Email FacebookTwitterMenu burgerClose thin

SmartReads

Take control of your financial future.

Follow
An investor on their smartphone and laptop.
How to Invest

Anduril IPO: Timeline, Valuation and Investment Options

Defense technology has become one of the hottest areas for private investment, and Anduril is near the center of it. Investors watching the company may also recognize founder Palmer Luckey as the creator of Oculus and, more recently, ModRetro, the company behind retro gaming hardware such as the Chromatic handheld. But despite Luckey saying Anduril… read more…

A proposed 4% buyback tax would be paid by companies, not directly by shareholders.
Investment Taxes

2026 Midterm Election: Could the Stock Buyback Tax Jump to 4%?

If you own shares of companies that buy back their own stock, a Democratic proposal could make those buybacks more expensive. Companies repurchase shares to return cash to investors, which reduces the number of shares outstanding and can increase the portion of earnings attributed to each remaining share. The Stock Buyback Accountability Act of 2026… read more…

Wooden blocks with the word IPO spelled out.
How to Invest

Stripe IPO: Valuation, Timeline and Investment Options

Stripe has spent years near the top of investors’ most anticipated IPO lists, and its valuation now makes the possibility even harder to ignore. But anyone hoping to buy Stripe stock through a regular brokerage account still has to wait. As of October 2026, Stripe remains privately held, with no announced IPO date, even as… read more…

Client Acquisition

What Financial Advisors Spend to Acquire Clients Across Marketing Channels

Attracting new clients comes with costs that aren’t always visible in a marketing budget. According to the 2026 Kitces Advisor Marketing Study, the typical financial advisory practice spent $0.70 to generate $1 in new annual client revenue when both direct expenses and the value of advisor and staff time were considered.1 However, acquisition costs vary… 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

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…

Two female colleagues talking in the office.
Data Studies

Best and Worst Cities for Women in Tech — 2026 Study

Women remain underrepresented in the tech sector. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, women make up “nearly half of the total U.S. workforce … [but] just 22.6% of the high tech workforce.” Opportunities for women in tech can vary considerably by location, and these differences shape access to jobs, career advancement and earning potential.… read more…

You Might Like