- 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…
- Where Women Are Most Successful – 2022 Edition
There are over two million women business owners, and that number is on the rise. In fact, data from the Census Bureau shows an increase of 17.63% between 2017 and 2021. Compared to 10 years ago, that’s more than a… read more…
- Where Housing Markets Are Cooling Off Most – 2022 Study
New home buyers are becoming more cautious. Rising mortgage rates and declining home sales have signaled the end of a hot housing market that has plagued buyers for over a year. According to the Census Bureau, home sales are down… read more…
- How Much Does the First Year of Homeownership Cost in Large U.S. Cities? – 2022 Edition
Mortgage rates have jumped over three percentage points this year, recently hitting new highs above 6.0%. And for new homebuyers, this has dramatically increased the cost of buying a home. Though homebuyers may refinance over the course of their mortgage… read more…
- High-Paying Jobs That Are Expected to Grow Over the Next Decade – 2022 Edition
Many people looking for a new job are rethinking their priorities. In fact, from April 2020 to June 2021, the demand for flexible work arrangements grew at a faster pace than any other work priority, according to LinkedIn’s Talent Drivers… read more…
- Should I Delay Retirement? What the Numbers Say – 2022 Study
Delaying retirement is one impactful way to extend the life of your retirement savings. Waiting several years – or decades – to leave the workforce can grow your investment accounts, increase Social Security benefits and reduce the number of years… read more…
- Where Millennials Are Struggling to Pay Off Credit Card Debt – 2022 Study
Across all generations, millennials spend the most time worrying about money (seven times a day, on average). Additionally, nearly three in four millennials have credit card debt and carry an average balance of $4,576. Tackling that debt can be challenging… read more…
- Best Suburbs to Live In Near a Large City – 2022 Study
Large cities can be a great option for anyone looking for a walkable, fast-paced environment with easy access to shops and restaurants. However, the hustle and bustle of a large city isn’t a one-size-fits-all proposition for everyone. Large cities are… read more…
- States With the Best Infrastructure – 2022 Edition
Millions of federal dollars are on the way to states as a result of two recent bipartisan infrastructure bills. This has the potential to impact the finances of everyday Americans. Some sources suggest that the average American loses roughly $3,300… read more…