- What Are the Community Property States?
If you live in a community property state, it could affect the way your finances are split up following a divorce. More specifically, states that use community property laws handle the division of specific types of assets and debts much… read more…
- What Is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA)?
Certified Management Accountant (CMA) is a professional specialization that focuses on financial management and accounting for companies and organizations. This certification establishes that someone is an expert in both financial accounting and strategic business management. As a result, the CMA… read more…
- What Is a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)?
There are many certifications that a financial advisor can earn, like certified public accountant (CPA), certified financial planner (CFP) and more. The chartered financial consultant, or ChFC, certification isn’t quite as common as some of the others, but it holds… read more…
- Where Seniors Are Staying in the Workforce – 2019 Edition
Whether working through your retirement years is an aspiration or a necessity, it doesn’t hurt to have some help with financial planning when considering that aspect of your future. As you set your goals, you might be interested in the fact that there are certain cities in which the senior participation in the labor force… read more…
- What Constitutes a Breach of Fiduciary Duty?
When partnering with a financial advisor to manage your money, one of the most critical aspects to consider is whether they are required to uphold a fiduciary duty to their clients. A fiduciary duty means that advisors are legally and ethically obligated to act in your best interests, prioritizing your financial well-being above their own… read more…
- What Does A Family Office Do?
A family office is typically a full wealth and asset management firm that works with ultra-high-net-worth families to grow that wealth and pass it on to the next generation. Most people don’t need a family office, but it’s good to… read more…
- What Is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF)?
Financial advisors have all sorts of different specializations and services that they offer. In turn, there are a number of certifications they can receive to show off those areas of focus. Some of the most popular ones are certified financial… read more…
- What Is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)?
To be a chartered financial analyst (CFA) is to have passed three rigorous, six-hour exams encompassing economics, ethics, money management and a number of other financial topics. Becoming a CFA charter holder requires an average 1,000 hours of study and… read more…
- What Universal Basic Income (UBI) Is and How It Would Work
Universal basic income (UBI) is a program often proposed by futurists and progressive politicians in an effort to erase inequality. Though, many believe that it would be an economic disaster. Essentially, UBI would provide a basic allowance for everyone in… read more…
- A Guide to the Series 99 License and Exam
An operations professional takes on a lot of responsibility within the financial services industry. They bring clients aboard, receive and deliver funds and assets, collect payments, maintain accounts, and reinvest and disburse funds. To do all of that, they must… read more…
- How to Invest $1 Million
There are more ways to invest $1 million than you might think. It’s smart to have a plan in place and to assess your goals for growth and risk tolerance. Of course, you’ll also want to factor in how much… read more…
- Understanding the Stages of the Business Cycle
The business cycle generally isn’t a out the cycles of an individual business, but about larger macroeconomic trends — and it normally follows a pretty standard set of stages, measured based on real gross domestic product (GDP) or GDP adjusted… read more…
- What Common Law Marriage Means for Your Money
Common law marriage status can still apply to couples in states across the U.S. that recognizes many similarities to a typical marriage without the official legal document. Understanding what constitutes a common law marriage is important from a legal and… read more…
- What Constitutes a High-Net-Worth Individual?
A high-net-worth individual, or HNWI, is generally someone with at least a liquid $1 million, which is cash or assets that can easily be converted into cash. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) uses slightly different requirements for its… read more…
- Fixed Expenses vs. Variable Expenses for Budgeting
For personal budgeting purposes, fixed expenses are the costs that you can forecast with confidence because they don’t change from month to month or period to period. They tend to take up the largest percentage of your budget because they… read more…
- How a Financial Advisor’s Asset-Based Fee Works
Financial advisors can earn money in various ways. They may be fee-only and get paid exclusively by a client for their services. Other are fee-based, meaning they’re compensated by clients as well as commissions from selling products or investments. But whether you… read more…
- How Financial Advisor Performance Fees Work
Investors pay performance fees to investment advisors based on how much money is earned from the investments that are chosen. Not all advisors charge performance-based fees but instead will charge you asset management fees. Advisors charge those fees based on a percentage… read more…
- Public Investing App Review
Public, formerly known as Matador, is a stock-trading app designed for beginner investors, launched in March 2019. While it shares similarities with other beginner-friendly investing platforms like Robinhood, Public stands out with its unique social networking features. The app allows users to follow friends and popular investors, gaining insight into what others are buying and… read more…
- What Does SIFMA Do?
While your financial planner may act in your best interest, who acts in the best interest of your financial planner? The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) is a nonprofit trade association for investment bankers, broker dealers and asset… read more…
- A Guide to Student Loan Debt Forgiveness Programs
As of 2020, millions of Americans owe a combined $1.6 trillion in student loan debt. As a result, it’s currently the second-highest consumer debt category, behind only mortgages. There are, however, a variety of government programs offering relief for people… read more…
- What Is the Average Real Estate Agent Salary?
Successful real estate agents can make good money. Real estate agent salary earnings come from commissions on property sales. And total income can vary widely depending on experience and other factors. It’s important to consider salary opportunities when choosing a… read more…
- The Least-Stressed Cities in America – 2019 Edition
The American Psychological Association’s 2018 survey on stress reports that the average American reported a stress level of 4.9 (on a scale of 1 to 10). Reported stress levels vary by generation, as noted in the report, but also by geographic location. Local lifestyle and environmental factors can impact the amount of stress we feel… read more…
- Financial Therapy: What Is It, and Do You Need It?
Dealing with your finances can be very stressful. Financial therapists work to lessen that stress, or at least help their clients develop a more sustainable and healthy relationship to money. Financial therapy is a brand new field, but more people… read more…
- 10 Financial Strategies to Reach Your Money Goals
Setting goals for your money is the first step in designing a sound financial plan. Whether you hope to save and invest enough to retire early or simply need to build up an emergency fund, the right financial strategy can strengthen your efforts in… read more…
- What Is an Amortization Table and How Does It Work?
An amortization table shows the schedule for paying off a loan, such as a mortgage. Learn how to make and use one to determine your own loan payoff schedule. You could use the amortization table for other types of loans… read more…