Estate Planning Benefits of a Self-Directed Roth IRA Ask the average person on the street about estate planning, and they’ll probably tell you it’s all about wills and trusts. And sure, that’s partially true. But your retirement accounts can play an important role, too, especially if you have a Self-Directed Roth IRA. Because of its …

How A Self-Directed IRA LLC Makes Investing Simpler When people first hear about a Self-Directed IRA LLC, they sometimes imagine it’s going to be complicated. It makes sense. After all, “IRA” and “LLC” are both acronyms you usually see in the fine print. But the truth is, this structure is designed to make investing easier, …

Choosing the Right Self-Directed IRA So you’ve decided to take more control of your retirement strategy? Great. That’s a big first step. A Self-Directed IRA opens the door to alternative investments. Real estate, private loans, precious metals, and more; they’re all here. It puts you in the position to decide what goes in your account. …

Building a Balanced Portfolio with Precious Metals in Your IRA Precious metals are doing well. Not only are prices up recently, but they’ve stood for centuries. That’s because gold and silver are tangible, they hold intrinsic value, and they’ve been trusted across centuries and civilizations. But the role of metals (especially in a Self-Directed IRA) …

Investing in Private Notes with a Self-Directed IRA Some investors like owning buildings. But buildings are big, they’re high-maintenance, and they can be complicated. Other investors prefer something simpler. That’s where private notes come in. Instead of buying real estate, you become the lender—collecting payments, earning interest, and letting someone else handle the property. And …

Key Ways to Use a Self-Directed SEP IRA Self-employed? Own a small business? You probably already know too much about how much responsibility sits on your shoulders. But when it comes to retirement planning, that extra control can be a good thing. That’s especially true if you’re using a Self-Directed SEP IRA. These accounts are …

Exploring Alternative Investments with a Self-Directed IRA It’s easy to think of retirement investing as a checklist. Open an IRA. Pick a few mutual funds. Cross your fingers, wait 30 years. But for a growing number of investors, that traditional model doesn’t feel quite right. They want more control and more options. That’s where a …

Private Lending Through a Self-Directed IRA Not everyone wants to be a landlord. And not everyone wants to play the market. Some investors prefer something simpler: lending money and earning interest. That’s the heart of private lending, and with a Self-Directed IRA, you can do it all inside a retirement account. It’s a way to …

The phrase “checkbook control” gets thrown around a lot in the world of Self-Directed IRAs. But for many investors, it still feels a little unclear. What exactly does it mean? How does it work? And more importantly, is it something you need in your retirement account? Let’s unpack what checkbook control is, how it fits …

Building Wealth with a Self-Directed Roth IRA When people discuss Roth IRAs, they often think of investing in stocks. And when they talk about building wealth, they often assume you need decades of compounding gains to get there. But what happens when you combine the tax-free benefits of a Roth IRA with the investment flexibility …

How to Use a Self-Directed IRA for Long-Term Passive Income When most people think about retirement income, what do they picture? Maybe checks from Social Security, or maybe a pension if they’re lucky. But today’s retirement world looks very different. More investors are building their own long-term income streams; one of the most flexible ways …

If you’ve ever wanted to write checks straight from your retirement account (and who hasn’t?), a Checkbook Control IRA might be the ideal setup for you. It gives you direct access to your Self-Directed IRA funds through a specially structured LLC, meaning no waiting on a custodian to sign off on every move you make. …