When it Pays to Work in Texas — and When It Doesn’t
Whether it’s football, barbecue, or swagger, bigger is part of the Texas brand. But what about salaries? After accounting for regional price variations, state-to-state pay differences often narrow, but they do not disappear. Sometimes, earning a bigger paycheck may be as simple as crossing state lines. SmartAsset evaluated more than 700 occupations to identify the… read more…
7 Low-Risk Investments for Beginners: Pros and Cons
Building wealth does not require taking outsized risks. For investors who prioritize capital preservation and steady returns over aggressive growth, a range of low-risk options can put money to work without the volatility that comes with stocks or speculative assets. Understanding what these investments offer, and where their limits are, is a useful starting point… read more…
America’s Friendliest States — 2026 Study
The ways in which Americans connect vary widely by state. A range of factors contribute to a place’s overall character, but the time residents spend socializing, volunteering and helping people outside their own homes can shape how friendly it feels. SmartAsset analyzed the 50 states by the number of minutes per day residents spend on… read more…
Ask an Advisor: Will Collecting My Late Husband’s Social Security Impact My Paycheck?
I turned 66 in December and I’m still working. My deceased husband would be 67 if he was still alive. Can I receive his Social Security now without any money taken away from my paycheck? – Sharon I’m sorry to hear about your husband, Sharon. If you claim your Social Security survivor benefit now, you… read more…
Editor's Picks
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…
6 Tips for Choosing a Wealth Management Firm
Wealth management firms are all different, with their own specializations and services. As a result, the process for choosing a wealth manager is a very personal one. Wealth managers work closely together with their clients to identify financial goals and… read more…
What Is a Fee-Only Financial Planner?
If a financial planner, financial advisor or another type of financial professional is fee-only, that means they receive compensation solely from the fees clients pay for their services. They do not earn commissions for recommending certain products. A fee-only structure… read more…
Why First Homes Could Be Investment Properties
If you’re young and looking to purchase a new home to live in, you may want to consider turning it into an investment property. While most people wait until after they’ve bought their first or second home to begin investing in… read more…
Data Articles and Studies
When it Pays to Work in Texas — and When It Doesn’t
Whether it’s football, barbecue, or swagger, bigger is part of the Texas brand. But what about salaries? After accounting for regional price variations, state-to-state pay differences often narrow, but they do not disappear. Sometimes, earning a bigger paycheck may be as simple as crossing state lines. SmartAsset evaluated more than 700 occupations to identify the… read more…
America’s Friendliest States — 2026 Study
The ways in which Americans connect vary widely by state. A range of factors contribute to a place’s overall character, but the time residents spend socializing, volunteering and helping people outside their own homes can shape how friendly it feels. SmartAsset analyzed the 50 states by the number of minutes per day residents spend on… read more…
AI Attitudes, Adoption, and Benefits by State – 2026 Study
AI continues to accelerate its presence in politics, the economy, and personal lives, transforming everything from autonomous vehicles to medical discoveries to military operations and a myriad of other workflows and personal use cases. In turn, investors eagerly listen in to company earnings’ calls to understand the implications of this developing suite of technologies in… read more…
Where Home Prices Increased Most – 2026 Study
Home values can reflect cost of living trends in an area, giving hopeful homebuyers as well as existing homeowners a pulse on the momentum in their local market. Between 2025 and 2026, the typical home value in large U.S. cities actually declined by 1.04%, with values dropping in 70% of cities. But the full range… read more…
You Might Like
- Is Social Security Income Taxable?
- CPA vs. CFP®: Which Is Right for You?
- How to Find and Choose a Financial Advisor
- Investment Advisor vs. Financial Planner
- What Is an Investment Broker?
- What Is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor? Definition, Types and Examples
- All About Taxes on Rental Income
- How Much Does a Financial Advisor Cost?
- Can You Claim Allowances on Your Taxes?
- 12 Questions to Ask a Financial Advisor