- What Is Disposable Income (and What Isn’t)?
Disposable income is a key concept in budgeting, as it refers to the income that’s left over after you pay taxes. It’s sometimes known as your net pay. Note that this is distinctly different from discretionary income, which is what… read more…
- Places Where Americans Give the Most to Charity – 2019 Edition
Giving to charity can be doubly rewarding. It helps other people, and it makes you feel like you’re doing something good. As a bonus, it can get you a deduction on your taxes, something a financial advisor can help you navigate. With all that in mind, SmartAsset uncovered the places in the U.S. where people are… read more…
- What Counts as Discretionary Income?
Discretionary income is a term commonly mentioned in conjunction with budgeting and student loans. Essentially, it’s the amount of money you can spend or save after you take care of all necessary expenses and income taxes. Discretionary income usually changes… read more…
- Explaining Escheatment and How it Works
If you’ve ever forgotten to cash a check or left old retirement accounts behind with a job, that money might have wound up in the care of the state government. After a certain period of time, usually five years, states become… read more…
- What Is a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC)?
The chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC) designation distinguishes financial advisors and other retirement professionals as experts in helping clients prepare for retirement. To become a CRPC, these individuals must meet several qualifications, undergo hours of training and take an examination. Once a… read more…
- Understanding Needs vs. Wants for Your Budget
When setting a budget, it’s important to differentiate between what you need and what you want. Indeed, many budgeting systems ask you to assign percentages to your needs and wants. For instance, the 50/30/20 budget popularized by Elizabeth Warren recommends… read more…
- Best States for Nursing Home Care – 2019 Edition
Advancing into old age brings to the forefront a variety of lifestyle and financial considerations, including the possibility of transitioning to a full-time nursing home. Whether you are thinking about nursing home care for yourself or for a parent or loved one, there are many factors to weigh and expenses to navigate. You want to make… read more…
- What Is a Chartered Federal Employee Benefits Consultant (ChFEBC)?
If you are a federal employee, you may want to work with a Chartered Federal Employee Benefits Consultant (ChFEBC) to help you address your financial concerns. ChFEBCs are financial professionals that are knowledgeable of changes to federal benefits and associated programs. They also have extensive knowledge about FERS, CSRS, and special provisions. A financial advisor… read more…
- Choosing a Financial Advisor Custodian
Registered financial advisors use custodians to house and protect their clients’ assets. Often, financial advisors offer multiple custodian options to their clients. This allows them to expand their services, investment options, and diversification of assets. By offering multiple custodians, your… read more…
- How to Sell a Business: Everything You Need to Know
Retirement, illness, disputes with a partner or even lack of interest can make business owners dream of selling. All of the above legitimate reasons to sell, but even owners who aren’t thinking of selling may want to plan for the… read more…
- What Is a Certified Fixed Income Practitioner (CFIP)?
The Certified Fixed Income Practitioner designation indicates expertise in all things regarding fixed-income securities. If you are a financial professional. who wants to help people invest in bonds and other somewhat sheltered assets, this can further your career. The CFIP… read more…
- All About Certified Divorce Financial Analysts (CDFA)
Let’s start with some good news. It is not as bad as you’ve heard. The divorce rate is high, but it still requires a lot of variables for a couple to actually get divorced. Still, “probably won’t happen” doesn’t mean… read more…
- What Is a Certified Treasury Professional (CTP)?
A certified treasury professional (CTP) is a designation some financial professionals earn so they are able to help businesses manage and operate their corporate treasuries. Like other certifications, such as certified financial planner (CFP) and chartered financial advisor (CFA), if… read more…
- Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA)
More than half of Americans have invested in a stock-related fund. Most invest through their retirement accounts, often with little direction beyond selecting a 401(k) fund. But stocks are just one way to grow your money. Many investors are exploring… read more…
- Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional (FPQP)
A Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional (FPQP) has a proven expertise in financial planning, which helps them better advise their clients. They are different than most paraplanners because the average paraplanner rarely has a formal certification. Paraplanners are part of a… read more…
- Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement (CIPM)
An investment’s performance could mean the difference between a comfortable retirement and a few more years of work. Therefore, it’s vital for financial planners and investment managers to accurately assess investment performance for their clients. A Certificate in Investment Performance… read more…
- Series 6: Definition and Exam Information
There’s no shortage of required licensing exams for financial professionals. From the Series 63 and Series 65 to Series 7, there are many different exams required for various roles within the financial services industry. Financial professionals who pass the Series 6… read more…
- Series 65: Definition and Exam Information
The Series 65 exam is a test administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) for individuals aiming to become licensed investment adviser representatives . The exam assesses knowledge related to investment vehicles, economic concepts, ethics, and legal guidelines that advisors need to understand to work with clients. Passing the Series 65 allows financial professionals… read more…
- What Does a Certified Risk Manager (CRM) Do?
Certified Risk Managers (CRMs) are financial professionals with training in risk management, which comes in handy when helping clients chart a financial future. The CRM designation is one of the most important designations for risk managers working in the finance,… read more…
- What Does A Financial Risk Manager Do?
Your friend wants to borrow $20, so you take a minute to think about it. What happened the last time he borrowed money from you? You might see that 20 bucks again, but even the odds say you don’t. So… read more…
- What Does a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) Do?
Almost no one will know what it means if your business card has a “CPCU” after your name. The “almost” is key here though. Almost no one will understand what CPCU means, but your colleagues will. Future employers will. Business… read more…
- What Is a CPA, and What Do They Do?
Certified public accountants (CPAs) are accounting professionals who have passed both the privately issued CPA exam and public licensing requirements. The main service they provide is preparing and filing tax returns, and they can represent clients in audits and disputes as well. Beyond accounting, a CPA can also assist with tasks like auditing financial statements… read more…
- What Is a Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC)?
The Chartered Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation conveys an insurance professional’s expertise in one of seven different insurance topic areas. It’s a valuable certification if you are an agent or sales manager or work with insurance agents often. Here’s how to get… read more…
- What Is a Personal Financial Specialist (PFS)?
The Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) certification helps Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) demonstrate expertise in all aspects of wealth management. A PFS is someone with a CPA who also offers financial planning services. There are many requirements before getting the PFS… read more…
- Series 63: Definition and Exam Information
Thinking of becoming a licensed financial professional? You’ll likely have to take one, if not several, licensing exams. The Series 63 exam is one of the popular exams and it focuses on a financial professional’s ethical and fiduciary obligations. Read on… read more…