 Dear Reader, On May 3rd, 2025, Warren Buffett looked at his shareholders for the last time and said: "The dollar is going to hell." The man who defended the US dollar for 60 years just told you it's done. Ray Dalio agrees. 
Source: International Business Times
The founder of Bridgewater Associates ($150 billion AUM) calls it a "debt death spiral." $38.4 trillion in debt. Adding a trillion every 60 days. A billion every 8 hours. The math doesn't work anymore. If the dollar falls, most people will get hurt badly. But there's a specific asset class and investment system that actually thrives when the dollar collapses. It's called the ABN System. It adapts the principles of Blackrock's investing strategy so everyday investors can apply it to protect themselves. Over 4,500 members have already implemented this system. If you have $50k+ exposed to the dollar right now (including your 401(k), stocks, real estate, savings), you need to pay attention. Watch how to protect yourself from what Dalio and Buffett see coming (free training) -> To your freedom,
Tan Gera, CFA©
Decentralized Masters P.S. JPMorgan warned we're at 120% debt-to-GDP. Greece collapsed at 130%. Watch the presentation now.
Additional Reading from MarketBeat Media
Build Dividend Income at Low Cost With These ETFsAuthor: Nathan Reiff. Publication Date: 8/10/2026. 
Key Points
- Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF gives investors low-cost exposure to dividend-paying large-cap stocks.
- Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF offers investment-grade corporate bond income with moderate credit and interest-rate risk.
- iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF provides broad core bond exposure through Treasuries, mortgage-backed securities and investment-grade corporates.
- Special Report: 3 AI stocks to buy before August 2026
Creating reliable passive income through exchange-traded fund (ETF) investments doesn't necessarily mean seeking only ultra-high dividend yields, which often come with similarly significant management fees. Investors can find attractive income funds that combine strong yields, broad diversification, and minimal costs. ETFs with expense ratios of just a few basis points can generate income through distributions while providing the risk mitigation that comes with holding a broad basket of positions rather than individual securities. The dividend ETF space is huge and continues to grow, but three standout choices include the Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (NYSEARCA: VYM), the Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (NASDAQ: VCIT), and the iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA: AGG). Bond funds are typically synonymous with dividend payments, and the latter two funds do indeed hold baskets of bonds, albeit with entirely different focuses. The first, however, is a stock ETF that provides diversification across another asset class. A Triple-Threat Large-Cap Stock Fund With Low Costs, Big Dividends, and Market-Beating Returns
With an annual fee of just 0.04%, VYM is not only one of the cheapest dividend funds available but also one of the lowest-cost ETFs overall. With 20 years of trading history and $83 billion in assets under management, VYM is a stalwart of the ETF space, giving investors access to large-cap U.S. companies categorized as value stocks. Investors look to VYM for a collection of more than 600 stable, successful businesses, including popular dividend payers like Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) and Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG), among many others. Because the portfolio is so large, many holdings have relatively small allocations, while a small handful represent roughly 2% to 7% of the portfolio each. Sector diversification also helps ensure that investors are not overly exposed to any single segment of the market. Although most of the companies in VYM's portfolio have already passed their peak growth years, the fund has nonetheless achieved year-to-date (YTD) returns of 14%, outperforming the broader market. The bigger story, however, may be its dividend yield of 2.20%. Moderate Credit and Interest-Rate Risk in the Corporate Bond SpaceVCIT is an option for investors looking to increase their bond exposure while also looking beyond Treasuries. The fund holds a portfolio of mostly investment-grade corporate bonds issued by companies with strong financial health. Issuers span multiple sectors and industries, providing diversification. Because these bonds typically offer higher yields than U.S. Treasuries, VCIT holders have the potential to earn additional income in exchange for taking on some moderate credit risk. Specifically, VCIT focuses on intermediate-maturity bonds, giving the fund a balance between yield and interest-rate sensitivity. The result is a fund with a solid dividend yield of 4.86% and a remarkably low expense ratio of just 0.03%. Like many other low-cost Vanguard funds, VCIT benefits from being part of the massive issuer's product lineup. Investors have flocked to the fund for its stability and low cost; it has more than $67 billion in assets under management and robust trading volume. The Core Bond Fund of Choice for ManySome investors seek bond exposure without the specialization of VCIT or a similar offering. For them, AGG is a compelling choice. The fund tracks an aggregate bond index with exposure to thousands of U.S. bonds, ranging from Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities to investment-grade corporate bonds and more. Given the breadth of its portfolio, it's no surprise that AGG is one of the most popular bond funds on the market. The fund has $137 billion in assets and trading volume that is even more impressive than VCIT's, all for the same expense ratio of 0.03%. These figures reflect how many investors view AGG as a core portfolio holding for fixed-income exposure, thanks to its steady income, potential to reduce overall portfolio volatility, and defensive position during equity market declines. The fund's dividend yield of 4.03% is solid, although it is not the highest yield available in the bond ETF space. In exchange, investors receive some of the most impressive diversification—including a significant allocation to stable, government-backed securities—available in a bond fund. Across these three funds, investors can build investment income at a low cost and from a variety of sources. They are distinct enough to be mixed and matched within a single portfolio, but each can also independently help investors pursue dividend income and portfolio stability.
This content is for educational purposes only. The opinions expressed are from DM Intelligence LLC, doing business as Decentralized Masters, who are not licensed financial advisors or registered investment advisors. The reader acknowledges that DM Intelligence LLC is not responsible for any losses, direct or indirect, resulting from the use of this information, including errors, omissions, or inaccuracies. Results are not typical and will vary. Success with digital currencies requires time, effort, and involves substantial risk including total loss of investment. Past performance does not indicate future results. All investments are at your own risk. You may unsubscribe at any time.
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