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Blog

Practical guides on personal finance, investing, and tax. Read fast, apply faster.

What the trovetool blog covers

The trovetool blog writes on wealth building, tax, and investing — articles a Korean resident can actually put to use. It picks topics that are hard to find well-organized for a Korean context: how compound interest works, how to set a FIRE target, the tax savings of ISA and pension accounts, comparisons of dividend ETFs like SCHD and JEPI, and the overseas ETF capital gains tax.

Every article is paired with a calculator on the site. After explaining the concept and tax structure, in-text links open the compound, FIRE, ISA, or dividend calculator so you can plug in your own numbers right away. The aim isn't an article you just read, but a flow where you immediately apply what you read to your own situation. Tax rates and deductions reflect the time of writing, so model important decisions with the tools and confirm them with a professional.

The $6,000 Senior Bonus Deduction: Why It Isn't 'No Tax on Social Security,' Who Phases Out, and How to Claim It in 2026
Finance2026-06-23 · 9 min read

The $6,000 Senior Bonus Deduction: Why It Isn't 'No Tax on Social Security,' Who Phases Out, and How to Claim It in 2026

The OBBBA's $6,000 senior deduction (2025–2028) isn't 'no tax on Social Security.' Who qualifies, the 6% phase-out math most guides get wrong for couples, and how to claim it for 2026.

#senior deduction#OBBBA#Social Security#standard deduction#IRS#retirement#MAGI#2026 taxes
Trump Accounts Launch July 5: How the $1,000 Baby Bonus Works, the Tax Catch, and What It Could Really Be Worth
Finance2026-06-21 · 10 min read

Trump Accounts Launch July 5: How the $1,000 Baby Bonus Works, the Tax Catch, and What It Could Really Be Worth

Starting July 5, 2026, every child born 2025–2028 can get a free $1,000 from the Treasury in a new 530A 'Trump Account.' Here's how to claim it with Form 4547, the contribution and tax rules, and what the money could grow into by age 18 and 60.

#Trump Accounts#530A#baby bonus#IRS#OBBBA#kids savings#IRA#compound interest
No Tax on Car Loan Interest in 2026: The $10,000 Deduction, the Made-in-USA Catch, and Who Actually Qualifies
Finance2026-06-20 · 9 min read

No Tax on Car Loan Interest in 2026: The $10,000 Deduction, the Made-in-USA Catch, and Who Actually Qualifies

The OBBB lets you deduct up to $10,000 of new-car loan interest a year through 2028 — even if you take the standard deduction. Here's how the phase-out, the U.S.-assembly rule, and Form 1098-VLI really work.

#car loan interest#auto loan deduction#OBBB#IRS#tax deduction#above-the-line
The Fed Meets June 16–17 With Inflation Back at 4.2% — What 'Higher for Longer' Now Does to Your Money
Finance2026-06-16 · 9 min read

The Fed Meets June 16–17 With Inflation Back at 4.2% — What 'Higher for Longer' Now Does to Your Money

Inflation jumped back to 4.2% on an energy shock and the Fed meets June 16–17 deeply divided. Here's what higher-for-longer rates mean for your savings, mortgage, and portfolio.

#Federal Reserve#FOMC#interest rates#inflation#CPI#high-yield savings#mortgage rates
No Tax on Tips and Overtime in 2026: The Caps, the Phase-Outs, and What Changes on Your W-2
Finance2026-06-15 · 9 min read

No Tax on Tips and Overtime in 2026: The Caps, the Phase-Outs, and What Changes on Your W-2

The OBBB lets workers write off up to $25,000 in tips and $12,500 in overtime through 2028 — and in 2026 it finally lands on your W-2. Here's how the caps and phase-outs work.

#no tax on tips#overtime deduction#OBBB#IRS#tax deduction#W-2
Q2 2026 Estimated Taxes Are Due Monday, June 15 — How to Size the Payment and Skip the Penalty
Finance2026-06-14 · 8 min read

Q2 2026 Estimated Taxes Are Due Monday, June 15 — How to Size the Payment and Skip the Penalty

The second-quarter 2026 estimated tax deadline is Monday, June 15. Here's who must pay, the safe-harbor rules that block IRS penalties, and how to size your check before the clock runs out.

#estimated taxes#quarterly taxes#IRS#self-employed#tax penalty#safe harbor
2026 401(k) and IRA Limits Are In: $24,500, an $8,000 Catch-Up, and the $11,250 'Super Catch-Up' for Ages 60–63
Finance2026-06-13 · 8 min read

2026 401(k) and IRA Limits Are In: $24,500, an $8,000 Catch-Up, and the $11,250 'Super Catch-Up' for Ages 60–63

The IRS set 2026 retirement limits: $24,500 for 401(k) deferrals, $7,500 for IRAs, an $8,000 catch-up at 50+, and a $11,250 super catch-up for ages 60–63. Here's how much more you can shelter — and the moves to make before December 31.

#401k#IRA#Roth IRA#contribution limits#retirement#tax planning
How to Build a Monthly Dividend ETF Portfolio for Steady Cash Flow (2026)
Finance2026-06-01 · 9 min read

How to Build a Monthly Dividend ETF Portfolio for Steady Cash Flow (2026)

Build a monthly dividend ETF portfolio by staggering SCHD, JEPI, JEPQ, DIVO, and Realty Income (O) to fill every month, with 2026 yields, schedules, and the 15% US tax.

#monthly dividend ETF#dividend portfolio#SCHD#JEPI#cash flow investing
VOO vs QQQ in 2026: Which Should Korean Investors Buy (or in What Ratio)?
Finance2026-06-01 · 9 min read

VOO vs QQQ in 2026: Which Should Korean Investors Buy (or in What Ratio)?

VOO (S&P 500) vs QQQ (Nasdaq-100) for Korean investors in 2026 — expense ratio, sector concentration, 10-year returns and drawdown, and the 22% overseas-ETF tax, with picks by risk.

#VOO#QQQ#S&P 500#Nasdaq 100#overseas ETF#capital gains tax
SCHD vs JEPI vs JEPQ — Dividend ETF Comparison 2026
Finance2026-05-06 · 10 min read

SCHD vs JEPI vs JEPQ — Dividend ETF Comparison 2026

Dividend growth vs. high-yield covered calls. A direct comparison of SCHD, JEPI, and JEPQ across yield, return, taxes, and volatility — and which investor each ETF suits.

#SCHD#JEPI#JEPQ#dividend#ETF
The Compound Magic: ₩1M Monthly for 30 Years
Finance2026-04-27 · 8 min read

The Compound Magic: ₩1M Monthly for 30 Years

How interest-on-interest changes everything. A 30-year simulation that includes Korean tax and inflation.

#compound#investing#FIRE