The Latest Breaking News from The Free Financial Advisor

10 Signs Your Financial Advisor May Be Paid by Commission

Money advice should feel clear, honest, and aligned with your goals. When something feels off, it usually is. Financial advisors hold serious influence over big decisions, and the way they earn money shapes the guidance they give, whether that gets mentioned or not.

The Free Financial Advisor · Mar 20

Families Spending 20% of Income on Childcare — Budget Impacts

The cost of raising children has always been significant, but the numbers today are jaw-dropping. Some families are spending nearly 20% of their income just on childcare, and that figure isn’t just a statistic—it’s a reality that shapes every financial choice. From groceries to gas, entertainment to emergencies, that single…

The Free Financial Advisor · Mar 19

Rethinking Financial Literacy — Skills That Matter More

Money education has always been framed as a list of dos and don’ts: balance a checkbook, understand interest rates, and don’t overspend. But the world of personal finance has grown louder, faster, and far more complex, and the skills that once counted the most are no longer enough. It’s time…

The Free Financial Advisor · Mar 19

Tennessee’s Sales Tax Structure — Understanding the Trade-Off

No income tax sounds like a dream, right? That headline grabs attention fast, but the real story lives in the fine print where every purchase quietly tells the truth. Tennessee built a tax system that flips the usual script, and that choice creates a trade-off that shapes everyday life in…

The Free Financial Advisor · Mar 18

6 Alternative Assets to Hedge Against Inflation

Inflation can sneak into your finances like an uninvited guest, quietly shrinking purchasing power while your savings struggle to keep up. The usual bank accounts and bonds often feel like shields against nothing when prices climb, leaving people scrambling for smarter ways to protect wealth. Alternative assets offer a compelling…

The Free Financial Advisor · Mar 18

84% of Americans Set Financial Resolutions Each Year — What Helps Them Stick

Setting a financial resolution feels like standing at the starting line of a race where the finish line promises freedom, stability, and maybe even a little bragging rights. Every year, millions commit to saving more, spending less, or paying down debt, and for 84% of Americans, this ritual kicks off…

The Free Financial Advisor · Mar 18

The Retirement Honeymoon Phase — Planning for Years 1 and 2

The first years of retirement is like stepping onto a new planet where time stretches luxuriously, and every day is yours to shape. Freedom tastes sweet, but without some structure, it can quickly turn into restless wandering or financial uncertainty. Planning for the honeymoon phase—those critical first 24 months—ensures that…

The Free Financial Advisor · Mar 18

7 Questions to Ask Before Using Buy Now, Pay Later

Buy Now, Pay Later has exploded across online shopping like wildfire. It promises instant gratification without the sting of immediate payment, making checkout feel like a cheat code for adulting. But the convenience comes with strings attached, and ignoring them can turn a fun shopping hack into a financial headache…

The Free Financial Advisor · Mar 17

Arizona’s Rising Cost of Living — What $100K Buys in Phoenix Today

Phoenix isn’t the cheap desert town it used to be. With the cost of living climbing steadily, $100,000 no longer stretches as far as it did even a few years ago. That figure still buys a solid lifestyle, but what it gets in today’s Phoenix looks very different from the…

The Free Financial Advisor · Mar 17

Keeping Finances Separate in Marriage — What Works and What Doesn’t

Money often turns into the most dramatic co-star in a marriage. Even couples who get along perfectly can hit a wall when the topic shifts to checking accounts, credit cards, or who pays for what. Keeping finances separate sounds simple in theory, but in practice, it becomes a delicate balancing…

The Free Financial Advisor · Mar 17