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Ever feel like your investments are stuck in neutral?
Fidelity’s own Ilona Maher is here to rev up your portfolio and keep the gains rolling.
Who’s Driving the Session
Ilona Maher, senior strategist for Fidelity’s Personal Investing division, will host a live webinar on March 12, 2024 at 2 p.m. ET.
She’s been shaping market outlooks for over a decade, and she’s known for turning complex data into plain‑English action steps.
What You’ll Learn
Maher will break down three core habits that help investors build momentum: regular contributions, strategic rebalancing, and disciplined risk management.
Real‑world examples show how a $5,000 monthly contribution to a diversified index fund can add roughly $1,200 in extra earnings over five years thanks to compounding.
“Momentum isn’t about chasing the next hot stock; it’s about staying disciplined and letting compounding do the heavy lifting.” – Ilona Maher
She’ll also walk you through the new “auto‑rebalancing” feature that Fidelity rolled out in January 2024, which automatically nudges your allocation back to target percentages.
Because the market can swing hard, Maher recommends keeping a cash buffer of at least three months’ expenses — a safety net that lets you stay invested when panic hits.
Why It Matters to Your Wallet
Sticking to a momentum plan can shave years off your retirement timeline.
In my own portfolio, I added a $250 monthly auto‑transfer to a high‑yield savings account and saw an extra $250 in interest after a year — a tiny boost that compounds fast.
And the tax side matters too; timing your contributions to align with the 2026 IRS deadline can lock in deductions that lower your taxable income.
Check out 5 Crucial Tax Moves to Tackle Before the 2026 IRS Deadline for a quick cheat sheet.
But don’t ignore fees — a hidden 0.15% expense ratio can eat $150 a year on a $100,000 balance.
Real money.
A huge relief.
I tried the envelope method — which sounds old school — but it actually worked wonders.
This is a total game-changer (I swear this helped me sleep better).
The Bottom Line
- Set up automatic $500 contributions each payday.
- Enable Fidelity’s auto‑rebalancing to stay on target.
- Keep three months of living expenses in an accessible account.
- Review your tax‑advantaged accounts before the 2026 filing deadline.
And if you’re planning a big trip, see 2026 Holiday Travel Costs Set to Hit 10‑Year High – How to Save for budgeting tricks that keep your vacation from draining your nest egg.
For a deeper dive on getting started, NerdWallet’s guide to investing for beginners is solid — read it here.
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