- These Charts Show Why You Shouldn’t Retire in a Down Market – 2023 Study
When it comes to retirement, timing is everything. And for retirees, good timing doesn’t just have to do with threading the needle on Social Security start dates or savvily initiating required minimum distributions (RMDs). It also has to do with… read more…
- Here’s How Much You Can Earn Without a Bachelor’s Degree – 2023 Edition
Going to a traditional four-year college isn’t the only path to a successful career. In fact, there are many well-paying jobs available for those without a bachelor’s degree, and average earnings for this demographic hover around $49,206. With that said,… read more…
- What It Takes to Be in the Top 1% by State – 2023 Edition
The gap between the top 1% of earners and average Americans is stark. In fact, the average American household earns a median income of under $70,000, but in some places, the top 1% can earn as much as $955,000. Those… read more…
- More Than 60% of Advisors Regularly Attend Conferences. Here Are the Most Popular Events for 2023
In 2023, financial advisors are dusting off their blazers, slapping on fresh name tags and marching back to conferences and professional events. The return to air-conditioned conference rooms and fluorescent-lit exhibitor halls comes three years after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted professional conferences and events across industries. This year, however, advisors plan to attend old standbys… read more…
- Cities Where Minimum Wage Goes Furthest – 2023 Edition
Despite persistent inflation, the federal minimum wage remains $7.25 per hour. More than 13 years have passed since Congress last raised the federal minimum wage in 2009, the longest such stretch in American history. While many cities, counties and states… read more…
- Where Social Security Benefits Are Highest and Lowest Relative to Local Housing Costs – 2023 Edition
Social Security plays a critical role in the retirement plans of millions of Americans each year. Average annual Social Security benefits reached $21,152 in 2021, according to the Census Bureau. While higher Social Security is good news for retirees on the surface, median housing costs also continued to climb, jumping 7.6%. Keeping these figures in… read more…
- Fastest-Growing Jobs for College Grads – 2023 Edition
The U.S. labor market remained strong in 2022, adding another 223,000 jobs in December. But the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the job market may cool off in years to come, projecting that total employment will grow only 0.5%… read more…
- Years of Work Needed to Afford a Down Payment – 2022 Edition
The housing market has been on a rollercoaster over the past year. In early 2022, prices rose at breakneck speed. In fact, the average price for single-family homes with mortgages spiked nearly 20% between February 2021 and February 2022. Now, Americans are seeing prices cool after the Federal Reserve announced a series of interest rate… read more…
- Most Fitness-Friendly Places for 2023
From casual neighborhood runners to fitness fanatics, many Americans prioritize exercise. This is especially true at the start of the new year, when getting into shape tends to become a popular resolution. The World Health Organization suggests that adults aged 18 to 64 should complete 150 to 300 minutes of moderate cardio each week, which… read more…
- Best States for Homeowners – 2022 Edition
The hot housing market has shown signs of cooling. Nationally, home prices have declined by 1.3% since their peak in June 2022. And some experts have predicted that housing could fall as much as 20%. Regionally, the majority of housing markets are expected to see price drops toward the end of this year. For prospective… read more…
- Best Cities for Beer Drinkers – 2022 Edition
If you’re a die-hard beer lover in the U.S., you’re not alone. In 2019, the U.S. beer industry sold around $120 billion worth of beer through retail businesses. That dropped in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the industry… read more…
- Where Americans Are Happiest – 2022 Study
Research shows that in some cases, money does lead to happiness. In fact, a 2021 University of Pennsylvania study found a correlation between happiness and income growth, even past an annual income of $80,000. This is in contrast to previous… read more…
- How Tax-Loss Harvesting Can Help Boost Your Portfolio
Make no bones about it: 2022 has not been kind to investors. Persistent inflation, rising interest rates and the Russia-Ukraine war have all driven major stock market indexes down throughout the year. As of Dec. 7, the S&P 500 was… read more…
- Cities With the Largest Gen Z Workforce – 2022 Study
While the youngest Gen Zers are age 10 today, the oldest of the generation are reaching their mid-20s and are growing their careers. By 2025, Gen Zers are expected to account for a quarter of the workforce in the U.S. Additionally, a recent survey by McKinsey shows that Gen Z workers are more likely to… read more…
- This Chart Illustrates How One Strategy Can Shave More than $1,000 Off Filers’ Tax Bills
One way for taxpayers to save money on their tax bill is via a strategy called “bunching deductions.” This technique, in which taxpayers accelerate or defer income in order to exceed the standard deduction in a given tax year, took… read more…
- Most Affordable Travel Destinations This Holiday Season – 2022 Study
Travel is top of mind as Americans navigate into the new year. According to the U.S. Travel Association, nearly one-third of Americans will make taking a vacation one of their highest priorities. And so far, travel spending for September 2022 has hit its highest ceiling since the pandemic. With prices up across the board with… read more…
- Top Boomtowns in America – 2022 Edition
Economic uncertainty has been a top concern for most Americans over the past several months, and many experts predict that financial struggles will continue into the new year. However, despite the many challenges Americans have faced nationwide, there are some… read more…
- Here’s How a Small Difference in Expense Ratio Can Shave Thousands Off Your Retirement Savings
Historical returns and underlying investments aren’t the only metrics to consider when selecting mutual funds. A fund’s expense ratio, the internal operating costs paid by investors, is also an important component to keep in mind. Expressed as a percentage, an… read more…
- Where Gas Prices Are Highest Going Into the Holidays – 2022 Study
With many Americans driving around winter holidays, average gas prices will be at their highest seasonal level ever, according to new data from GasBuddy (a website that tracks local gas prices). The national average is projected to stand at $3.68… read more…
- Where Seniors Delayed Retirement Amid COVID-19 – 2022 Edition
During the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many seniors rethought their working or retirement arrangements, with some seniors opting to leave the workforce while other retirees chose to rejoin it. In fact, the nation’s senior labor force participation rate, perhaps surprisingly, stayed consistent between 2019 and 2021. About 19% of those over the age of… read more…
- This Chart Shows Why It’s Not Too Late to Increase Retirement Savings, Even in Your 50s
Allocating a higher percentage of your salary toward retirement is an effective pathway to grow your savings – and improve your shot at financing your post-work life. But is that true for investors in their 50s? Can folks in middle… read more…
- Where Rich Americans Give the Most to Charity – 2022 Edition
While Americans are still facing economic challenges, monetary generosity has also increased. Charitable giving grew by 9% in 2021 for both traditional donations and online giving, according to the non-profit research division at Blackbaud Institute. This is the largest increase… read more…
- Best Places to Work in Manufacturing – 2022 Edition
Local manufacturing can provide high wage jobs, be essential for innovation, help reduce the national trade deficit and contribute to environmental sustainability, according to The Brookings Institute. However, it’s no secret that U.S. manufacturing jobs have been shrinking over the… read more…
- Best Cities for Military Retirees – 2022 Edition
There are about 18 million veterans in the U.S., of which about 13 million are over the age of 50, according to recent data from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). With so many veterans either in retirement or… read more…
- Financial Advisors’ Top 3 Tax Moves to Make at Year-End – 2022 Study
As the year winds down, tax planning takes center stage. The last months before Dec. 31 are prime time for taxpayers to execute various financial moves before certain tax deadlines arrive. So which tax strategies are advisors discussing with clients?… read more…