- What Is the Cost of Having a Baby?
For many expectant parents, one question looms above everything else: how much does it cost to have a baby? While you might be tempted to forget about this to focus on more exciting things like decorating your nursery and buying… read more…
- The Most Investment-Savvy Cities in America
Whether you are working with a financial advisor or managing a portfolio on your own, making the right investments can make all the difference in your future financial security. Make too many risky investments and you might lose out on your retirement income, don’t take on enough risk and you may not accumulate enough funds to… read more…
- What Is an Investment Broker?
If you’re getting started in investing, an investment broker can be a great asset as your connection to the market. Investment brokers serve as go-betweens for buyers and sellers on the stock market. They enable their clients to purchase stocks,… read more…
- What Is the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)?
ERISA, or the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, is a law established by the federal government that’s designed to identify minimum standards for retirement and healthcare plans in the private sector. It also focuses on setting up protections… read more…
- Financial Planner vs. Financial Advisor
While the services of financial advisors and financial planners often overlap, they each have distinctive areas that they tend to focus on. Many financial advisors offer financial planning, but financial planners only work within that area. On the other hand,… read more…
- What Is a Financial Coach, and How Can They Help?
If you need help getting your finances in order or learning the basics of budgeting, you might consider seeking the help of a financial coach. A financial coach is different from other financial professionals. They spend more time helping their… read more…
- What Is a Financial Consultant and What Do They Do?
A financial consultant is essentially the same as a financial advisor. They often offer a number of services, with their financial advice being based on the client’s specific needs and goals. In some cases, a financial consultant may have more… read more…
- What Is a Financial Advisor Disclosure?
In the world of business and finance, disclosures are information reports that companies – public corporations, financial advisor firms, brokerages – might prefer to keep private. Governmental and regulatory agencies require disclosures to promote transparency and fairness. For example, investment advisors… read more…
- How to Get the Benefits of a Free Financial Advisor
Money affects basically every aspect of our lives. However, learning to properly manage your money isn’t always easy to do. So how can you learn about personal finance while also getting advice that applies to your specific financial situation? One… read more…
- CFA vs. CFP®: Which Do You Need?
Chartered financial analyst (CFA) and certified financial planner (CFP) are common certifications for individuals working in finance, namely financial advisors. These are designed to tell a client (or employer) that the holder has received education in certain types of financial… read more…
- What Does a Financial Advisor Do?
In a nutshell, a financial advisor helps people manage their money. Typically, there is an investing component to their services, but not always. Some financial advisors, often accountants or lawyers who specialize in trusts and estates, are wealth managers. One of their… read more…
- An Overview of the Financial Services Industry
Ever heard of the financial services industry? Even if you haven’t, you’ve probably interacted with this industry almost every day. You might think it just means working with a financial advisor. But in reality, whether you’re an investor, a homeowner,… read more…
- What Is NAPFA (National Association of Personal Financial Advisors)?
According to NAPFA, 60% of U.S. adults don’t have a budget and less than 50% of Americans have a purposeful savings plan. Luckily, financial advisors exist and can help you get out of your budget-less rut. You’ll have to be careful about who… read more…
- How to Find and Choose a Financial Advisor
Finding a financial advisor is easier than ever. In addition to traditional methods like word-of-mouth recommendations, you can also use a financial advisor matching tool or an advisor network’s online database. With so many options at your fingertips, though, it… read more…
- All About FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority)
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, is a nonprofit organization tasked with overseeing broker-dealers and their registered representatives in the United States. Operating under the oversight of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), FINRA plays a role in maintaining fair practices in the securities industry by regulating and enforcing compliance with rules. It also… read more…
- What Is a Financial Plan and How Do You Build One?
A financial plan is a comprehensive overview of your financial goals and the steps you need to take to achieve them. Financial plans are usually written down in physical documents to ensure that it is concrete and final. Many people… read more…
- How Much Does a Financial Planner Cost?
The cost of hiring a financial planner varies depending on the services offered and how those services are billed. Financial planners may charge by the hour, by project, through ongoing subscription fees, or as a percentage of assets under management. According to the 2024 Kitces Report, median fees range from $300 per hour to $3,000… read more…
- 10 Financial Certifications for Financial Advisors
When you’re searching for a financial adviser, you’re likely to encounter an assortment of initials after each financial professional’s name. Some of the most common are CFP, CFA and CPA. These letters signify different financial certifications, which are signifiers of… read more…
- What Is a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®)?
Certified financial planner, or CFP, is a widely recognized and popular certification that many financial advisors and financial planners earn. A CFP can help you create a financial plan to set you on track to reach your long-term goals, like retirement,… read more…
- 4 Signs It’s Time to Fire Your Financial Advisor
When you’re trying to build wealth, having an expert in your corner to help guide your decisions could be a good idea. The problem is, what do you do when you and your advisor are no longer on the same… read more…
- 8 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Financial Advisor
If you’ve been paying down your debt for years but can’t seem to get ahead or you’re not sure how to get started saving for retirement, it might be time to get professional help. A financial advisor can answer all your money-related questions and offer advice on the best way to manage your finances. But… read more…
- Choosing the Best Financial Advisor for Your Personal Finances
When it comes to money, it often takes a team to help you manage it correctly, particularly once you start working full-time, saving for retirement and starting a family. Financial planning can be difficult to navigate and is often time… read more…