- The SmartStart Personal Finance Scholarship (for College Students)
SmartAsset’s mission is empowering people to make smart financial decisions, which it does by matching people with financial advisors and guiding them to educational content and calculators. It also means playing an active role in youth financial literacy. Since 2019… read more…
- The SmartStart Personal Finance Scholarship (for High School Students)
SmartAsset’s mission is empowering people to make smart financial decisions, which it does by matching people with financial advisors and guiding them to educational content and calculators. It also means playing an active role in youth financial literacy. Since 2019… read more…
- How to Save $10,000 in a Year
We would all like to save a bit more money. Whether you want a better safety net, need to pay off debt or are saving up for a big purchase, having extra cash on hand is a good thing. It’s… read more…
- What Happens to Deferred Compensation If I Quit?
Deferred compensation is a way for employees to reduce their tax burden while ensuring their economic security in their golden years. Deferred compensation plans with a long vesting period are commonly referred to as golden handcuffs because they effectively trap you… read more…
- How Much to Have in a College Savings Account By Age
College can be invaluable, potentially leading to higher lifetime earnings. However, saving for college can be a very long-term goal that you’ll need to check to verify your progress. After all, the cost of college has risen rapidly and savings… read more…
- What Is Middle Class Income Tax Bracket in the U.S.?
Unless you’re extremely rich or poor, you probably think of yourself as being part of the “middle class.” As you’re probably aware, “middle class” is an income level that describes people whose annual income is directly in the middle 50%… read more…
- How to Save a Million Dollars in 5 Years
If you knew working twice as hard over the next five years would net you $1 million in your savings account, would you jump at the opportunity? The number might seem impossible, but you can accomplish it. To save $1… read more…
- How to Become Debt Free
Getting out of debt is one of the best financial goals you can set for yourself. From a purely mental standpoint, no matter what kind of bills you’re paying, it’s a huge relief to have any kind of debt taken… read more…
- Best Personal Finance Books for 2023
Many successful people will tell you that they read a book that changed their lives. In this look at several of the best personal finance books, there may be one or more that could help you change your financial life.… read more…
- How to Make a 529 Plan Gift Contribution
As grandparents and other relatives look for a way to leave a legacy and impact the next generation, younger people are facing record-high college expenses and unmanageable student debt. Fortunately, 529 plan gift contributions help solve both issues by providing… read more…
- How Does a Morality Clause Work?
Getting divorced can mean untangling some sticky personal and financial issues. A wrinkle may be added when there are kids involved and you’re trying to work out custody arrangements, child support or a co-parenting plan. One parent or the other… read more…
- What Is Home Care?
Home care provides professional services for a person, typically someone who is in poor health or who cannot regularly attend a physician’s office, to live at home. It includes a broad range of services and levels of care. Here are… read more…
- What Is Child Support Used For?
When parents get divorced, child support ensures that both parents contribute financially to the care of their children. Child support payments can be negotiated between parents, but the courts step in when they cannot agree on the right amount. Here’s… read more…
- Pros and Cons of a Postnuptial Agreement
Getting married is a special time in the lives of many people. However, not all marriages end up in wedded bliss. To protect themselves in case of a divorce, some couples create a prenuptial agreement that spells out financial obligations… read more…
- Pros and Cons of Using the Social Security Lock
Using Social Security’s Self Lock feature keeps anyone from using your Social Security number for credit or employment-related fraud. This prevents someone else’s wages from being reported to the Internal Revenue Services as your wages. However, it also will make… read more…
- 529 Plan vs. Savings Account
College can be one of the biggest expenses you might have to plan for as a parent, after buying a home and funding your retirement. If you have room in your budget to save for college, it’s important to choose… read more…
- How to Use Multiple Savings Accounts
Keeping your money in a savings account is a good way to keep a certain amount of money separate from your daily spending. While most savers prefer to keep their money in a single savings account, it’s possible to have… read more…
- Is My Money Safe in the Bank During a Depression?
If you have money in a checking, saving or other depository account, it is protected from financial downturns by the FDIC. Beyond that, investment products are more exposed to risk, but you can still take some steps to protect yourself.… read more…
- Brokerage Account vs. Cash Management Account
Investors interested in non-retirement investment accounts have likely heard of or already have a brokerage account. However, in recent years, many brokerage firms have also begun offering cash management accounts to their clients. Although offered by the same financial institution,… read more…
- Annual Financial Planning Checklist
The key to gaining financial security is to set financial goals and keep re-evaluating your progress. Without working toward anything specific, you’re likely to spend more than you should without realizing, leaving you vulnerable to life’s unexpected moments. Financial planning… read more…
- How to Set Financial Goals: A Guide
Sometimes it feels like you’re spinning your wheels and every paycheck is gone before you’ve spent it. You might wonder why you try so hard to save but that number never seems to grow. The key to reaching financial security… read more…
- Companies Helping Coronavirus-Impacted People
In response to the coronavirus, companies across the country are pursuing coronavirus relief efforts to help people and businesses most impacted by pandemic. Tech companies are donating millions to help small businesses, healthcare workers and COVID-19 patients. Meanwhile, companies outside the healthcare sector are producing hand sanitizer, masks and other products to curb the spread… read more…
- All About NetSpend Cards
With a checking account, you get a debit card to spend your cash nearly anywhere you wish. But many people can’t qualify for bank checking accounts, and in a world where card transactions are increasingly common, that’s a problem. This… read more…
- What Is Quantitative Tightening?
In the past two years, investors have taken an unusual interest in the Federal Reserve Bank. That’s mostly due to a Fed policy known as ‘quantitative tightening’, or QT. Effectively, QT was the Fed’s attempt to reduce its holdings after… read more…
- Alexa von Tobel: Everything You Need to Know
Personal finance is not something that’s typically taught in school. Alexa von Tobel understands this and has dedicated her life to teaching people the financial lessons they need. Once the CEO of financial planning firm LearnVest, von Tobel has helped people gain… read more…