Email FacebookTwitterMenu burgerClose thin

SmartReads

Take control of your financial future.

Follow
Maxing out your 401(k) doesn’t always mean you’ve hit the limit on what you can save at work.
Retirement

I Maxed Out My 401(k) and Still Had Room. The Move That Added $40k in Tax-Free Savings.

If you have already maxed out your 401(k), you may still have room to save more at work. The amount will depend on federal limits and whether your employer adds money to your account. A mega backdoor Roth could turn that extra room into tax-free retirement savings. Here’s an example of how this strategy could… read more…

Inheritance

I Inherited $750,000. Here’s How I’m Structuring It to Minimize Taxes

Suppose your $750,000 inheritance includes a $400,000 traditional IRA, $250,000 brokerage account and $100,000 in cash. Each piece can create a different tax consequence. Cash may be available immediately, while IRA withdrawals can increase taxable income. Investments may carry a new cost basis. Before using the money, it helps to know which assets can move… read more…

How much you could save under either party’s tax policies depends on your income, your children’s ages and how you earn your money.
Financial Planning

2026 Midterm Election: Which Party’s Tax Plan Could Put More Money in Your Pocket?

Democrats and Republicans say their tax plans would put more money in household pockets. The November 3 midterm election will decide which party controls each chamber of Congress. The party that gains a majority could shape future tax law, but legislation would still require President Donald Trump’s signature until the end of his term. Democrats… read more…

Most retirees enrolled in Medicare Part B have the premium deducted directly from their Social Security payment.
Retirement Planning

My Social Security Got a Raise. Then Medicare Quietly Took Most of It Back.

Social Security’s annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) raises your monthly benefit, but a higher Medicare Part B premium can leave you with less of that increase to spend. Most retirees enrolled in Part B have the cost deducted from their Social Security payment. In 2027, the COLA will be 3.6%, with average retirement benefits increasing by… read more…

Editor's Picks

A couple determining whether they need a CFA vs. CFP®.
Certifications & Licenses

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…

Clients meeting with an advisor from a wealth management firm.
Brokerage

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…

A fee-only financial planner doesn't earn commissions for recommending certain products.
Advisor Fees & Costs

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…

Investment Property
Real Estate Investing

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

Handing over a payroll check.
Income

2026 Paycheck Power Rankings 

The power of a paycheck depends on more than the dollar value printed on it. In some areas, higher salaries are offset by steep costs for housing and food. In others, modest earnings can stretch considerably further. The balance between income and expenses determines how much workers have left to save, invest or spend after… read more…

Passenger giving directions to the driver.
Income

Where Americans Are Hustling — 2026 Study

As the cost of living rises, one job is no longer enough for some workers to keep up with household expenses. As of 2026, 8.6 million Americans, or 5.3% of employed workers, hold multiple jobs. But multiple jobholding varies by region. In some states, second jobs remain relatively uncommon, while in others, workers are holding… read more…

Two female colleagues talking in the office.
Data Studies

Best and Worst Cities for Women in Tech — 2026 Study

Women remain underrepresented in the tech sector. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, women make up “nearly half of the total U.S. workforce … [but] just 22.6% of the high tech workforce.” Opportunities for women in tech can vary considerably by location, and these differences shape access to jobs, career advancement and earning potential.… read more…

Worried senior couple on the couch, looking at documents.
Income

Where Americans Are Broke — 2026 Study

Having a negative net worth means a household owes more than it owns, and high debt relative to assets is associated with greater perceived depression, more stress and poorer health. For nearly two decades before the Great Recession, the share of U.S. households whose debts equaled or exceeded their assets held fairly steady, then rose… read more…

You Might Like