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An investor reviewing long-term bond investments.
Investing for Beginners

5 Reasons to Include Long-Term Bonds in Your Portfolio

Long-term bonds with maturities of 10 years or more offer regular interest income over an extended period of time. Investing in long-term bonds gives investors the opportunity to balance their investment portfolios with a component providing security and steady returns. For those nearing retirement or seeking stability, the predictability of long-term bonds can be especially… read more…

An investor picking day trading stocks.
Investing for Beginners

8 Common Rules for Picking Day Trading Stocks

Day trading is a fast-paced form of stock trading where shares are bought and closed within the same trading day, often within hours or minutes and sometimes within seconds. This strategy is focused on capitalizing on small, rapid price movements in highly liquid stocks. While day trading can offer substantial profits, it also comes with… read more…

The S&P’s rating scale provides independent credit ratings that offer insight into the creditworthiness of borrowers.
Investing for Beginners

What Is the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) Rating Scale?

The Standard & Poor’s (S&P) rating scale is a widely recognized system used to evaluate the creditworthiness of debt securities, including bonds and other financial obligations. By assigning ratings that range from ‘AAA’ to ‘D,’ the S&P rating scale helps investors make informed decisions about the risk level associated with different companies and types of… read more…

Partners at a firm discuss how to create a social media calendar for financial advisors.
Firm Management

How to Build a Social Media Calendar as a Financial Advisor

Social media is one of the most powerful marketing tools, and allows financial advisors to connect with their target audience, build a loyal following and get prospects into their sales funnel. A good social media strategy revolves around creating compelling content and engaging with your audience consistently. That’s where a social media calendar for financial… 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…

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

Travel, Education & More

Best Community Colleges in the U.S. – 2024 Study

Associate degrees offer students flexibility to achieve different educational and vocational goals. They usually take half the time of a bachelor’s degree and could help you meet the academic requirements for many entry positions into a career. Community colleges that offer associate’s degrees are often a more affordable option for students. However, education can still… read more…

Demographics & Migration

Where Wealthy Millennials Are Moving – 2024 Study

According to the Census Bureau, the median income in the U.S. is around $75,000, with Millennials earning higher than average at roughly $84,000 annually. But many Millennials eclipse the median, with some households bringing in more than $200,000 per year – earning the classification of “high earners” per the IRS. These Millennials in particular have… read more…

Travel, Education & More

Where Veterans Are Buying the Most Homes – 2024 Study

Through their service, veterans earn certain benefits for home buying not available to the general population, including special loans facilitated by the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). These VA loans can enable prior service members to purchase homes more easily than with a conventional or even FHA loan – often with a 0% down payment. … read more…

Cost of Living & Taxes

What the Top 1% Pay in Taxes in Each State – 2024 Study

The top 1% of earners typically pay much more in taxes than many other Americans. Nationwide, this group contributes 45% of total personal income taxes collected. However, the top 1% doesn’t pay the same amount everywhere. Therefore, some states may be more dependent on this group than others for tax revenue. With this in mind,… read more…

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