I Have $2 Million and a Simple Will. Here’s the Moment It Stopped Being Enough
Families with large estates could face probate delays, state-level death taxes and periods when no one has legal authority to make key financial decisions. A simple will cannot keep assets out of probate, plan for incapacity or manage how the money gets distributed. If you have $2 million, here’s an example of when you may… read more…
The 2026 Job Mix: Blue-, White- and Pink-Collar Employment by State
America’s occupational complexion varies widely by geography. Some states run on factory floors, others in office towers and still others in hotels and hospitals. But automation, artificial intelligence and changing demand are reshaping occupations unevenly, making each state’s particular mix of jobs increasingly consequential to its economic outlook. SmartAsset analyzed May 2025 Bureau of Labor… read more…
AI Capex Spending: Investor Uses for High-Growth Tech Stocks
AI capital expenditures (AI capex) are the money companies spend on data centers, chips, networking equipment and power infrastructure to build and run artificial intelligence systems. Investors track these budgets in quarterly earnings reports because they can signal future demand for suppliers such as chipmakers, equipment makers and utilities, while also showing how much cash… read more…
Mega Backdoor Roth IRA: How to Max Tax Benefits
A mega backdoor Roth can let you contribute substantially more to Roth accounts than the standard annual limits allow. Having excess cash flow isn’t enough on its own, since your 401(k) must permit after-tax contributions and either in-plan Roth conversions or in-service distributions to a Roth IRA. The timing of the conversion also matters, because… read more…
Editor's Picks
CFA vs. CFP®: Which Do You Need?
Chartered financial analyst (CFA) and certified financial planner (CFP) are common certifications for individuals working in finance, namely financial advisors. These are designed to tell a client (or employer) that the holder has received education in certain types of financial… read more…
6 Tips for Choosing a Wealth Management Firm
Wealth management firms are all different, with their own specializations and services. As a result, the process for choosing a wealth manager is a very personal one. Wealth managers work closely together with their clients to identify financial goals and… read more…
What Is a Fee-Only Financial Planner?
If a financial planner, financial advisor or another type of financial professional is fee-only, that means they receive compensation solely from the fees clients pay for their services. They do not earn commissions for recommending certain products. A fee-only structure… read more…
Why First Homes Could Be Investment Properties
If you’re young and looking to purchase a new home to live in, you may want to consider turning it into an investment property. While most people wait until after they’ve bought their first or second home to begin investing in… read more…
Data Articles and Studies
The 2026 Job Mix: Blue-, White- and Pink-Collar Employment by State
America’s occupational complexion varies widely by geography. Some states run on factory floors, others in office towers and still others in hotels and hospitals. But automation, artificial intelligence and changing demand are reshaping occupations unevenly, making each state’s particular mix of jobs increasingly consequential to its economic outlook. SmartAsset analyzed May 2025 Bureau of Labor… read more…
How Much Savings Do You Need to Retire in 2026?
Since its development in the 1990s, the 4% rule has become one of the most commonly cited rules of thumb in retirement planning. Using historical data, financial planner William Bengen found that a portfolio could sustain an initial annual withdrawal of 4%, followed by inflation-adjusted withdrawals, for at least 30 years without being depleted. While… read more…
America’s Scariest States
Halloween took shape as an American tradition in the 19th century, blending immigrant customs with seasonal observances. Since then, the holiday has evolved into a celebration of fear as entertainment. Once tied to harvest traditions, Halloween is now a spectacle of suspense celebrated by three-quarters of U.S. adults. But seasonal scares are not evenly distributed,… read more…
Where It Pays to be a Principal
School principals are responsible for managing teachers and keeping schools operating efficiently, making them key players in ensuring positive student outcomes. But the financial rewards of the job vary widely based on the place of employment. In some states, principal pay stretches further after accounting for cost of living, while in others, higher nominal salaries… read more…
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