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Insight & Updates

Stay informed with the latest insights, industry trends, and expert perspectives on self-directed retirement investing.

Three Reasons a Self-Directed IRA Makes Sense Right Now

You may already know why a Self-Directed IRA makes sense in general. You like the freedom it provides, the flexibility of investing in different asset classes like real estate or tax liens, and the ability to make your own decisions. But why right now? To kick off 2025, a lot of uncertain economic headlines—including everything …

Diversifying Your Portfolio with a Self-Directed Roth IRA

Notice something when the stock markets go down? People around you seem to panic. People—often those with entire portfolios in the stock market—think about changing their strategies due to one down day. That’s not a great way to build peace of mind in retirement. But if you can diversify your portfolio, particularly using a tax-protected …

What is a Self-Directed HSA?

A Self-Directed HSA (health savings account) is a tax-protected account in which you can invest your HSA funds in a wider variety of assets. Although you can use a Self-Directed HSA for long-term saving, you can also use earnings tax-free when they apply to qualified medical expenses. This makes the HSA, particularly when self-directed, one …

Single-Family Home Investing in a Self-Directed IRA

People have to live somewhere—and if you’re an investor, that works in your favor. As of 2021, there were about 82 million single family homes in the U.S., mostly owner-occupied. But renting a single-family home is a viable option for many. And from the investor’s perspective, holding a Real Estate IRA—or a Self-Directed IRA—is a …

What is a Self-Directed Solo 401(k)?

A Self-Directed Solo 401(k) is a retirement account designed for self-employed individuals or business owners with no full-time employees, giving them control over investment decisions, including alternative assets. However, what sets a Self-Directed Solo 401(k) apart is the ability to make investment decisions without relying on a traditional financial institution’s pre-approved options. Instead, account holders …

What is a Self-Directed Coverdell Education Savings Account?

A Self-Directed Coverdell Education Savings Account is a tax-advantaged ESA (education savings account) to help individuals invest for the long-term education expenses of a beneficiary, such as a child. These accounts make it possible to make tax-advantaged investments—and with self-direction, it’s possible to place those investments in real estate, private notes, precious metals, etc. That’s …

What is a Single Member IRA LLC?

A Single Member IRA LLC is when you use a Self-Directed IRA to purchase an entire LLC that you set up, which gives you easier access to using that LLC’s checking account to make investments. It’s a flexible and affordable way to make retirement investments through your Self-Directed IRA without tons of red tape and …

Why Real Estate Investors Love Self-Directed IRAs in 2025

Imagine owning a property that generates rent every month—rent that collects simply and easily into an IRA. As you focus on other things—family, work, friends—that property continues to generate a yield, giving you a hands-off way to invest in retirement. Well, that’s how rental real estate properties within a Self-Directed IRA work. And it may …

Precious Metals in a Self-Directed IRA: A Safe Hedge?

Headlines to open 2025 saw precious metals like gold heading to all-time highs. All sorts of economic news, such as tariffs and geopolitical saber-rattling, contributed to this. Which makes us wonder: are precious metals in a Self-Directed IRA a safe hedge for investors who worry about shaky economic headlines? And if so, why is that? …

Building Flexible Wealth with a Self-Directed Roth IRA

If we asked you to define flexibility, we wouldn’t blame you if you talked about stretching your legs. Many investors don’t think about flexibility with their retirement accounts. They want a set-it-and-forget-it approach. But a Self-Directed Roth IRA offers a sort of flexibility you don’t always get out of your retirement accounts—the ability to use …