Share Incentive Plans: Types, Tax Advantages and When to Participate
A share incentive plan is an employer program that gives employees company stock for free, at a discount or as part of their compensation. In the U.S., common arrangements include employee stock purchase plans, restricted stock units, stock options and employee stock ownership plans. Each has its own eligibility rules, vesting requirements and tax treatment.… read more…
Figure AI IPO: Timeline, Valuation, Investment Options
Figure AI, a Sunnyvale, California-based company developing general-purpose humanoid robots for warehouses, factories and eventually homes, remains private. As of November 3, 2026, it has announced no IPO date, and I found no public S-1 registration statement for the robotics company in SEC filings. Figure’s latest announced funding round valued it at $39 billion.1 This… read more…
We Divorced Years Ago. Here’s How Much of His Social Security I Can Still Claim.
A divorce settlement typically splits assets like a home, bank accounts and retirement savings. This can make it seem like your financial ties to a former spouse have been cut, but under certain circumstances you may still be eligible to claim Social Security benefits based on their work record. Here’s an example of how a… read more…
SNAP Reliance and Benefits by State – 2026 Study
As of mid-2026, roughly 36 million people in the United States receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, down from nearly 42 million in 2025. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) of 2025 expanded work requirements for SNAP eligibility and shifted more costs to states, contributing to declines in participation across nearly the entire… 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
SNAP Reliance and Benefits by State – 2026 Study
As of mid-2026, roughly 36 million people in the United States receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, down from nearly 42 million in 2025. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) of 2025 expanded work requirements for SNAP eligibility and shifted more costs to states, contributing to declines in participation across nearly the entire… read more…
America’s Most Vertical, Horizontal and Mobile Cities – 2026 Study
America’s housing landscape takes many forms. Some cities maximize limited land area by growing vertically, concentrating housing stock in multistory structures. Others have expanded outward, prioritizing traditional, single-family detached houses. This mix of housing types helps define each city’s physical character and how its residents live. SmartAsset evaluated U.S. cities with populations of 250,000 or… read more…
America’s Best-Value Universities for Veterans — 2026 Study
For many veterans, earning a post-service academic degree can be an important step toward civilian career advancement and a successful transition from military service. While GI Bill benefits help cover college costs, student outcomes and support for veterans vary by institution. Some universities offer a stronger combination of manageable costs and academic value, helping veterans… read more…
States with the Most Potential Assets to Manage Per Financial Advisor — 2026 Study
For financial advisors, market opportunity depends not only on the amount of wealth residents have available to manage, but also on the number of advisors competing for that wealth. States where residents have substantial wealth, and where advisor competition is relatively limited, may offer stronger prospects for new business acquisition and practice growth. In places… read more…
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