Posts by Rickie Houston:
If you’re working with a registered investment advisor (RIA) firm or financial advisor, you’ll likely encounter some conflicts of interest that arise from your advisor’s compensation arrangements. Some advisors have legal obligations to disclose such conflicts, but others don’t. When researching a firm or an advisor you’re interested in, it’s useful to review legal documents that describe each advisor’s practices. These typically provide more information about the firm’s advisory services, fee structures, investment strategies and disclosures. If you’re still searching for an advisory firm or professional, our free financial advisor matching service can help. Below, we’ll explore common advisory conflicts of interest, as well as other factors that influence whether you’ll encounter any. Read more
As you build your wealth, it’s important to protect your assets against any unforeseen events. While not as direct a way of saving as investing, insurance planning can save you significant amounts of money over the long-term. Think of insurance planning as a precautionary investment that shelters you from financial loss. As you get older, you may want to consider incorporating such coverage into your financial plan because it can be the deciding factor in how much you spend compared to how much you earn. Below, we’ll look further into the different types of insurance and explore the process behind paying for different policies. To access the help of a financial advisor, consider using SmartAsset’s free financial advisor matching tool. Read more
Net worth is often used as a measurement of individual, or household, wealth. This value can give you a holistic perspective of your financial situation. In fact, the average American net worth is $68,828, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2011 study on wealth and asset ownership. But how is this figure calculated? And how do you calculate your own net worth? Below, we take a closer look at the factors that distinguish your net worth from your fellow Americans. Read more
A living trust can help you establish a solid estate plan and protect your assets after death. Every state has different estate and inheritance laws, but this guide will take a closer look at how to… Read more
Estate planning allows you to take steps to ensure your assets are protected after your death or incapacitation. After you’ve accounted for any remaining taxes or bills, you can distribute property… Read more
Estate planning is one of the best ways to ensure your assets are protected after you’ve died. You’ll have a range of options for legally distributing your assets following death or incapacitation,… Read more
Estate planning is the part of financial planning that allows you to protect your assets after your death. You’ll have access to a range of options to ensure your assets are legally distributed to… Read more
Estate planning is a process that allows you to protect your assets in the event of your incapacitation or death. One way to do so is by forming a living trust. Living trusts are legal documents that… Read more
When you sell a depreciated capital asset, you may be able to earn “realized gain” if the asset’s sale price is higher than its value after deduction expenses. You’ll then be able to recapture the… Read more
While many Americans are exploring domestic retirement locations, others are also considering retiring abroad. Why? This is mainly because other countries, like Belize, often offer lower-cost living… Read more
When it comes to investing, there are generally two different approaches you can take if you’re looking to grow your wealth. You can practice either active investing or passive investing. Both styles… Read more
Both annual percentage rate (APR) and annual percentage yield (APY) describe the interest associated with either an investment or loan. Essentially, the difference boils down to this — APR is the… Read more
If you’re interested in retiring abroad, New Zealand could be a great option for you. Geographically, the country offers a wide selection of landscapes. Whether you’re into swimming, hiking or… Read more
With rising retirement costs in the U.S., many Americans are looking for alternatives to living out the post-employment life they’d always dreamed of. Retirees are turning to other countries that… Read more
It’s never too early to start investing. In fact, the earlier you begin, the bigger your potential for long-term financial growth. If you’re a college student and are wondering whether you can afford… Read more
As one of the largest multinational electronic manufacturers in the world, Foxconn (also known as Hon Hai Industry Co.) offers a variety of consumer electronics, component and computer electronic… Read more
The marijuana industry is rapidly growing as more states legalize the drug on both a medicinal and recreational level. However, for investors interested in buying stock, it’s important to consider… Read more
Tesla is one of the most popular American electric vehicle companies. Headed by CEO Elon Musk, the company designs, develops, manufacturers and distributes a variety of electric cars and vehicle… Read more
Apple Inc. is a technology company that specializes in computer software, electronics, media devices and online services. Founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak in Cupertino, California, the… Read more
Amazon is not only one of the most successful online retailers, but also one of the few trillion-dollar U.S. companies to offer stocks. Founded in 1994 by CEO Jeff Bezos, the company offers an array… Read more
Scrounging up the money for a standard 20% down payment on a home can be a challenge for some. If you fall short of this prespecified amount, you will likely encounter private mortgage insurance, or… Read more
Buying a home can be both an amazing and stressful process at the same time. But tackling the huge expense of a home in one fell swoop is often difficult for an individual or family to handle. That’s… Read more
Established in 1957, the Arkansas Public Employees Retirement System (APERS) provides pension, retirement and disability benefits for employees who meet its eligibility requirements. While APERS… Read more
The Employees Retirement System of Georgia (ERSGA) provides a range of pension plans that mostly come with lengthy eligibility requirements. While each of its systems and plans serve different… Read more
Though Michigan’s pension fund is only the 18th-largest in U.S., that doesn’t stop it from offering its employees an array of retirement plans from which to select. The state of Michigan’s Office of… Read more
