Tax Credits and Deductions for Home Improvements
Home improvements can make your home more comfortable, raise its value and lower energy costs over time. Some projects may also qualify for tax credits or deductions. These tax breaks can reduce what you owe when you file your taxes. In other cases, the cost of improvements can increase your home’s cost basis. That may… read more…
How Paying Off Your Mortgage Early Can Affect Your Taxes
Paying off your mortgage early saves you money on interest but it can also change your tax situation. Once the mortgage is gone you lose the mortgage interest deduction, which may reduce the total amount you can itemize on your tax return. That could mean a higher taxable income than you expected. You also need… read more…
Realized vs. Unrealized Gains: Tax Timing and Reporting Rules
Tracking your portfolio growth, is important but knowing when your gains become taxable is just as critical. There is a key difference between gains you have locked in by selling and gains that only exist on paper. This distinction between realized and unrealized gains drives most of the tax decisions investors face. Selling a stock… read more…
Long-Term Stock Investments: Tax Rules and Growth
Buying stocks is one thing but knowing how to hold them over time is what builds real wealth. Long-term investing gives you the benefit of compounding growth, lower taxes on gains and less exposure to short-term market swings. Short-term trading doesn’t offer those same advantages and often costs more in fees and taxes. The longer… 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…
5 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
Where Cost of Living Increased and Decreased Most – 2026 Study
The cost of living premium in a specific location reflects the relative cost of housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and other common necessities, compared to the rest of the country. The overall valuation of a dollar also comes into play, with general inflation metrics keeping tabs on nationwide trends and applied across a wider basket of… read more…
Retirement Savings by State – 2026 Study
Tax-advantaged retirement accounts can give savers a leg up in building their nest egg. While many American workers qualify for Social Security benefits in retirement, these benefits are rarely enough to cover expenses – especially since retirement often brings added costs for health care and aging. On average, Americans have roughly one year’s worth of… read more…
Student Loan Debt by State – 2026 Study
Over $32.4 billion dollars in student loan debt remained unpaid across U.S. states in 2025. Student loan debt can have a lasting impact on a household’s finances, just like the benefits of the right education and application can have a lasting impact on career and income. It’s important to weigh the costs and potential benefits,… read more…
How Far Does $100,000 Go in U.S. Cities? 2026 Study
While a $100,000 income may serve as a mental threshold for a little financial breathing room, its real purchasing power depends largely on location and lifestyle. Taxes vary across the nation, with many states and even some cities tacking on additional charges to federal collections. And depending on how taxes are filed, reaching a $100,000… read more…
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