I’m 64 With $720k in My 401(k) and $1,900 a Month From Social Security. What Can I Actually Spend?
What can I actually spend each month without running out of money? This is one of the most important questions that retirees ask. And one of the hardest to answer. Many people rely on rough estimates, but guessing wrong early in retirement can cost you big for decades. What $720k and $1,900 Per Month Really… read more…
Do Student Loans Affect Buying a House? DTI, Credit and Repayment
For many aspiring homeowners, student loan debt can feel like a major obstacle standing between them and the keys to a new home. While carrying education debt may affect mortgage approval, it doesn’t necessarily mean homeownership is out of reach. Lenders look at factors such as your debt-to-income ratio, credit score and overall financial health,… read more…
State of Residence for Tax Purposes and Estate Planning
Most people choose where to live based on family ties, job opportunities, climate or community preferences. Rarely do they stop to consider how their state of residence will affect their taxes, retirement income and the inheritance they leave behind. Yet this seemingly simple decision has profound financial consequences, easily exceeding hundreds of thousands of dollars… read more…
SpaceX IPO: Valuation, Timeline and Investment Options
For more than two decades, SpaceX built rockets, launched satellites and rewired the economics of space travel entirely outside public markets. That changed on June 12, 2026, when the company completed the largest IPO in history, opening ownership to everyday investors for the first time. Here’s a closer look at SpaceX’s valuation, business model, risks… read more…
Editor's Picks
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…
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…
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…
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
When it Pays to Work in Florida — and When It Doesn’t
Florida’s economy has a pull of its own, from tourism and health care to construction and finance. But does working in the Sunshine State pay more? After adjusting for regional price differences, occupational pay gaps can look different than headline salaries suggest. For some workers, Florida offers a meaningful pay advantage; for others, the same… read more…
Where Social Security Cuts Could Have the Greatest Economic Impact
Social Security is a major source of retirement income for millions of Americans, but its economic importance varies sharply by locality. In some communities, benefits represent a relatively small share of total income. In others, they account for a substantial portion of money flowing into the local economy. That reliance may become more consequential as… read more…
Where Fathers Spend the Most Time on Child Care — 2026 Father’s Day Study
For fathers, work rarely stops at five o’clock. Beyond paid employment, fathers often balance household responsibilities and the daily logistics of family life. Where that balance is most demanding can vary widely based on local economic conditions, commute times and work schedules. SmartAsset analyzed the 50 states based on the number of minutes per day… read more…
Best and Worst States for Drivers — 2026 Study
Car ownership consumes a major share of many household budgets. Between loan payments, maintenance, fuel and auto insurance, the cost of owning and operating a vehicle now averages more than $11,000 per year. Even as U.S. cities and counties increase investment in public transportation, more than 90% of American households own or lease at least… read more…
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