Ask an Advisor: Should I Claim Social Security at 62 or Tap My 401(k) First?
Is it smarter to take Social Security at age 62 or withdraw from your 401(k)? I’m going to need some monthly income on top of my pension. – Robert Deciding when to begin collecting Social Security is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make in your life. Unfortunately, the Social Security claiming decision is… 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…
I Inherited $300,000. Here’s What This Could Be Worth in 30 Years If I Avoid the Tax Traps.
A $300,000 inheritance can give you enough money to invest for the future, but taxes may reduce how much you get to keep. Cost basis rules for inherited investments and withdrawal requirements for inherited IRAs could affect the amount you have available to invest. Over 30 years, even a small tax cost upfront might make… read more…
How Much Does a Dependent Reduce Taxes on a Paycheck?
Claiming a dependent does not reduce the taxes taken from each paycheck by a fixed amount. Instead, dependents may make you eligible for federal tax credits, and accounting for those credits on Form W-4 can change how much federal income tax your employer withholds. The impact that ultimately has on your paycheck depends on factors… 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
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…
Here’s the Salary It Takes to Live Comfortably in Each U.S. State in 2026
As housing, grocery, transportation and other essential costs pressure household budgets, earning a six-figure salary no longer guarantees financial comfort in much of the U.S. A single adult now needs at least $80,000 a year to live comfortably in every state, while the threshold exceeds $100,000 in nearly half of states. For a family of… read more…
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