Earn Over $150k? The IRS Just Changed Where Your 401(k) Catch-Up Money Has to Go
For high earners over age 50, a retirement-saving strategy that was available for years may now be off the table. Depending on your income, you may have to make catch-up contributions to a Roth account instead of a traditional 401(k). And this change could affect your tax bill today and your retirement savings later. The… read more…
What Is a Prediction Market: Uses and Examples for Investors
A prediction market is a platform where participants buy and sell contracts tied to the outcome of future events. Prices on these contracts reflect the market’s collective estimate of how likely an event is to occur. In a winner-take-all contract, a share pays out $1 if the event happens and $0 if it does not.… read more…
Gold Hedge Against Inflation: Pros, Cons and Alternatives
When inflation rises, the value of your money falls. Inflation concerns prompt many investors to look for assets that can help preserve purchasing power. They often choose gold as one of their first investments thanks to its long-standing reputation. Gold has been a store of value during periods of economic uncertainty for hundreds of years.… read more…
Publicly Traded REITs: How They Work, Taxes and Examples
A publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) is a company that owns income-producing real estate, trades on a major stock exchange and is required by law to distribute at least 90% of its taxable income to shareholders as dividends. Unlike private REITs or non-traded REITs, publicly traded REITs offer daily liquidity, price transparency and… 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
When it Pays to Work in Florida — and When It Doesn’t
Florida’s economy has a pull of its own, from tourism and health care to construction and finance. But does working in the Sunshine State pay more? After adjusting for regional price differences, occupational pay gaps can look different than headline salaries suggest. For some workers, Florida offers a meaningful pay advantage; for others, the same… read more…
Where Social Security Cuts Could Have the Greatest Economic Impact
Social Security is a major source of retirement income for millions of Americans, but its economic importance varies sharply by locality. In some communities, benefits represent a relatively small share of total income. In others, they account for a substantial portion of money flowing into the local economy. That reliance may become more consequential as… read more…
Where Fathers Spend the Most Time on Child Care — 2026 Father’s Day Study
For fathers, work rarely stops at five o’clock. Beyond paid employment, fathers often balance household responsibilities and the daily logistics of family life. Where that balance is most demanding can vary widely based on local economic conditions, commute times and work schedules. SmartAsset analyzed the 50 states based on the number of minutes per day… read more…
Best and Worst States for Drivers — 2026 Study
Car ownership consumes a major share of many household budgets. Between loan payments, maintenance, fuel and auto insurance, the cost of owning and operating a vehicle now averages more than $11,000 per year. Even as U.S. cities and counties increase investment in public transportation, more than 90% of American households own or lease at least… read more…
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