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Becca Stanek, CEPF®

Becca Stanek is a graduate of DePauw University. Becca is an experienced writer/editor who serves as a retirement expert for SmartAsset. She's passionate about helping people understand the sometimes daunting ins and outs of personal finance. Becca is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance® (CEPF®) and a member of the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing. Her work has appeared in Time, The Week, Mic and The Washington Monthly. Becca grew up in the Midwest and now lives in New York City.

Posts by Becca Stanek, CEPF®

SmartAsset: What Is a Self-Directed 401(k)?
Retirement

What Is a Self-Directed 401(k)?

Self-directed 401(k) plans let savers decide how to invest their pre-tax retirement contributions. Rather than being limited to the pre-approved funds typically offered by traditional 401(k) plans, self-directed 401(k) plans allow you to choose exactly where you’ll invest your money.… Read more…

The Average 401(k) Balance by Age
Retirement

The Average 401(k) Balance by Age: Are You Off the Mark?

It can be hard to know if your retirement savings are on track, but comparing your balance to where others similar in age are can help. In particular, taking a look at the average 401(k) balance by age is a good place… Read more…

What Is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor?
Financial Advisor

What Is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor? Definition, Types and Examples

In legal terms, a fiduciary is an individual or organization that has taken on the responsibility of acting on behalf of another person or entity with honesty and integrity. For example, bankers, attorneys and officers of public companies are all… Read more…

rich gen xers moving
Mortgage

Where Rich Generation Xers Are Moving

Making a decision to move to a particular place involves taking into account many factors, including career opportunities and what mortgage payments might look like. But does the choice of a particular locale say anything about trends across a specific socioeconomic class and generation? While wealthy people of Generation X, for example, are headed down… Read more…

where rich millennials are moving
Mortgage

Where Rich Millennials Are Moving in 2019

A number of factors can influence your decision to move to a new place, including where your peers are headed. While some older generations like rich retirees and rich Gen Xers are moving to Florida, wealthy millennials are still seeking out sunny locales, but in other states. Moving and taking out a mortgage in a… Read more…

happiest places
Checking Account

The Happiest Places in America – 2019 Edition

The U.S. is the 19th-happiest country in the world, according to the 2019 World Happiness Report that the Sustainable Development Solutions Network for the UN released. Though this is a one-spot drop since last year, there are still plenty of places to find happiness in America. We looked within the U.S. to determine which counties… Read more…

Checking Account

Where Upper-Middle-Class People Are Moving 2019

Moving to a new home can be a difficult undertaking, even though it might bring your life a much-needed change, especially when you have significant financial costs to consider. As you look to make intelligent decision that can help boost the balance in your savings account, it’s important to do your research before you eliminate… Read more…

Ken Fisher
Investing

Ken Fisher: Everything You Need to Know

Ken Fisher, an investment analyst and self-made billionaire, is perhaps best known for founding Fisher Investments. The financial advisor firm based in Camas, Washington manages more than $96 billion for more than 40,000 clients, mostly high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors. Fisher currently serves as the firm’s executive chairman and co-chief investment officer. However, he has… Read more…

SmartAsset: 10 Questions to Ask a Financial Advisor
Financial Advisor

10 Questions to Ask a Financial Advisor

The aid of a financial advisor can be helpful regardless of whether you’re young, retired or somewhere in between. There is a wide range of financial advisors you can work with, as they can specialize in taxes, retirement, financial planning,… Read more…

SmartAsset: How Much Does a Financial Advisor Cost?
Financial Advisor

How Much Does a Financial Advisor Cost?

As you strive to reach your financial goals and prepare for retirement, you may consider turning to a financial advisor. In this case, knowing how much a financial advisor’s services normally cost is crucial. Depending on the size of your… Read more…