- How Advisors Keep Investors on Track During a Market Selloff
Retirement investors working with advisors generally displayed more disciplined investing behavior than other types of investors, according to a recent study of self-directed brokerage accounts by Charles Schwab. Investors with “advised accounts” tended to have a more diversified asset mix,… read more…
- How to Find a CFA: Financial Advisor Guide
A CFA or chartered financial analyst is a professional who offers investment advice and portfolio management. Their focus, which is on analyzing specific securities and various financial reports, is distinct from but complementary of the focus that financial planners have. All CFAs… read more…
- Financial Advisors for Social Security
When it comes to getting ready for retirement, there are many questions surrounding Social Security. Some of the most important include deciding how Social Security payments will fit into your overall retirement income plan and figuring out when to start… read more…
- Inflation Stimulus Checks: State-by-State Guide
Inflation has been running wild across the country throughout 2022. With costs soaring, it’s easy to feel the pressure on your household budget because the reality is that your paycheck cannot buy as much as it used to. That’s why… read more…
- Financial Advisors for Athletes
Professional athletes need financial advice. Perhaps more than any other career, athletes suffer from a boom-and-bust lifestyle. For the highly-paid professionals in leagues like the NFL, NBA and MLB, these players can be extraordinarily wealthy by the age of 25. Yet… read more…
- Financial Advisors for Doctors (Physicians)
Doctors, as just about anyone in the medical field will tell you, aren’t always great with money. They can be brilliant with the human body and empathetic in their bedside manner. They can be relentlessly clever when it comes to stitching… read more…
- Financial Consultant vs. Financial Advisor
Financial advisors and financial consultants are broadly interchangeable job titles for financial professionals who help individuals and organizations manage money. Someone carrying either title may assist with preparing and executing strategies for budgeting, saving, investing, retirement planning, risk management, borrowing… read more…
- Financial Advisor vs. Self-Investing
Self-investing is the act of making your own investment choices instead of hiring a professional, such as a financial advisor. This can help you save on professional fees but it could cost you. Working with a financial advisor can increase… read more…
- Lawyer vs. Financial Advisor: Which Do You Need?
Investors use financial planners to provide wealth management and financial planning advice. Lawyers also provide financial planning advice that protects your assets. When it comes to a lawyer vs. financial advisor, which do you need? Let’s break down when you… read more…
- Financial Advisors for Dentists
Dental professionals have busy lives. Obligations can include caring for patients and running their practices, as well as family responsibilities. And it can be helpful for dentists to have someone on their side to guide them to financial success. Financial… read more…
- Financial Advisors for Seniors
Seniors can face a host of challenges as they get older. Retirement planning, paying for healthcare and estate planning are just a few that may first come to mind. Fortunately, financial advisors have the skills to help seniors meet those challenges.… read more…
- Financial Advisors for Young Adults
Young adults face distinct financial opportunities, including early career challenges, figuring out how best to handle student loans, renting or buying a residence, starting a retirement savings program and even having children. Investing priorities are also distinct for young adults. For… read more…
- Robo-Advisors vs. Target-Date Funds
While most people understand that investing is indispensable for a comfortable retirement, where and how to invest your money can be less clear. Fortunately, more tools and services are available to the average investor than ever before. Robo-advisors and target-date… read more…
- Do Financial Advisors Do Taxes?
Taxes can be among the most complex, confusing financial issues you face. From counting deductions to claiming tax credits, it’s easy to get lost in the forms to fill out, dense terminology and documentation needed. Fortunately, many financial advisors work specifically in taxes to help clients with these issues and more. They can answer your… read more…
- You’re More Likely to Have Guaranteed Retirement Income If You Do This
A new study by the financial services company Allianz says that a higher percentage of Americans working with financial advisors buy products that provide guaranteed sources of retirement income. That’s compared to folks who’ve never used a financial professional. The study also revealed that a higher percentage of individuals who work with financial advisors are… read more…
- CPWA vs. CFP: Designations for Financial Advisors
When working with a financial advisor, their certification can help you quickly determine what kind of advisor they are. Although there is usually some overlap between what a CPWA and a CFP can do, understanding the key differences between both… read more…
- CRPC vs. CFP: Designations for Financial Advisors
Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP) are two common professional designations that many financial hold. The requirements for the CFP are more difficult to complete. A CFP will generally understand a broad range of financial matters,… read more…
- CPFA vs. CFP: Designations for Financial Advisors
Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP) are two common types of credentials that financial advisors earn. Of the two, CFP requires significantly more education and experience. CPFAs primarily advise employer-sponsored retirement plans. CFPs have a more… read more…
- Do Banks Have Financial Advisors?
When picking a financial advisor, investors have many options. You can work with an independent advisor or one from a major investment company. Since you already have a bank that you know and trust, some investors ask, “Do banks have… read more…
- I Have $30,000 to Invest. Will a Financial Advisor Work With Me?
I am a retired veteran with no retirement accounts and I want to start investing with $30,000. I’d like some investing advice, but I’m finding advisors have minimum investment requirements, and I’m hesitant to work with a robo-advisor. Can you… read more…
- Should I Use a Financial Advisor or Do It Myself?
Some financial situations can be handled on your own, while others are best navigated in consultation with an advisor. Ultimately, the decision to work with a financial advisor or go it alone depends on a litany of factors, including your… read more…
- Is This Financial Certification Still Valuable?
The chartered financial analyst (CFA) is a certification for financial professionals demonstrating expertise in topics such as equity investments, financial statements and wealth planning. A famously hard-to-achieve credential, it carries clout in the financial services industry. But recently, fewer applicants are sitting for the CFA Level 1 exam. This may lead some professionals and investors… read more…
- This Is the No. 1 Service Consumers Are Seeking From a Financial Advisor
Consumers say that retirement income planning is their top priority when seeking advice from a financial advisor. And according to 2022 research by The American College of Financial Services, seven in 10 advisors also cite retirement income planning as the top area in which they want to gain more specialized knowledge. Let’s break down how… read more…
- Can a Financial Advisor Steal Your Money?
Whether it’s a stock market crash or a string of poor investment decisions, losing your money is the worst nightmare of every investor. For investors who work with financial advisors there’s a more specific fear — being taken advantage of… read more…
- Tax Attorney vs. CPA: Which Do You Need?
A CPA, or certified public accountant, is someone who specializes in taxes and can manage the math involved with them. A tax attorney is a lawyer who knows how to review your tax decisions to see what the IRS allows. Each plays a distinct role, and there’s a good rule of thumb for choosing one: If you… read more…