- Understanding the USMCA, the New NAFTA
NAFTA is dead. Long live NAFTA! In 2018 and 2019, the Trump administration announced that it had signed a renegotiated version of the North American Free Trade Agreement. The administration tried to rebrand the deal, the USMCA, and claim credit.… read more…
- Venture Capital: What It Is, How to Invest, Pros and Cons
When startups need funding, venture capital is one option they might consider. Getting funding from a VC firm can offer certain advantages to new businesses that may not be able to get approved for traditional loans. Thanks to the rise… read more…
- How a Grantor Trust Works
Trusts can be a useful estate planning tool for creating and maintaining wealth for future generations. They can offer legal protections against creditors, while simultaneously managing assets according to your wishes. They may also enjoy certain tax advantages, further extending… read more…
- What the Great Wealth Transfer Means For the Economy
The Great Wealth Transfer is coming. More than 10,000 baby boomers are turning 65 every day, and over the next 20 to 30 years trillions of dollars’ worth of wealth will transfer to their children. It will cause some changes… read more…
- Corrections vs. Recessions vs. Depressions
The 2020 stock market posted some of its biggest losses and gains since the Great Recession, taking investors on both a terrifying and thrilling roller coaster ride in middle of a global pandemic. One day stocks posted their biggest one-day loss since… read more…
- A Guide to South Dakota Inheritance Laws
South Dakota does not levy either an estate tax or an inheritance tax. However, there are other South Dakota inheritance laws of which residents should be aware, including rules governing intestate succession, probate, what makes a will valid and more. If you… read more…
- A Guide to North Dakota Inheritance Laws
North Dakota does not levy an estate tax or an inheritance tax. But North Dakota has other inheritance laws of which you should be aware, including rules concerning intestate succession, probate, taxes, what makes a will valid and more. If you… read more…
- Kansas Inheritance Laws: What You Should Know
Kansas does not have an estate tax or inheritance tax, but there are other state inheritance laws of which you should be aware. In this detailed guide of the inheritance laws in the Sunflower State, we break down intestate succession, probate, taxes, what makes a will valid and more. If you want professional guidance for your estate plan, SmartAsset’s… read more…
- Iowa Inheritance Laws: What You Should Know
Iowa does not levy its own estate tax or inheritance tax. In this article, we’ll break down Iowa’s inheritance laws, including the probate process, what happens if you die without a valid will and where you may stand if you’re not part of the decedent’s immediate family. If you want professional guidance for estate planning, SmartAsset’s… read more…
- Where Retirees Are Moving – 2020 Edition
In 2018, roughly 930,000 people ages 60 and older moved across state lines, an increase of about 16% from five years earlier. Whatever reasons factor into their decisions, whether financial or personal, retirees must thoroughly consider the implications of moving, such as different tax rates and housing costs in new locales. That’s why speaking to… read more…
- How to Read and Use Morningstar Ratings
Morningstar ratings are a system for evaluating the strength of an investment based on how it has performed in the past. On a scale of one to five stars, a Morningstar rating measures investments based on backward-looking data. The more… read more…
- An Investor’s Guide to Income Funds
An income fund is a type of mutual fund or exchange-traded fund (ETF) that primarily focuses on generating steady income for investors, usually through dividends, interest payments or bond yields. These funds are often comprised of bonds, dividend-paying stocks or other assets that offer reliable income streams. Investors who prioritize receiving regular cash flow, such… read more…
- How to Create a Permanent Portfolio
Determining how to allocate assets in your investment portfolio is important. A permanent portfolio allocation can minimize the impact of economic changes on your investments. The concept, developed by investment advisor Harry Browne, takes a simplified approach to asset allocation.… read more…
- What Is a Turnkey Asset Management Program (TAMP)?
A financial advisor can help manage your investments and other assets. Some use a turnkey asset management program or TAMP to handle client assets. Here’s what you need to know about TAMP and how it can affect your portfolio. What Is… read more…
- Should You Pay Attention to a Stock’s Trading Volume?
Investors monitor stock volumes closely to confirm market trends and make informed decisions about which stocks to buy or sell within their portfolios. Trade volume, essentially the number of shares traded over a given period of time, can provide key insights into market interest and momentum. For example, a high trading volume may indicate strong… read more…
- What Is Participating Preferred Stock?
Participating preferred stock may be the most desirable security for an equity investor to own. Shareholders who own preferred stock generally receive any payments made by the underlying company, such as dividends and liquidation, before most other shareholders. Depending on… read more…
- What Does a Quantitative Analyst Do?
A quantitative analyst uses mathematical models to review data, draw conclusions and make recommendations for businesses and investment firms. Their skills enable them to help retailers decide what products to put on the shelves and help investment banks decide what… read more…
- How to Retire in Chile: Costs, Visas and More
While many retirees flock to warmer climates like Florida, others venture much farther south, with Chile one popular destination. From Mediterranean-like weather in the nation’s north, stunning mountains and numerous fjords in the south and a highly regarded wine industry,… read more…
- How to Retire in Vietnam: Costs, Visas and More
As one of the most welcoming and mysterious countries in Southeast Asia, Vietnam has a lot to offer retirees. With over 2,000 miles of coastline, small fishing villages, and ancient Buddhist temples, Vietnam is a popular retirement destination for those… read more…
- How to Retire in Malaysia: Costs, Visas and More
Malaysia has a lot to offer retirees, from its sandy beaches and extensive rainforests to its dazzling capital city of Kuala Lumpur. On top of all this, it also boasts relatively inexpensive living costs, so it’s no wonder American retirees are heading to Malaysia. If you want to retire in this southeast Asian nation, you’ll need… read more…
- How to Start a Business in Michigan
Thinking of starting a business in Michigan? Thanks to its fabled automotive industry, technology and innovation are some of its strong points. The Wolverine State also has one of the lowest costs of living in the nation. Here’s what you… read more…
- How to Start a Business in Texas
Texas is often at or near the top of states for business climate. The Lone Star State has both the second-largest population and economy after California, and it offers low business costs, no state income tax and strong growth. At… read more…
- Inheritance Laws in New Hampshire
New Hampshire does not charge an inheritance or estate tax. But if you inherit an estate from someone who lived in a state that does have such taxes, you may still have to pay it. In this detailed guide of New Hampshire’s inheritance laws, we break down intestate succession, probate, taxes, what makes a will valid and… read more…
- Montana Inheritance Laws: What You Should Know
Montana does not charge an inheritance tax, nor does it tax the estates of decedents who were residents of the state or who owned property within its borders. In this detailed guide to Montana’s inheritance laws, we break down intestate… read more…
- Idaho Inheritance Laws: What You Should Know
Idaho has no state inheritance or estate tax. However, the state has its own inheritance laws, including the ones that cover what happens if the decedent dies without a valid will. This article goes over topics that include probate, how… read more…