Where the Down Payment Burden Has Grown Most
Saving for a home down payment has become a moving target. As rising home prices outstrip wage growth, the amount of time buyers may need to set aside enough money has changed sharply in many parts of the country. In some states, rising incomes have helped offset higher home values. In others, buyers may face… read more…
An Annuity Promises Income for Life. Here’s the Part the Sales Pitch Skips.
The sales pitch is almost irresistible: Hand over a lump sum and you will get a monthly check for life. After decades of saving, that guarantee can sound like a simple solution for retirement. What the pitch often leaves out is how much you have to give up in exchange. What an Annuity Actually Gives… read more…
How to Invest During Inflation: 3 Strategies and Risks
Inflation has a way of quietly undoing financial progress. A portfolio can post a positive return on paper and still lose ground if prices are climbing faster than the account is growing. After cooling toward the Federal Reserve’s target in early 2026, U.S. inflation has once again reaccelerated, reaching 4.2% for the 12 months ending… read more…
MAGI for a Roth IRA: Income Limits and Calculation Examples
A Roth IRA can be one of the most powerful retirement savings tools available, offering the potential for decades of tax-free growth and tax-free qualified withdrawals. But not everyone is eligible to contribute directly. The key decider is your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI). This tax calculation determines whether you can make a full Roth… 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
Where the Down Payment Burden Has Grown Most
Saving for a home down payment has become a moving target. As rising home prices outstrip wage growth, the amount of time buyers may need to set aside enough money has changed sharply in many parts of the country. In some states, rising incomes have helped offset higher home values. In others, buyers may face… read more…
The Fourth of July Gas Price Burden
With the Fourth of July weekend approaching, millions of Americans are preparing to hit the road. Gas prices have fallen across the U.S. since reaching an annual peak on May 21, offering some relief before one of the year’s busiest driving periods. But both the extent of the price decline and the financial burden of… read more…
When it Pays to Work in Florida — and When It Doesn’t
Florida’s economy has a pull of its own, from tourism and health care to construction and finance. But does working in the Sunshine State pay more? After adjusting for regional price differences, occupational pay gaps can look different than headline salaries suggest. For some workers, Florida offers a meaningful pay advantage; for others, the same… read more…
Where Social Security Cuts Could Have the Greatest Economic Impact
Social Security is a major source of retirement income for millions of Americans, but its economic importance varies sharply by locality. In some communities, benefits represent a relatively small share of total income. In others, they account for a substantial portion of money flowing into the local economy. That reliance may become more consequential as… read more…
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