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Companies can cut dividends, and rising interest rates can lower the value of bond funds.
Investing

Dividend Stocks or Bond Funds for Retirement Income? Here’s What I Wish I’d Known.

Dividend stocks can offer you cash flow and growth potential, while bond funds generally provide more predictable payments. Both investment options carry risks, with companies possibly cutting distributions and rising interest rates reducing the value of fixed-income holdings. If you have $500,000 saved for retirement, the highest yield doesn’t always deliver the most reliable income.… read more…

Florist decorating an orange pumpkin with flowers for Halloween.
Travel, Education & More

America’s Scariest States

Halloween took shape as an American tradition in the 19th century, blending immigrant customs with seasonal observances. Since then, the holiday has evolved into a celebration of fear as entertainment. Once tied to harvest traditions, Halloween is now a spectacle of suspense celebrated by three-quarters of U.S. adults. But seasonal scares are not evenly distributed,… read more…

Inheritance

I Inherited a $500,000 Roth IRA. Ignoring This 5-Year Rule Could Raise My Tax Bill

An inherited Roth IRA can come with a tax advantage, but timing still matters. The account’s earnings are generally tax-free only after the original owner’s five-year period has been satisfied. If that clock is still running, an early withdrawal could create taxable income. Confirming the Roth’s start date first can help you understand which parts… read more…

Financial advisor and columnist Jeremy Suschak
Ask an Advisor

With AI Companies Preparing to IPO, How Should I Think About Them Within My Retirement Plan?

After several relatively quiet years, large initial public offerings (IPOs) are once again attracting investor attention. SpaceX went public in June 2026, and investors are already looking ahead to potential IPOs from several major artificial intelligence companies. Hotly anticipated IPOs often generate considerable enthusiasm among investors of all types, many of whom are eager to… read more…

Editor's Picks

A couple determining whether they need a CFA vs. CFP®.
Certifications & Licenses

CFA vs. CFP®: Which Do You Need?

Chartered financial analyst (CFA) and certified financial planner (CFP) are common certifications for individuals working in finance, namely financial advisors. These are designed to tell a client (or employer) that the holder has received education in certain types of financial… read more…

Clients meeting with an advisor from a wealth management firm.
Brokerage

6 Tips for Choosing a Wealth Management Firm

Wealth management firms are all different, with their own specializations and services. As a result, the process for choosing a wealth manager is a very personal one. Wealth managers work closely together with their clients to identify financial goals and… read more…

A fee-only financial planner doesn't earn commissions for recommending certain products.
Advisor Fees & Costs

What Is a Fee-Only Financial Planner?

If a financial planner, financial advisor or another type of financial professional is fee-only, that means they receive compensation solely from the fees clients pay for their services. They do not earn commissions for recommending certain products. A fee-only structure… read more…

Investment Property
Real Estate Investing

Why First Homes Could Be Investment Properties

If you’re young and looking to purchase a new home to live in, you may want to consider turning it into an investment property. While most people wait until after they’ve bought their first or second home to begin investing in… read more…

Data Articles and Studies

Florist decorating an orange pumpkin with flowers for Halloween.
Travel, Education & More

America’s Scariest States

Halloween took shape as an American tradition in the 19th century, blending immigrant customs with seasonal observances. Since then, the holiday has evolved into a celebration of fear as entertainment. Once tied to harvest traditions, Halloween is now a spectacle of suspense celebrated by three-quarters of U.S. adults. But seasonal scares are not evenly distributed,… read more…

Mother and son having a meeting with the school principal.
Travel, Education & More

Where It Pays to be a Principal

School principals are responsible for managing teachers and keeping schools operating efficiently, making them key players in ensuring positive student outcomes. But the financial rewards of the job vary widely based on the place of employment. In some states, principal pay stretches further after accounting for cost of living, while in others, higher nominal salaries… read more…

Handing over a payroll check.
Income

2026 Paycheck Power Rankings 

The power of a paycheck depends on more than the dollar value printed on it. In some areas, higher salaries are offset by steep costs for housing and food. In others, modest earnings can stretch considerably further. The balance between income and expenses determines how much workers have left to save, invest or spend after… read more…

Passenger giving directions to the driver.
Income

Where Americans Are Hustling — 2026 Study

As the cost of living rises, one job is no longer enough for some workers to keep up with household expenses. As of 2026, 8.6 million Americans, or 5.3% of employed workers, hold multiple jobs. But multiple jobholding varies by region. In some states, second jobs remain relatively uncommon, while in others, workers are holding… read more…

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