Ask an Advisor: I’m Confused About the 5-Year Rule for Roth Conversions. Does It Apply to Me?
According to an article by Brandon Renfro, there are three 5-year rules for Roth IRAs, but he talks about the first two as they apply to the reader’s question. He explains the 5-year rule for Roth contributions and the 5-year rule for Roth conversions. I’m just interested in the second rule as I’m considering converting… read more…
Social Media Marketing Plan Template for Financial Advisors
Social media can offer advisors opportunities to connect with prospective clients while nurturing relationships with existing clients. Approximately 40% of advisors use social media as a marketing tool, according to a 2024 Kitces report titled “How Financial Planners Actually Market Their Services.”1 A social media marketing plan template offers a starting point for developing, implementing… read more…
Free Continuing Education Classes for Financial Advisors
Obtaining professional certifications or designations can enhance your credibility and help you attract new clients. Roughly one-third of advisors have a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) credential, according to self-reported data maintained by the CFP Board.1 Maintaining your credentials often requires completing continuing education (CE) credits to ensure that you’re up to date on the latest… read more…
What’s a Realistic Retirement Budget? I’m 66 With $1.1k in a 401(k), Another $80k in Savings and I’ll Have $2,800 Social Security
A retirement budget compares expected income with planned expenses to see whether spending fits within available income. This process begins by listing income sources and savings and estimating how much they can provide each year. To show how a retirement budget works, let’s break down an example of a retirement profile with a $1.1 million… 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…
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…
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
ACA Health Insurance: Prevalence, Premiums and Subsidies by State – 2025 Study
The Affordable Care Act, ACA – commonly known as Obamacare – offers federally backed health insurance for millions of Americans. Certain tax credits act as monthly premium subsidies for the insured, generally bringing the costs down by thousands of dollars per year. However, the funding for these subsidies are set to expire at the end… read more…
States That Will Benefit Most From Trump Accounts – 2025 Study
American babies are now eligible to receive a $1,000 initial investment in a “Trump account” per new tax legislation. The money – which will be tied to the stock market, can be added to and cannot be used until the child turns 18 – gives each child some capability to fund certain activities as they… read more…
Where Alcohol Is Most and Least Popular – 2025 Study
Last year, Americans spent $228 billion on alcoholic beverages for private consumption, with the average adult spending $898 each. But cultural, social, geographic, demographic, and economic differences all contribute to the divergence of popularity of alcohol in each state. This may have resounding impacts on local communities, ranging all the way from contributions to their… read more…
Cities With the Highest and Lowest Property Tax Burdens – 2025 Study
Even after the mortgage is paid off, homeowners face ongoing property taxes across the United States. While senior citizens, owner-occupants, and other groups may receive preferential tax treatment in some jurisdictions, homeowners still pay anywhere from 1% to 10% of their income on property taxes. These taxes pay for local infrastructure and amenities – putting… read more…
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