Steepening Yield Curve: Types and Uses for Investors
Bond investors pay close attention to the shape of the yield curve because it can offer clues about where interest rates and the economy may be headed. A steepening yield curve can signal changing expectations for economic growth, inflation or Federal Reserve policy. While it is not a guarantee of what comes next, it can… read more…
How Can a Financial Advisor Help With a Car Loan?
You’ve found the perfect car. The salesperson is talking numbers. But somewhere between the test drive and the financing office, a five-year commitment starts to feel like a quick decision. It’s a big decision, too. The monthly payment alone can cost you thousands of dollars in interest you never saw coming. While most people don’t… read more…
Is a Revocable Trust a Grantor Trust? IRS Tax Rules
Many people create revocable living trusts to avoid probate and simplify the transfer of assets. However, few understand how the IRS treats these trusts. One of the most common questions is whether a revocable trust is considered a grantor trust, and in most cases the answer is yes. That distinction determines who pays income taxes… read more…
When Do Dependents File Taxes? Rules and Triggers
Dependents may be required to file their own federal tax return depending on the type and amount of their income. For tax year 2026 (filed in 2027), a dependent generally must file if earned income exceeds $16,100, or if unearned income exceeds $1,350.1 Being claimed as a dependent does not eliminate the filing requirement. Instead,… 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 Fourth of July Gas Price Burden
With the Fourth of July weekend approaching, millions of Americans are preparing to hit the road. Gas prices have fallen across the U.S. since reaching an annual peak on May 21, offering some relief before one of the year’s busiest driving periods. But both the extent of the price decline and the financial burden of… read more…
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…
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