Posts by Chris Thompson
Investing
Capital Gains Tax: Definition, Rates & Calculation
If you make money from just about any source, you’re likely to find Uncle Sam nearby. It’s true of money you earn from a job, and it’s true of money you earn from investments – whether that’s stocks, real estate… read more…
Retirement
401(k) Rollovers: The Complete Guide
A 401(k) rollover is the process by which you move the funds in your 401(k) to another retirement account – usually either an IRA or another 401(k). A 401(k) rollover typically happens when you leave your employer, either to retire or to start a new job. There are certain regulations you need to follow when rolling over… read more…
Financial Advisor
Self Review: Credit-Builder Loans and Cards
Self, formerly known as Self Lender, is a financial services company that offers two different products aimed at helping customers with bad or little credit. Its premier offering, called the Credit Builder Account, allows you to receive a credit-building loan in… read more…
Estate Planning
How to Create a Living Trust in Connecticut
As you approach the estate planning process, you have many tools at your disposal. One such tool is a living trust. By creating a living trust, you can protect your assets and property and save your family from having to go through… read more…
Estate Planning
How to Create a Living Trust in Utah
If you’re working on your estate plans, you may come across living trusts as a way to protect your assets so you can safely leave them for family and friends. The primary benefit of using a living trust instead of a will is that they can allow you to bypass the probate process. As probate… read more…
Estate Planning
How to Create a Living Trust in Virginia
A living trust is an estate planning tool that can simplify the passing on of your assets to your family. Each state tends to have its own rules as to how you can set up your own living trust as a resident.… read more…
Investing
Free Investment Classes for Learning How to Invest
As you aspire toward a secure retirement and other financial milestones, investments become an increasingly important financial topic to know about. But those looking to gain knowledge about investing may have issues finding reliable sources. Luckily, the internet is home to many… read more…
Investing
A Guide to Dividend Reinvestment Plans
A dividend reinvestment plan, or DRIP, is a vehicle that reinvests the money shareholders get from companies in cash dividends. Many investors favor DRIPs because of their ease, low-to-nonexistent fees and ability to strengthen returns over a long time horizon. By… read more…
Investing
How to Invest Your Money
Investing can be an intimidating venture, but learning how to navigate the investment market is a life skill with plenty of upside. You can use the returns you earn from your investment portfolio to achieve a number of goals, such… read more…
Investing
How a Passive Investing Strategy Works
Passive investing is an investing strategy that involves buying and holding investments for a long period of time, rather than making frequent trades to try to beat the market. It is a go-to strategy for long-term investors because it capitalizes… read more…
Investing
What Is the Net Investment Income Tax?
Investing has the potential to earn you great returns – but where money’s being made, you can surely find Uncle Sam nearby. Accordingly, the net investment income tax (NIIT) will take a 3.8% bite out of a portion of your… read more…
Investing
What Are Corporate Bonds & Where Can You Buy Them?
Both public and private corporations issue corporate bonds, which are a type of fixed-income security. Corporations place these investments on the open market to help fund projects and other major financial undertakings. Investors can purchase a corporate bond on either… read more…
Investing
How to Buy Walmart Stock
Known for its size, success and seeming ubiquity, Walmart (ticker symbol: WMT) is a discount retailer that has had a tremendous run on Wall Street. Founded by Sam Walton in 1962, the corporation went public in 1970, debuting at $16.50… read more…
Investing
How to Buy Samsung Stock
Although widely recognized as solely a technology brand, Samsung is actually more of a conglomerate. The South Korea-based company extends into the financial services, tourism, science and machinery businesses as well. But tech is what Samsung does best, as Forbes… read more…
Retirement
Annuity vs. IRA
Americans look forward to their golden years, but saving for retirement can be an intimidating undertaking. The long-term nature of this type of financial planning calls for good decision-making, so simplifying it is of the utmost importance. Let’s break down… read more…
Investing
How to Buy Berkshire Hathaway Stock
Since hitting a three-year low in June 2020, shares of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-A and BRK-B) have been climbing and investors are pouring over its annual letter for clues as to why. It’s often said that investing in Berkshire Hathaway is like buying into an exchange-traded fund (ETF). Both offer diversification across industry sectors. But while ETFs… read more…
Investing
Beginner’s Guide for How to Buy Mutual Funds
Mutual funds are companies that combine investors’ money in an effort to diversify their assets throughout specific areas of the market. So investing in a mutual fund is more than just buying into the investments a fund makes. You’re actually buying shares of the mutual fund to become a part owner. This typically attracts lots of… read more…
Investing
How to Buy Savings Bonds
The most common way to buy savings bonds is to go straight to the US Government, and as of a few years ago, it can only be done online. Though savings bonds may not be as flashy as some other… read more…
Investing
How to Buy Nike Stock
Nike stock shares represent a portion of ownership in Nike, one of the most prominent sportswear companies in the world. This means that when you purchase Nike stock, you own a part of the company that makes many Americans’ sneakers. The… read more…
Investing
How to Buy Municipal Bonds
Municipal bonds are debt security investments in the daily operations or long-term projects of a state, county, city or other government organization. Government entities themselves issue municipal bonds and they offer interest payments typically on a semi-annual basis. The maturity dates… read more…
Investing
How to Buy Disney Stock (DIS)
If you had to name one company that exemplifies American ingenuity, taste for fun and market domination, many would say it’s the Walt Disney Company. An iconic part of the collective American childhood, the company is more than just Mickey… read more…
Investing
529 Plan vs. Roth IRA
Higher education is pricier than ever, and tuition hikes don’t show any sign of slowing down. But 529 college savings plans and Roth IRAs both include benefits to help you save for your children’s education. Investors use 529 plans specifically… read more…
Investing
TD Ameritrade Review 2023: Fees, Services and More
TD Ameritrade is a full-service brokerage firm. It’s a fixture in the investment space, with its predecessor firm, First Omaha Securities, Inc., first opening for business in 1975. TD Ameritrade employs well-balanced online and mobile trading platforms that include versions for… read more…
Investing
Merrill Edge Review 2023: Fees, Services and More
Merrill Edge is a brokerage firm that offers everything from self-sufficient investing to financial advisor consultations and robo-advisor services. The brokerage firm falls under the umbrella of the Merrill Lynch group of companies. Although once its own entity, Merrill Lynch is… read more…
Investing
Robinhood Review
Robinhood is a brokerage firm whose services are centered around its mobile and online trading platforms. One of Robinhood’s principal attractions is a complete lack of commission fees for all purchases and sales of U.S. listed stocks, options, exchange-traded funds… read more…