Unrealized Gains: Favorable vs. Unfavorable Tax Treatment
An investment can increase substantially in value without creating an immediate federal income tax bill. In a taxable account, gains generally aren’t taxed until the asset is sold. That tax deferral can be valuable, but when and how the gain is eventually realized can have a significant effect on the rate you pay. Holding period,… read more…
Trust 65-Day Rule: How Distributions Affect Beneficiary Taxes
The 65-day rule can give certain trusts more flexibility when deciding when to distribute income to beneficiaries. The IRS may treat an eligible distribution made during the first 65 days of a new tax year as though it occurred in the prior year. This can potentially shift taxable income from the trust to beneficiaries. Because… read more…
Staying Home to Raise the Family? Here’s What the Working Spouse Needs to Earn – 2026 Study
Raising a child now costs more than $40,000 per year in some U.S. cities, forcing many families to look for ways to manage the rising costs of parenthood. One major decision is whether both parents will remain in the workforce or one will step away to provide care at home. Because that choice reshapes both… read more…
Ask an Advisor: Is It Better to Pay a Financial Advisor a Flat Fee or a Percentage of Assets?
Which is better: a flat fee or a percentage of the managed portfolio? – Ben This question is fundamentally about value. And people measure value in different ways. If you’re looking strictly at the numbers, you can easily find the break-even point between a flat fee and a percentage fee. This is essentially the account… 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
Staying Home to Raise the Family? Here’s What the Working Spouse Needs to Earn – 2026 Study
Raising a child now costs more than $40,000 per year in some U.S. cities, forcing many families to look for ways to manage the rising costs of parenthood. One major decision is whether both parents will remain in the workforce or one will step away to provide care at home. Because that choice reshapes both… read more…
The Labor Day Gas Price Burden
With Labor Day weekend approaching, millions of Americans are preparing for one last major road trip of the summer. Gas prices have eased from their annual highs, but drivers are not feeling the savings equally. Prices at the pump vary considerably from state to state, as does the share of household income required to fill… read more…
Who Gets the Money? Federal Spending by County in 2025-26
In its latest monthly review, the Congressional Budget Office projects that the 2026 federal deficit will reach $2.1 trillion, with revenue estimated at $5.4 trillion. So who gets the money? Some areas receive significantly more federal funds per resident than others, reflecting where major projects and facilities are located. The result is a patchwork in… read more…
U.S. Population Trends by State: Winners and Losers – 2026 Study
The U.S. population continues to grow, but that growth has slowed dramatically, with the year-over-year increase now below 1%. Some areas feel this shift more acutely than others, and a few states are experiencing population declines. A growing population can increase labor availability and expand the consumer base, supporting economic growth. At the same time,… read more…
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