Posts by Sarah Fisher:
Doing your taxes isn’t easy, and not everyone can afford professional help. There are many different free options that you may be able to use. Their availability depends on your age, income, military status, and filing needs. Here’s how to get free tax help, either online, on the phone, or in person. Read more
Buying a vacation home might seem like the getaway that you’ve always dreamed of. But you should be aware of all that can go into buying and owning one. You’ll need to consider factors like whether you already own a home, whether you intend this to be an investment or just a getaway, what it will cost you and more. Read more
A $5 million nest egg can last you decades, especially if you make smart investments that prioritize income generation. That requires a specific type of investment strategy, one that involves putting together a collection of assets that will generate the highest possible income for the lowest possible risk. Here is an overview of what to invest in to get steady, substantial income. Read more
There is a wide range of investment options available to someone with $20,000 to invest, including mutual funds and individual securities. There are also good uses for money that go beyond what we… Read more
Financial advisors can earn a range of certifications and designations indicating their specialty and expertise. Two popular designations are CFA (chartered financial analyst) and CIMA (certified… Read more
A charitable gift annuity allows you to donate money to a non-profit, such as your alma mater. Planned giving can include charitable gift annuities. You can give back and get tax benefits. Meanwhile,… Read more
Whole life insurance covers you for the rest of your life, but universal life insurance offers much more flexibility. They are both types of permanent life insurance, which means they have a cash… Read more
American stocks trade primarily on the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ. The NASDAQ has a reputation as a more high-tech exchange. Meanwhile, the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, has a stodgier,… Read more
Not all retail investors have the time or inclination to manage their own portfolio of stocks and bonds. In addition, paying a professional to assess their needs and guide them as they buy and sell… Read more
Governments often influence the economy through fiscal and monetary policy. A central bank, such as the Federal Reserve in the United States, typically sets monetary policy. National governments,… Read more
The Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) regulates much of the U.S. financial industry. This guide goes over the most prominent rules that the SEC enforces. Many of these regulations are focused on… Read more
Taxes can have a major impact on your financial and investing plans. Planning ahead for these costs can make your financial plan much more tax efficient. While many people only think about taxes when… Read more
Uniform Probate Code ideally standardizes the various state laws relating to wills and trusts. It also ideally simplifies the probate process. However, only a handful of states have use it. Probate… Read more
Before it was retired in 2018, the Series 62 license was one of the most common certifications among financial professionals, allowing them to become registered representatives authorized to trade… Read more
The College for Financial Planning is a degree-granting institution that has various financial certification programs available for students. It provides graduate degree, non-degree and continuing… Read more
Passing the Series 86 exam — also known as the Research Analyst Qualification exam — is necessary for anyone who wants to work as research analyst for a broker-dealer member of the Financial Industry… Read more
Tax professionals designated as accredited tax preparers (ATP) can help ensure an individual’s returns are up to the standards of the IRS. By passing an exam, the national ATP credential demonstrates… Read more
A Series 52 certification lets professionals trade municipal securities. Also known as the Municipal Securities Representative Qualification Examination, it’s one of the first steps toward a career… Read more
The Series 82 gives its holder the authority to conduct private securities transactions, among other activities. The exam is also known as the Private Securities Offerings Representative Exam.… Read more
The vast majority of American workers pay in to the country’s Social Security system through payroll taxes. These taxes provide retirement and disability income, as well as death and survivorship… Read more
Millions of Americans retire each year and the financial services industry is trying hard to meet demand. To that end, many advisors have specialized by earning professional certifications that… Read more
With millions of people living into their 70s, 80s and 90s, the costs of healthcare, long-term care, aides and nursing homes are straining finances in many families. In response to this chronic… Read more
A certified financial education instructor, or CFEI, has undergone advanced training in teaching money management skills to people from all walks of life. To earn a CFEI designation, candidates must… Read more
If you’re a business owner, you’ll most likely be facing many complicated decisions when it comes time to retire — after all, selling a business is a major life event. To help you navigate this… Read more
Retirement planning is a worthwhile effort at any stage of your career. But if you’ll soon need to decide when to start drawing Social Security payments, having a plan is urgent. A National Social… Read more
