- How the Valuation of a Business is Determined
There are a few ways to determine a company’s valuation, but they all come down to figuring out just how much the company is worth. That said, different methods tell you different things, so it is worth knowing about all… read more…
- Demand: A Guide to the Economic Concept
The law of demand is a basic economics. As the price of at item rises or falls, with all other things staying the same, the demand for it rises or falls. However, despite determining everything from the price of bananas… read more…
- How to Invest in Commodity Futures
Commodity futures are contracts to buy or sell a specific amount of a commodity at a certain price on a designated date. If the price of a commodity goes up before that date, a commodity futures buyer wins by getting… read more…
- Where Investors Are Taking Advantage of Airbnb 2019
Airbnb has not only changed the way a lot of people travel, but also the way that many investors take advantage of their real estate properties. Rather than picking from hotel chains and relatively pricey boutique inns, travelers might instead rent out someone’s home or a room in that home. Investors are noticing this and… read more…
- Assets Under Management (AUM) Definition & Guide
Assets under management (AUM) refers to the market value of the assets a financial institution has discretion over on behalf of clients or investors. Increasing AUM is a primary goal of most brokerages, mutual funds and financial advisor firms, and many… read more…
- Top Financial Planning Software Program Options in 2025
Having a plan for your finances is crucial, and a comprehensive financial plan may include budgeting, saving, investing, paying off debt and creating a roadmap to retirement. Working with a financial advisor can be helpful in creating your personal money plan,… read more…
- How Much Do Financial Advisors Make?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says that the median salary for a financial advisor in 2021 is $94,170, which is well above the national average. However, pay can vary widely by state, city and level of experience. The profile of an… read more…
- The Cost of Baby Formula
The cost of baby formula in the U.S. has skyrocketed – and that’s if you can find any. Whereas in 2019 name brand baby formula cost American parents anywhere from 9 cents per ounce to 32 cents per ounce, by… read more…
- What Is an M&A Advisory Firm?
An M&A advisory firm guides businesses through the complicated world of mergers and acquisitions. If you are considering making a transaction that involves the buying, selling or merger of companies, you’ll probably want to work with an M&A advisory firm, which… read more…
- Finding a Christian Financial Advisor
Growing wealth for the long term and retiring comfortably is the premier financial goal for many Americans. To do that effectively, you may want to work with a financial advisor who has similar values to yours. Christian financial advisors incorporate biblical… read more…
- Where Retirees Are Moving – 2019 Edition
According to Census Bureau data from 2017, there are more than 71 million people in the U.S. aged 60 and older. Each year more people reach retirement age and decide to make some changes as they enter a new phase of their lives. One big shift could be relocating to other cities or states with… read more…
- A Guide to Section 125 (“Cafeteria”) Plans
A cafeteria plan – also known as a Section 125 plan, after the portion of the IRS code that regulates the plans – lets employees redirect part of their salaries and wages to pay for certain benefits. Section 125 plans… read more…
- What Is a Paraplanner and What Do They Do?
A number of professions recognize the role of that supportive personnel trained in specified ways play in their work. Among the best known examples are paralegals and paramedics. Financial planners also have such a designation and it’s called “paraplanner.” Such… read more…
- What Is an RIA Firm and What Do They Do?
A registered investment advisor (RIA) is an individual financial advisor or advisory firm that gives investment advice to clients. All RIAs register with either the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or a state-level authority. Part of the reason why working with… read more…
- CFA Exam: Cost, Curriculum and Difficulty
A chartered financial analyst (CFA) is someone who holds a professional designation from the CFA Institute, an international association of financial professionals. CFAs primarily review individual investments, market trends and other factors to help individuals shape their portfolios and achieve a… read more…
- What Exactly Is a Financial Advisor?
The term financial advisor is generally a catchall phrase for financial professionals filling a number of different roles and performing a number of different tasks. Generally speaking, a financial advisor provides financial advice and guidance to clients tailored to their situation… read more…
- What Is Financial Security, and How Do You Get It?
Financial security means different things to different people. To some, it may mean having enough money to cover all your bills, save for retirement and then have some left over. To others, it may mean earning a six- or seven-figure income, maintaining… read more…
- What Is a Marital Trust, and How Does It Work?
A marital trust is a type of irrevocable trust that allows you to transfer assets to a surviving spouse tax-free. It can also shield the estate of the surviving spouse before the remaining assets pass on to their children. Knowing… read more…
- How to Become a Financial Planner
Think you want to help people manage their money and meet their ultimate financial goals? If so, you may be wondering how to become a financial planner. The process for becoming a financial planner varies depending on what kind of… read more…
- What Is a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA)?
When choosing a financial advisor, pay attention to what certifications they’ve obtained. Common certifications you’ll see include certified financial planner (CFP), chartered financial analyst (CFA) and certified public account (CPA). Advisors earn these designations to assure clients that they have… read more…
- The Career Path to Becoming a Financial Advisor
Financial advisors are among the most important workers in the financial services industry. They help both individuals and institutions manage their money and set themselves up for a secure financial future. Not just anyone can become a financial advisor, though. It takes a lot of work to prove that you know your stuff when it… read more…
- What Employees Should Know About Severance Packages
The most important component of a severance package is, of course, the severance pay. It, in turn, is typically one or two weeks of pay per year of service, though it’s much more than that for executives. Most of us… read more…
- What Is a Broker-Dealer, and What Do They Do?
A broker-dealer is the regulatory term for what most of us just call a brokerage. Technically, the person who takes our calls (to buy or sell) is a registered representative of a broker-dealer, though you probably just refer to the… read more…
- The Best Cities to Sell a House – 2019 Edition
Selling a house is a major decision that demands careful consideration. After all, securing more money from selling your home gives you more capital to invest with your financial advisor. Your location, for one, plays a major factor. Houses in some places will sell immediately, while others stay on the market for months. Home values… read more…
- Financial Advisor Fees: Fee-Only vs. Fee-Based
Those seeking a financial advisor will encounter two types of fee structures: fee-only and fee-based. The difference between the two might not be immediately apparent. Still, as you research advisors to help you plan your financial future, you should understand… read more…