It’s not uncommon to see initial success in your weight loss journey, only to hit a plateau later on. To combat this, a popular weight loss coach with a whopping 545,000 followers on TikTok has revealed 10 sustainable habits for consistent weight loss – including the ‘plate rule’ for healthy eating. Soraya, known as @project.s.lifestyle on the social media site, guides her followers towards achieving their ‘dream body’ while still indulging in their favourite foods.
The tips are simple to incorporate into daily life, making them easy to follow.
Soraya’s top tips
1. Hydration
Her first piece of advice is to drink water before meals to prevent overeating. She explained: “A lot of time, hunger is confused for thirst, if you hydrate before your meal, it’ll make sure you’re eating until you’re comfortably full.”
2. Plan
The second tip focuses on planning ahead to avoid straying from your diet, with Soraya advising to “plan your meals at least a day in advance’.
3. Monitor your step count
Regularly keep track of your activity levels. “Every time you go on your phone to check something, also check your step count,” she suggested.
“This holds you accountable and helps make sure you’re aware about how many steps you’re getting on a regular basis.”
4. Scroll while you walk
Her fourth tip encourages those who find themselves “mindlessly scrolling” on their devices to get moving, whether that’s heading outdoors or hopping on a walking pad or exercise bike.
5. Properly portion your plate
Soraya suggests half of your plate should be filled with vegetables and/or fruits, a quarter with lean proteins such as chicken, tofu or turkey, and the remaining quarter with wholegrain carbohydrates like quinoa, brown rice or wholewheat pasta.
“This will help you have better balanced meals without having to track everything you’re consuming,” she explained.
6. Opt for the stairs
“This is a simple way to get more steps in”.
7. Stroll after your meals
Soraya recommends using your work lunch break to increase your step count.
8. Prioritise quality sleep
She emphasises the importance of getting 7-9 hours of sleep per night. This, she said, “keeps your cortisol levels in check and also makes sure you’re not up snacking at 2am or 3am just for the sake of eating”.
9. Keep healthy snacks on hand
Her ninth tip was to always carry healthy snacks in your bag or car because “sometimes you’ll be out and you’ll be hungry, but you’ll have an option so you’re not stopping at the nearest Drive-Thru”.
10. Set meal times
The final piece of advice was to schedule your meal times and set an alarm so you “don’t forget to eat”.
The video was well-received, garnering hundreds of likes. One viewer thanked her for the “great information,” while another praised the plate rule, saying it would “I love the idea of the plate rule. It will reduce the stress of counting calories”.
The Israeli military has said it has targeted the leadership of Hamas with strikes on Qatar’s capital, Doha.
Qatar has condemned the “cowardly Israeli attack” on the Palestinian militant group’s political headquarters in the city, calling it a “flagrant violation of all international laws and norms”.
Several explosions were heard in the city, with smoke seen rising over the Katara district.
A senior official from the region has said five Hamas officials – named as Khalil al Hayya, Khaled Mashaal, Muhammad Darwish, Razi Hamad and Izzat al-Rishq – were in a meeting that was targeted in the Israeli strikes.
Saudi television network Al-Arabiya has reported that Mr al Hayya, who previously served as the deputy chairman of Hamas’s political bureau, was killed.
Mr Netanyahu’s office earlier said in a statement that the strikes against the “top terrorist chieftains of Hamas was a wholly independent Israeli operation”.
It continued: “Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility.”
It comes after several reports in Israeli media suggested the US played a part in the operation.
In a statement after the attack, which didn’t specifically name Qatar, Israel’s military said Hamas’ leaders were “directly responsible for the brutal October 7 massacre, and have been orchestrating and managing the war against the State of Israel”.
The Israeli military said it used “precise munitions and additional intelligence” in the strike, without elaborating.
Hamas’ exiled leadership has long been based in Qatar, which has served as a mediator in talks between Hamas and Israel for several years, even before the latest war in the Gaza Strip.
An attack on its top leadership could further complicate negotiations over a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages taken during Hamas’ incursion on 7 October 2023.
Israeli officials have sent mixed messages throughout the war, relying on Qatari mediation while also questioning its willingness to put pressure on Hamas.
The US Embassy in Qatar said that it had “instituted a shelter-in-place order” following today’s strikes.
“US citizens are advised to shelter-in-place,” it added.
Image: Smoke rises after several blasts in Doha. Pic: Reuters
Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari said: “The State of Qatar strongly condemns the cowardly Israeli attack that targeted residential buildings housing several members of the Political Bureau of Hamas in the Qatari capital, Doha.
“This criminal assault constitutes a blatant violation of all international laws and norms, and poses a serious threat to the security and safety of Qataris and residents in Qatar.
“The ministry affirms that the security forces, civil defence, and relevant authorities immediately began addressing the incident and taking necessary measures to contain its repercussions and ensure the safety of the residents and surrounding areas.”
Image: Smoke rises after several blasts were heard in Doha, Qatar. Pic: Reuters
Image: Pic: Reuters
He added that Qatar will not “tolerate this reckless Israeli behaviour” and the “ongoing disruption of regional security”.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman described Israel’s attack on Doha as a “criminal act and a flagrant violation of international law”.
In a phone call with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, he also offered Saudi Arabia’s “full solidarity” with Qatar.
It came as Turkey’s foreign ministry described the strikes as “evidence of Israel’s expansionist policies and its adoption of terrorism as state strategy”.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has also condemned the attack, saying “all parties must work towards achieving a permanent ceasefire, not destroying it”.
Follow The World
Listen to The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim every Wednesday
Qatar Airways continued landing in Doha amid the strike, even as at least one Qatari air force aircraft took off on patrol over the country.
Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump said that he was giving his “last warning” to Hamas regarding a possible ceasefire, as Arab officials described a new US proposal.
A senior Hamas official called it a “humiliating surrender document,” but the militant group said that it would discuss the proposal and respond within days.
The proposal, presented by Mr Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, calls for a negotiated end of the war and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza once the hostages are released and a ceasefire is established, Egyptian and Hamas officials familiar with the talks told the Associated Press.
Michigan District Court Judge Kristen Simmons speaks Tuesday in Lansing while dismissing the criminal cases against 15 people accused of acting falsely as electors for Donald Trump in the 2020 election.
Paul Sancya/AP
hide caption
toggle caption
Paul Sancya/AP
A Michigan judge has dismissed criminal charges against 15 people who signed false certificates saying Donald Trump won the state’s electoral votes in 2020. Trump lost the state and the presidency to Joe Biden.
It’s the latest loss in prosecutors’ efforts to hold accountable people associated with Trump’s attempt to overturn his election loss.
In May, an Arizona judge sent that state’s so-called “fake elector” case back to a grand jury. The Nevada case is stuck in a jurisdictional appeal after a court dismissed the case last year. In Georgia, the Fulton County district attorney’s office is fighting to keep its prosecution alive after a court ruled that the DA’s office should be removed from the case.
And, notably, the federal election interference case against Trump himself was dropped when he was reelected president.
In Michigan, Judge Kristen Simmons dismissed the charges during a court hearing Tuesday, citing a lack of evidence.
“This is a fraud case, and we have to prove intent,” the judge said. “And I don’t believe there’s evidence sufficient to prove intent.”
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, announced the charges more than two years ago. Sixteen people were originally indicted, but charges were dropped against one of them in exchange for their cooperation.
As Nessel’s office said in a statement in 2023: “These defendants are alleged to have met covertly in the basement of the Michigan Republican Party headquarters on December 14th [2020], and signed their names to multiple certificates stating they were the ‘duly elected and qualified electors for President and Vice President of the United States of America for the State of Michigan.'”
Some pro-Trump 2020 electors have defended their actions by saying they were merely doing so in case Trump’s challenges of the election were successful.
In an appearance with reporters Tuesday, Nessel criticized the judge’s ruling and stood by her prosecution.
“The evidence was clear. They lied. They knew they lied,” she said of the defendants. “And they tried to steal the votes of millions of Michiganders.”
Nessel said her office is “evaluating” a decision about appealing.
Apple is hosting its biggest launch event of the year on Tuesday in preparation for the release of the next generation of iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods.
Apple is set to introduce four new iPhone 17 models: the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Air, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The iPhone 17 Air will replace the Plus, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The ultra-thin phone will be Apple’s first new smartphone model in years and will be noticeably thinner—about one-third—than previous models. According to MacRumors, screen sizes will be 6.3 inches for the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro, 6.6 inches for the 17 Air, and 6.9 inches for the 17 Pro Max.
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are expected to have improved cameras and enhanced battery life, according to Gurman. MacRumors suggests that the standard iPhone 17 will look similar to last year’s iPhone 16.
How Much Will the New iPhones Cost?
The price of the new iPhone 17 is unclear, but for comparison, Apple released the iPhone 16 last year at a price point of $799 for its base model, and charged $1,199 for the higher-tier iPhone 16 Pro Max.
It’s uncertain if specific iPhone 17 models will get a price hike due to tariffs, which were 30% against Chinese imports as of Monday. Last month, Apple shifted some of its U.S. iPhone production to India as it strove to lessen its dependence on China.
According to a July JPMorgan investor letter, Apple is working on its first foldable phone to compete with Samsung and Google, but the iPhone maker will not introduce the foldable phone this year.
Apple will instead debut the foldable devices in the fall of 2026, per the letter.
What Is Apple’s New Liquid Glass?
Liquid Glass is the name of a new translucent design element that Apple announced in June at its Worldwide Developers Conference. The element looks like glass on the screen and takes on the color of its environment.
Apple is bringing Liquid Glass to the iPhone via translucent menus and a new lock screen with Liquid Glass time. Liquid Glass will roll out this fall, along with Apple’s new iOS 26 operating system.
Apple is expected to refresh its Apple Watch line, adding new models like the Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3, per Bloomberg. The Series 11 will feature a brighter screen, while the Ultra 3 will boast satellite connectivity, so users can remain connected, even when they’re off the grid without their phones.
Are AirPods Changing?
Apple will likely add a heart rate monitor to its AirPods Pro earbuds, allowing users to track calories burned without a smartwatch, per Bloomberg. The tech giant is leaning more into fitness with its earbuds this year.
Apple is hosting its biggest launch event of the year on Tuesday in preparation for the release of the next generation of iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods.
Cryptocurrency investing has exploded in recent years, and so have the tools that help you navigate the chaos.
Enter Best Wallet, a crypto wallet that’s making noise among digital asset enthusiasts for offering an all-in-one experience: secure trading and anonymous token storage, market research, presale access to trending new coins, social features, and staking, all while providing support across 60+ blockchains, wrapped up in one slick, easy-to-use interface.
But what makes Best Wallet a better new choice in a space already led by names like Ledger, MetaMask, and TrustWallet? And does it actually deliver where others fall short?
The Post took a closer look at how and why Best Wallet stands out in a crowded market.
Best Wallet is recommended as a secure, decentralized wallet that supports over 60 blockchains.
Best Wallet bills itself as a non-custodial, multi-chain crypto wallet that lets users take control of their digital assets while also offering deep discovery tools and market insights.
Translation: It’s a hot wallet — a secure software-based app connected to the internet — designed for self-custody, meaning users hold their own private keys. It supports Bitcoin, Ethereum and other major chains, doesn’t require KYC to onboard, and has become a hub for early access to presales and trending tokens.
Unlike legacy hardware wallets, which require USB dongles and keep crypto offline, Best Wallet operates on your phone. Think of it as the Robinhood of decentralized finance, but without the middlemen.
Token Discovery: Users can explore trending tokens and crypto projects directly from the Best Wallet app. It’s built like a launchpad-meets-newsfeed, with curated market insights baked in.
Presale Access: One of the app’s standout features is offering access to vetted token presales before they hit public exchanges.
Multi-Chain Support: Best Wallet supports multiple blockchains, allowing for cross-chain asset management in a single dashboard.
Portfolio Tracker: Users can monitor gains, losses, and holdings across all supported tokens and in real time.
Token Swapping and Staking: The app offers integrated swaps and staking opportunities, letting users earn passive income or switch coins without leaving the app.
Social Tools: Best Wallet allows users to follow top-performing wallets and trending tokens, tapping into the broader crypto hive mind.
Strong Security: Employs MPC for private key protection, offers encrypted backups and biometric authentication for logins.
The idea is to give users every possible edge without sending them down a rabbit hole of browser tabs and Discord channels.
Short answer: Pretty much.
While Best Wallet is feature-packed for seasoned crypto users, it’s also designed with new users in mind. Its clean, fast interface guides beginners step-by-step, so getting started feels comfortable – and, with a bit of exploration, even complex features soon feel approachable.
The onboarding process is mercifully short: No KYC, no uploading your passport, no waiting hours for approval. Just download the app, write down your recovery phrase (always write down your recovery phrase, because you need to ensure access in case of device loss), and you’re in.
From there, users can fund wallets, join presales, and start exploring trending projects. Seasoned investors will likely appreciate the real-time data feeds, the in-app swapping, and the seamless integration with decentralized exchanges.
Download a trusted exchange app — Start by choosing a licensed crypto exchange. We recommend starting with the Best Wallet app, available in both the iOS and Android app stores.
Create and verify your account — Sign up using your email, Google, or Apple ID. To complete registration, you’ll need to verify your identity with a government-issued ID and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security.
Fund your account — Deposit money into your account by linking a bank account or credit card or even using gift cards. Choose an option that best fits your lifestyle for convenience or anonymity.
Buy your first cryptocurrency — Use the app’s marketplace or swap tool to purchase crypto by entering the ticker symbol — like BTC for Bitcoin or ETH for Ethereum — and follow the prompts to complete the transaction.
Choose how to store your crypto — Decide whether you’ll keep your crypto in the exchange, move it to a digital wallet (hot wallet), or store it offline (cold wallet) for extra protection.
Security is the first — and often the loudest — question asked of any new crypto wallet. In a world where bad code can cost millions, trust is earned through transparency, time, and ongoing testing.
Best Wallet is still a relatively new player in the space, and with that comes scrutiny. But for many users, especially those who prioritize privacy, innovation, and control, it also brings an opportunity.
Unlike centralized exchanges that pool user funds (with sometimes disastrous results — see: FTX), Best Wallet is non-custodial by design. That means only the user holds the keys, and no one, not even the company behind the app, can access their funds.
In fact, Best Wallet takes that protection a step further. It uses multi-party computation (MPC) to split and encrypt private keys across secure environments, reducing the risk of compromise even if your device is lost. Biometric authentication and optional encrypted cloud backups give users an added layer of protection without sacrificing convenience.
Best Wallet is non-custodial by design. That means only the user holds the keys, and no one, not even the company behind the app, can access their funds. terovesalainen – stock.adobe.com
We spoke to several crypto experts about wallet safety, and while some advised caution, they also acknowledged a broader trend: more and more users are looking for exactly what Best Wallet offers — a self-custodial experience that puts privacy and autonomy first.
“Safety, whether with Best Wallet or any other, ultimately comes down to the person and what you do with [the wallet],” said Eric Pan, a content creator in the space. “It’s like a house — the safest house is useless if you leave the doors wide open.”
Pan’s view reflects the ethos of many crypto veterans, which is that tools are only as secure as their users are diligent. In that sense, Best Wallet’s minimalist onboarding, optional KYC, and tight control over keys align with what many in the space see as best practice for everyday DeFi use.
Still, some experts say they’d like to see more before giving it a blanket endorsement. “Transparency and reviews, as well as technical audits, cannot be said to be sufficient to make me authorize Best Wallet to the green,” said Jack Johnson, director at SEO agency Rhino Rank. “In crypto, reputation doesn’t run on promises — it runs on uptime and user trust.”
And that’s exactly where Best Wallet says it’s headed.
While it may not be the best fit for storing seven-figure Bitcoin holdings just yet, it’s already meeting the needs of privacy-focused users, active DeFi participants, and anyone who values optionality and control. As the app continues to grow, and add industry-standard audits and disclosures, its value proposition continues to strengthen.
Best Wallet in the New York Post’s pick for a non-custodial hot wallet for beginners and regular crypto traders alike.
Best Wallet aims to differentiate itself by being more than just a storage solution. It’s part wallet, part launchpad, part social tracker, the Swiss Army knife for the crypto curious.
But if you’re someone storing significant assets or prioritizing airtight security, traditional cold storage options may present more peace of mind.
It’s a great fit for:
Intermediate users looking to consolidate their crypto activity in one place
Investors curious about presales or emerging tokens
People who want real-time tracking and social sentiment baked into their wallet
Users who prioritize convenience and control over absolute security
Those looking for self-custody and decentralized wallet solutions
It may not be ideal for:
Hardcore Bitcoin maximalists
Users holding six figures or more in crypto
People who avoid hot wallets altogether
Institutional investors or corporate treasuries
Many experts acknowledged Best Wallet’s strong promise:
“I like the direction they’re going in,” said Bart Colpa, a longtime crypto user and operator of a Japan-based trading platform. “It’s the first wallet I’ve seen in a while that feels like it was built for the full journey — not just the start.”
Others remain more cautious. “Security is earned through battle-testing,” said Harry Sudock, SVP at Bitcoin mining company CleanSpark, who favors Bitcoin-specific wallets. “That takes time.”
Best Wallet offers features far beyond its years, with even more are on the way, including MEV protection, stop-loss orders, and gas token-free transactions, as laid out in its promising ecosystem roadmap that lies ahead.
Pros:
All-in-one platform with presales, staking, and swaps
Sleek, intuitive UX
No KYC onboarding
Strong focus on user privacy and control
Cons:
Third-party audit still not completed (planned in future updates)
Mobile-first design means no desktop version
Still building trust in a crowded market
Best Wallet is trying to do a lot, and, surprisingly, it pulls off most of what it promises.
Best Wallet offers features far beyond its years, with even more are on the way, including MEV protection, stop-loss orders, and gas token-free transactions. Best Wallet
In an industry littered with apps that do one thing well (and ten things poorly), Best Wallet is refreshingly ambitious. For a free app, it packs in real-time data, wallet tracking, presale access, and token swapping without requiring users to surrender their identities or keys.
Is it the safest crypto wallet out there? Best Wallet utilizes sophisticated cryptographic techniques for key management and offers multiple layers of protection through multi-factor authentication and biometric security features.
As a non-custodial solution, you maintain full control over your funds while benefiting from what appears to be institutional-grade security measures. Based on these impressive security features and overall functionality, Best Wallet seems to be among the most secure crypto wallets currently available.
Is it the most feature-rich wallet for everyday crypto users? It just might be.
If you’re new to the space and just looking to dip your toes in, something like Coinbase Wallet or Trust Wallet might feel more familiar at first, but will not give you the control a self-custody wallet would.
If you’re ready to level up — and want control, flexibility, and access to early-stage tokens — Best Wallet is definitely worth a look.
No wonder crime on the subways continues to be a scourge: The same lawbreaking fiends keep being cuffed, only to be cut loose again and again.
Monday’s Post revealed the shocking stats: 63 transit terrors with more than 5,000 busts among them, for crimes ranging from robbery to assault to sex crimes.
Yet, thanks to lenient judges, the no-bail law and pro-crime prosecutors who drop or downgrade charges, the vast majority are still walking the streets — only about five are now locked up.
Cops are well-acquainted with these chronic menaces and do their part to get them off the streets, making quick busts when one of them breaks the law (again).
But they’re spat back out almost as quickly as the NYPD can haul them in, often after getting less than a slap on the wrist.
The rap sheets of this rogues’ gallery of street scoundrels are eye-popping.
Take Carlos Baez-Caban, who’s racked up a total of 48 arrests, one for allegedly biting a rider while stealing her phone: He’s out on probation and still walking the streets.
Or Shaquille Clarke, whose arrests include pressing his groin area against one woman and punching another while robbing her: He’s also free as a bird, despite getting busted for another crime while on probation.
Matthew Leon, a serial predator arrested for sex-related offenses a whopping 13 times, wasn’t kept behind bars after he allegedly groped a woman’s breasts and buttocks on the L train; only after an arrest for reaching inside a stranger’s pants and top this spring was he finally held.
These are the sickos with whom soft-on-crime leaders expect New Yorkers to share a subway car or bus, all in the name of “justice reform.”
Passive, pro-crime prosecutors throw gasoline on the fire: Last year, 62% of subway felonies were downgrades to misdemeanors in the Bronx, while the Manhattan DA’s Office declined to prosecute 69% of misdemeanor arrests.
What exactly do Gov. Kathy Hochul, Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg or other electeds have to say to the New Yorkers who have been robbed, groped or assaulted by one of these serial offenders?
The answer seems to be “Put up with it,” because consequences for criminals are at odds with the left’s anti-cop, anti-carceral ideology (which Hochul and other “moderates” either can’t or won’t fully confront).
Meanwhile, Zohran Mamdani seems to think these recidivists just need greater access to government services, and they’ll magically change their ways.
Except if that tact were ever going to work, it would have by now: These criminals have been through the system thousands of times collectively; countless social workers, public defenders and other miscellaneous city workers have crossed their paths.
It’s likely the only intervention the government hasn’t tried is keeping them behind bars.
The only way to ensure that these repeat offenders quit preying on New Yorkers: Stop letting them go.
The actress reportedly introduced the former One Direction singer to her father recently during a day out in New York City’s West Village. Lenny Kravitzis a renowned singer/songwriter with 40 million albums sold worldwide.
Last week, Harry and Zoë were spotted walking in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, amid many reports that the two are a couple.
Zoë, Harry and Lenny have been through their share of romantic heartache over the years. Zoë broke up with Channing Tatum in October after a three-year relationship. She had been married to Karl Glusman before that.
Harry has dated the likes of Taylor Swift, Kendall Jenner and Olivia Wilde and split up with Taylor Russell last year.
Lenny divorced Zoë’s mother, Lisa Bonet, in 1993, while also dating Vanessa Paradis and was previously engaged to Nicole Kidman.
Zoë Kravitz and Harry Styles met Lenny Kravitz for lunch
Photo Credit: Raymond Hall/GC Images/Getty Images
Zoë and Harry recently met up with the actress’s famous father for lunch at a place called Sant Ambroeus, according to the Daily Mail. The restaurant is reasonably priced, with pasta dishes ranging from $33 and croissants at $6.
People close to them say they are “kidding themselves” if they think it’s just an innocent fling. The latest date between the two suggests that their relationship has taken a step forward, with onlookers calling it “intense”.
“This is brewing into something more, whether they think it is or not, a source revealed. “They might not want to think it is, but surprise, surprise, it is getting interesting,” the source continued.
The source also noted that Harry and Zoë may be growing more serious as they reach an age where playing casually is no longer appealing.
Zoë’s latest movie, Caught Stealing, came out in late August.
PoliticusUSA is an independent alternative to billionaire-controlled mainstream media. Please support our work by becoming a subscriber.
Finally, somebody with some authority said it. While it is true that there has been no evidence linking Trump to Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes, each new revelation supports investigating Trump’s relationship with Epstein and adds smoke that suggests fire around Trump and Epstein.
Rep. Dave Min appeared on CNN on Tuesday morning and said that there is reason to think that Trump was involved in wrongdoing with Epstein.
CNN’s John Berman said, “I do want to say we have no reason to think that he was in any way involved with that check itself. Also, no reason to think he’s conducted any wrongdoing involving Jeffrey Epstein.”
Rep. Min, who is a former prosecutor and a lawyer, responded, “I would think we have lots of reasons to think he was involved in wrongdoing. I, at this point, there’s a lot of smoke. There may be some fire, but I would just say, push back and say, I think there’s a lot of reason to think Donald Trump was involved with what…”
Samsung Display is once again rumored to be the supplier for the OLED MacBook Pro and will allegedly start production in the middle of 2026.
A MacBook Pro, without OLED
The OLED MacBook Pro has been a frequently rumored display upgrade, which will bring the portable Mac in line with the iPhone and iPad. With the potential launch late in 2026 for the model, Apple is reportedly tapping a well-known screen source to make it happen.
According to The Elec on Tuesday, Samsung Display will be making the displays in 2026. The existing supply chain partner, who already provides many screens to Apple, will reportedly commence production on the panels for the 14-inch MacBook Pro and 16-inch MacBook Pro from the second quarter of 2026.
Savings accounts remain by far the most popular place for Brits to store their extra cash. But with interest rates falling, prioritising these low-yielding products over share investing could cost individuals a chance of achieving a meaningful passive income.
Their simplicity makes them hugely appealing, while the security of guaranteed returns provides another big plus. They also play an important role in building a diversified portfolio and providing access to emergency cash.
Yet, over the long-term, they can also deliver painfully lower returns compared with share investing. Here’s one way someone with £20,000 in savings could use their money to eventually secure a large second income for retirement.
Steady as she goes
There’s no right and wrong answer as to whether lump sum investing is better than making regular investments. But drip-feeding money into UK and global shares can have notable advantages, including:
Reducing timing risk, by ensuring large amounts aren’t invested at the market’s peak.
Smoothing out stock market volatility, and providing opportunities to capitalise on share price falls.
Lessening psychological discomfort, by reducing anxiety over short-term market swings.
On the other hand, investing a lump sum can create greater wealth over time. ‘Time in the market beats timing the market,’ as they say. The longer one’s cash is being made to work, the greater the potential returns.
But thanks to the high performance of the stock market, and the power of compounding that long-term investing harnesses, it’s still possible to build a large passive income even with a staggered, lower-risk approach.
Let’s say an investor has a £20,000 lump sum they want to put to work over three years. That works out as roughly £556 a month.
With an 8% yearly return spread over three decades, they would have £194,032 sitting in their retirement pot.
That’s lower than the £218,715 they’d have made if they invested the whole lot straight away. But it would still be enough to generate an annual second income of £13,582 if invested in 7%-yielding dividend shares.
A FTSE 100 hero
There are no guarantees of making this sort of return. But given the FTSE 100‘s 8% return over the last decade, buying UK blue-chip shares could be a good strategy to try and build that sort of retirement pot.
Legal & General (LSE:LGEN) is one top Footsie share for investors to consider. It has a strong record of paying large and growing dividends, and right now its forward yield is 9.3%, smashing the index average of 3.3%.
What’s more, Legal & General has substantial opportunities to grow earnings, and thus the possibility of delivering robust share price gains. It’s a leading player in multiple financial services markets including life insurance, asset management, and pensions. It therefore has many ways to capitalise on powerful demographic trends.
On one hand, cyclical operations could lead to underperformance during economic downturns. I think the company could prove an exceptional wealth builder over the long term, helped by expansion into growth markets like the US.
A portfolio holding FTSE 100 shares like this may be a great way for investors targeting a retirement income — and better than simply holding cash in a savings account.
