How Much Should I Have in My 401(k) at Age 55?
By age 55, you’re about a decade away from retirement. Many financial experts suggest having seven to eight times your annual salary saved by this age if you want to maintain a comfortable retirement. By 55 you still have time to benefit from compounding and catch-up contributions, but not much. Knowing the benchmarks, the potential… read more…
How Much Should I Have in My 401(k) at Age 45?
Financial planners often recommend aiming for roughly three times your annual salary in retirement savings by the time you reach 45. At the same time, your mid-forties are a turning point when compounding can still work in your favor. The decisions you make now, whether you’re on track or catching up, will affect your nest… read more…
I’m 67 With $870k in a 401(k), $120k in an IRA and a $2,200 Social Security Check. What’s My Retirement Budget?
Deciding how much to withdraw from your retirement accounts means finding a balance between enjoying life and making your money last. Taking too little leaves you with unused savings, while taking too much risks running out of money later. Taxes also affect how much you can actually spend. To help you create a retirement budget,… read more…
Fixed Annuity vs. CD: Which Should You Invest In?
Fixed annuities and certificates of deposit (CDs) are both low-risk savings vehicles that provide guaranteed returns, but they work in different ways. A CD locks in funds for a set period at a fixed interest rate, with penalties for early withdrawal. A fixed annuity, offered by insurance companies, provides tax-deferred growth and often guarantees income… 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…
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…
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
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…
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…
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…
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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