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Jun Kobayashi
Jun Kobayashi
Jun Kobayashi

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What Is a Wire Transfer? How Your Money Moves Instantly
Payments

What Is a Wire Transfer? How Your Money Moves Instantly

ByJun Kobayashi July 8, 2025July 8, 2025

You’ve probably heard the term “wire transfer” before—maybe when sending money overseas, paying for a car, or transferring large sums…

Read More What Is a Wire Transfer? How Your Money Moves InstantlyContinue

Why I Finally Sold My Bond ETFs (And Don’t Regret It)
Fixed Income | Bond Investing

Why I Finally Sold My Bond ETFs (And Don’t Regret It)

ByJun Kobayashi July 7, 2025July 7, 2025

For years, I held onto my bond ETFs like they were sacred—reliable, income-generating machines. But then, something shifted. The income…

Read More Why I Finally Sold My Bond ETFs (And Don’t Regret It)Continue

How I Built a Bond ETF Ladder That Pays Monthly
Fixed Income | Bond Investing

How I Built a Bond ETF Ladder That Pays Monthly

ByJun Kobayashi July 6, 2025July 10, 2025

When I first started building my fixed-income portfolio, all I wanted was something simple: predictable monthly income. Not lumpy quarterly…

Read More How I Built a Bond ETF Ladder That Pays MonthlyContinue

Bond ETF Tax Efficiency: What Most Investors Miss
Fixed Income | Bond Investing

Bond ETF Tax Efficiency: What Most Investors Miss

ByJun Kobayashi July 5, 2025July 5, 2025

Did you know the way your bond ETF handles taxes could be quietly draining your returns? In fact, tax inefficiency…

Read More Bond ETF Tax Efficiency: What Most Investors MissContinue

Yield-To-Maturity in Bond ETFs: Wall Street’s Secret Metric
Fixed Income | Bond Investing

Yield-To-Maturity in Bond ETFs: Wall Street’s Secret Metric

ByJun Kobayashi July 4, 2025July 4, 2025

YTM isn’t just a number—it’s the Wall Street cheat code retail investors ignore. Ever wonder why that “safe” bond ETF…

Read More Yield-To-Maturity in Bond ETFs: Wall Street’s Secret MetricContinue

Bond ETFs Interest Rate Risk: Why Your “Safe” Fund Drops
Fixed Income | Bond Investing

Bond ETFs Interest Rate Risk: Why Your “Safe” Fund Drops

ByJun Kobayashi July 3, 2025July 3, 2025

“Safe” doesn’t always mean stable.Did you know that in 2022, some long-term bond ETFs dropped more than 20%—just because interest…

Read More Bond ETFs Interest Rate Risk: Why Your “Safe” Fund DropsContinue

Are Bond ETFs Safe in Recession? Avoid These 3 Mistakes
Fixed Income | Bond Investing

Are Bond ETFs Safe in Recession? Avoid These 3 Mistakes

ByJun Kobayashi July 2, 2025July 2, 2025

“In March 2020, the Vanguard Total Bond ETF dropped about 8% in just seven trading days—so much for ‘safe,’ right?”…

Read More Are Bond ETFs Safe in Recession? Avoid These 3 MistakesContinue

Don’t Buy Bond ETFs Until You Read This
Fixed Income | Bond Investing

Don’t Buy Bond ETFs Until You Read This

ByJun Kobayashi June 30, 2025June 30, 2025

“Most investors think bond ETFs are boring—but the risks hiding under the hood are anything but.” When I first heard…

Read More Don’t Buy Bond ETFs Until You Read ThisContinue

Money Market Fund NAV: Why It’s More Crucial Than You Think
Fixed Income | Money Market Funds

Money Market Fund NAV: Why It’s More Crucial Than You Think

ByJun Kobayashi June 29, 2025June 29, 2025

Ever heard of a money market fund’s NAV and thought, “Eh, it’s just a dollar—what’s the big deal?” I used…

Read More Money Market Fund NAV: Why It’s More Crucial Than You ThinkContinue

Money Market SEC Yield vs APY: Which Grows Faster?
Fixed Income | Money Market Funds

Money Market SEC Yield vs APY: Which Grows Faster?

ByJun Kobayashi June 28, 2025June 28, 2025

Which one grows your money faster—SEC yield or APY? It’s a question that confuses even seasoned savers. In fact, a…

Read More Money Market SEC Yield vs APY: Which Grows Faster?Continue

5 Best Payment Gateways for 2025 – Find Your Perfect Match
Payments | Articles

5 Best Payment Gateways for 2025 – Find Your Perfect Match

ByJun Kobayashi June 27, 2025June 27, 2025

Did you know that over 80% of consumers prefer businesses that accept digital payments? That’s not just a trend—it’s the…

Read More 5 Best Payment Gateways for 2025 – Find Your Perfect MatchContinue

What Is a Merchant Service? Don’t Get Ripped Off
Payments | Articles

What Is a Merchant Service? Don’t Get Ripped Off

ByJun Kobayashi June 26, 2025June 26, 2025

Let’s be real—if you run a business in 2025, you have to accept digital payments. Cash is fading, and customers…

Read More What Is a Merchant Service? Don’t Get Ripped OffContinue

How ACH Payments Work: 3-Day Secret That Saves Millions
Payments | Articles

How ACH Payments Work: 3-Day Secret That Saves Millions

ByJun Kobayashi June 25, 2025June 25, 2025

Did you know that over 29 billion ACH transactions were processed in 2024, totaling more than $76 trillion? If you’ve…

Read More How ACH Payments Work: 3-Day Secret That Saves MillionsContinue

How to Transfer Money Market Funds: Banks Don’t Want You To
Fixed Income | Money Market Funds

How to Transfer Money Market Funds: Banks Don’t Want You To

ByJun Kobayashi June 23, 2025June 23, 2025

Transferring money market funds can feel overwhelming when you’re navigating different institutions, fees, and regulations that seem to change constantly….

Read More How to Transfer Money Market Funds: Banks Don’t Want You ToContinue

5 Best Money Market Funds Retirees Wish They Knew Sooner
Fixed Income | Money Market Funds

5 Best Money Market Funds Retirees Wish They Knew Sooner

ByJun Kobayashi June 22, 2025June 22, 2025

Here’s a sobering fact: the typical retiree must make their money last almost 20 years post-career. Between relentless inflation and…

Read More 5 Best Money Market Funds Retirees Wish They Knew SoonerContinue

Money Market Fund Stability Crisis: Are You Protected?
Fixed Income | Money Market Funds

Money Market Fund Stability Crisis: Are You Protected?

ByJun Kobayashi June 21, 2025June 21, 2025

I’m always amazed that money market funds hold over $8 trillion in assets globally. I find it fascinating that they’ve…

Read More Money Market Fund Stability Crisis: Are You Protected?Continue

When to Sell Money Market Funds: Timing Secrets Exposed
Fixed Income | Money Market Funds

When to Sell Money Market Funds: Timing Secrets Exposed

ByJun Kobayashi June 20, 2025June 21, 2025

I’ve been there too – watching my “safe” money market investment barely keep pace with inflation while other opportunities passed…

Read More When to Sell Money Market Funds: Timing Secrets ExposedContinue

Money Market Fund Laddering: Beat Bank Interest Rates
Fixed Income | Money Market Funds

Money Market Fund Laddering: Beat Bank Interest Rates

ByJun Kobayashi June 20, 2025June 21, 2025

Did you know that the average investor loses over $500 annually by keeping emergency funds in traditional savings accounts earning…

Read More Money Market Fund Laddering: Beat Bank Interest RatesContinue

Money Market Fund Tax Traps: What the IRS Won’t Tell You
Fixed Income | Money Market Funds

Money Market Fund Tax Traps: What the IRS Won’t Tell You

ByJun Kobayashi June 19, 2025June 21, 2025

Are you aware that countless money market fund holders unknowingly trigger tax obligations on investment earnings that could be legally…

Read More Money Market Fund Tax Traps: What the IRS Won’t Tell YouContinue

Money Market Funds Recession Test: Do They Really Work?
Fixed Income | Money Market Funds

Money Market Funds Recession Test: Do They Really Work?

ByJun Kobayashi June 18, 2025June 21, 2025

When the 2008 financial crisis sent the S&P 500 crashing 57%, money market funds remarkably maintained their value throughout the…

Read More Money Market Funds Recession Test: Do They Really Work?Continue

Money Market Funds vs Bonds: Common Mistake Costs
Fixed Income | Money Market Funds

Money Market Funds vs Bonds: Common Mistake Costs

ByJun Kobayashi June 18, 2025June 21, 2025

Did you know that Americans have over $7 trillion parked in money market funds, while the global bond market tops…

Read More Money Market Funds vs Bonds: Common Mistake CostsContinue

Money Market Funds in 401k: Safe or Sorry Investment?
Fixed Income | Money Market Funds

Money Market Funds in 401k: Safe or Sorry Investment?

ByJun Kobayashi June 17, 2025June 21, 2025

Can you believe that while target-date funds dominate 401k allocations (with nearly 95% of participants using them), many people still…

Read More Money Market Funds in 401k: Safe or Sorry Investment?Continue

Money Market Funds vs Savings: The $10K Difference
Fixed Income | Money Market Funds

Money Market Funds vs Savings: The $10K Difference

ByJun Kobayashi June 16, 2025June 21, 2025

Did you know that the median American keeps around $8,000 in transaction accounts, while the average is significantly higher at…

Read More Money Market Funds vs Savings: The $10K DifferenceContinue

Govt vs Prime Money Market Funds: Which Wins in 2025?
Fixed Income | Money Market Funds

Govt vs Prime Money Market Funds: Which Wins in 2025?

ByJun Kobayashi June 16, 2025June 21, 2025

Walk into any financial advisor’s office and mention you want to park some cash in a money market fund, and…

Read More Govt vs Prime Money Market Funds: Which Wins in 2025?Continue

money market fund
Fixed Income | Money Market Funds

Why Smart Investors Choose These 5 Top Money Market Funds in 2025

ByJun Kobayashi June 15, 2025June 21, 2025

With money market funds delivering over 4.5% yields in 2025, selecting the wrong broker platform could easily cost you hundreds…

Read More Why Smart Investors Choose These 5 Top Money Market Funds in 2025Continue

5 Best Bank Platforms for Digital Payment (2025 Winners)
Payments | Articles

5 Best Bank Platforms for Digital Payment (2025 Winners)

ByJun Kobayashi June 14, 2025June 21, 2025

Digital banking has dramatically improved over the last few years, transforming from clunky mobile apps to sophisticated platforms that 78%…

Read More 5 Best Bank Platforms for Digital Payment (2025 Winners)Continue

business to consumers
Payments | Articles

Business to Consumer Payments: Old vs New Still Dominate

ByJun Kobayashi June 13, 2025June 13, 2025

Did you know that 67% of consumers will abandon their purchase if their preferred payment method isn’t available? That’s a…

Read More Business to Consumer Payments: Old vs New Still DominateContinue

Corporates
Articles | Fixed Income

Corporate Bonds for Beginners: Why Most Fail (Avoid This) 2025

ByJun Kobayashi June 13, 2025June 21, 2025

Did you know that the global corporate bond market is worth over $36 trillion? That’s a staggering amount of wealth-building…

Read More Corporate Bonds for Beginners: Why Most Fail (Avoid This) 2025Continue

real-time payments
Payments

Real-Time Payments vs Traditional: The Shocking Truth

ByJun Kobayashi June 12, 2025June 12, 2025

Real time payments recorded 266.2 billion transactions globally in 2023, with transaction volumes growing by 42.2% year-over-year and expected to…

Read More Real-Time Payments vs Traditional: The Shocking TruthContinue

Inflation
Fixed Income | Articles

TIPS Bond Funds in 2025: Your Shield Against Hidden Inflation

ByJun Kobayashi June 12, 2025June 21, 2025

Did you know inflation has erased approximately 96–97% of the dollar’s purchasing power since 1913? While most investors watch their…

Read More TIPS Bond Funds in 2025: Your Shield Against Hidden InflationContinue

JP Morgan
Payments | Articles

5 Best Personal Banking: The Shocking Truth

ByJun Kobayashi June 11, 2025June 12, 2025

Look, I’ll be straight with you – after spending the better part of two years helping friends and family navigate…

Read More 5 Best Personal Banking: The Shocking TruthContinue

money market funds
Fixed Income | Money Market Funds

Money Market Funds: What Wall Street Won’t Tell You

ByJun Kobayashi June 11, 2025June 21, 2025

Here’s a shocking truth: 73% of investors have never heard of money market funds, yet these instruments manage over $6…

Read More Money Market Funds: What Wall Street Won’t Tell YouContinue

payment processing
Payments | Articles

The Payment Processing Trap Every New Business Falls Into in 2025

ByJun Kobayashi June 10, 2025June 10, 2025

Here’s a sobering truth: 21.5% of new businesses fail within their first year, and many don’t realize that their payment…

Read More The Payment Processing Trap Every New Business Falls Into in 2025Continue

Bond ETFs Are Broken: Why Smart Investors Still Use Them
Articles | Fixed Income

Bond ETFs Are Broken: Why Smart Investors Still Use Them

ByJun Kobayashi June 10, 2025June 21, 2025

Here’s a shocking statistic: despite bond ETFs losing over $1.2 trillion in value during 2022’s interest rate surge, institutional investors…

Read More Bond ETFs Are Broken: Why Smart Investors Still Use ThemContinue

5 Best Wire Transfer Services Battle: Clear Winner
Payments | Articles

5 Best Wire Transfer Services Battle: Clear Winner

ByJun Kobayashi June 9, 2025June 11, 2025

The wire transfer industry just witnessed its most brutal five-way battle ever, and the results will absolutely blow your mind!…

Read More 5 Best Wire Transfer Services Battle: Clear WinnerContinue

Money Market Funds vs CDs: 3 Lies Your Bank Tells You
Fixed Income | Money Market Funds

Money Market Funds vs CDs: 3 Lies Your Bank Tells You

ByJun Kobayashi June 9, 2025June 21, 2025

Banks across America are quietly steering millions of savers toward lower-yielding products while better options sit right under their noses….

Read More Money Market Funds vs CDs: 3 Lies Your Bank Tells YouContinue

Best Money Market Funds Exposed: The Hidden Vanguard Advantage
Fixed Income | Money Market Funds

Best Money Market Funds Exposed: The Hidden Vanguard Advantage

ByJun Kobayashi June 9, 2025June 21, 2025

Did you know that Vanguard’s money market funds have consistently delivered higher yields than their competitors over the past decade?…

Read More Best Money Market Funds Exposed: The Hidden Vanguard AdvantageContinue

Bond ETF Investing: What Smart Money Does Differently in 2025
Articles | Fixed Income

Bond ETF Investing: What Smart Money Does Differently in 2025

ByJun Kobayashi June 8, 2025June 21, 2025

Did you know that a single bond ETF can give you exposure to over 10,000 individual bonds with just one…

Read More Bond ETF Investing: What Smart Money Does Differently in 2025Continue

Articles | Fixed Income

5 Best Bond ETF Vanguard: What Wall Street Won’t Tell You

ByJun Kobayashi June 7, 2025June 21, 2025

Here’s the irony of high interest rates: they’re terrible for businesses because borrowing costs skyrocket, making expansion expensive and profits…

Read More 5 Best Bond ETF Vanguard: What Wall Street Won’t Tell YouContinue

Articles | Fixed Income

5 Top Bond ETFs for 2025 – Complete Guide (Fidelity)

ByJun Kobayashi June 6, 2025June 21, 2025

Fidelity’s bond ETFs have attracted over $15 billion in assets under management, establishing them as some of Wall Street’s most…

Read More 5 Top Bond ETFs for 2025 – Complete Guide (Fidelity)Continue

5 Best Charles Schwab Money Market Funds Revealed
Fixed Income | Money Market Funds

5 Best Charles Schwab Money Market Funds Revealed

ByJun Kobayashi June 5, 2025June 21, 2025

Here’s what most investors don’t realize: While banks are paying practically nothing on savings accounts, Charles Schwab’s money market funds…

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5 Best Money Market Funds That Made Fidelity Clients Rich
Fixed Income | Money Market Funds

5 Best Money Market Funds That Made Fidelity Clients Rich

ByJun Kobayashi June 4, 2025June 21, 2025

With over $7.01 trillion in money market fund assets under management industry-wide, these investment vehicles have become the go-to choice…

Read More 5 Best Money Market Funds That Made Fidelity Clients RichContinue

Articles | Fixed Income

5 Best Bond Mutual Funds: Top Picks for Income Investors in 2025 (Vanguard)

ByJun Kobayashi June 3, 2025June 21, 2025

I’ve been analyzing bond funds for over a while, and I can tell you this – picking the right bond…

Read More 5 Best Bond Mutual Funds: Top Picks for Income Investors in 2025 (Vanguard)Continue

Articles | Fixed Income

Treasury vs Corporate Bonds: Unlock Higher Returns Without Losing Sleep

ByJun Kobayashi June 2, 2025June 21, 2025

Did you know that the U.S. bond market is worth over $50 trillion, making it nearly twice the size of…

Read More Treasury vs Corporate Bonds: Unlock Higher Returns Without Losing SleepContinue

Articles | Fixed Income

5 Best Corporate Bond ETFs 2025 – Seeking Higher Returns

ByJun Kobayashi June 1, 2025June 21, 2025

Here’s the reality that Wall Street doesn’t want you to ignore: Bond ETF inflows hit a record $25 billion per…

Read More 5 Best Corporate Bond ETFs 2025 – Seeking Higher ReturnsContinue

Articles | Fixed Income

Tax-Free Municipal Bond ETFs: Complete Guide for Beginners

ByJun Kobayashi May 31, 2025June 21, 2025

High earners in the top tax bracket can keep up to 40% more of their bond income by choosing municipal…

Read More Tax-Free Municipal Bond ETFs: Complete Guide for BeginnersContinue

Articles | Fixed Income

Dollar Cost Averaging Bond ETFs: Complete Guide for Beginners

ByJun Kobayashi May 31, 2025June 21, 2025

Did you know that Fidelity research shows dollar cost averaging can help you purchase more shares for the same money?…

Read More Dollar Cost Averaging Bond ETFs: Complete Guide for BeginnersContinue

Articles | Fixed Income

Best Bond Platform 2025: Fidelity vs Vanguard

ByJun Kobayashi May 29, 2025June 21, 2025

With $27 trillion in marketable U.S. Treasury securities alone outstanding as of May 2024 according to the U.S. Treasury Department…

Read More Best Bond Platform 2025: Fidelity vs VanguardContinue

Articles | Fixed Income

5 Best Bond ETF Brokers Banks Don’t Want You to Find

ByJun Kobayashi May 28, 2025June 21, 2025

Thinking about investing in bond ETFs but not sure where to start? You’re not alone. Bond ETFs have become incredibly…

Read More 5 Best Bond ETF Brokers Banks Don’t Want You to FindContinue

Articles | Fixed Income

5 Best Short-Term Bond ETFs for Beginners (Blackrock)

ByJun Kobayashi May 26, 2025June 21, 2025

Look, I get it – everyone’s obsessed with finding the next hot stock or crypto play. But here’s what nobody…

Read More 5 Best Short-Term Bond ETFs for Beginners (Blackrock)Continue

5 Best Money Market Funds: Vanguard’s Hidden 2025 Winners
Fixed Income | Money Market Funds

5 Best Money Market Funds: Vanguard’s Hidden 2025 Winners

ByJun Kobayashi May 26, 2025June 21, 2025

Here’s a shocking fact: While most investors earn less than 1% on savings accounts, smart money quietly generates 4%+ returns…

Read More 5 Best Money Market Funds: Vanguard’s Hidden 2025 WinnersContinue

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