HSA vs. Roth IRA: Pros and Cons for Retirement
The comparison between HSA vs. Roth IRA for retirement planning isn’t about choosing one over the other. Rather, it’s about understanding how each might fit into your comprehensive financial plan. Your health needs, current tax situation and retirement timeline are all relevant in determining the optimal strategy. As healthcare costs continue to rise and represent… read more…
S&P 500 vs. Dow Jones: Which Performs Better?
When it comes to measuring the health of the American stock market, two indices stand above the rest: the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average. These market benchmarks have long served as barometers for economic prosperity, but investors often wonder which performs better over time. The S&P 500 tracks 500 of the largest… read more…
Private Equity vs. Venture Capital vs. Hedge Fund: Key Differences
Private equity, venture capital and hedge funds are three distinct types of investment vehicles, each with its own strategy, investor profile and target assets. Private equity focuses on acquiring entire companies, often with the goal of restructuring and selling them later. Venture capital funds early-stage startups with high growth potential in exchange for equity. Hedge… read more…
What Does It Mean to Be a “Trust Fund Baby”?
A “trust fund baby” is someone who receives money or assets from a trust that is set up by family. This often gives them financial support without needing to earn it themselves. While the term is sometimes used to suggest luxury or entitlement, it mainly means that the person benefits from a legal financial arrangement… 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
America’s Most Expensive Housing Markets – 2025 Study
As of May 2025, the median home sale price in the U.S. hit $368,751. But in some metro areas, it’s standard for single-family homes to sell for over $1 million. In these high-cost areas, price swings may carry major consequences, such as putting existing homeowners at risk of losing equity or potentially pricing out hopeful… read more…
Where Millennials Are Buying Homes – 2025 Study
Millennials – all squarely within their primary working years – are buying homes more or less quickly depending on the metro area. In some places, 1 in every 25 residents between the ages of 25 and 44 purchased a home with a conventional mortgage just in 2024 alone. In other major metros, less than 1… read more…
Most Livable Small Cities – 2025 Study
The density, noise and expense of large cities may not always be optimal for each American household. Still, trading in the convenience of a large city often means a multi-person household may be split on what factors go into making a location a best-fit. In some cases, but not others, families may be willing to… read more…
Best Job Markets – 2025 Study
The demand for different career paths and qualifications varies widely from place to place, often depending on local economic features, including geography, infrastructure, politics, culture and resources. Similarly, what makes one job market more appealing than others can depend on a job-hunter’s financial and familial circumstances. Not only does the presence of jobs and a… read more…
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