- Do I Need a Financial Planner?
A financial planner can be a powerful force for good, helping you set and reach financial goals. But do you really need a financial planner? Many people forgo the option of working with a financial planner in favor of doing research on their own, setting their own goals and managing their own finances. That means… read more…
- Is a CFP® a Fiduciary?
The financial advisory industry comprises a multitude of professionals, services and products. But when it comes to financial planning, advisors who hold the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation are the gold standard. These financial advisors must go through a rigorous… read more…
- CPA vs. Financial Advisor: Which Do You Need?
A certified public accountant (CPA) focuses on taxes, offering services like preparation, filing and tax strategy guidance. A financial advisor, by comparison, typically specializes in financial planning and investment management, which can also include tax planning. Some financial advisors may also hold a CPA designation, but their primary role is helping clients grow and manage… read more…
- How to Find a Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
With so many online resources to choose from, finding a financial advisor has become easier. However, there’s a lot to sift through when it comes to picking one. Every financial advisor tends to have different types of certifications, such as certified… read more…
- The 10 Best Personal Finance Courses of 2025
Financial literacy requires both knowledge and skills to manage your personal finances effectively. It is a basic requirement for success in today’s world, and yet it is often one of the least-addressed topics by most people today. These best personal finance courses provide special tools and features all designed to improve your financial literacy. Whether… read more…
- Should You Work With a Real Estate Advisor?
Real estate advisors provide research, analysis, planning, strategy and management input when evaluating, acquiring, selling, developing, improving and financing the real estate portion of an investment portfolio. Because real estate investing can be so high-stakes, the services of one of… read more…
- Estate Planning Financial Advisor
An estate plan is a set of documents describing the way you want your assets to be distributed when you die or become incapacitated. Along with retirement planning, managing risk and investments, an estate plan is a basic part of a full financial plan. Financial advisors help clients prepare estate plans by working with them… read more…
- Average Net Worth By Age
Net worth is a financial metric that can help you keep your individual picture of your finances in perspective. The average net worth by age, in this case, refers to the net worth of the households in the U.S. divided… read more…
- 3 Reasons DIY Investors Should Consider Working With a Financial Advisor
The COVID-19 pandemic gave rise to a new wave of investors — who suddenly have more time and money on their hands, thanks to lockdowns and stimulus checks. The DIY investors have taken advantage of low trading fees and account minimums on relatively new platforms like Robinhood. In fact, a recent survey of 2,000 American… read more…
- How Much Do Flat-Fee Financial Advisors Cost?
Financial advisors charge fees for their services. Depending on how the advisor gets paid, you may pay fees directly to them or indirectly through the investments they offer. Flat-fee financial advisors earn a flat fee for services instead of getting a commission or a percent of assets under management (AUM). Let’s break down how much it… read more…
- This Simple Step Makes It Way More Likely You’ll Meet Your Retirement Goals
Saving for retirement isn’t easy. How much cash will you need in your coffers once you exit the workforce? How much from each paycheck should you put toward retirement, and how aggressive should your asset allocation be? Trying to make all those often overwhelming decisions as you fly by the seat of your pants can… read more…
- How Fee-Only Wealth Management Works
Financial advisors who are wealth management experts can earn fees in different ways. Fee-only wealth management firms charge clients a flat fee for services with no commissions. Clients pay for financial planning and investment management services. These firms have a pricing structure based on both advisory fees and commission on products, and they may be… read more…
- If You’re Using This Common Investing Tactic, You’re Almost Certain to Fail
After a particularly strong 2021, the three major stock market indexes have gotten off to a rocky start in 2022. While the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average are down 5.92% and 3.43% this year, respectively, the Nasdaq Composite Index has dropped more than 10% in 2022. The recent volatility may have some investors… read more…
- Are Insurance Agents Fiduciaries? Federal Lawsuit Aims to Vacate This Controversial Rule
A federal lawsuit seeks to vacate a U.S. Department of Labor rule under which insurance agents who help clients roll over retirement assets are considered fiduciaries. The Federation of Americans for Consumer Choice, an insurance trade organization, filed a 21-page complaint on Wednesday alongside several Texas-based financial advisors who direct clients regarding the purchase of… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: Do I Really Need a Trust?
I retired a few years ago and have a will and power of attorney, a reasonably good-sized net worth, mutual funds, annuities, cash, a home with no mortgage and a long-term health policy. I’ve read about trusts, but I’m still not clear on the pluses and minuses of setting one up. Why is that better… read more…
- Financial Advisor vs. Accountant
The world of finance can be a complicated and confusing place. Myriad types of financial professionals offer services to help you with the various aspects of finance that affect your life. If you have wondered whether a financial advisor or an accountant is best for your financial planning needs, this will steer you in the… read more…
- What Is Financial Wellness? How Do You Achieve It?
Money is the No. 1 stressor for most adults. You may be struggling with credit card debt, an emergency that involves a large expenditure or whether you are saving enough for retirement. The pandemic has added an extra layer of… read more…
- This $1.4 Billion Robo-Advisor Deal Will Affect 130 Million Millennial and Gen Z Investors
Robo-advisors are poised to grow over $41 billion by 2027. And Zurich-based bank UBS is targeting tech-savvy investors with the acquisition of one of the top robo-advisors, Wealthfront. Financial experts say this is part of a larger industry trend that uses… read more…
- 84 Trillion Reasons Why Having a Financial Advisor May Be More Vital Than Ever
It’s been dubbed the “Great Wealth Transfer” — a massive intergenerational shift in assets that will reshape the American financial landscape. Just how large? Boston-based financial research firm Cerulli Associates projects $84.4 trillion will be transferred to family members and charities by 2045, including $72.6 trillion in assets that will pass to heirs. While the… read more…
- What Is a Certified Financial Therapist (CFT-I)?
Few of us would claim to be perfect with our money. We may save less than we planned, overspend on occasion or forgo the monthly budget on vacation. However, there are some financial habits that are much more serious, such as compulsive spending or money-related anxiety. A certified financial therapist, or CFT-I, may be able to… read more…
- What Does Separate Property Mean?
When you get married, you agree to share property with your spouse simply because you’re married. However, there is property that you may have had before your marriage that can remain yours alone, meaning it’s considered “separate property.” There is… read more…
- Check for This Red Flag Before Hiring a Financial Advisor
When selecting a financial advisor, there are a number of things you should consider, including an advisor’s professional credentials, fee structure and investing philosophy, not to mention your personal rapport with this expert. A new study, though, highlights the importance of researching the ownership of a financial advisory firm. Research from the University of Oregon… read more…
- Want Your Dividend in Bitcoin? There’s a Stock for That
Cash dividends are so last year. A blockchain infrastructure company will break new ground in March when it issues its first Bitcoin dividend to shareholders. BTCS Inc. announced Wednesday that it would become the first Nasdaq-listed company to distribute a dividend… read more…
- What Is a Self-Proving Affidavit?
A self-proving affidavit is a sworn document that attests to the validity of a will. While not required, a self-proving affidavit can speed up the probate process and render the court testimony of witnesses unnecessary. A financial advisor who offers estate planning services can prepare a self-proving affidavit and help with other end-of-life needs that… read more…
- If You Have This Much Money, You Should Have a Financial Advisor
Money can’t buy happiness directly, but it seems like paying a financial advisor sure can help. A new survey found people with more than $1.2 million in household assets report higher levels of happiness when working with a financial advisor… read more…