Copper prices peaked at $6.58/pound in January of 2026 and are still high at $5.50/pound. However, in recessions, government and institutional projects get canceled and the demand for copper evanesces. That, of course, would affect the price of copper adversely, as well as one of our favorite ETFs, the Peru ETF (symbol: EPU). Peru is the 2nd largest exporter of copper in the world. Its economy is very heavily tied to copper prices. Who owns the most gold? The U.S. has the most gold by far, followed by worldwide gold ETF investors, and then the European countries. China, Brazil and India have been increasing their gold holdings, while Russia has had to sell some gold. Check out the Top 10 holders of gold as of March 2026 in the chart below.  Source: Gold.org. Why is silver outperforming gold? As you can see in the chart below, silver has been the superstar over the three- and five--year periods. Peru and clean energy have done better than gold year to date.  Silver started out the most recent cycle with a price that was subdued. We were leaning into silver instead of gold for that reason thinking that silver would attempt to catch up to its former high, and that would reward investors more than an investment in gold. That turned out to be the case. Typically, when investors lose faith in economies and stocks, they like both gold and silver. I’m still leaning into silver because the price is more palatable, especially for younger investors who might have to ease into their holdings. Why has silver dropped so much since Jan 29, 2026? Silver soared to an all-time high of $121.79/ounce on Jan. 29, 2026. The price stayed in that range for about three days and then settled back into the $70-$80/ounce range. This is a reminder that in the short run, stocks are a popularity contest. In the long run, things typically settle back into their supply/demand and longer-term trends. When we are fortunate enough to be on the winning side of a viral moment, it’s important to capture gains! It’s a reminder of just how effective rebalancing 1-3 times a year can be, and why it is important to take the data off the brokerage statement and put it into the pie chart format. That way, we are making choices based upon a time-proven system, rather than emotions – which tend to put us on the wrong side of the trade. Bottom Line Are safe havens a good strategy against a downturn? Yes, but only when incorporated into a time-proven, age-appropriate, properly diversified system that includes rebalancing and capturing gains. (Click to take our Rebalancing IQ Test.) Gold, silver and crypto are volatile – far more freewheeling than the name “safe haven” implies. We are currently using one or two slices of silver in our sample pie charts. However, I also just hosted a Rebalancing Masterclass (Jan. 10, 2026), where we were all reminded that stocks (including silver and Peru) were at an all-time high -- a perfect opportunity for capturing, and keeping, gains. Are you aware that the hot funds we've been featuring in our sample pie charts and retreats performed at the top of Wall Street in 2025? Silver tripled. Peru (copper) was on fire with over 100% gains. Even clean energy scored 55%... Why not treat yourself to the gift of financial freedom to create a New Year, New Me in 2026? Register now to join us at our online Financial Freedom Retreat April 24-26, 2026 where you'll learn how to protect your wealth, save thousands annually in your budget, invest in hot industries like AI, gold, crypto and more, and how to be in the best seat during our volatile Debt World. Register with friends and family to receive the best price. (Ask for access to a recording of our Real Estate, Bond or Rebalancing masterclass as our gift to you.) Email [email protected] to learn more and register now. If you'd like a life-changing adventure of a lifetime, be our guest at a royal manor house in Cornwall, England, March 12-19, 2027. (With just eight rooms available, this exclusive, private, bucket-list adventure sells out a year in advance!) Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] to learn more. The 2025 Restormel Retreat was a magical and royal experience. Click to learn more. Request testimonials at [email protected]. You can also view some on the flyer page of the retreat. Learn how to: * Invest in hot industries, such as cryptocurrency, Nvidia, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing, * Save thousands annually with smarter big-ticket choices * Hedge against a weaker dollar, * Invest and compound your gains, * Green your retirement plan, * Easy and efficacious nest egg strategies, * Get hot and diversified (including in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and crypto), * Evaluate stocks, * Avoid capital gains and financial predators, * Keep an age-appropriate amount safe, and, * Know what's safe in a Debt World. Yes, it's a complete money makeover. Email [email protected] or call 310-430-2397 to learn more and register. Learn the 15+ things you'll master and read testimonials in the flyer on the home page at NataliePace.com. "Ten minutes into the first day I was already much smarter about investing than I ever thought I would be in my life and I knew I was in exactly the right place at this retreat. I am amazed at how EASY and FUN it is to make my money work for me and those I love. I think this kind of information should be compulsory in schools. I wish I'd learned this sooner." CM "Many people, including educated men and women, often get into trouble when they neglect to follow simple and fundamental rules of the type provided [by Natalie]. This is why I recommend them with enthusiasm." Professor Gary S. Becker. Dr. Becker won the 1992 Nobel Prize in economics for his theories on human capital "College students need this information before they get their first credit card. Young adults need it before they buy their first home. Empty nesters can use the information to downsize to a sustainable lifestyle, before they get into trouble." Joe Moglia, former Chairman & CEO, TD AMERITRADE. If you’d like an unbiased 2nd opinion on your current wealth plan, email [email protected] for pricing and information.  Click through to the flyer to learn more. Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] for pricing, additional information and to register. Register with friends and family to receive the best price. Teens and college students can attend for just $99.  Join us for our Restormel Royal Immersive Adventure Retreat. Spring Equinox 2027. Email [email protected] to learn more. Click for testimonials, pricing, hours & details. Register now to receive the best price, the best room and four private, prosperity coaching sessions. There are only 4 rooms available. This retreat includes an all-access pass to all of our online training for a full year for two. Considering the perks, you're receiving a 65% discount to learn the life math that we all should have received in high school, and the room is free! Email [email protected] to learn more. The best rooms at the 2025 retreat were sold out in 2024! Yes, it's a great idea to register and start transforming our lives now.  Photo by Marie Commiskey. Natalie Pace at the Ritz Carlton in Ireland. Natalie Wynne Pace is an Advocate for Sustainability Financial Literacy & Women's Empowerment. Natalie is the bestselling author of The ABCs of Money (6th edition) and The Power of 8 Billion: It's Up to Us, and is the co-creator of the Earth Gratitude Project. She has been ranked as a No. 1 stock picker, above over 835 A-list pundits, by an independent tracking agency (TipsTraders). Her book The ABCs of Money remained at or near the #1 Investing Basics e-book on Amazon for over 3 years (in its vertical), with over 120,000 downloads and a mean 5-star ranking. The 6th edition of The ABCs of Money and the 2nd edition of The ABCs of Money for College are the most recent releases of these books. Follow her on Instagram. Natalie Pace's easy as a pie chart nest egg strategies earned gains in the last two recessions and have outperformed the bull markets in between. That is why her Investor Educational Retreats, books and private coaching are enthusiastically recommended by Nobel Prize winning economist Gary S. Becker, TD AMERITRADE chairman Joe Moglia, Kay Koplovitz and many Main Street investors who have transformed their lives using her Thrive Budget and investing strategies. Click to view a video testimonial from Nilo Bolden. Check out Natalie Pace's Substack podcast and watch videoconferences and webinars on Youtube. Other Blogs of Interest Hot Countries. Oil Prices Soar. Stocks Sink. 15 Rules of the Rich. The Venus Fly Trap of High-Yield and Private Credit Funds. AI Says There is a 70% Chance of a Correction in 2026. Learn why. Investors Sell Magnificent 7 for Chevron and Caterpillar. (Is this a good idea?) 6 Rules to Earn Tens of Thousands with Low Risk. 2026 Investor IQ Test. Answers to the 2026 Investor IQ Test. Finding Harmony: A King's Vision. Half a Century of Sustainability Leadership. Silver and Gold's Very Bad Day. Why are Mortgage Rates so High? The War Over Warner Bros. Is an EV Winter Coming? Copper and Peru are Hot, Hot, Hot. 2026 Rebalancing IQ Test. Answers to the 2026 Rebalancing IQ Test. 2026 Crystal Ball. Is the AI Bubble About to Pop? A+ 2025 Performance Report Card with Bragging Rights. The 6 Rs of a Sustainable Holiday. Are We Headed for Another Crypto Winter? Will the World Cup Save the Travel Industry? Save Thousands Annually on Health Insurance and Medical Care. The S&P500 Has Doubled Over the Last 5 Years. Which Industries Performed Best? Bank Stress. Loan Fraud. Auto & Airline Bankruptcies. Augurs of a Recession? 2026 Bonds and Fixed Income Without Paper Losses Strategy Magnificent 7 Update. On Fire. Expensive. Crypto. Copper. Silver. Gold. More Magnificent than the Magnificent 7. Stablecoins. Should You Invest? Clean Energy. Solar Generation is On Fire. HHS Cuts MRNA Research. Weight Loss Drugs Soar. Are You Paying Thousands to Lose Money? Coke & Pepsi Suffer From Poor Fiscal Health. Crypto Goes Mainstream. The Genius Act Becomes Law. Wealth Hacks: Are You Getting Killed in Capital Gains Taxes? Our Super Performing Hots and Value Replacements. Is Your Income Strategy Losing Money? Gold and Silver Soar. Get Safe & Hot in 1 Easy Plan. Home Prices Soften. Is Your City Next? Tesla Vision vs. Waymo LiDAR and Air Taxis. Are Any of Them Safe? Archer Aviation is Chosen to be the Exclusive Air Taxi Service for the 2028 L.A. Olympics. Company of the Year? USA Downgraded. Is U.S. Reserve Currency Status Threatened? Utilities: In the Eye of the Natural Disaster Storms. Aging Mom Doesn't Want to Discuss Dilapidated House. Investors Ask Natalie. Tesla, Tariffs, Chinese Competition and Price Wars. Will Oil Prices Sink or Soar? Executives are Uncertain. Health Savings Accounts. Save Thousands. Get a Tax Credit. Provide for Tomorrow's Healthcare Needs. Restormel Manor House 2025. A Truly Royal and Magical Adventure. 9 Ways to Cut Your Tax Bill in Half and Save Thousands Annually. Should I Have a Money Manager? 10 Rules of Successful Investing. Indonesia: Rich in Nickel with Ambitions of Becoming an EV Battery Hub. RoboTaxis. AI. The Magnificent 7. Canadian, Australian and U.S. Banks. Are Any of Them Safe? Ireland. Rich in Technology, Biotechnology and Agribusiness. 9 Money Secrets of the Ultra Wealthy. Housing & Budgeting Solutions. Fast Fashion. Fossil Fuels. Plastic Clothing. Atacama Desert Waste Dumps. Fintechs and Brokerages that Fail are Not FDIC-Insured. Housing. Unaffordable. What Works? Case studies and creative solutions. The Underperforming DJIA, Full of Fossil Fuels and Forever Chemicals. 13 Lifestyle Choices to Reduce Waste, Pollution & CO2 & Save a Boatload of Dough. 11-Point Green Checklist for Schools. 10 Wealth Secrets of Billionaires and Royals. Fiat. Crypto. Gold. BRICS. Real Estate. Alternative Investments. BRICS Currency. Will the Dollar Become Extinct? Is Your FDIC-Insured Cash Really Safe? Money Market Funds, FDIC, SIPC: Are Any of Them Safe? Important Disclaimers Please note: Natalie Pace does not act or operate like a broker. She reports on financial news, and is one of the most trusted sources of financial literacy, education and forensic analysis in the world. Natalie Pace educates and informs individual investors to give investors a competitive edge in their personal decision-making. Any publicly-traded companies, funds or projects mentioned by Natalie Pace are not intended to be buy or sell recommendations. ALWAYS do your research and consult an experienced, reputable financial professional before buying or selling any security, and consider your long-term goals and strategies. Investors should NOT be all in on any asset class or individual stocks. Your retirement plan should reflect an age-appropriate, diversified wealth plan, which has been designed strategically, with the assistance of financial professionals who are familiar with your goals, risk tolerance, tax needs and more. The "trading" portion of your portfolio should be a very small part of your investment strategy, and the amount of money you invest into individual companies should never be greater than your experience, wisdom, knowledge, patience and diversified strategy. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, NataliePace.com does not warrant its completeness or accuracy. Opinions constitute our judgment as of the date of this publication and are subject to change without notice. This material is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument.  Hot Countries Over the past three years, we’ve been using the same four countries as our value replacements, and for diversification. Some of the funds of these countries offer higher credit quality, lower debt and/or higher income than the United States. The question is: which countries are the best choice for 2026 and beyond? Have they changed? Here are the topics I’ll cover in this blog. The War in Iran and High Oil Prices Which Countries are the Best for Diversification? Why Do We Use Value Replacements for the Equity Income Slices? GDP Growth Credit Quality Industries & Exports 2026 Hot Countries U.S. Stocks are Sinking? Are These Countries Holding Up Better? And here is additional information on each topic. The War in Iran and High Oil Prices Do wars lead to recessions? Is anything hot in a recession? High gasoline and oil prices are highly correlated with recessions. If the current conflict in Iran is prolonged and oil prices remain high, this is negative for the entire world. It could lead to higher interest rates, lower GDP growth and strained finances for households and businesses. If the war is over quickly, then oil prices should fall and the world’s economies should stabilize. I remind everybody that our best protection against a correction or a recession is to always keep a percentage equal to our age safe. (Knowing what’s safe in a Debt World is just as important, which is why we spend one full day on this topic at our Financial Freedom Retreat.) Consider overweighting safe when there are economic storms on the horizon. We are overweighting 20% additional safe for many reasons, which I’ll outline in my upcoming videoconferences and retreat. Liquidity is an important asset in tough times, when opportunities abound and buyers are in short supply. I’m going to be discussing the War in Iran in my Thursday videoconference on March 26th. On April 2, I’ll discuss Hot Countries and Value Replacements. If you’d like to join me, please email [email protected] with Videocon in the subject line. Which Countries are the Best for Diversification? The Asian countries Indonesia and Vietnam rank high in GDP growth, productivity growth and low debt to GDP ratios. Ireland remains in the top five countries for GDP per capita, with economic strength in technology, AI, biotechnology and agriculture. The United States is a resilient, diversified economy with productivity growth and dominance in AI and technology. The country has a high debt to GDP ratio, but greater freedom and flexibility due to the dominance of the dollar as a world reserve currency. Australia and Peru are rich in natural resources and have lower debt to GDP ratios. Peru was our superstar in 2025. The iShares fund EPU almost doubled in 2025 (+83%), rising to $95/share (+132% year over year) on Feb. 27, 2026. (Click on the blue-highlighted words to learn more about each country.) FYI: When I’m selecting the countries, I’m looking at more than ten data points, including productivity. Most of the countries mentioned above (except for Australia) have higher productivity rates. Why Do We Use Value Replacements for the Equity Income Slices? The countries listed above are rich in natural resources and thus offer a lot of the sectors that are missing from our growth funds. Many of the funds offer income, which is another desirable feature of our value funds. An added benefit is that some of the yields are much higher than a typical U.S. value fund yield. Australia offers more income with higher credit quality than the U.S. – a rare example of taking on less risk for more reward (considering debt and income). However, in the event of a prolonged war, which raises the risk of a recession, all equity stocks and funds are at risk of losses. (Again: overweighting safe is our best protection from a plunge in prices.) GDP Growth Worldwide, GDP growth is expected to slow down to 2.6-3.1% in 2026. Asia is still the outlier, with Indonesia projected to experience 4.9% GDP growth, 5.6% in Vietnam and 4.2% in China. It’s not easy to find a pure-play Vietnamese fund that is offered by a fund provider with high credit quality and liquidity. Below are the GDP expectations for the other Hot Countries featured in this blog, along with their Debt to GDP ratio.  The above are economic growth projections. The current wars mean that economic growth could slow down, or even contract. If gas and oil prices remain high, then the risk of a recession grows. Although analysts have projected that the S&P500 could rise to 7,600 in 2026, Goldman Sachs recently warned that a severe oil supply shock could cause the S&P500 to sink to 5,400 (-17.8% from March 19, 2026). AI forecasted that there is a 70% possibility of a correction (-10%) in 2026. The odds of a U.S. recession in 2026 are 25% (source: Goldman Sachs). When the U.S. sneezes, the rest of the world catches a cold. Credit Quality Our country selections are all rated investment grade. Vietnam is in the speculative category. The U.S. has the largest amount of debt compared to GDP. However, the U.S. is still the most widely used world reserve currency, with the most gold reserves by far. (I’ll be publishing a Gold/Silver blog soon. Email [email protected] if you’d like the current Top 10 Gold Holders List.) The countries in red have the lowest credit rating, including Peru and Indonesia. However, they also have higher GDP growth expectations and lower debt to GDP than the U.S. Keep reading for my country selections for 2026, and why. 2026 Hot Countries Industries & Exports Each of the countries featured in this blog has their own unique niche. Indonesia is the top exporter of nickel and the number one producer of palm oil. The country has plans to make EV batteries. Indonesia manufactures semiconductors, automobiles and shoes, and exports iron, steel, coal and natural gas. The economy is expected to grow at one of the fastest paces in the world. Australia is a major global exporter of iron ore, coal, and lithium, accounting for over two-thirds of exports and around 6-10% of GDP. Household spending is the top driver of economic growth in Australia, as it is in the United States. When people can’t afford to buy gas, they pull back spending on everything. Australia typically has a higher interest rate than the U.S., with lower debt to GDP. Ireland has the 3rd best GDP per capita and has become a major European hub for technology, biotechnology, AI and agricultural products. Peru is benefiting from very high copper prices. The outlook continues for tight copper concentrate supply and high demand, a positive for the Peruvian economy and copper prices. However, a prolonged war could change the story, dramatically reducing industrial demand (car purchases, as one example), which would cause prices to plunge. This is something that can happen in a recession. Copper prices, referred to as Dr. Copper, often serve as a key indicator of economic health. U.S. Stocks are Sinking? Are These Countries Holding Up Better? As you can see in the chart below, we can add performance and income using hot slices (silver, clean energy) and country value replacement funds. Our capture gains strategy with 1-3 times a year rebalancing smooths out the volatility and keeps us on the right side of the trade. This is not day trading or an active plan. It’s simply employing a time-proven, age-appropriate, diversified system, and rebalancing once a year (or once a quarter) to keep it that way. Leaning into most of our country selections, growth funds and the hots has paid off far higher than just relying on the S&P500.  Source: MSN.com/money. I reiterate that rebalancing our wealth plan now with an emphasis on capturing gains, while the funds of silver, Ireland and Peru (and many other equities) are still trading near all-time highs, is very important. As you can see many of our ten slices have far outperformed the S&P500 over the 3-year period – even given the recent pullback. The safe side of our sample plan is earning a competitive income without any paper losses (for over two decades now). For those who do not have exposure to these countries and hot industries, it’s important to develop a strategic dollar-cost-averaging plan. I discuss this at our Financial Freedom Retreat and in my private coaching. Bottom Line Capturing gains is an important part of our wealth plan because it means we get to keep and build our wealth. Stocks are volatile by nature. So rather than hoping that stocks only go up, it is important to have an exit strategy that makes sense. Our pie chart system, when used properly and rebalanced 1-3 times a year, does just that. It also takes the emotions out of the wealth plan, as irrational exuberance or alarm typically work against an efficacious plan. If your wealth plan is down -5% or more on the year, you don’t have enough safe. A 60-year-old who is overweighting safe might earn gains in recessions, when most are at risk of losing half of their nest egg. As Nilo reported after the Great Recession: My husband spoke with Natalie Pace, and after a brief discussion, she charted a plan on the back of a napkin. I decided to take her advice. Soon after, we had the big crash. I was one of the few and lucky people who actually made money (instead of losing). So, thank you Natalie, for saving my retirement! Hot countries can increase performance and income. However, what soars can also sink. Rebalancing is important! We’ve been sending out countless emails since our Rebalancing Masterclass on Jan. 10, 2026, reminding everyone to capture gains. The high for the S&P500 was Jan. 28, 2026. If you haven’t rebalanced your wealth plan within the last few months, now is a great time to make sure that you have an age-appropriate, properly diversified plan in place. If you are dollar-cost averaging into one or more of the hot countries mentioned in this blog, the reason for staggering our purchases is so that if prices fall, we are buying at a lower price instead of losing money. It’s very important to work on our emotional intelligence when it comes to investing, so that our emotions work with, rather than against, us. Are you aware that the hot funds we've been featuring in our sample pie charts and retreats performed at the top of Wall Street in 2025? Silver tripled. Peru (copper) was on fire with over 100% gains. Even clean energy scored 55%... Why not treat yourself to the gift of financial freedom to create a New Year, New Me in 2026? Register now to join us at our online Financial Freedom Retreat April 24-26, 2026 where you'll learn how to protect your wealth, save thousands annually in your budget, invest in hot industries like AI, gold, crypto and more, and how to be in the best seat during our volatile Debt World. Register with friends and family to receive the best price. (Ask for access to a recording of our Real Estate, Bond or Rebalancing masterclass as our gift to you.) Email [email protected] to learn more and register now. If you'd like a life-changing adventure of a lifetime, be our guest at a royal manor house in Cornwall, England, March 12-19, 2027. (With just eight rooms available, this exclusive, private, bucket-list adventure sells out a year in advance!) Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] to learn more. The 2025 Restormel Retreat was a magical and royal experience. Click to learn more. Request testimonials at [email protected]. You can also view some on the flyer page of the retreat. Learn how to: * Invest in hot industries, such as cryptocurrency, Nvidia, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing, * Save thousands annually with smarter big-ticket choices * Hedge against a weaker dollar, * Invest and compound your gains, * Green your retirement plan, * Easy and efficacious nest egg strategies, * Get hot and diversified (including in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and crypto), * Evaluate stocks, * Avoid capital gains and financial predators, * Keep an age-appropriate amount safe, and, * Know what's safe in a Debt World. Yes, it's a complete money makeover. Email [email protected] or call 310-430-2397 to learn more and register. Learn the 15+ things you'll master and read testimonials in the flyer on the home page at NataliePace.com. "Ten minutes into the first day I was already much smarter about investing than I ever thought I would be in my life and I knew I was in exactly the right place at this retreat. I am amazed at how EASY and FUN it is to make my money work for me and those I love. I think this kind of information should be compulsory in schools. I wish I'd learned this sooner." CM "Many people, including educated men and women, often get into trouble when they neglect to follow simple and fundamental rules of the type provided [by Natalie]. This is why I recommend them with enthusiasm." Professor Gary S. Becker. Dr. Becker won the 1992 Nobel Prize in economics for his theories on human capital "College students need this information before they get their first credit card. Young adults need it before they buy their first home. Empty nesters can use the information to downsize to a sustainable lifestyle, before they get into trouble." Joe Moglia, former Chairman & CEO, TD AMERITRADE. If you’d like an unbiased 2nd opinion on your current wealth plan, email [email protected] for pricing and information.  Click through to the flyer to learn more. Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] for pricing, additional information and to register. Register with friends and family to receive the best price. Teens and college students can attend for just $99.  Join us for our Restormel Royal Immersive Adventure Retreat. Spring Equinox 2027. Email [email protected] to learn more. Click for testimonials, pricing, hours & details. Register now to receive the best price, the best room and four private, prosperity coaching sessions. There are only 6 rooms available. This retreat includes an all-access pass to all of our online training for a full year for two. Considering the perks, you're receiving a 65% discount to learn the life math that we all should have received in high school, and the room is free! Email [email protected] to learn more. The best rooms at the 2025 retreat were sold out in 2024! Yes, it's a great idea to register and start transforming our lives now.  Natalie Wynne Pace is an Advocate for Sustainability Financial Literacy & Women's Empowerment. Natalie is the bestselling author of The ABCs of Money (6th edition) and The Power of 8 Billion: It's Up to Us, and is the co-creator of the Earth Gratitude Project. She has been ranked as a No. 1 stock picker, above over 835 A-list pundits, by an independent tracking agency (TipsTraders). Her book The ABCs of Money remained at or near the #1 Investing Basics e-book on Amazon for over 3 years (in its vertical), with over 120,000 downloads and a mean 5-star ranking. The 6th edition of The ABCs of Money and the 2nd edition of The ABCs of Money for College are the most recent releases of these books. Follow her on Instagram. Natalie Pace's easy as a pie chart nest egg strategies earned gains in the last two recessions and have outperformed the bull markets in between. That is why her Investor Educational Retreats, books and private coaching are enthusiastically recommended by Nobel Prize winning economist Gary S. Becker, TD AMERITRADE chairman Joe Moglia, Kay Koplovitz and many Main Street investors who have transformed their lives using her Thrive Budget and investing strategies. Click to view a video testimonial from Nilo Bolden. Check out Natalie Pace's Substack podcast and watch videoconferences and webinars on Youtube. Other Blogs of Interest Oil Prices Soar. Stocks Sink. 15 Rules of the Rich. The Venus Fly Trap of High-Yield and Private Credit Funds. AI Says There is a 70% Chance of a Correction in 2026. Learn why. Investors Sell Magnificent 7 for Chevron and Caterpillar. (Is this a good idea?) 6 Rules to Earn Tens of Thousands with Low Risk. 2026 Investor IQ Test. Answers to the 2026 Investor IQ Test. Finding Harmony: A King's Vision. Half a Century of Sustainability Leadership. Silver and Gold's Very Bad Day. Why are Mortgage Rates so High? The War Over Warner Bros. Is an EV Winter Coming? Copper and Peru are Hot, Hot, Hot. 2026 Rebalancing IQ Test. Answers to the 2026 Rebalancing IQ Test. 2026 Crystal Ball. Is the AI Bubble About to Pop? A+ 2025 Performance Report Card with Bragging Rights. The 6 Rs of a Sustainable Holiday. Are We Headed for Another Crypto Winter? Will the World Cup Save the Travel Industry? Save Thousands Annually on Health Insurance and Medical Care. The S&P500 Has Doubled Over the Last 5 Years. Which Industries Performed Best? Bank Stress. Loan Fraud. Auto & Airline Bankruptcies. Augurs of a Recession? 2026 Bonds and Fixed Income Without Paper Losses Strategy Magnificent 7 Update. On Fire. Expensive. Crypto. Copper. Silver. Gold. More Magnificent than the Magnificent 7. Stablecoins. Should You Invest? Clean Energy. Solar Generation is On Fire. HHS Cuts MRNA Research. Weight Loss Drugs Soar. Are You Paying Thousands to Lose Money? Coke & Pepsi Suffer From Poor Fiscal Health. Crypto Goes Mainstream. The Genius Act Becomes Law. Wealth Hacks: Are You Getting Killed in Capital Gains Taxes? Our Super Performing Hots and Value Replacements. Is Your Income Strategy Losing Money? Gold and Silver Soar. Get Safe & Hot in 1 Easy Plan. Home Prices Soften. Is Your City Next? Tesla Vision vs. Waymo LiDAR and Air Taxis. Are Any of Them Safe? Archer Aviation is Chosen to be the Exclusive Air Taxi Service for the 2028 L.A. Olympics. Company of the Year? USA Downgraded. Is U.S. Reserve Currency Status Threatened? Utilities: In the Eye of the Natural Disaster Storms. Aging Mom Doesn't Want to Discuss Dilapidated House. Investors Ask Natalie. Tesla, Tariffs, Chinese Competition and Price Wars. Will Oil Prices Sink or Soar? Executives are Uncertain. Health Savings Accounts. Save Thousands. Get a Tax Credit. Provide for Tomorrow's Healthcare Needs. Restormel Manor House 2025. A Truly Royal and Magical Adventure. 9 Ways to Cut Your Tax Bill in Half and Save Thousands Annually. Should I Have a Money Manager? 10 Rules of Successful Investing. Indonesia: Rich in Nickel with Ambitions of Becoming an EV Battery Hub. RoboTaxis. AI. The Magnificent 7. Canadian, Australian and U.S. Banks. Are Any of Them Safe? Ireland. Rich in Technology, Biotechnology and Agribusiness. 9 Money Secrets of the Ultra Wealthy. Housing & Budgeting Solutions. Fast Fashion. Fossil Fuels. Plastic Clothing. Atacama Desert Waste Dumps. Fintechs and Brokerages that Fail are Not FDIC-Insured. Housing. Unaffordable. What Works? Case studies and creative solutions. The Underperforming DJIA, Full of Fossil Fuels and Forever Chemicals. 13 Lifestyle Choices to Reduce Waste, Pollution & CO2 & Save a Boatload of Dough. 11-Point Green Checklist for Schools. 10 Wealth Secrets of Billionaires and Royals. Fiat. Crypto. Gold. BRICS. Real Estate. Alternative Investments. BRICS Currency. Will the Dollar Become Extinct? Is Your FDIC-Insured Cash Really Safe? Money Market Funds, FDIC, SIPC: Are Any of Them Safe? Important Disclaimers Please note: Natalie Pace does not act or operate like a broker. She reports on financial news, and is one of the most trusted sources of financial literacy, education and forensic analysis in the world. Natalie Pace educates and informs individual investors to give investors a competitive edge in their personal decision-making. Any publicly-traded companies, funds or projects mentioned by Natalie Pace are not intended to be buy or sell recommendations. ALWAYS do your research and consult an experienced, reputable financial professional before buying or selling any security, and consider your long-term goals and strategies. Investors should NOT be all in on any asset class or individual stocks. Your retirement plan should reflect an age-appropriate, diversified wealth plan, which has been designed strategically, with the assistance of financial professionals who are familiar with your goals, risk tolerance, tax needs and more. The "trading" portion of your portfolio should be a very small part of your investment strategy, and the amount of money you invest into individual companies should never be greater than your experience, wisdom, knowledge, patience and diversified strategy. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, NataliePace.com does not warrant its completeness or accuracy. Opinions constitute our judgment as of the date of this publication and are subject to change without notice. This material is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument.  Graphic by MetaAI. Oil Prices Soar. Stocks Sink. The War Rages On. Oil prices are soaring. Stocks are sinking. The war rages on. How do you protect your wealth? Be sure to watch my free videoconference or listen as a podcast. Access on Youtube.com/NataliePace and https://NataliePace.Substack.com. Oil prices are skyrocketing. The Qatar minister is warning that oil prices could go as high as $150 a barrel. That could be the beginning of a very severe recession, if the war is prolonged. A brief war could see oil prices tumble back to the $58-65/barrel range. Check out the chart below, and you’ll see that recessions (the grey lines) are highly correlated with sky-high petrol prices.  Many of us forget (some of us never knew) that the last all-time high for oil was in July of 2008, right before the Financial Crisis and Great Recession. (It wasn’t officially announced until Oct. of 2008.) Since almost 70% of the US economy is made up of consumer spending, when we drain all the money in our budget out at the gas pump, we don’t have much left over for other spending. That hits companies very hard. The airline and auto manufacturing industries are usually the first to implode, and it certainly won’t help the frozen housing industry. General Motors and Chrysler declared bankruptcy in 2009. 13 airlines failed in 2008, after another spate of bankruptcies after 911. So, which companies will win and which will lose? Here are the things we’ll cover in this blog. Oil Defense Auto Manufacturers Airlines Housing Flight to Tesla and EVs? Crypto Gold/Silver What’s Your Best Strategy? And here is more information on each point. Email [email protected] if you’d like us to send you stock report cards on Airlines, Oil, Defense or Auto Manufacturers. Oil With oil prices at $90.90/barrel (WTI), after hitting a low of $57/barrel on Dec. 15, 2025, you might think a bet on Chevron or ExxonMobil is a great idea. However, there are a few macro trends to consider.
Why are oil prices rising in the US? The United States has been an annual net total energy exporter since 2019 (source: EIA.gov).  However, the U.S. still imports a lot of crude oil. When we fight a war in the Middle East, we do not use our own oil. We buy locally, from OPEC and Saudi Arabia. Understandably, the OPEC and Saudi Arabia trade deficits peaked during the wars with Afghanistan and Iraq. Since 2007, U.S. imports of crude oil have dropped dramatically. In 2020, 2023, 2024 and 2025, there was a U.S. trade surplus with Saudi Arabia (source: USTR.gov).  Oil and gas are actively traded around the world. So, when the price of oil in Europe rises (Brent), so will oil and gas prices in the U.S. (WTI). Defense Defense companies are in favor, with many of the well-known companies setting new 5-year highs recently, including Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Elbit Systems. RTX Corp. and Huntington Ingalls. If the current conflict becomes a protracted war, then the companies might support the high price-earnings ratios of their stock. If the fighting ceases, will there be enough investor support to keep elevated prices from falling? Additionally, war means high oil prices, which could spark a recession. Be careful buying high. If you got into defense before 2026, then you might be quite happy with that call. Capturing gains at an all-time high could make you even happier. The defense industry tends to have slow growth, low profit margins, high debt and low credit ratings. Northrop Grumman, RTX Corp., Textron, Huntington Ingalls and Boeing are all rated in the BBB range – at the lowest rung of investment grade. Auto Manufacturers Auto manufacturers were already showing signs of stress – before the War in Iran. Stellantis and Ford Motor Co. lost billions in 2025, as the EV price wars heated up – -$8.2 billion for Ford and an eyepopping -$26.3 billion for Stellantis. Tesla’s net profit was $7 billion – less than half of what the company made in 2023. One more point: a lot of investors are chasing income and high-yield. Stellantis had a yield of 7.20% before the dividend was suspended on Feb. 6, 2026. A gap down in share price occurs concurrently (before you can sell). Stellantis investors have lost almost -40% since January. They will lose even more if the company is downgraded to junk. (Stellantis has a BBB- credit rating with a negative outlook.) Investors who are employing our safe strategies are earning a market yield with no paper losses. We spend one full day discussing this at our Financial Freedom Retreats. I also cover this in my private coaching. Email [email protected] to learn more. Airlines On Feb. 10, 2026, the Energy Information Administration issued their short-term energy outlook, projecting that oil prices would “decline in 2026, as global oil production exceeds global oil demand, causing oil inventories to rise. Global inventories continue increasing into 2027. We forecast the Brent crude oil price will average $58 per barrel (b) in 2026 and $53/b in 2027.” It’s understandable that airlines are not hedging their fuel costs. If the War in Iran is over quickly, that will be a good bet. If not, the results could be disastrous. Airlines are another industry with squeezed profit margins, massive debt and leverage and low credit quality. Some airlines, including United, Alaska, American and JetBlue are in the junk bond category. Housing As you can see in the performance chart below, real estate was one of the worst sectors in 2025.  Unaffordability remains a challenge, as you can see in the ATTOMDATA chart below. (Click to access their full blog.)  When housing costs take up too much of the budget, would-be home buyers can’t qualify for a mortgage. Could the best opportunity be lying in plain sight? We’re happy to offer access to the Real Estate masterclass recording to anyone who registers for the Financial Freedom Retreat. (Just request this with your registration.) Email [email protected] to learn more. Commercial real estate remains one of the most vulnerable areas of the economy, negatively impacting banks, insurance companies, pensions and other long-term investors. Flight to Tesla and EVs? Ford and Stellantis have lost billions trying to compete in the electric vehicle market, which is dominated by Chinese EV makers. China is the biggest EV market in the world. Both companies announced that they would shift away from a focus on EVs to “consumer demand.” However, the last time that oil and gas prices jumped, consumers raced to energy efficiency and gas guzzlers were left in the dust. Toyota’s Prius – the 1st major hybrid in the U.S. – was named Car of the Year in 2004. By 2009, GM and Chrysler were bankrupt, and Ford only narrowly averted the same outcome. All auto manufacturers struggle in recessions. However, the preference for EVs remains strong, which gives Tesla a slight edge. Having said that, Tesla is one of the most expensive stocks on Wall Street. Should a company with only $7 billion in net profit, that is losing revenue year over year, be valued at $1.5 trillion? Crypto Bitcoin is down by almost half from its Oct. 26, 2025, high of $126,280 (-46.4%). Crypto lovers have been hoping that The Clarity Act bill would help their struggling positions to recover. However, aggressive lobbying by banks and current war have this legislation stalled out. When I named Bitcoin as the Investment of the Year in March of 2024, I also noted that if historical trends proved true, the high would be in 2025, followed by a Crypto Winter in 2026. (This prediction has proven to be prescient.) Crypto tends to plummet in recessions. In 2022, the S&P500 dropped -19.44%. Bitcoin lost -67%. For all these reasons, we encourage using crypto as a hot slice in our pie chart system, which prompts us to capture gains at the high and buy at the low.  HODL cryptophiles are preyed upon by Wall Street whales who use the capture gains strategy. Why not profit from the rules of the rich? Gold/Silver Gold and silver can be drug down in a Wall Street rout, especially in the early stages. There will come a time when the stock losses are too severe, and investors flee to safe havens. At that point, a decoupling occurs and precious metals’ investors are rewarded. In the most recent downturn (2022), silver and gold held strong. Silver was one of our super performers in 2025, tripling in value! What’s Your Best Strategy? Our best strategy in hard times is to make sure that we have an age-appropriate, properly diversified wealth plan in place, and to ensure that we know what is safe in a Debt World. Our time-proven 21st Century pie chart system earned gains in the Dot Com and Great Recession and has outperformed the bull markets in between. People in our community were emailing me with gratitude during the pandemic, knowing that their wealth was protected from the -35% drop in stocks that happened before the first COVID-19 lockdown (in California on March 19, 2025). Remember: when we wait for the headlines before taking action, we’ll always be late. Stocks are still very close to their all-time highs. A prolonged war, which means high oil prices, puts a recession on the table. It’s better to be early and prepared, rather than a day late and a dollar short. Now is the time to know exactly what we own and why, rather than having blind faith that:
 Chart by MSN.com. (c) Microsoft. Used with permission. Bottom Line It’s not too late to protect our wealth. I’m seeing a lot of headlines encouraging everyone to Buy & Hope. However, 21st Century recessions have been severe and long lasting, as you can see in the charts below. If you wait for the headline that we’re in a recession, you’ll be closer to the bottom. Selling then would be locking in losses and financial chaos or personal hardship. It’s always important to capture our gains, maintain our credit score and keep our wealth intact, and to have a time-proven wealth plan in place to achieve that goal. Wisdom is the cure. "Many people, including educated men and women, often get into trouble when they neglect to follow simple and fundamental rules of the type provided [by Natalie]. This is why I recommend them with enthusiasm." Professor Gary S. Becker. Dr. Becker won the 1992 Nobel Prize in economics for his theories on human capital
Are you aware that the hot funds we've been featuring in our sample pie charts and retreats performed at the top of Wall Street in 2025? Silver tripled. Peru (copper) was on fire with over 100% gains. Even clean energy scored 55%... Why not treat yourself to the gift of financial freedom to create a New Year, New Me in 2026? Register now to join us at our online Financial Freedom Retreat April 24-26, 2026 where you'll learn how to protect your wealth, save thousands annually in your budget, invest in hot industries like AI, gold, crypto and more, and how to be in the best seat during our volatile Debt World. Register with friends and family to receive the best price. (Ask for access to a recording of our Real Estate, Bond or Rebalancing masterclass as our gift to you.) Email [email protected] to learn more and register now. If you'd like a life-changing adventure of a lifetime, be our guest at a royal manor house in Cornwall, England, March 12-19, 2027. (With just eight rooms available, this exclusive, private, bucket-list adventure sells out a year in advance!) Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] to learn more. The 2025 Restormel Retreat was a magical and royal experience. Click to learn more. Request testimonials at [email protected]. You can also view some on the flyer page of the retreat. Learn how to: * Invest in hot industries, such as cryptocurrency, Nvidia, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing, * Save thousands annually with smarter big-ticket choices * Hedge against a weaker dollar, * Invest and compound your gains, * Green your retirement plan, * Easy and efficacious nest egg strategies, * Get hot and diversified (including in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and crypto), * Evaluate stocks, * Avoid capital gains and financial predators, * Keep an age-appropriate amount safe, and, * Know what's safe in a Debt World. Yes, it's a complete money makeover. Email [email protected] or call 310-430-2397 to learn more and register. Learn the 15+ things you'll master and read testimonials in the flyer on the home page at NataliePace.com. "Ten minutes into the first day I was already much smarter about investing than I ever thought I would be in my life and I knew I was in exactly the right place at this retreat. I am amazed at how EASY and FUN it is to make my money work for me and those I love. I think this kind of information should be compulsory in schools. I wish I'd learned this sooner." CM "Many people, including educated men and women, often get into trouble when they neglect to follow simple and fundamental rules of the type provided [by Natalie]. This is why I recommend them with enthusiasm." Professor Gary S. Becker. Dr. Becker won the 1992 Nobel Prize in economics for his theories on human capital "College students need this information before they get their first credit card. Young adults need it before they buy their first home. Empty nesters can use the information to downsize to a sustainable lifestyle, before they get into trouble." Joe Moglia, former Chairman & CEO, TD AMERITRADE. If you’d like an unbiased 2nd opinion on your current wealth plan, email [email protected] for pricing and information.  Click through to the flyer to learn more. Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] for pricing, additional information and to register. Register with friends and family to receive the best price. Teens and college students can attend for just $99.  Join us for our Restormel Royal Immersive Adventure Retreat. Spring Equinox 2027. Email [email protected] to learn more. Click for testimonials, pricing, hours & details. Register now to receive the best price, the best room and four private, prosperity coaching sessions. There are only 6 rooms available. This retreat includes an all-access pass to all of our online training for a full year for two. Considering the perks, you're receiving a 65% discount to learn the life math that we all should have received in high school, and the room is free! Email [email protected] to learn more. The best rooms at the 2025 retreat were sold out in 2024! Yes, it's a great idea to register and start transforming our lives now. Natalie Wynne Pace is an Advocate for Sustainability Financial Literacy & Women's Empowerment. Natalie is the bestselling author of The ABCs of Money (6th edition) and The Power of 8 Billion: It's Up to Us, and is the co-creator of the Earth Gratitude Project. She has been ranked as a No. 1 stock picker, above over 835 A-list pundits, by an independent tracking agency (TipsTraders). Her book The ABCs of Money remained at or near the #1 Investing Basics e-book on Amazon for over 3 years (in its vertical), with over 120,000 downloads and a mean 5-star ranking. The 6th edition of The ABCs of Money and the 2nd edition of The ABCs of Money for College are the most recent releases of these books. Follow her on Instagram. Natalie Pace's easy as a pie chart nest egg strategies earned gains in the last two recessions and have outperformed the bull markets in between. That is why her Investor Educational Retreats, books and private coaching are enthusiastically recommended by Nobel Prize winning economist Gary S. Becker, TD AMERITRADE chairman Joe Moglia, Kay Koplovitz and many Main Street investors who have transformed their lives using her Thrive Budget and investing strategies. Click to view a video testimonial from Nilo Bolden. Check out Natalie Pace's Substack podcast and watch videoconferences and webinars on Youtube. Other Blogs of Interest 15 Rules of the Rich. The Venus Fly Trap of High-Yield and Private Credit Funds. AI Says There is a 70% Chance of a Correction in 2026. Learn why. Investors Sell Magnificent 7 for Chevron and Caterpillar. (Is this a good idea?) 6 Rules to Earn Tens of Thousands with Low Risk. 2026 Investor IQ Test. Answers to the 2026 Investor IQ Test. Finding Harmony: A King's Vision. Half a Century of Sustainability Leadership. Silver and Gold's Very Bad Day. Why are Mortgage Rates so High? The War Over Warner Bros. Is an EV Winter Coming? Copper and Peru are Hot, Hot, Hot. 2026 Rebalancing IQ Test. Answers to the 2026 Rebalancing IQ Test. 2026 Crystal Ball. Is the AI Bubble About to Pop? A+ 2025 Performance Report Card with Bragging Rights. The 6 Rs of a Sustainable Holiday. Are We Headed for Another Crypto Winter? Will the World Cup Save the Travel Industry? Save Thousands Annually on Health Insurance and Medical Care. The S&P500 Has Doubled Over the Last 5 Years. Which Industries Performed Best? Bank Stress. Loan Fraud. Auto & Airline Bankruptcies. Augurs of a Recession? 2026 Bonds and Fixed Income Without Paper Losses Strategy Magnificent 7 Update. On Fire. Expensive. Crypto. Copper. Silver. Gold. More Magnificent than the Magnificent 7. Stablecoins. Should You Invest? Clean Energy. Solar Generation is On Fire. HHS Cuts MRNA Research. Weight Loss Drugs Soar. Are You Paying Thousands to Lose Money? Coke & Pepsi Suffer From Poor Fiscal Health. Crypto Goes Mainstream. The Genius Act Becomes Law. Wealth Hacks: Are You Getting Killed in Capital Gains Taxes? Our Super Performing Hots and Value Replacements. Is Your Income Strategy Losing Money? Gold and Silver Soar. Get Safe & Hot in 1 Easy Plan. Home Prices Soften. Is Your City Next? Tesla Vision vs. Waymo LiDAR and Air Taxis. Are Any of Them Safe? Archer Aviation is Chosen to be the Exclusive Air Taxi Service for the 2028 L.A. Olympics. Company of the Year? USA Downgraded. Is U.S. Reserve Currency Status Threatened? Utilities: In the Eye of the Natural Disaster Storms. Aging Mom Doesn't Want to Discuss Dilapidated House. Investors Ask Natalie. Tesla, Tariffs, Chinese Competition and Price Wars. Will Oil Prices Sink or Soar? Executives are Uncertain. Health Savings Accounts. Save Thousands. Get a Tax Credit. Provide for Tomorrow's Healthcare Needs. Restormel Manor House 2025. A Truly Royal and Magical Adventure. 9 Ways to Cut Your Tax Bill in Half and Save Thousands Annually. Should I Have a Money Manager? 10 Rules of Successful Investing. Indonesia: Rich in Nickel with Ambitions of Becoming an EV Battery Hub. RoboTaxis. AI. The Magnificent 7. Canadian, Australian and U.S. Banks. Are Any of Them Safe? Ireland. Rich in Technology, Biotechnology and Agribusiness. 9 Money Secrets of the Ultra Wealthy. Housing & Budgeting Solutions. Fast Fashion. Fossil Fuels. Plastic Clothing. Atacama Desert Waste Dumps. Fintechs and Brokerages that Fail are Not FDIC-Insured. Housing. Unaffordable. What Works? Case studies and creative solutions. The Underperforming DJIA, Full of Fossil Fuels and Forever Chemicals. 13 Lifestyle Choices to Reduce Waste, Pollution & CO2 & Save a Boatload of Dough. 11-Point Green Checklist for Schools. 10 Wealth Secrets of Billionaires and Royals. Fiat. Crypto. Gold. BRICS. Real Estate. Alternative Investments. BRICS Currency. Will the Dollar Become Extinct? Is Your FDIC-Insured Cash Really Safe? Money Market Funds, FDIC, SIPC: Are Any of Them Safe? Important Disclaimers Please note: Natalie Pace does not act or operate like a broker. She reports on financial news, and is one of the most trusted sources of financial literacy, education and forensic analysis in the world. Natalie Pace educates and informs individual investors to give investors a competitive edge in their personal decision-making. Any publicly-traded companies, funds or projects mentioned by Natalie Pace are not intended to be buy or sell recommendations. ALWAYS do your research and consult an experienced, reputable financial professional before buying or selling any security, and consider your long-term goals and strategies. Investors should NOT be all in on any asset class or individual stocks. Your retirement plan should reflect an age-appropriate, diversified wealth plan, which has been designed strategically, with the assistance of financial professionals who are familiar with your goals, risk tolerance, tax needs and more. The "trading" portion of your portfolio should be a very small part of your investment strategy, and the amount of money you invest into individual companies should never be greater than your experience, wisdom, knowledge, patience and diversified strategy. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, NataliePace.com does not warrant its completeness or accuracy. Opinions constitute our judgment as of the date of this publication and are subject to change without notice. This material is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument.  Natalie Pace, H.M. Queen Diambi, Terri Quenzer and Gayle Gladstone at Watergate Bay Inn, Newquay, Cornwall, England. (left to right). March 2025. 15 Wealth Rules of the Rich. Worried? Hopeful? Skeptical? Complacent? Confident? Don’t boast, guess or worry about your future and financial plan. Instead, employ the time-proven tricks of the rich. There are solutions to housing, budgeting, debt and investing challenges. Having blind faith that somebody else is protecting our wealth and future or trusting that our “pre-tax” retirement or insurance plan are the keys to the kingdom, have proven to be a fool’s journey time and again. History is filled with examples of frauds—from Ponzi schemes to corporate collapses—that thrived on the unquestioning trust of investors, demonstrating that outsourcing financial management without oversight is a high-risk endeavor. We must be the boss of our money – the CEO – understanding that all our “financial advisors” (most are salesmen) work for us. Wealth by design with a solid foundation of wisdom will become a launchpad for the life of our dreams. This isn’t difficult. It’s the life math that we all should have received in high school. Once we learn and employ it, our relationship with money, prosperity and abundance transforms immediately and forever. Here’s a List of 15 Wealth Rules of the Rich. 1. Free Money in the 401(k) 2. Health Savings Accounts 3. Max Out Our Contributions to the Roth IRA 4. Save Thousands Annually with the Thrive Budget 5. Avoid Capital Gains Taxes 6. Dependent IRA and College Savings Plans 7. 1-3 Times a Year Rebalancing 8. Earn $10,000+ Annually and Safely on Cash 9. An Age-Appropriate, Properly Diversified Wealth Plan 10. Affordable Housing Solutions 11. Legacy Planning the Right Way 12. Preparing for Retirement 13. No Fancy Schemes, FUD or HODL 14. Embrace the Wisdom of Past Mistakes 15. The Rule of 72 A lot goes into building a financial house, just as a great deal of time, wisdom, personalization, best practices, creativity, and love go into building the home we build and live in. However, when all that magic comes together, we then have a solid structure that protects us from economic storms and becomes a sanctuary for our dreams. So, construct your financial house right using 21st Century, time-proven strategies and the legal strategies that are employed by those who amass and retain wealth over the centuries. Once we move into this well-designed plan, we’ll just need to Spring Clean 1-3 times a year. Here is more information on each point. 1. Free Money in the 401(k) You might have heard about paying yourself first, and you’ve likely been encouraged to put pre-tax dollars into your employer-sponsored retirement plan. If the employer is matching, then you’re also getting bonus money. So, it’s a great idea to contribute up to the employer match. However, the downside of 401(k)s and RSPs are that they have limited choices, the money is taxed when you start withdrawing and you might be paying through the nose for health insurance. In other words, while 10% of our income should be contributed to our future (pay yourself 1st!), not all of it should go in the employer-sponsored plan. 2. Health Savings Accounts Health insurance is one of the biggest costs in our budget, with many Americans spending thousands or even tens of thousands annually on premiums. Health Savings Accounts offer many benefits, including savings of thousands annually on the cost of health insurance, an annual tax deduction, tax-free capital gains, tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses, and the ability to have the best long-term healthcare plan for our retirement. Learn more in my HSA blog, and in The ABCs of Money, 6th edition. What will you do with the thousands you save every year? 3. Max Out Our Contributions to the Roth IRA It’s important to max out your contribution to your Roth IRA every year, starting as soon as you can (with your 1st job, even as a teen). Here is where you want to invest in hot industries to add performance to your wealth plan. The hot slices in our sample pie charts (which we update at each Financial Freedom Retreat) are far outperforming the S&P500. In 2025, the silver fund tripled, the Peru fund doubled, clean energy posted gains of 55% and the Magnificent 7 were responsible for most of the gains on Wall Street (but performed far under the other three hots mentioned). Peter Thiel reportedly has $5 billion in his Roth IRA. He didn’t pay any capital gains on the stock in the startups that he invested in the Roth, including Paypal and Facebook, and he will not have to pay income tax when he withdraws (unless the laws change). 4. Save Thousands Annually with the Thrive Budget Housing is unaffordable. We’ve heard about the K-Shaped (or E-Shaped) economy. Cutting out café lattes and avocado toast won’t do the trick, though we can save thousands if we get a handle on our GrubHub and Starbucks addictions. We must get creative about the big-ticket items and stop making billionaires rich at our own expense. If your rent or mortgage is $1,500/month, that’s $18,000/year. If your medical insurance is $500/month, that’s another $6,000. Most people spend $12,000 or more on their single-occupancy vehicle. Utilities (electricity, water, gas, Internet, sewer and trash) can be another $6,000 or more. That’s a total of more than $42,000 – not including food. Here is where the magic lies. What if we could cut that in half with more informed big-ticket choices, and have over $20,000 in our budget to spend on things we like more than the gasoline station? The goal of every corporation in America is to sell us something that we have to use every single day. Or at least weekly. Gasoline. Toilet paper. More storage on our phones. Life insurance. Subscriptions are leeches that are attached to our budget. Some suck away our money slowly and steadily, while others are big drains. It’s time to stop making billionaires rich at our own expense. The more money that we can keep from flying out the window, the more wealth we will have for a richer life with our family. This is important at every stage of our life, including:
There are Debt, Real Estate, and Thrive Budget sections in The ABCs of Money, 6th edition. You can also learn more in my Mortgage Rates blog. 5. Avoid Capital Gains Taxes A lot of retail investors and even millionaires with managed plans buy and sell in a standard brokerage account. Invest in a tax-protected retirement account, and you’ll be spared the capital gains taxes. This is yet another reason why it is important to max out our Roth IRA and Health Savings Account and contribute up to the match in our employer-sponsored retirement plan. That way a decision to capture gains can be based upon staying diversified and assessing the opportunity, not hanging on so you don’t have to pay taxes for selling. With the SEC approving Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, we can even protect our Bitcoin and Ethereum profit-taking from taxes. Each account we have plays a different role. All of them together add up to our liquid assets pie chart. 6. Dependent IRA and College Savings Plans We can start contributing to a college savings plan when our child is born. A dependent Roth IRA can be set up once our teen is working. If the college plan turns out to be a trade or you don’t need to use all the funds, then up to $35,000 of the college fund can be rolled over into a dependent Roth IRA. Be aware of the IRS.gov rules and be sure to dot all the Is and cross all the Ts. To play it safe, consider the benefits of contributing to the dependent IRA once your teen is working. The Roth IRA can be used for college expenses or as a down payment on a house without a penalty (subject to limits). There is a lot more flexibility in this plan. Learn more in the 2nd edition of The ABCs of Money for College. Parents should read this book when their kids are born. There are also strategies for working adults who wonder if they should get an advanced degree, and for students who would be better served with a trade than with a university diploma. 7. 1-3 Times a Year Rebalancing As we get closer to retirement, we can’t afford to have all our wealth riding on the Wall Street rollercoaster. To maintain an age-appropriate, properly diversified wealth plan, it is important to rebalance 1-3 times a year. This is also a “capture gains” strategy. With our pie chart system, we are prompted to do what we should be doing (capturing gains at the high and buying more low). This plan also takes the emotions out of it. You can personalize your own sample pie chart using our free web app. Email [email protected] for the links. We devote one full day at the Financial Freedom Retreat educating you on what an age-appropriate, diversified and hot plan looks like and why rebalancing 1-3 times a year is essential. 8. Earn $10,000+ Annually and Safely on Cash 3.5% interest on $1,000,000 is $35,000 a year. $500,000 can earn an extra $17,500 annually, while even $100,000 can earn $3,500. So, it’s very important to make sure that our cash is working for us safely, without paper losses. Learn more in my 6 Rules to Earn Thousands Without Paper Losses blog. We spend one full day on What’s Safe at our Financial Freedom Retreat. 9. An Age-Appropriate, Properly Diversified Wealth Plan What is an age-appropriate, properly diversified wealth plan? Learn more in my Investor IQ and Rebalancing IQ tests and the meme below. The 10 Rules of Investing are the foundation of our time-proven, 21st Century wealth plan, which protects wealth in recessions and outperforms the bull markets in between.  10. Affordable Housing Solutions There is an entire section on Real Estate in The ABCs of Money, 6th edition. The book includes a 10-point checklist for homebuyers. The Thrive Budget also offers creative solutions for unaffordable housing. For some, the solution is hiding in plain sight. Check out my Aging Mom Doesn’t Want to Discuss Her Dilapidated House blog for details. I typically host a Real Estate masterclass each year. If you’d like access to the most recent class recording, request that with your registration of our Financial Freedom Retreat. Email [email protected] for additional information and to register. 11. Legacy Planning the Right Way It’s understandable in a democracy like America that parents just will an estate to the kids and let the kids sort everything out. However, is that the best strategy? Is there a beneficiary who would benefit best from owning the family home, while another, perhaps a homeowner in another city, might appreciate inheriting the IRA? Should an income-producing asset be put in an LLC? Which relative would be the most responsible managing member? Who should have decision-making authority? Additionally, do we really have to wait until we pass away to give our kids something? Or would we all be better served by willing the estate slowly and steadily, so that all generations benefit from the wealth, while also learning how to be better stewards of the assets. Families that keep wealth for centuries teach their kids about passive income, community, wealth and investing starting from a very young age. Families that don’t do this typically lose the wealth within a few generations. It’s not just a matter of putting things in a trust or inheriting a million dollars from an insurance policy. Most people who land a windfall lose it in just a few years. A training and wealth transfer plan now that educates and supports the next generation will ensure that the wealth we have worked so hard to create doesn’t get blown in a few years, as can easily happen with uneducated trust fund babies who have no guidance or oversight. 12. Preparing for Retirement When you ask your financial advisor or AI about retirement planning, you might be given a series of questions and then offered a lot of fancy charts telling you about various investment strategies. The simple truth about retirement is that you’ll have less income and will need to find ways to have the same lifestyle with less money and more medical expenses. While amassing wealth through passive income is essential (I’ve outlined many of the wealth hacks above and in our Financial Freedom Retreat), so is understanding how to stop making billionaires rich. We’ve also discussed many of ways to save on the big-ticket bills above. For instance, if you set up an HSA at your 1st job, max it out every year and then start investing in it, you should have enough money for the biggest expense in retirement – health care costs, which could be $172,500/person or more. Health costs are the biggest reason for bankruptcy in retirement. If you have more than you need, after the age of 65, the HSA acts like a retirement account and can be willed to another family member. Getting an HSA with our 1st job could also save us thousands annually, which means we might own our home free and clear by the time we retire – if we’ve used the medical insurance savings to build equity. If our mortgage is paid off, then we’ve dramatically lowered our housing costs – worth tens of thousands of dollars each year. At the Financial Freedom Retreat and in my private coaching, we talk about getting rid of as many bills as possible before retirement, offering many solutions that are rarely a part of the retirement conversation. There are many ways to spend less without a change in lifestyle, if we’re mindful and creative. As one example, recently a couple who is close to retirement had to redo all the plumbing in their 50-year-old home. Since they have a pool, it could make sense for them to consider gray water plumbing, where their shower and sink water can be filtered and disinfected and used to fill up their pool and jacuzzi. Grey water might also be used to water the plants. (Check with your local authorities on the rules.) This would dramatically lower their water bill. I’ll be offering a Preparing for Retirement (with your 1st job or playing catch-up if you’re close) masterclass on June 13, 2026. Email [email protected] for pricing and information. 13. No Fancy Schemes, FUD or HODL Sure-shot investing strategies, email investing campaigns, hot tips, FUD and HODL have a lot in common. They are some of the easiest ways that we are taken in. Whales are always the ones to buy low and sell high. Why don’t more retail investors adopt this well-worn Wall Street maxim? Buying low and selling high is the opposite of what our emotions tell us to do. Also, most people don’t buy low because they can’t. They lose too much in corrections and recessions and have no liquidity, combined with a lousy credit score. Adopting an age-appropriate, properly diversified plan might sound blasé. However, it’s quite fun when your silver triples, your Peru fund doubles and your clean energy fund takes in 55% gains (double the Magnificent 7). Learn the Top Investing Mistakes in my book, Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is, 2nd edition. 14. Embrace the Wisdom of Past Mistakes Thinking about the past is useful if we use the wisdom to inform better choices. However, we don’t want to wallow in or rue our mistakes. No one bats a thousand. Whether you lost on cannabis or plant-based protein, got caught upside down on your mortgage during the Great Recession or have taken on too much credit card debt, let those lessons be the spark that lights the fire of desire to employ systems that work. Those solutions are rarely found in the mainstream. If you chase headlines, you’ll always be late. There are also conflicts of interest, commissions, outright fraud and scams, and recessions to navigate in the never-ending financial noise. Don’t drown in regret, swim in the sea of complacency, crow about performance, reach for yield or pray for a Hail Mary. High-performing Wall Street whales have a saying, “Stick to your knitting.” Once you find a time-proven, 21st Century plan that works in bull and bear markets (like ours does), just stick to it. Other Wall Street aphorisms? Never confuse a bull market with wisdom. Bulls make money. Bears make money. Pigs get slaughtered. 15. The Rule of 72 You will double your money in 7.2 years if you are achieving a 10% annualized return. The S&P 500 has scored 23.01% annualized over the past three years meaning that you would’ve cut that time in half, doubling your money in 3.3 years. If you weren’t invested in large cap growth and had a lot of bonds, your annualized return could have been under 6% or less (12 years to double your money). Many annuities offer a rate at 2% or less (36 years). The formula is 72 / (annualized rate of return).  This is why it is VERY important to know exactly what you own and why, how much you are paying in fees and what the rate of return is. Some people, especially conservative investors, are paying $5,000-$15,000 per million per year to their financial advisor and losing money at a time when the S&P500 was on fire. In 2022, long-term government bonds lost more than stocks. Paper losses are far more problematic than investors are being told.  Below are a few more prosperity and abundance tools we teach at our Financial Freedom Retreat. * What’s Hot and how to invest in industries and companies with interstellar upside safely * How to avoid capital gains taxes on crypto, AI and other hot industries that are shooting the moon * Easy-as-a-Pie-Chart Nest Egg Strategies that earned gains in the Dot Com and Great Recessions and outperformed the bull markets in between * The life math that we all should have received in high school and college * Safe, income-producing assets. Bonds are tricky, but, done right, can be beneficial. There are many other areas of opportunity, as well * How to protect your wealth, earn money while you sleep, put your money where your heart is, and profit, while healing the planet * Why ESG investing is false advertising & how your money is being used to promote some of the things that you picket * Why regular rebalancing is essential in the 21st Century, and how the pie chart system is a buy low, sell high financial plan on autopilot * Why Target Retirement Date Funds lag the S&P500, are vulnerable to losing half or more in recessions, and what you can do about it * How a time-proven 21st-Century plan differs from Buy & Hope * How to protect your wealth from stock market volatility and bond market illiquidity * The hottest industries and countries in the world * Life Hacks and how to manage FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt) * Performance enhancing strategies, including industries that can go up when stocks go down * How to get a higher yield and less risk with country diversification * Why Buy & Hope is a last-century strategy that doesn't work in today's world Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] to learn more and to register now. (We're happy to answer any questions you have. There is never any pressure to register.) Bottom Line Have you learned a lot in this lengthy blog that only took 7-10 minutes to read? Imagine what you can learn over the course of three days at our online Financial Freedom Retreat! Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] now to learn more and register. Why not adopt the wealth strategies that patricians use to keep their assets in the family for centuries? It’s not more time-consuming or difficult. It simply requires learning the life math that we all should have received in high school, while adopting a well-designed, time-proven plan instead of following the rote leech-filled, bill-paying life that is carved out for us by billionaires who profit from our complacency and naivete. Are you aware that the hot funds we've been featuring in our sample pie charts and retreats performed at the top of Wall Street in 2025? Silver tripled. Peru (copper) was on fire with over 100% gains. Even clean energy scored 55%... Why not treat yourself to the gift of financial freedom to create a New Year, New Me in 2026? Register now to join us at our online Financial Freedom Retreat April 24-26, 2026 where you'll learn how to protect your wealth, save thousands annually in your budget, invest in hot industries like AI, gold, crypto and more, and how to be in the best seat during our volatile Debt World. Register by Feb. 28, 2025 to receive the best price. (Ask for access to a recording of our Bond or Rebalancing masterclass as our gift to you, when you register by Valentine's Day.) Email [email protected] to learn more and register now. If you'd like a life-changing adventure of a lifetime, be our guest at a royal manor house in Cornwall, England, March 12-19, 2027. (With just eight rooms available, this exclusive, private, bucket-list adventure sells out a year in advance!) Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] to learn more. The 2025 Restormel Retreat was a magical and royal experience. Click to learn more. Request testimonials at [email protected]. You can also view some on the flyer page of the retreat. Learn how to: * Invest in hot industries, such as cryptocurrency, Nvidia, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing, * Save thousands annually with smarter big-ticket choices * Hedge against a weaker dollar, * Invest and compound your gains, * Green your retirement plan, * Easy and efficacious nest egg strategies, * Get hot and diversified (including in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and crypto), * Evaluate stocks, * Avoid capital gains and financial predators, * Keep an age-appropriate amount safe, and, * Know what's safe in a Debt World. Yes, it's a complete money makeover. Email [email protected] or call 310-430-2397 to learn more and register. Learn the 15+ things you'll master and read testimonials in the flyer on the home page at NataliePace.com. "Ten minutes into the first day I was already much smarter about investing than I ever thought I would be in my life and I knew I was in exactly the right place at this retreat. I am amazed at how EASY and FUN it is to make my money work for me and those I love. I think this kind of information should be compulsory in schools. I wish I'd learned this sooner." CM "Many people, including educated men and women, often get into trouble when they neglect to follow simple and fundamental rules of the type provided [by Natalie]. This is why I recommend them with enthusiasm." Professor Gary S. Becker. Dr. Becker won the 1992 Nobel Prize in economics for his theories on human capital "College students need this information before they get their first credit card. Young adults need it before they buy their first home. Empty nesters can use the information to downsize to a sustainable lifestyle, before they get into trouble." Joe Moglia, former Chairman & CEO, TD AMERITRADE. If you’d like an unbiased 2nd opinion on your current wealth plan, email [email protected] for pricing and information.  Click through to the flyer to learn more. Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] for pricing, additional information and to register. Register with friends and family to receive the best price. Teens and college students can attend for just $99.  Join us for our Restormel Royal Immersive Adventure Retreat. Spring Equinox 2027. Email [email protected] to learn more. Click for testimonials, pricing, hours & details. Register now to receive the best price, the best room and four private, prosperity coaching sessions. There are only 6 rooms available. This retreat includes an all-access pass to all of our online training for a full year for two. Considering the perks, you're receiving a 65% discount to learn the life math that we all should have received in high school, and the room is free! Email [email protected] to learn more. The best rooms at the 2025 retreat were sold out in 2024! Yes, it's a great idea to register and start transforming our lives now.  Photo of Natalie Pace by Brian McLernon. Natalie Wynne Pace is an Advocate for Sustainability Financial Literacy & Women's Empowerment. Natalie is the bestselling author of The ABCs of Money (6th edition) and The Power of 8 Billion: It's Up to Us, and is the co-creator of the Earth Gratitude Project. She has been ranked as a No. 1 stock picker, above over 835 A-list pundits, by an independent tracking agency (TipsTraders). Her book The ABCs of Money remained at or near the #1 Investing Basics e-book on Amazon for over 3 years (in its vertical), with over 120,000 downloads and a mean 5-star ranking. The 6th edition of The ABCs of Money and the 2nd edition of The ABCs of Money for College are the most recent releases of these books. Follow her on Instagram. Natalie Pace's easy as a pie chart nest egg strategies earned gains in the last two recessions and have outperformed the bull markets in between. That is why her Investor Educational Retreats, books and private coaching are enthusiastically recommended by Nobel Prize winning economist Gary S. Becker, TD AMERITRADE chairman Joe Moglia, Kay Koplovitz and many Main Street investors who have transformed their lives using her Thrive Budget and investing strategies. Click to view a video testimonial from Nilo Bolden. Check out Natalie Pace's Substack podcast and watch videoconferences and webinars on Youtube. Other Blogs of Interest The Venus Fly Trap of High-Yield and Private Credit Funds. AI Says There is a 70% Chance of a Correction in 2026. Learn why. Investors Sell Magnificent 7 for Chevron and Caterpillar. (Is this a good idea?) 6 Rules to Earn Tens of Thousands with Low Risk. 2026 Investor IQ Test. Answers to the 2026 Investor IQ Test. Finding Harmony: A King's Vision. Half a Century of Sustainability Leadership. Silver and Gold's Very Bad Day. Why are Mortgage Rates so High? The War Over Warner Bros. Is an EV Winter Coming? Copper and Peru are Hot, Hot, Hot. 2026 Rebalancing IQ Test. Answers to the 2026 Rebalancing IQ Test. 2026 Crystal Ball. Is the AI Bubble About to Pop? A+ 2025 Performance Report Card with Bragging Rights. The 6 Rs of a Sustainable Holiday. Are We Headed for Another Crypto Winter? Will the World Cup Save the Travel Industry? Save Thousands Annually on Health Insurance and Medical Care. The S&P500 Has Doubled Over the Last 5 Years. Which Industries Performed Best? Bank Stress. Loan Fraud. Auto & Airline Bankruptcies. Augurs of a Recession? 2026 Bonds and Fixed Income Without Paper Losses Strategy Magnificent 7 Update. On Fire. Expensive. Crypto. Copper. Silver. Gold. More Magnificent than the Magnificent 7. Stablecoins. Should You Invest? Clean Energy. Solar Generation is On Fire. HHS Cuts MRNA Research. Weight Loss Drugs Soar. Are You Paying Thousands to Lose Money? Coke & Pepsi Suffer From Poor Fiscal Health. Crypto Goes Mainstream. The Genius Act Becomes Law. Wealth Hacks: Are You Getting Killed in Capital Gains Taxes? Our Super Performing Hots and Value Replacements. Is Your Income Strategy Losing Money? Gold and Silver Soar. Get Safe & Hot in 1 Easy Plan. Home Prices Soften. Is Your City Next? Tesla Vision vs. Waymo LiDAR and Air Taxis. Are Any of Them Safe? Archer Aviation is Chosen to be the Exclusive Air Taxi Service for the 2028 L.A. Olympics. Company of the Year? USA Downgraded. Is U.S. Reserve Currency Status Threatened? Utilities: In the Eye of the Natural Disaster Storms. Aging Mom Doesn't Want to Discuss Dilapidated House. Investors Ask Natalie. Tesla, Tariffs, Chinese Competition and Price Wars. Will Oil Prices Sink or Soar? Executives are Uncertain. Health Savings Accounts. Save Thousands. Get a Tax Credit. Provide for Tomorrow's Healthcare Needs. Restormel Manor House 2025. A Truly Royal and Magical Adventure. 9 Ways to Cut Your Tax Bill in Half and Save Thousands Annually. Should I Have a Money Manager? 10 Rules of Successful Investing. Indonesia: Rich in Nickel with Ambitions of Becoming an EV Battery Hub. RoboTaxis. AI. The Magnificent 7. Canadian, Australian and U.S. Banks. Are Any of Them Safe? Ireland. Rich in Technology, Biotechnology and Agribusiness. 9 Money Secrets of the Ultra Wealthy. Housing & Budgeting Solutions. Fast Fashion. Fossil Fuels. Plastic Clothing. Atacama Desert Waste Dumps. Fintechs and Brokerages that Fail are Not FDIC-Insured. Housing. Unaffordable. What Works? Case studies and creative solutions. The Underperforming DJIA, Full of Fossil Fuels and Forever Chemicals. 13 Lifestyle Choices to Reduce Waste, Pollution & CO2 & Save a Boatload of Dough. 11-Point Green Checklist for Schools. 10 Wealth Secrets of Billionaires and Royals. Fiat. Crypto. Gold. BRICS. Real Estate. Alternative Investments. BRICS Currency. Will the Dollar Become Extinct? Is Your FDIC-Insured Cash Really Safe? Money Market Funds, FDIC, SIPC: Are Any of Them Safe? Important Disclaimers Please note: Natalie Pace does not act or operate like a broker. She reports on financial news, and is one of the most trusted sources of financial literacy, education and forensic analysis in the world. Natalie Pace educates and informs individual investors to give investors a competitive edge in their personal decision-making. Any publicly-traded companies, funds or projects mentioned by Natalie Pace are not intended to be buy or sell recommendations. ALWAYS do your research and consult an experienced, reputable financial professional before buying or selling any security, and consider your long-term goals and strategies. Investors should NOT be all in on any asset class or individual stocks. Your retirement plan should reflect an age-appropriate, diversified wealth plan, which has been designed strategically, with the assistance of financial professionals who are familiar with your goals, risk tolerance, tax needs and more. The "trading" portion of your portfolio should be a very small part of your investment strategy, and the amount of money you invest into individual companies should never be greater than your experience, wisdom, knowledge, patience and diversified strategy. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, NataliePace.com does not warrant its completeness or accuracy. Opinions constitute our judgment as of the date of this publication and are subject to change without notice. This material is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument. |
AuthorNatalie Pace is the co-creator of the Earth Gratitude Project and the author of The Power of 8 Billion: It's Up to Us, The ABCs of Money, The ABCs of Money for College, The Gratitude Game and Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is. She is a repeat guest & speaker on national news shows and stages. She has been ranked the No. 1 stock picker, above over 830 A-list pundits, by an independent tracking agency, and has been saving homes and nest eggs since 1999. Archives
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