Investment Planning

Discover the 12 best investing books for beginners in 2026. Expert-curated picks from Benjamin Graham to John Bogle cover value investing, AI trends & personal finance.

Yes, you can roll eligible unused 529 plan money into a Roth IRA for the 529 beneficiary. But a 529 to Roth IRA rollover is not a simple $35,000 transfer. The account-age rule, five-year contribution rule, annual IRA limit, beneficiary's compensation, and direct-transfer requirement all have to line up. That...

You are halfway through a rollover, transfer, or account form when Vanguard asks for an account number you were absolutely certain you knew five minutes ago. Good news: this usually is not a financial-planning problem. It is a which-number-am-I-looking-for problem. The fastest answer: log in to your Vanguard account and open...

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the rising costs of college education? Worried about how to pay for tuition and expenses when you go to college? Don't worry, you're not alone! Many students and parents face the challenge of financing higher education. But fear not! In this article, we'll explore different...

As a financial planner for almost 3 decades, I’ve seen more families stressed out by the FAFSA website than by the stock market. You’ve spent hours gathering tax documents and personal information, only to be stopped by a vague, infuriating message: "FAFSA On The Web Has Encountered An Error." Take a...

FAFSA is the free application that opens the door to federal student aid, including grants, work-study, and federal student loans. States, colleges, and some private aid programs also use FAFSA information. The form itself is not a loan, not an aid offer, and not a bill. As a financial planner...

That sinking feeling in your stomach is real. You just realized you missed a FAFSA® deadline, and your mind is probably jumping to the worst-case scenario: no college, huge loans, and a very disappointed family. "I Missed The FAFSA Deadline Am I Screwed?" Before you spiral, take a deep breath. You...

NerdWallet is legitimate, useful, and not a scam. But I would not treat its rankings as a final answer. My 2026 NerdWallet review comes down to a simple distinction: the company can have independently controlled editorial ratings while partner compensation can still affect which products are highlighted and where...

Let's cut right to the chase. You probably want to know if you can trade stocks right now, and you don’t have time for a wild goose chase across the internet. I get it. For over 25 years, as a financial planner, I've seen investors lose more sleep over...

Investing can feel like a tightrope walk without a net. You want the financial freedom that comes with growth, but the fear of a market crash can be paralyzing. As a financial planner with nearly 30 years of experience, I've seen the same painful story play out countless times:...