Chad Smith
Chad has spent the last fifteen years helping people discover how they can spend more time on things they enjoy. He is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and partner with Financial Symmetry where he helps clients make better financial decisions. By exploring the why behind our money decisions, Chad's desire is to help the people he works with live their best story possible. He's been fortunate to share some of these stories and other advice with a number of national publications including the Wall Street Journal, Money Magazine , CNBC, and Bloomberg. He is also passionate about supporting his alma mater, North Carolina State University. Chad's biggest priority is that of a husband and a dad to two girls who are both helping him learn new lessons daily. Learn more here .
Articles by Chad Smith
- Money & Life
Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Early—or Invest the Money Instead?
The decision is often more nuanced than it appears, which is why it’s important to look at the bigger picture before making such a significant financial move.
- Money & Life
Investing Through Chaos: Lessons From a Resilient First Quarter in 2026
Despite the turbulence, the markets proved remarkably resilient, underscoring the importance of diversification and a long-term approach.
- Money & Life
Maximize Impact and Tax Efficiency With These Retirement Giving Strategies
Here’s what you need to know about each option and how to use a DAF or QCD in retirement. If supporting charitable causes close to your heart is part of your retirement plan, there are two popular options worth exploring: a donor-advised fund (DAF) and a qualified charitable distribution (QCD).
- Money & Life
Common Tax Filing Mistakes That Could Be Costing You Thousands
Here’s a closer look at some of the most common issues we encounter or foresee happening. As financial advisors, we review many clients’ tax returns each year, especially when new clients come on board.
- Money & Life
Early Money Habits That Can Put You Years Ahead Financially
Let’s begin with the money habit that makes the biggest long-term difference: starting early.
- Money & Life
What To Do With an Inheritance After You’ve Already Retired
Over $105 trillion expected to change hands in the coming decades, the need to understand how best to handle inherited wealth has never been more vital.
- Money & Life
Don’t Plan Blind: The Key Financial Limits That Changed for 2026
Here’s a closer look at some key numbers that change each year and how knowing them ahead of time can make planning easier and more effective.
- Retirement & Income Planning
2026 Retirement Contribution Limits: What Changed, What Matters, and What To Do Now
They shape how much you can save, how efficiently you can build wealth, and how well you can take advantage of tax-favored growth.
- Retirement & Income Planning
Will Your Retirement Plan Survive Real Life? How To Stress Test It Before You Retire
Walking through how to stress test your retirement plan with real-world what-if scenarios so you can build confidence before a crisis hits.
- Money & Life
The Teen’s Guide to Money: Saving, Investing, Budgeting & Building Wealth From Day One
Let’s begin with the money habit that makes the biggest long-term difference: starting early.
- Retirement & Income Planning
Think Differently: Non-Obvious Moves That Transform Your Retirement Future
Retirement isn’t static. Rethink what you think will never change, whether it’s your career, the markets, or your family’s needs.
- Money & Life
College Is Expensive—Your Savings Plan Doesn’t Have To Be
This week, we’re discussing the question of exactly how much you should save in a 529 plan.
- Money & Life
Coming Soon to Your 401(k): Higher Risk, Higher Fees, and New Investment Options
New alternatives, discuss the risks and potential rewards, and share questions you should ask yourself before making any changes to your investment
- Money & Life
Don’t Fall for It: The Most Dangerous Phone and Online Scams Targeting You in 2025
Scammers are constantly evolving their techniques, making it harder to spot fraud and prompting many to wonder: Am I at risk? #scams
- Money & Life
Living Longer, Retiring Smarter: Adapting Your Plan for a Lengthy Future
The likelihood of increased life spans should inspire us to adapt and plan accordingly, ensuring that health and wealth sustain us throughout our lives.
- Money & Life
10 Myths That Exist Around Women’s Wealth
Stereotypes that hinder women’s earning potential, this episode addresses the systemic barriers that impact women’s financial journeys. #women
- Opinion
5 Reasons To Consider Investing in More Than the S&P 500
We discuss 5 reasons in this episode you should consider other options for your portfolio. #investing
- Opinion
Should I Roll My IRA Into My 401K To Do a Backdoor Roth?
Walk through five considerations you should think through before you implement a strategy to complete your Backdoor Roth contributions. #IRA
- Opinion
6 Critical Questions To Ask When You Inherit an IRA
You’ll learn the three types of beneficiaries and the six questions you need to ask yourself when you inherit an IRA. #IRA #questions
- Opinion
Types of Behavioral Finance Biases and How To Overcome Them
Five psychological and emotional aspects of an investor’s behavior have a huge impact on the investment decisions they make. #behavior #finance
- Opinion
How Millionaires Spend Their Time
It wasn’t that long ago that the most popular television show in America was named “Who wants to be a Millionaire?” Before that, in
- Opinion
How to Ignore the Stock Market Noise
If you’ve paid any attention to financial news recently, then you know October had the worst monthly stock market decline since 2011.
- Opinion
The Most Common Opportunities Missed on Tax Returns
I’m not sure about you, but we haven’t met many people that wouldn’t love to lower their tax payments.
