I’m 45 With 20 Years to Retire. Ignoring My 401(k) Match Could Cost Me Almost $115,000.
At age 45, skipping your 401(k) match means giving up more than your employer’s contribution. You also lose the potential investment growth this money could earn over the next 20 years. Depending on the size of the match and the investment-return assumptions used, that could leave you with almost $115,000 less by retirement. How 401(k)… read more…
Ask an Advisor: You’re Retiring With $3 Million. Will You Need Wealth Management or Just a One-Time Plan?
Suppose you plan to retire with $3 million and want to know: Do I need ongoing wealth management or just a financial plan? The answer often depends less on the size of your portfolio than on the complexity of your financial life. Need help with your plan for retirement? Connect with a financial advisor for… read more…
Where AI Could Reshape the Most Jobs — 2026 Study
SmartAsset used the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data to calculate the percent of each state’s workforce employed in 26 positions classified at the highest risk of potential AI disruption according to June 2026 research by the Virginia Economic Information and Analytics Division. The results show where potential AI-related job disruption is most concentrated across the United States.
Wash Sale Rule for Stocks: Tax Deductions
Selling a stock at a loss can be a useful tax strategy. The loss may offset capital gains and, in some cases, reduce taxable income, but that benefit may end up delayed if you buy the same or a substantially identical investment within 30 days before or after the sale. The wash sale rule aims… 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 AI Could Reshape the Most Jobs — 2026 Study
SmartAsset used the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data to calculate the percent of each state’s workforce employed in 26 positions classified at the highest risk of potential AI disruption according to June 2026 research by the Virginia Economic Information and Analytics Division. The results show where potential AI-related job disruption is most concentrated across the United States.
Staying Home to Raise the Family? Here’s What the Working Spouse Needs to Earn – 2026 Study
Raising a child now costs more than $40,000 per year in some U.S. cities, forcing many families to look for ways to manage the rising costs of parenthood. One major decision is whether both parents will remain in the workforce or one will step away to provide care at home. Because that choice reshapes both… read more…
The Labor Day Gas Price Burden
With Labor Day weekend approaching, millions of Americans are preparing for one last major road trip of the summer. Gas prices have eased from their annual highs, but drivers are not feeling the savings equally. Prices at the pump vary considerably from state to state, as does the share of household income required to fill… read more…
Who Gets the Money? Federal Spending by County in 2025-26
In its latest monthly review, the Congressional Budget Office projects that the 2026 federal deficit will reach $2.1 trillion, with revenue estimated at $5.4 trillion. So who gets the money? Some areas receive significantly more federal funds per resident than others, reflecting where major projects and facilities are located. The result is a patchwork in… read more…
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