Email FacebookTwitterMenu burgerClose thin

SmartReads

Take control of your financial future.

Follow
A doctor reviewing financial planning strategies.
Personal Finance

Financial Planning Strategies for Physicians

Physicians are among the best-paid professionals but that doesn’t make them immune from financial challenges. From coping with sudden wealth when just starting to work to planning for business succession at the end of many years of owning a practice, physicians may face special needs for careful financial planning. If you’re a physician contemplating your… read more…

The money you get from a reverse mortgage is a loan, not enrichment. As a result, you do not owe any taxes on it.
Taxes

Tax Implications for Reverse Mortgages

A reverse mortgage can be a useful way to access the value of your home without having to sell it. This is a form of lending intended for, and typically restricted to, older households. That said, it’s important to be very careful with this product. Reverse mortgages are more complicated than frequently advertised, and could be… read more…

A woman looking for an entry level financial planning job.
Advisor Resources

How to Get an Entry Level Financial Planning Job

Financial planning can open the door to a wide range of jobs, including financial advisor, investment analyst, wealth manager, retirement planner and tax advisor, among others. If you’re just starting out, here a round up of entry level financial planning jobs. SmartAsset’s Advisor Marketing Platform can help you add new clients at your desired pace. Sign… read more…

Retirement

We Have $1.4 Million in IRAs and Fully Own a $750k Home. Can We Retire in 2 Years at 60?

Retiring early can be tricky, even if you have considerable home equity. Say for example that you’re married with $1.4 million in your IRAs and a home worth $750,000. Retiring early could well be within reach, but you may face be a few big challenges. Retiring at age 60 means having to wait several years… read more…

Editor's Picks

CFA vs. CFP: Which Is Right for You?
Financial Advisor

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…

Wealth Management Firm
Investing

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?
Financial Advisor

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
Mortgage

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

Data Studies

States That Added the Most CFP® Professionals – 2024 Study

The total number of CFP® professionals in the U.S. grew by 11.5% over the last three years, with a net of more than 10,000 individuals added to the profession. But this growth was not equally spread across the country, and some demographic trends were more dominant than others. Observing such trends could lend a strategic… read more…

Data Studies

Salary Needed to Live Comfortably – 2024 Study

While cost of living premiums and inflation metrics capture the price increases in goods and services, they do not necessarily account for all the additional costs needed to live comfortably – such as a buffer from the stress of living paycheck to paycheck. The 50/30/20 budget recommends that for sustainable comfort, 50% of your salary… read more…

Data Studies

America’s Healthiest Cities – 2024 Study

Maintaining physical and mental health is an important part of one’s financial life, especially as one ages. The health status of an individual – and even the community at large – can impact the prices of healthcare, health insurance, life insurance, long-term care insurance and other related expenses. It can also undercut the best laid… read more…

Data Studies

Voter Turnout Trends in Last Election Cycle: Will 2024 See Continued Patterns?

As 15 states hold Democratic and Republican primaries on March 5, Super Tuesday, the number of people who vote and the candidates they select will offer key insight into the November 5th presidential election. Residents of California, Texas, North Carolina, Virginia, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Colorado, Minnesota, Alabama, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Utah, Maine and Alaska will determine the… read more…

You Might Like