- Cities With the Lowest Startup Costs – 2018 Edition
Famously, Apple started out of a garage with little up-front cash. But your typical startup requires more than just a some empty space and a brilliant idea. To create a successful company, you need some money to pay for office space, employees and everyday bills from utilities to legal fees. This can dampen entrepreneurs’ ability… read more…
- Most Affordable Cities for an Early Retirement
Who doesn’t want to retire early. Getting to retire in your 50s or early 60s can mean being able to do some of the things you’ve always dreamed of while you still have some youthful energy. But retiring early requires a ton of planning and preparation. One great strategy for retiring early, that many financial… read more…
- Where Americans Give the Most to Charity
Just 24% of taxpayers reported a charitable gift on their tax returns in 2015, according to a study from “The Chronicle of Philanthropy.” That’s down from a decade earlier when that figure routinely reached 30%. And though fewer people may be giving out of the good of their hearts and working with a financial advisor to use… read more…
- Asset Management vs. Wealth Management
Managing your money with long-term goals in mind is important, but it can be tough to do on your own. A financial professional can help you though, with two major services being asset management and wealth management. While there are… read more…
- Best Cities to Buy a Home Big Enough to Raise a Family – 2018 Edition
When people picture the home of their dreams, they imagine the white picket fence, the yard and the home with plenty of rooms for both pets and children. But homes like this tend to be either expensive or located in places far from employment opportunities. Plus, even if you do find a home that fits… read more…
- What Is an Enrolled Agent?
If you’ve ever filed your tax returns on your own, you know that it can be a complicated process, especially if you’re itemizing deductions. That’s why many people turn to tax preparers or financial advisors to help them navigate the… read more…
- The Fastest-Growing Business Type in Every State
Different regions have particular strengths. Silicon Valley is a tech hub of course, the Midwest is known for its agriculture and the Gulf Coast has long had a lucrative oil industry. But if you want to have employment in a thriving part of the local economy, it’s a good idea to know what each area’s… read more…
- States Investing the Most in Education
Investing in your education is one of the best decisions you can make. A better education can lead to a better job. In turn, that leads to higher earnings, which can eventually lead to growing your wealth with a financial advisor. But depending on where you live you may not get as much of a chance… read more…
- States Where Seniors Are Most Prepared for Retirement
The key to a financially secure retirement is the planning. Whether with the steadying hand of a financial advisor to guide you to your golden years, or strategizing on your own, planning your retirement does take time and can be difficult. Some seniors, knowing they have not saved enough to retire in their current locale,… read more…
- The Least-Stressed Cities in America – 2018 Edition
It can almost be impossible to avoid stressing out. You have a mortgage to pay, you’re concerned your investments with your financial advisor aren’t getting the returns you need for your retirement or you just can’t stick to your budget. But while all of these factors exist in every city to some degree, it is… read more…
- Where Investors Are Taking Advantage of Airbnb
With rents on the rise in many of America’s trendiest cities it has become increasingly popular for residents looking to earn some side money to invest in the short-term rental market. Indeed, the returns these rental properties can offer are robust. But as more investors take their share of the rental market pie and offer… read more…
- The Best Housing Markets for Growth and Stability in 2018
Editor’s Note: This study was originally published in August 2018. Like any good financial advisor will tell you, investing is about more than just average return. The best investors weigh risk with reward. For example, consider home values. The Census… read more…
- The Best Cities for Young Professionals – 2018 Edition
How you start your career is an important determinant for future financial success. Young professionals who are able to find a high-paying career earlier are able to build more savings, get promoted earlier and have more long-term, financial flexibility. Where you start is also important. Some cities have affordable housing that allows young professionals to… read more…
- Is Betterment Safe and Should You Invest?
Betterment is a robo-advisor that allows investors to create and manage their investment portfolios online. Whether you’re building wealth for retirement or other financial reasons, Betterment functions as your digital investing solution. With billions in assets under management, the company… read more…
- States That Use Their 529 Plans the Most
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the price of college tuition increased by 63% from 2006 to 2016. Over that same time period, the median household income in the United States increased by only 19%. This makes college more expensive than ever for the average family. However, there are efficient ways that you can… read more…
- What Is a Tax Consultant, and What Do They Do?
A tax consultant can help you minimize your tax liability, capitalize on tax deductions and manage your tax situation. With more expertise than standard tax preparers, tax consultants can help with tax planning, inheritance issues, charitable giving and other complex tax… read more…
- States Where It Costs the Most (and Least) to Be Rich
In 2016 the IRS reported that it collected nearly $18.3 billion in estate taxes, from more than 5,200 estates. That is an average tax of $3.5 million per taxable estate. While the estate tax is a punishing one-off payment, the wealthy can also see their annual tax burden pile up due to income and property… read more…
- 11 Questions to Ask a Financial Advisor
The aid of a financial advisor can be helpful regardless of whether you’re young, retired or somewhere in between. There is a wide range of financial advisors you can work with, as they can specialize in taxes, retirement, financial planning,… read more…
- How Much Does a Financial Advisor Cost?
As you strive to reach your financial goals and prepare for retirement, you may consider turning to a financial advisor. In this case, knowing how much a financial advisor’s services normally cost is crucial. Depending on the size of your… read more…
- Where Seniors Are Most Housing Cost-Burdened
The majority of Americans find meeting their retirement goals a challenge. After all, the financial world is complicated. Many Americans miss the opportunity to save, which means they miss the chance to invest – whether that’s alone or with the expert guidance of a financial advisor. Without the gains from investing, it is almost impossible… read more…
- The Top 10 Cities for Career Opportunities in 2018
It’s a pretty good time to be a worker in America. For the most part, jobs are available and unemployment is on the decline. But availability of jobs alone does not mean a city is a good place to start a career. The cities with the best career opportunities combine high pay, strong support networks… read more…
- 529 Plan Benefits: How They Can Help
With tuition increasing at a steady pace and student loan debt reaching record highs, many parents struggle finding ways to lower the price of higher education. But a 529 college savings plan can help. These tax-friendly savings vehicles offer a range… read more…
- Investment Advisor vs. Financial Planner
Investment advisors and financial planners are two of the most common types of financial advisors that clients work with. These advisors ultimately offer guidance on different financial topics, but one thing they have in common is money management. Whereas financial… read more…
- 529 Plan Withdrawals: Here’s Everything You Need to Know
After years of investing in your children’s college education, you’re ready to reach into your 529 college savings plan and send your kid off to the best years of his or her life. But while making 529 plan withdrawals is… read more…
- The Cities With the Largest Gender Retirement Gap
The average full-time working woman earns 82% of what the average full-time working man earns, according to BLS data. The good news is that the gender pay gap is shrinking. The bad news is that the narrowing of the gap comes too late for women who started and ended their careers when the pay gap… read more…