Insight & Updates

Imagine when there’s turbulence in the markets. Stocks are down and when you check your brokerage account, you see red—and lots of it. But if you have a Self-Directed IRA, you don’t have to watch your portfolio shrink by 5% in a day, because you can own more than stocks. One option that Self-Directed IRA …

Retirement is the goal of a Self-Directed IRA. But you might be surprised how little many investors think about what happens to their account once they reach retirement age. That may be because the answers vary depending on what’s inside your portfolio. So, what happens to a Self-Directed Traditional IRA or Self-Directed Roth IRA in …

Imagine an IRA that generates its own income. It’s not just possible—with a Self-Directed IRA, it’s a strategy many investors actively pursue. One of the key advantages is tax treatment. Income that flows into a qualified IRA—whether Traditional or Roth—is generally not taxed as it is earned. Instead, it grows tax-deferred (Traditional IRA) or tax-free …

Gold investors felt like geniuses in 2025. And why not? Gold.org called it a groundbreaking year for gold—a year in which the precious metal set 53 new all-time highs. Longtime gold investors who’ve had a lot of patience saw their investments start to beat the S&P 500. And anyone holding gold in a Self-Directed IRA …

If you’re new to this site, you may have noticed that we often talk about Self-Directed IRAs in the context of financial freedom. But what does that actually mean? Is it about unlimited wealth or a perfectly funded retirement? Not exactly. With a Self-Directed IRA, financial freedom comes from choice and control. By self-directing your …

The IRS draws a hard line on certain types of investments. Understanding these Self-Directed IRA rules is essential before you begin investing. Life insurance is not allowed in an IRA. Collectibles are also prohibited, which includes many items people might assume qualify as investments. This typically covers: Jewelry and gemstones fall into this prohibited category …

Why direct your own retirement account? Here’s a simple way to think about it. A Self-Directed IRA is like a choose-your-own-adventure book. You’re not just reading what someone else selected—you’re actively shaping the outcome. Self-Directed IRA investments give you access to a much wider range of assets than traditional retirement accounts. Instead of being limited …

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

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

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