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Nurse doing blood pressure monitoring.
Income

Where It Pays to Be in Nursing — 2026 Study

Nursing is a calling, but it’s also a paycheck, and location can have a major impact on that paycheck’s true value. While demand for nurses exists across the U.S., compensation does not factor evenly from state to state. After accounting for differences in local costs, some states offer nurses materially stronger earning power than others,… read more…

Financial Planning

VA Benefits for Dependents: Types and Requirements

Support for a military family doesn’t end when service is complete, and neither do the benefits. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers a range of programs designed to help spouses, children and even parents access health care, education funding and financial support1. Knowing what’s available and how to qualify can make a meaningful difference… read more…

Tax & Legal

Durable vs. General Power of Attorney: Definition, Scope and Differences

The key distinction between general and durable powers of attorney centers on what happens if you become mentally incapacitated. A general power of attorney automatically terminates the moment you lose mental capacity. At precisely the time you need help most, it could potentially leave you with no one legally authorized to manage your affairs. A… read more…

SmartAsset: Where High Gas Prices Will Most Affect Individuals
Cost of Living & Taxes

The Gas Price Burden — Where Gas Prices Hit Hardest

The average price of regular unleaded gasoline in California has topped $6 per gallon. However, while gas prices are posted by the gallon, they’re felt by the paycheck, and a tank of gas does not hit every household budget the same way. The same fill-up can be a minor errand in one area and a… 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

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…

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

Nurse doing blood pressure monitoring.
Income

Where It Pays to Be in Nursing — 2026 Study

Nursing is a calling, but it’s also a paycheck, and location can have a major impact on that paycheck’s true value. While demand for nurses exists across the U.S., compensation does not factor evenly from state to state. After accounting for differences in local costs, some states offer nurses materially stronger earning power than others,… read more…

SmartAsset: Where High Gas Prices Will Most Affect Individuals
Cost of Living & Taxes

The Gas Price Burden — Where Gas Prices Hit Hardest

The average price of regular unleaded gasoline in California has topped $6 per gallon. However, while gas prices are posted by the gallon, they’re felt by the paycheck, and a tank of gas does not hit every household budget the same way. The same fill-up can be a minor errand in one area and a… read more…

A retired couple hiking with their dog.
Quality of Life

America’s Most Active Seniors — 2026 Study 

SmartAsset set out to identify the states that are home to America’s most active seniors. The study calculated the average daily time people ages 65 and older spend on four activities — exercise, gardening, travel and volunteering — and ranked states based on the totals.

Christopher Newport University.
Travel, Education & More

America’s Best Value Small Colleges and Universities — 2026 Study 

As the Class of 2026 prepares to begin the next chapter of its educational journey, many graduating seniors will opt for a small college experience. Some students are drawn to small colleges and universities for the personalized attention and sense of community they can offer compared to larger schools. Although attending such institutions could come… read more…

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