Email FacebookTwitterMenu burgerClose thin

SmartReads

Take control of your financial future.

Follow
A woman looking up requirements for online certified financial planner (CFP) programs.
Advisor Resources

5 Online CFP Programs

If you’re interested in becoming a certified financial planner, you’ll first need to pass the CFP exam. There’s a certain amount of planning and preparation that goes into it, including completing necessary coursework through a CFP Board Registered Program. There are more than 300 options to choose from but finding an online CFP program that… read more…

An investor researching investments on a stock advisor websites.
Investing

Stock Advisor Websites for Investors

Stock advisor websites provide individual investors with useful tools, research and guidance to build their wealth. Many investors count on these handy online sources for ideas and information on markets and individual securities. These sites offer stock screeners to identify opportunities, articles analyzing specific companies, model portfolios showing how to construct a diversified mix of… read more…

An investor researching option trading strategies.
Investing

6 Stock Option Trading Strategies to Consider

Options give investors ways to profit whether stocks rise, fall or hold steady. But they also come with their own complexities and pitfalls. Options traders have developed an expansive set of strategies that aim to help them hedge against risk, generate income or profit from speculation while also not exposing them to undue risk. Strategies… read more…

A woman researching tax changes for 2024.
Taxes

2024 IRS Tax Changes: What You Need to Know

The new year brings new tax brackets, deductions, and limits that will impact your 2024 federal income tax return. While 2023 did not see major federal tax reform legislation, the IRS has adjusted ranges for tax brackets, standard deductions, retirement savings contributions and more to account for inflation. These 2024 IRS tax code tweaks affect… 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

New Housing Additions in San Francisco Drop by 67% Over the Last Few Years – 2023 Study

San Francisco and surrounding neighborhoods have some of the most expensive home prices in the country. Prices peaked at an average $1.48 million in May 2022, according to Zillow. As of October 2023, home prices have come down roughly 15% to $1.254 million. Many factors can play a role in such dramatic shifts in home… read more…

Data Studies

States With the Most EV Fast Chargers – 2023 Study

Many states are adopting laws that will phase out gas vehicles in the coming years. To accommodate this, states and private companies alike are looking to refresh infrastructure to provide charging capabilities for electric vehicles. Similarly, the federal government and many states are offering tax credits for EV purchases to encourage the shift to clean… read more…

Data Studies

Gas Prices Decline Nearly 20% in Some States, Stay High in Others – 2023 Study

Gas prices have been on the decline since their all-time high in summer 2022. While the average last summer across the U.S. hit a record $5.00 per gallon, the current average has come down to $3.27 per gallon. But in some states, high prices have been more stubborn than in others. Demand, state legislation, transport… read more…

Data Studies

Where Gen Z Is Moving – 2023 Study

Gen Z is young, with many still under age 18. For those 18-24, many are moving for college, to start their career or to explore life in a new place. While this cohort may not have the disposable income of their older counterparts, their movement still plays an important role in local economies. An asymmetrical… read more…

You Might Like