- 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…
- Airfare Rises More Than 20% Over the Quarter – November 2022 Study
Rising costs of jet fuel, delays, cancellations and inflation have created headaches for travelers this year. And, as a result, consumers are seeing much higher airfare prices across the country. With holiday travel around the corner, SmartAsset investigated the places where… read more…
- Nearly 60% of Financial Advisors Are Doing More Client Outreach This Year – 2022 Study
Like most client-facing businesses, financial advisory firms tend to have a strong focus on marketing. Those promotional strategies often serve to both engage current clients and expand their business to bring on new clients. And with the end of the… read more…
- Where Millennials Are Moving – 2022 Edition
Millennials are increasingly putting down roots whether that is through buying a home, getting involved in their community or working with a local financial advisor to plan for the future. While less than 4% of millennials moved between states in… read more…
- Most Sustainable Cities – 2022 Study
A recent report on the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) demonstrates the importance of local measures when it comes to furthering sustainability efforts. Local sustainability means cleaner, more efficient and resilient communities. For residents, that translates into more opportunities for a… read more…
- Income Needed to Pay Rent in the Largest U.S. Cities – 2022 Edition
Rising inflation and high interest rates have made affording basic necessities like housing challenging and it’s easy to spend more than what you are comfortable with. Nationally, renters can expect to pay upwards of $1,800 on average for a two-bedroom… read more…
- Where Are Young People Buying Homes? – 2022 Edition
The housing market has increasingly discouraged young people from buying homes. A June 2022 survey by Money and Morning Consult found that given the state of the housing market over the past two years, 48% of Generation Z and 44%… read more…
- Best Places to Celebrate Halloween – 2022 Edition
Though Halloween is the scariest holiday of the year, the impact of rising inflation may make it even more terrifying for Americans across the country. Filling the bowl with copious amounts of candy will cost over 30% more than years… read more…
- This Chart Shows How Slashing $500 From Your Budget Impacts Retirement
Equity markets have stumbled in 2022, officially entering bear market territory, and leaving soon-to-be retirees wondering whether they’ll be able to finance their golden years. For these folks, there are a number of ways to approach this new investment reality.… read more…
- Best Cities to Work From Home – 2022 Edition
The share of individuals who work from home has dramatically increased over the past several years. Census Bureau data shows that the estimated percentage of workers in the U.S. who work from home rose from 5.0% to 17.9% between 2016… read more…