Posts by Rickie Houston:
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 form a living trust in South Dakota and whether you need one. Whether it’s investing, retirement planning or estate planning, a financial advisor can help you meet your savings goals. If you’re having trouble finding one, SmartAsset’s free financial advisor matching tool can help you find the best advisor for your financial situation. 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 and assets to friends, loved ones or charitable organizations. One of the most common estate plans is living trusts. Living trusts allow you to transfer control of your assets to a trustee, who then transfers ownership of those assets to any beneficiaries you’ve selected. This article will look further into living trusts in Pennsylvania and whether you need one. If you’d like expert advice with forming your estate plan, SmartAsset’s free financial matching service can pair you with up to three local advisors suitable to your needs. 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
Under its Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS), Teachers Retirement Association and Public Employees Retirement Association, Minnesota offers retirement benefits through several different pension… Read more
Betterment is a robo-advisor that allows investors to create and manage their investment portfolios online. Whether you’re building wealth for retirement or other financial reasons, Betterment… Read more
