Nicole Lapin

Two carrier strike groups, an unprecedented pre-positioning of air power, all of it telegraphed.

Traders had time to adjust.

That's why the market recovered instead of cratering.

The scenario that should worry you isn't what we know.

It's what we don't know.

A surprise attack on Saudi Arabia's oil infrastructure.

a full Strait of Hormuz closure, or Iran successfully bringing in a major player as a military backer.

Those are the risks that could change the equation entirely.

The smart move right now isn't panic, and it definitely isn't blind optimism, but it is understanding what a conflict actually means for each asset class in your portfolio and making intentional choices, not reactive ones.

For today's tip, you can take straight to the bank.

Consider adding an energy royalty company to your portfolio rather than a traditional oil stock.

Now, of course, you should absolutely do your own research, but here's why this is something that I'm looking into right now.

Royalty companies like Viper Energy or Blackstone Minerals collect shares of revenue every single time oil is pulled from a well they own royalty rights to.

They have no drilling costs.

They have no operational expenses or exposure, meaning when oil prices spike in a conflict like this, their margins explode upward while traditional oil companies still absorb their fixed costs.

It is a way to get long oil prices without taking on the full operational risk of a producer.

I love getting paid, but waiting to get paid is no fun.

And when you have investments lined up or interest-bearing debt, it can even feel like waiting for your paycheck has an opportunity cost.

That's why I love MyPay from Chime for my friends on a salary.

MyPay from Chime gives you access to up to $500 of your paycheck anytime, and you can get paid up to two days early with direct deposit.