Perhaps the terminology is too similar: “fee-based” and “fee-only,” but many investors are completely confused about how they’re charged for the advice of investment professionals. There are really just two broad choices. Some advisors are paid by trading fees or sales commissions. Others charge a direct fee to the client, but accept no money for…
Take it from the Nobel Prize-winning economist Burton Malkiel – “If you really need professional investment advice, go to a fee-only advisor.” The best investment advisor knows that performance is not the only measure that is part of a smart investment equation. There are other factors to consider. Take automobiles as an example – if…
College students aren’t typically known for their financial literacy or prudent spending. While some accrue debt in student loans every year (which totals more than consumers spend on credit cards) the bigger issue is that students are maintaining ignorance where financial goals are concerned. A new program at Missouri Western State University seeks to curb…
The American Institute of CPAs and the Ad Council recently teamed up on a survey that looks into the investment attitudes of Millennials. Nearly 80 percent of young adults surveyed judged their financial well being against that of their friends to determine if they were doing okay. Millennials, according to the survey, are very much…
With the holidays just around the corner, it’s time to reflect on thankfulness, gratitude and its relationship to financial success. Research suggests that being gracious and thankful can actually have an affect on financial health. It’s psychological and cerebral, but so are spending money and the choices we make in investments. People who are thankful…
Much of what an investment advisor does is often behind the scenes. The hours exploring investment options are done without the client present. Some financial planning firms are looking for ways to make the process a more humanized experience. Most quality investment firms have no problem keeping the client’s best interest at heart. Some will…
Freedom – there’s a lot packed in that word for all areas of life. When it comes to your investments, freedom from high-pressure or commission-based sales can mean more freedom to invest in a way that uniquely suits you. Did you know a few short letters can make a huge difference toward your investment success…
In developing an investment plan with your investment advisor, it’s important to know where you have brawn — and where you’re a bit weak. You also need to be realistic about the amount of time you want to spend on developing an investment strategy. In almost every case, you’ll see quicker and more significant results…
Good investing practices don’t care about gender. However, there are several new personal finance books aimed at the female audience hitting shelves in stores and online. These titles reveal some trends and interesting aspects of success with wealth and women. What kinds of subjects are circulating out there for women and investing? Talking money with…
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