- J. Money: Everything You Need to Know
J. Money is a professional blogger who’s risen to fame over the past decade for his personal finance blog, Budgets Are Sexy. He has helped people understand their finances by talking openly about his own. He’s received numerous awards along… read more…
- Robert Kiyosaki: Everything You Need to Know
Author and entrepreneur Robert Kiyosaki hit it big in 1997 with “Rich Dad Poor Dad.” Originally self-published before being picked up by Warner Books, the money advice book was on the New York Times bestseller list for more than six… read more…
- Dave Ramsey: All About the Financial Expert
Dave Ramsey has made a career of giving financial advice to the people who need it most. Most of the callers on his radio show are trying to dig themselves out of deep debt. His advice to them is actually… read more…
- ChFC vs. CFP: What’s the Difference?
The certified financial planner (CFP) designation and the chartered financial consultants (ChFCs) are both designations for financial advisors. Neither is easy to qualify for but both carry a distinction or validation that makes it easier for advisors. Of course, to… read more…
- The Top 11 Cities for a Worktirement – 2017 Edition
Plenty of Americans continue to work after hitting retirement age. Data from the Census Bureau shows that in 2015, 12% of Americans over the age of 70 admitted to doing some work in the previous 12 months. Maybe you’re the type of retiree who wants to stay busy during retirement by working, or you want to supplement… read more…
- What Is the CMFC (Chartered Mutual Fund Counselor) Designation?
Are you interested in investing in mutual funds, but find them complex and overwhelming? If this is the case, it may be time to turn to an expert. A chartered mutual fund counselor (CMFC) is a financial advisor who has… read more…
- What Is the CRD (Central Registration Depository)?
If you are looking to invest money with a brokerage firm or an individual stockbroker, it is important to do your research first. Other wise, you could end up being a victim of fraud. One of the first places you should… read more…
- Where Are Retirees Moving – 2017 Edition
Each year millions of Americans put away their work clothes for the final time and call it a career. But many of these retirees don’t just retire and stay put. Many venture off to the warmer climes of Arizona or Florida to take advantage of year-round heat and relatively low costs of living. These retirees… read more…
- How CFP Certification Works
The title of certified financial planner® (CFP) carries a lot of weight. It indicates that the bearer has put the time and work into obtaining CFP certification. Anyone can say they can help you with your finances, but only a… read more…
- How Financial Counselors and Financial Planners Differ
If you’re in need of financial advice, there are many different routes you can go. There are not only different types of professionals you can pick from, but also firms and advisors that have very specific areas of expertise. Two… read more…
- What Is Private Wealth Management?
Private wealth management is an investment advisory practice focused on serving the unique needs of wealthy individuals. The practice incorporates a wide range of services, including financial planning and investment management, to manage significant amounts of wealth in a comprehensive… read more…
- What Is a Keogh Plan? Definition, Types and Benefits
Self-employment or working for a small business may sound like a dream. However, one downside is that you likely won’t have access to a workplace retirement plan like a 401(k). Sure, you could max out the $6,500 annual IRA contribution… read more…
- What Is Recharacterization?
Update: As of January 1, 2018, recharacterization of Roth IRAs is no longer possible due to the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Once you convert a traditional IRA to a Roth, you no longer have the option of changing back to a traditional. The below article describes how the process… read more…
- What Is the Medicare Eligibility Age?
For just about everyone, the Medicare eligibility age is 65. At that point, you’ll have access to Medicare Part A and are able to purchase Medicare Part B. For some with disabilities or End Stage renal disease, though, eligibility may come at a younger age. Most people are eligible to receive part A without having… read more…
- The Fastest-Growing Job in Each State
The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.5% as of March 2017, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But in many states the jobs that are currently available and growing are not necessarily the ones that have traditionally been available. With the economy doing relatively well, SmartAsset took a look at the fastest-growing jobs in different parts… read more…
- All About Qualified Charitable Distributions
Qualified charitable distributions (QCD) are money taken directly out of your individual retirement account (IRA) and given to an eligible charity. Giving to charity can be a benefit in many ways. Not only does it help people and make you feel good, it may help you with your taxes. Make sure you know everything about… read more…
- When Should You Apply for Long-Term Care Insurance?
At some point, older adults may need help completing basic activities like getting dressed and taking baths. Unfortunately, health insurance plans don’t exactly cover this kind of care. This is where long-term care insurance comes into play. If you’re not… read more…
- When Should You Apply for Medicare?
Many Americans are expected to sign up for health insurance during the open enrollment period that falls between the beginning of November and the end of January. But that’s not the case for everyone. If you’re applying for Medicaid or insurance through CHIP, for example, you can sign up for coverage anytime. And if you’re… read more…
- Understanding Indexed Annuities
There’s a reason that annuities are appealing financial products. They take the uncertainty out of retirement income by guaranteeing an annual sum. But do the costs outweigh the benefits? Let’s take a closer look at indexed annuities and what experts say about them. Check out our retirement calculator. Indexed Annuity Basics An annuity is an… read more…
- The Best Cities for an Active Retirement in 2017
Planning to spend your golden years catching up on sleep? That might not be a good idea. A recent study from the National Institutes of Health found that physical activity may increase one’s life expectancy by as many as four-and-a-half years. Of course, your ability to remain physically active in retirement may depend, in part,… read more…
- What Is an Immediate Annuity?
Planning for retirement can be challenging. Figuring out exactly how much you need to sock away can be tricky, even if you use a retirement calculator. And many retirees are concerned about running out of savings. If thinking about your financial… read more…
- Full Retirement Age Defined and Explained
Your full retirement age is the point at which you’re able to earn the full amount of benefits that you’ve earned throughout your career, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, that doesn’t mean it’s the age at which… read more…
- What Would Privatized Social Security Look Like?
The last Social Security privatization proposal with legs came in 2005. Former President George W. Bush proposed a system of voluntary investment accounts. These accounts would contain money from workers’ payroll taxes. Since that failed, no other privatization proposal has gotten as far. But could that change? Let’s talk about what privatized Social Security could look like. … read more…
- How Does Early Retirement Affect Social Security?
Many adults look forward to retirement and some wouldn’t mind leaving the workforce a little earlier than they are expected to. However, few people think about the drawbacks of retiring early, especially if they haven’t thought through and fully planned… read more…
- The Average Salary of a Millennial
Based on the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data, the average salary for a millennial is $71,566 a year, or $1,376 a week. If you fit into this generation, it probably won’t shock you to learn that the average salary… read more…