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Quality of Life

America’s Safest Midsize Cities – 2026 Study 

Safety and security are major determinants of quality of life. That’s especially true in midsize cities, where residents may seek a balance of opportunity, affordability and peace of mind. While no place is risk-free, some midsized cities offer residents a stronger sense of everyday security than others. SmartAsset examined more than 300 midsize cities —… read more…

Financial advisor and columnist Jeremy Suschak
Ask an Advisor

Ask an Advisor: How Do You Calculate Retirement Income When Spouses’ Ages Are Far Apart?

I am eight years younger than my spouse. He retired at 61 and just took Social Security at 62. I left my full time job at the same time as his retirement, at 53, but I am still working in a part-time remote manner. When plugging in our figures into retirement calculators, they seem to… read more…

A woman reviewing the price-to-cash flow ratio of a company.
How to Invest

Price-to-Cash Flow: Investment Uses, Formula and Calculation

When it comes to evaluating stocks, savvy investors know that earnings can tell only part of the story, and sometimes a misleading one. While headlines often focus on price-to-earnings ratios and quarterly profits, the price-to-cash flow ratio focuses on the actual cash a company generates. This can help you spot undervalued gems that other investors… read more…

"401k to IRA" written on a sticky note attached to a stack of cash.
401(k)

401(k) Rollover to a Roth IRA: Tax Consequences

Converting your 401(k) to a Roth IRA can be one of the smartest moves for your retirement strategy. However, it comes with an immediate price tag that catches many investors off guard. A traditional 401(k) rollover to a traditional IRA is tax-free, Roth conversions are not. Moving money from a 401(k) into a Roth IRA… 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

A picture of Pennsylvania State University's campus in State College, Pennsylvania.
Quality of Life

America’s Safest Midsize Cities – 2026 Study 

Safety and security are major determinants of quality of life. That’s especially true in midsize cities, where residents may seek a balance of opportunity, affordability and peace of mind. While no place is risk-free, some midsized cities offer residents a stronger sense of everyday security than others. SmartAsset examined more than 300 midsize cities —… read more…

Elderly man holding a credit card by his laptop.
Quality of Life

Where Seniors Are Targeted by Scams — 2026 Study

Millions of older Americans are targeted by financial scams each year. One analysis published by the U.S. Department of the Treasury found $27 billion in suspected elder financial exploitation in just a 12-month period. As digital banking, payments and communication become more common, scammers have more ways to reach victims and impersonate trusted institutions. Phishing… read more…

Couple discussing their financial situation.
Cost of Living & Taxes

Where Americans Are Struggling — and Thriving

Many Americans are feeling financial stress — a majority (57%) now say their financial situation is in only fair or poor shape, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey. But that pressure is not spread evenly. In some states, residents may be contending with a tougher mix of high living costs, weaker incomes, and… read more…

Nurse doing blood pressure monitoring.
Income

Where It Pays to Be in Nursing — 2026 Study

Nursing is a calling, but it’s also a paycheck, and location can have a major impact on that paycheck’s true value. While demand for nurses exists across the U.S., compensation does not factor evenly from state to state. After accounting for differences in local costs, some states offer nurses materially stronger earning power than others,… read more…

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