Email FacebookTwitterMenu burgerClose thin

SmartReads

Take control of your financial future.

Follow
Professional Development

CPA Exam Questions: Sample Problems to Test Your Knowledge

Passing the Uniform CPA exam is a requirement to become a certified public accountant. This rigorous exam, developed by the Association of International Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), is a four-section, 16-hour assessment that’s designed to test your knowledge of accounting practices. Reviewing CPA sample questions can help you prepare for exam day. Add new clients… read more…

Marketing

Financial Services Thought Leadership: How Advisors Build the Credibility That Wins Clients

Attracting clients in a competitive landscape means advisors must do more than offer services; they must also establish themselves as credible, authoritative experts. Applying thought leadership strategies can create opportunities to share knowledge and unique insights that speak to the needs, goals and interests of ideal clients. Financial services thought leadership is a form of… read more…

Raises and bonuses can create opportunities to increase retirement contributions and qualify for more employer matching dollars.
401(k)

I Have 10 Years Left to Retire. Missing My Boss’s 401(k) Match Could Cost Me This Much in Retirement.

With only 10 years left until retirement, missing your employer’s 401(k) match can leave a sizable hole in your savings. If your employer offers a 4% match and you fail to claim it, you could give up almost $45,000 by retirement. That amount includes both missed contributions and investment growth that you could have earned,… read more…

United States Treasury Check for tax refund or stimulus payment.
Other

Who Gets the Money? Federal Spending by County in 2025-26

In its latest monthly review, the Congressional Budget Office projects that the 2026 federal deficit will reach $2.1 trillion, with revenue estimated at $5.4 trillion. So who gets the money? Some areas receive significantly more federal funds per resident than others, reflecting where major projects and facilities are located. The result is a patchwork in… 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

United States Treasury Check for tax refund or stimulus payment.
Other

Who Gets the Money? Federal Spending by County in 2025-26

In its latest monthly review, the Congressional Budget Office projects that the 2026 federal deficit will reach $2.1 trillion, with revenue estimated at $5.4 trillion. So who gets the money? Some areas receive significantly more federal funds per resident than others, reflecting where major projects and facilities are located. The result is a patchwork in… read more…

10 Things to Know About Working in New York
Demographics & Migration

U.S. Population Trends by State: Winners and Losers – 2026 Study

The U.S. population continues to grow, but that growth has slowed dramatically, with the year-over-year increase now below 1%. Some areas feel this shift more acutely than others, and a few states are experiencing population declines. A growing population can increase labor availability and expand the consumer base, supporting economic growth. At the same time,… read more…

Couple walks hand in hand.
Income

Here’s the Salary It Takes to Live Comfortably in Each U.S. State in 2026

As housing, grocery, transportation and other essential costs pressure household budgets, earning a six-figure salary no longer guarantees financial comfort in much of the U.S. A single adult now needs at least $80,000 a year to live comfortably in every state, while the threshold exceeds $100,000 in nearly half of states. For a family of… read more…

Image shows a for sale sign in front of a home. The FHFA is expected to raise the conforming loan limits to new heights next year.
Other

Where Young Adults are House Hunting

Rising home prices, combined with limited housing supply, have made it challenging for young adults to enter the housing market. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, nearly 9 in 10 younger Americans say it is harder for them to buy a home than it was for their parents. Nonetheless, younger buyers continue to… read more…

You Might Like