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Travel, Education & More

Best Community Colleges – 2025 Study

Community college can be the pathway to creating more lifelong income, with associate’s degree holders earning 14% more – or $6,496 more per year – than those with a high school education. But while tuition and fees tend to be less expensive for community colleges than four-year degrees, it still costs a median $5,040 per… read more…

Converting $1 million in an IRA to a Roth IRA can reduce future RMDs and create tax-free income in retirement.
Retirement Taxes

I’m 63 With $1 Million in an IRA. Should I Convert $100,000 a Year to a Roth to Avoid RMDs?

If you’re 63 years old with $1 million in a traditional IRA, you may be wondering whether converting $100,000 per year to a Roth IRA makes sense. Doing so could help you avoid required minimum distributions (RMDs) later on. This strategy may reduce your future tax burden and give you more control over your retirement… read more…

Legislation & Policy

Trump Wants 401(k)s to Offer Private Equity and Crypto: What It Means for You

President Donald Trump is paving the way for a significant shift in retirement investing by permitting 401(k) plans to include alternative investments like private equity, real estate and digital assets. Trump’s recent executive order aims to provide 401(k) participants with greater access to diversified investment opportunities, potentially enhancing retirement outcomes. However, these alternative investments come… read more…

Derivatives Markets

Futures vs. Forex: Key Differences and Market Examples

Futures and forex markets are both popular options for investors looking to trade financial assets, but they differ in key ways. Futures involve standardized contracts to buy or sell assets at a set price on a future date, while forex focuses on the exchange of currencies. Each market offers unique opportunities, risk factors and trading… read more…

Editor's Picks

A couple determining whether they need a CFA vs. CFP®.
Certifications & Licenses

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…

Clients meeting with an advisor from a wealth management firm.
Brokerage

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…

A fee-only financial planner doesn't earn commissions for recommending certain products.
Advisor Fees & Costs

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…

Investment Property
Real Estate Investing

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

Full body of young man with female friends in casual clothes chatting while walking on university campus footpath in city on sunny day
Travel, Education & More

Best Community Colleges – 2025 Study

Community college can be the pathway to creating more lifelong income, with associate’s degree holders earning 14% more – or $6,496 more per year – than those with a high school education. But while tuition and fees tend to be less expensive for community colleges than four-year degrees, it still costs a median $5,040 per… read more…

Austin, Texas. The star in front of Bullock Texas State History Museum.
Income

Credit Card Chaos: Where Americans Face the Most Trouble With Their Cards – 2025 Study

The United States depends heavily on credit cards, with the Federal Reserve reporting that credit cards account for 32% of transactions nationwide. Benefits like rewards programs, budgeting tools, credit-building, fraud protection, interest-free promotions and more make them valuable tools for everyday purchases and big-ticket items across most lifestyles. But when credit card holders encounter issues… read more…

Southerly view of Utah Lake with Lehi neighborhoods below and West Mountain then Mount Nebo above
Quality of Life

America’s Safest Suburbs – 2025 Study

While costs are often a major factor for families deciding where to settle, safety is another important factor for quality of life. Many households are willing to pay a premium to be in a neighborhood they feel physically safe in, as valuable qualitative benefits may be at stake in establishing a sense of safety –… read more…

An investor reviews his portfolio in his home office.
Income

How Much Do You Need to Earn to Be in the Top 1% in Your State? 2025 Study

Nearly 1.5 million households across the United States now rank among the top 1% of earners, according to the latest tax return data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). On average, it takes $731,492 in annual income to be a part of this group. But that threshold looks different depending on where you live. Economic… read more…

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