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Individual Bonds vs Bond Funds: Which Is Better For Your Portfolio?
by Alvin Carlos, CFP®, CFA, District Capital Management
When investors think about adding stability and income to their portfolios, a common question arises: Should I buy individual bonds or invest in a bond fund?
At first glance, both options seem similar. Both involve bonds. Both can provide income. Both are often seen as “safer” than stocks. But when you look closer, the difference between bonds and bond funds is significant.
- Individual bonds mean direct ownership. You know the issuer, coupon, and maturity date. If you hold to maturity, you get your principal back (assuming no default).
- Bond funds mean pooled exposure. You own shares in a fund holding dozens – or even hundreds – of bonds. You don’t control individual maturities, but you gain instant diversification.
This article drills deeper into that key distinction: direct ownership vs pooled exposure. By the end, you’ll have a clear framework for comparing individual bonds vs bond funds so you can better understand how each works in a portfolio.
How to Protect Your Retirement From Inflation: Smart Investment Strategies
by Craig Toberman, CFA, CPA, CFP®, Toberman Becker Wealth, LLC
The topic of inflation and its far-reaching impact on the economy has dominated the news in recent years. And while it’s keenly felt at the gas pump and grocery store, it can have an even more insidious, and often hidden, effect: quietly derailing a retirement plan.
In this article, I discuss what inflation is, why it matters for retirees, and which strategies can help protect your retirement investments over the long term.
What Is Inflation?
Inflation is the persistent and broad increase in prices, or the decrease in the value of money over time. It is largely influenced by supply and demand.
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