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Financial advisor and columnist Brandon Renfro
Financial Advisor

Ask an Advisor: Should My Wife Convert her $350k-$400k to a Roth IRA? She’s 65 But Isn’t Retiring Anytime Soon

My wife is currently working and has a traditional IRA with approximately $350,000 to $400,000. She is almost 65 but not looking to retire anytime soon. Should she roll over her IRA and take a tax hit and open a Roth IRA? I’m not sure if this is a smart move at this time in… read more…

How Much Do You Need to Retire by 2060?
Financial Advisor

How Much Do You Need to Retire by 2060?

The year 2060 is a long time off, but now is not too early to start planning for retirement when it rolls around. With evolving economic landscapes, fluctuating inflation rates and changing life expectancy, determining the right amount to save can seem daunting. However, understanding the fundamentals of retirement planning can help demystify this process.… read more…

How Much Do You Need to Retire by 2070?
Financial Advisor

How Much Do You Need to Retire by 2070?

Changes to the economic landscape, falling life expectancy and even potential changes to Social Security benefits all mean future retirees face challenges unlike those of past retirees. Even looking as far as 2070, however, some timeless retirement planning recommendations still hold. It remains essential to consider factors such as inflation, healthcare costs and lifestyle expectations… read more…

What Is the Tax Amortization Benefit and How Does It Work?
Financial Advisor

What Is the Tax Amortization Benefit and How Does It Work?

Understanding the intricacies of financial strategies can be daunting. One concept that often piques the interest of savvy investors and business owners is the tax amortization benefit. At its core, the tax amortization benefit allows businesses to gradually deduct the cost of intangible assets, such as patents, trademarks, or goodwill, over a specified period. This… 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

5 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

Cost of Living & Taxes

What a Roommate Can Save You in 100 U.S. Cities – 2025 Study

Rent prices can shift dramatically depending on local housing demand, sometimes pricing renters out entirely. With the price tag of a one-bedroom rental in many large U.S. cities topping over $2,000 per month, those looking to sign a lease may be hesitant to potentially overextend an already-tight budget. Financial advisors often follow a general rule… read more…

Income

Best-Paying U.S. Cities for Engineers, Lawyers, Doctors, Teachers & More – 2025 Study

Various dynamics can impact the cost of filling specific roles in the labor market. When demand for certain goods and services outpaces the local supply of resources, the wages for skilled professionals in those fields may be higher – and vice versa. Similarly, the labor supply can shape pay trends for certain. For example, a… read more…

Quality of Life

Where Americans Are Happiest – 2025 Study

While measuring individual happiness is challenging due to its subjectivity, broader trends may be able to provide insight into whether a local community is more or less happy than its peers. For instance, research ties higher incomes and lower poverty rates to higher levels of happiness. Similarly, life expectancy and marriage rates can be revealing… read more…

Income

Salary Needed to Live Comfortably in U.S. Cities – 2025 Study

Most households aim to maintain a cushion between the necessary spending for day-to-day necessities – like housing, food, utilities and childcare – while also enjoying life in the moment and saving for the future. This means keeping room in the budget for the occasional vacation or splurge, as well as savings for long-term goals like… read more…

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