tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128736632024-03-19T03:34:27.796-07:00Bucks in a RowThe goal of this personal finance blog: Searching the web for a few insightful links a day. Each one to make you a little smarter with your money. Current to classic. Timely to topical. Scholarly to sensible. A few minutes a day, and you're on your way to getting all your "bucks in a row".Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12873663.post-83451090770023300742011-10-24T22:20:00.000-07:002011-10-24T22:20:56.077-07:00Monday links: RefinanceToday's PF news<br />
<a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/morganbrennan/2011/10/24/the-white-house-unveils-an-initiative-to-help-underwater-homeowners/">The White House Unveils Initiative To Help 'Underwater' Homeowners</a> (forbes)<br />
<br />
Links to get smarter<br />
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/23/realestate/mortgages-knowing-when-to-refinance.html">Knowing When to Refinance</a> (nytimes)<br />
<a href="http://money.cnn.com/2011/10/24/news/economy/refinancing_housing/">Refinancing plan won't help housing market</a> (cnnmoney)<br />
<a href="http://blogs.smartmoney.com/advice/2011/10/24/will-new-lending-program-raise-rates/">Will New Lending Program Raise Rates?</a> (smartmoney)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12873663.post-74786935328352707172011-10-20T23:09:00.000-07:002011-10-20T23:09:53.699-07:00Thursday PF links<a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/ashleaebeling/2011/10/20/sock-away-17000-in-your-401k-for-2012/">Sock Away $17,000 In Your 401(k) For 2012</a> (forbes)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/story/brace-yourself-for-holiday-airfare-hikes-2011-10-21">Brace yourself for holiday airfare hikes</a> (marketwatch)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.smartmoney.com/plan/health-care/flexiblespending-accounts-worth-the-hassle-1319149483572/">Flexible-Spending Accounts: Worth the Hassle?</a> (smartmoney)<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12873663.post-8254078688207523502011-08-23T22:28:00.000-07:002011-08-23T22:28:18.345-07:00Retirement: How to craft your own annuity<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizv3da8pZHdk61CRCI3TWnKpGvGR7D9AAFWcjw7Mmid4VSvlR7kZLnWKd-S3uy5YIkexrkufMvShkHopJr_mwcJWgHa_FGhlSBaZrXlhayiyhyphenhyphen4mLlVtMXPiRFyGnaQMcw1MI5vQ/s1600/blueprint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizv3da8pZHdk61CRCI3TWnKpGvGR7D9AAFWcjw7Mmid4VSvlR7kZLnWKd-S3uy5YIkexrkufMvShkHopJr_mwcJWgHa_FGhlSBaZrXlhayiyhyphenhyphen4mLlVtMXPiRFyGnaQMcw1MI5vQ/s1600/blueprint.jpg" /></a>Sidestep insurers, build your own annuity and keep control of your money.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.smartmoney.com/retirement/planning/doityourself-annuities-a-blueprint-1312412609198/?mg=com-sm">Do-It-Yourself Annuities: A Blueprint</a> (SmartMoney)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12873663.post-65599464704795962292011-08-17T09:59:00.000-07:002011-08-17T09:59:32.742-07:00Personal finance: How to cope with market volatility<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2pztE_s6Jok3jYJCDYALaxrs_GnbSj-EB7Uf9TlFQZ-aunSX4c8cKAFVH0AMWm_aLL7TA9hhI1TbsUSPOD7P2b7OU9ICsg4ndBtmPhfHgpfzxBEYZWUtu-W1qxvC4dq_4gYrng/s1600/monopoly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2pztE_s6Jok3jYJCDYALaxrs_GnbSj-EB7Uf9TlFQZ-aunSX4c8cKAFVH0AMWm_aLL7TA9hhI1TbsUSPOD7P2b7OU9ICsg4ndBtmPhfHgpfzxBEYZWUtu-W1qxvC4dq_4gYrng/s200/monopoly.jpg" width="200" /></a>Useful lessons to be gleaned from the way ultrarich families cope with investments and market volatility.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904823804576500813872123254.html">Lessons on Investing From America's Richest Family</a> (wsj)<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 10px;"></span><br />
<h1 style="font-family: Georgia,'Century Schoolbook','Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 2.8em; line-height: 1.1075em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 571px;">
</h1>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12873663.post-67938619804188248792011-08-15T09:06:00.000-07:002011-08-15T09:06:42.099-07:00Taxes: Converting to a Roth retirement accountAs I scan the web for timely, insightful personal finance articles, sometimes a topic will be trending, which adds some credibility to the advice offered. Here is another writer saying it's a good time to consider a Roth conversion for your IRA or 401k. (See Aug 5 post for another take on this topic).<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/08/12/save-on-taxes-with-a-roth-conversion-right-now/">Save on Taxes with a Roth Conversion Right Now</a> (dailyfinance)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12873663.post-19675121381762159062011-08-09T08:58:00.000-07:002011-08-09T08:58:03.012-07:00Education: Does class size really matter?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_q14cxHdrkwi5DPR_2qMcrRS2PUkaSmYjeNYdBQXfO9EDpnik6R-Dabamy8rRqGNWH181pRUmpjk6kgvwoIIqBbC2YTFygufk3VEwIkUsCilc-8r1-EWLJBpYU8OQCMjpcamcw/s1600/school.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_q14cxHdrkwi5DPR_2qMcrRS2PUkaSmYjeNYdBQXfO9EDpnik6R-Dabamy8rRqGNWH181pRUmpjk6kgvwoIIqBbC2YTFygufk3VEwIkUsCilc-8r1-EWLJBpYU8OQCMjpcamcw/s200/school.jpg" width="200" /></a>Today's link provides a break from the market gyrations around the economy, ratings downgrade, double dip, debt ceiling, gridlock, indigestion theme. If you are a parent of school age children, and you want them to have as good or better opportunities than you did growing up, you probably are keenly interested in their class size as the next school year is just weeks away (summer goes by fast!). Here is a great read that reviews the recent research and thought leadership on class size and impact on a child's learning.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.salon.com/life/feature/2011/08/06/good_school_excerpt/index.html">Does class size really matter?</a> (Salon)<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12873663.post-83367964266752249982011-08-08T10:05:00.000-07:002011-08-08T10:05:59.947-07:00Investing: The ghosts of 2008<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBukIXj4pVFI2uq5jTOXXDkt__jxU-u8bXy3xaxViojcblYcqoh6i3rOo-htCBYKOiGbiP2DTgnXg_gGpL8FltdJ70rjFLEPvw08r7Fl0r7TbNV6r14uh1-4318dW72LfZfxP00g/s1600/panic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBukIXj4pVFI2uq5jTOXXDkt__jxU-u8bXy3xaxViojcblYcqoh6i3rOo-htCBYKOiGbiP2DTgnXg_gGpL8FltdJ70rjFLEPvw08r7Fl0r7TbNV6r14uh1-4318dW72LfZfxP00g/s200/panic.jpg" width="200" /></a>Did the market crash of 2008 change a generation of investors? Interesting take from the field of "neurofinance" on how that panic influences market actions today, like the current volatility experienced last week and this week.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/07/business/neurofinance-shows-how-investors-can-shun-reason.html">Pressing All the Buttons for a Panic Attack</a> (nyt)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12873663.post-17497260948135182142011-08-05T13:30:00.000-07:002011-08-05T13:30:20.199-07:00Investing: Market slide strategies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepPSYUD0YAPDMWzeyJ7FGAZPdXhn2YwztQupjvuF-thTH8xTLvG4IJu1nSkzfka0zza29bf-NkU8JjxvPEwAfV15838PaeLfb_qa6Gh8iUUODl1c6jXsM6kCm0L0reMFF5YuvDA/s1600/marketpanic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepPSYUD0YAPDMWzeyJ7FGAZPdXhn2YwztQupjvuF-thTH8xTLvG4IJu1nSkzfka0zza29bf-NkU8JjxvPEwAfV15838PaeLfb_qa6Gh8iUUODl1c6jXsM6kCm0L0reMFF5YuvDA/s1600/marketpanic.jpg" /></a></div>
Forbes can have some pretty insightful columnists. Here are few weighing in on what to do in the middle of this dramatic market correction:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://blogs.forbes.com/deborahljacobs/2011/08/05/ira-roth-recession/">Smart Moves For Battered IRAs</a><br />
<a href="http://blogs.forbes.com/peterjreilly/2011/08/05/use-market-crash-to-bail-from-burned-out-shelters/">Use Market Crash To Bail From Burned Out Shelters?</a><br />
<a href="http://blogs.forbes.com/rickferri/2011/08/04/how-to-escape-from-a-bear/">How to Escape from a Bear</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12873663.post-90139286201137712952011-08-03T11:36:00.000-07:002011-08-03T11:36:19.038-07:00Personal Finance: Debt deal and you<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBR5LRIeq4gUPqQU7xGzEPU19g7WTr0dPVMDsaOuaWncgHALS_ZNZtAcE6oFmMOgUq_P1uc9FEtt1fY2lLweMa_LFZdS1v2kHYOjd6nDOWHLgdiA21VlWONCnxOXBdRgm18C1MEg/s1600/reidmcconnell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBR5LRIeq4gUPqQU7xGzEPU19g7WTr0dPVMDsaOuaWncgHALS_ZNZtAcE6oFmMOgUq_P1uc9FEtt1fY2lLweMa_LFZdS1v2kHYOjd6nDOWHLgdiA21VlWONCnxOXBdRgm18C1MEg/s200/reidmcconnell.jpg" width="200" /></a>The dust is settling a bit from the self inflicted debt crisis in Washington. How does the compromise affect you?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.smartmoney.com/invest/strategies/how-the-debt-deal-may-affect-you-1312318666000/">How the Debt Deal May Affect You</a> (SmartMoney)<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12873663.post-5231193691708271372011-08-01T11:34:00.000-07:002011-08-01T11:36:27.028-07:00Loans: Why mortgage closing costs are risingA couple articles today reporting on how closing costs for a mortgage have been going up the last couple years. They explain that the mortgage industry has new costs to adhere to the new financial regulations in place to prevent a future meltdown, which of course are they are passing to the home buyer/refinancer.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bankrate.com/finance/mortgages/2011-closing-costs/">Buying a home may be cheaper these days, but the cost of closing on a mortgage has increased in most states</a> (bankrate)<br />
<a href="http://www.creditsesame.com/blog/closing-costs-07272011/">Why Mortgage Closing Costs Are Rising and How You Can Protect Yourself</a> (creditsesame) <br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12873663.post-85388332978469548162011-07-21T18:36:00.000-07:002011-07-21T18:36:22.139-07:00Taking a few days off<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJ8nAynp5qaWSoFi4DiON1aarr3GOfLBTKncxkm8FrxJ7RLFgg8_sXdny9nIfG0rAsqJkRNNi5UhfyoHgixIOrjg4JYTgFxHdopaTJyUeEWA8jwJr24pm-wquRJA_a8qlPMY8Qw/s1600/fishing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJ8nAynp5qaWSoFi4DiON1aarr3GOfLBTKncxkm8FrxJ7RLFgg8_sXdny9nIfG0rAsqJkRNNi5UhfyoHgixIOrjg4JYTgFxHdopaTJyUeEWA8jwJr24pm-wquRJA_a8qlPMY8Qw/s200/fishing.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="status action">9KFQARQNY54A</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
No posts for the next week. Gone fishing.<br />
<br />
<span class="status action"><br /></span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12873663.post-54619774303598827052011-07-20T11:20:00.000-07:002011-07-20T11:20:50.164-07:00Investing: Upside risk<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ik4U1WqCGcbXSyXnkGLCK7Z49Xa-gm889kK1BrOwJT5Q6tK_PgLGDstD9azZP4DrNyzzUVPMwz7hA3Od1HNjjMBT_0_5mGvucHQwxm6DYNznZKDMymPpDgio1SOBiRL9rh5t8w/s1600/arrow-up-down.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ik4U1WqCGcbXSyXnkGLCK7Z49Xa-gm889kK1BrOwJT5Q6tK_PgLGDstD9azZP4DrNyzzUVPMwz7hA3Od1HNjjMBT_0_5mGvucHQwxm6DYNznZKDMymPpDgio1SOBiRL9rh5t8w/s1600/arrow-up-down.gif" /></a>Individual investors typically understand investment risk as risk of losing a lot of money. Today, the blog presents two recent articles for investors to consider the opposite risk they assume when their focus is mostly on downside, i.e., upside risk. "As financial advisors know, a client may think he is avoiding risk by leaving his money in a money market fund—he has certainly reduced the risk to his principal—but he has effectively traded one type of risk for another" (from the first link below)<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.advisorperspectives.com/articles/pdfs/ACI_Smart_Risk_Taking.pdf">Smart Risk Taking: Realigning Client Portfolios with Their Long-Term Goals</a> (American Century Investments study pdf)<br />
<a href="http://oldprof.typepad.com/a_dash_of_insight/2011/07/how-the-individual-investor-can-trade-like-a-pro.html">How the individual investor can trade like a pro</a> (Dash of Insight)<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12873663.post-23667813926801442442011-07-19T11:16:00.000-07:002011-07-19T11:16:54.943-07:00Insurance: Extended warranties - yea or nay?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlgu7buFPJhaFxX0cU3kOnuGqbBWMp7KaYFpkVbSE9V6O22G8eP8d0SMkzUM1eNu-nrTbrhDoNhG9HLElhamWlBnEL5kDmQqpyxcPfEILNrjVqh55HvdwmeoQ_J7vlS1_H27LZg/s1600/brokenipad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlgu7buFPJhaFxX0cU3kOnuGqbBWMp7KaYFpkVbSE9V6O22G8eP8d0SMkzUM1eNu-nrTbrhDoNhG9HLElhamWlBnEL5kDmQqpyxcPfEILNrjVqh55HvdwmeoQ_J7vlS1_H27LZg/s200/brokenipad.jpg" width="144" /></a>You just bought the appliance, or the shiny new gadget, or the car. Now the salesperson is offering an extended warranty on the product. A couple recent articles on this topic with the general advice to avoid them. Save your insurance dollars to protect against catastrophic losses, and pay for the occasional repair. If they were money losers for the manufacturer or retailer, they would stop selling them.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.palisadeshudson.com/2011/07/saying-no-to-service-plans/">Saying No To Service Plans</a> (Palisades Hudson Financial Group)<br />
<a href="http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2011/07/15/extended-warranties-deal-or-no-deal/">Extended Warranties: Deal or no Deal?</a> (Fox Business)<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12873663.post-50390866529835635262011-07-18T11:32:00.000-07:002011-07-18T11:32:47.797-07:00Personal Finance: U.S. default and main street<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtj700LQd53We0fjx_FtPAot8SGp89Vk7nfSTgh9-fDZUOxcLTxmwt_YW1dmel9YnDBuZz4pzHyZzlunVYjintk8o2k2MJFKnatsgBh_4qm2-EWwxo8j-pM46P2PmKYRRvDPB28w/s1600/boehner_cantor_mcconnell-300x225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtj700LQd53We0fjx_FtPAot8SGp89Vk7nfSTgh9-fDZUOxcLTxmwt_YW1dmel9YnDBuZz4pzHyZzlunVYjintk8o2k2MJFKnatsgBh_4qm2-EWwxo8j-pM46P2PmKYRRvDPB28w/s200/boehner_cantor_mcconnell-300x225.jpg" width="200" /></a>Just like the whole Greek debt drama a few weeks back, the whole high stakes game of chicken on the debt ceiling going on in Washington is not arcane economics. Default will have significant impact on everybody, and Ezra Klein at the washington post tries to explain how.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/how-default-would-harm-homeowners-cities-businesses-and-everyone-else/2011/07/11/gIQAELwVGI_blog.html">How default would harm homeowners, cities, businesses and everyone else</a> (washington post<span id="goog_423068624"></span><span id="goog_423068625"></span>)<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12873663.post-17721009026547394932011-07-14T17:56:00.000-07:002011-07-14T17:56:08.739-07:00Insurance: When your health insurer denies coverage<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxxwEOHtLpjjXM0rN2Y6axySKJ9rA2Bp2FswSxGg2ril9Okqc55bUuet44stsVVJt2YKnTMuQUExBhLQnaXUhkHkpZhJN5RZsrQXTyeHQFNYbzkhEsrE2iKQmHuB5lKfB27NHzw/s1600/rejected.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxxwEOHtLpjjXM0rN2Y6axySKJ9rA2Bp2FswSxGg2ril9Okqc55bUuet44stsVVJt2YKnTMuQUExBhLQnaXUhkHkpZhJN5RZsrQXTyeHQFNYbzkhEsrE2iKQmHuB5lKfB27NHzw/s1600/rejected.jpeg" /></a>The health issue is enough to be concerned with, so when a health insurer denies coverage for a claim, that is just a very unwelcome situation to also have to handle. Today's link, from the nytimes, is steps to take to give you a better chance in appealing the decision, from the co-founder of Health Advocate, "a business that helps people who get their insurance through their employer navigate dealings with their insurance company."<br />
<br />
<a href="http://bucks.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/07/11/7-steps-in-appealing-a-health-insurance-denial/">7 Steps in Appealing a Health Insurance Denial</a> (nytimes)<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12873663.post-13420661331872566882011-07-13T11:18:00.000-07:002011-07-13T11:18:13.106-07:00Investing - ETFs fieldguideHave you ever wanted to consider a sector ETF, but feel overwhelmed at the selection and have no idea how to compare different ones in that sector? Today's links are to the ETF Digest, which has been running a series on top 10 ETFs "that matter and may not be repetitive" in many sectors. The series may be ongoing at ETF Digest, so all sectors may not be reflected in the below set.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11-ydUZt2-iU5XOGYKlKM5eXx8kYfA36h4qUm09dUcEMUjR9BXOG-jUbB4aqVD9_aa42a48TdMSALvfFs8wTLh0eiMqejDc7w_Y3hSegLZtByHGB3Te9Z7JOV86Zg5CryCtUYMQ/s1600/fieldguide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11-ydUZt2-iU5XOGYKlKM5eXx8kYfA36h4qUm09dUcEMUjR9BXOG-jUbB4aqVD9_aa42a48TdMSALvfFs8wTLh0eiMqejDc7w_Y3hSegLZtByHGB3Te9Z7JOV86Zg5CryCtUYMQ/s1600/fieldguide.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.etfdigest.com/commentary.html?show=1681">Technology</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etfdigest.com/commentary.html?show=1673">Alt Energy</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etfdigest.com/commentary.html?show=1667">Energy</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etfdigest.com/commentary.html?show=1663">Financial</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etfdigest.com/commentary.html?show=1658">Small/Mid-Cap</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etfdigest.com/commentary.html?show=1647">Large/All-Cap</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etfdigest.com/commentary.html?show=1640">Dividend</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etfdigest.com/commentary.html?show=1633">Bond, Muni, Preferred</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.etfdigest.com/commentary.html?show=1625">High Yield, Emerging Market Bond</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etfdigest.com/commentary.html?show=1620">Govt, Inflation Protected Bond</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etfdigest.com/commentary.html?show=1613">Corporate Bond</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etfdigest.com/commentary.html?show=1608">Retail</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12873663.post-34376954112668563542011-07-11T11:34:00.000-07:002011-07-11T11:34:49.392-07:00Retirement: Optimal equity exposure to mitigate longevity riskThis Monday's link is a study on stock allocations in retirement and risk of running out of funds before you die (longevity risk). It is one of the main risks to manage. According to Putnam, your equity exposure should be no more than 25% which is more conservative than most studies I've seen.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/story/retirees-need-less-stocks-more-annuities-2011-07-11">Marketwatch writeup of the report</a>. Key snippet, "In an interview, Harlow noted that once a retiree starts taking money from their retirement accounts, the withdrawals become “path dependent.” And if the success of a retirement income plan rests on whether the markets go up or down, one has to figure out how to protect oneself against that volatility, and especially against the risk of unfavorable “sequence of returns.” And the best way to do that is by reducing one’s overall exposure to equity to no more than 25%, he said."<br />
<br />
<a href="https://content.putnam.com/literature/pdf/PI001.pdf">Actual report is here</a> (putnam website)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12873663.post-14648413105039744132011-07-08T10:08:00.000-07:002011-07-08T10:08:05.704-07:00Inertia and your 401(k)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfM3O4KF1QTs5p2mLEaSvL6gJQPjk9cKEp2HkD3tRa4RcgjUuRAChAhHvaO1t-S-86NIz9AnbJXPdmW9kWDLB99a6IFaSWF4imc2xegC8VtoF-IgeUGRUbmqVs2kB6JtYfAsaOw/s1600/egg1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfM3O4KF1QTs5p2mLEaSvL6gJQPjk9cKEp2HkD3tRa4RcgjUuRAChAhHvaO1t-S-86NIz9AnbJXPdmW9kWDLB99a6IFaSWF4imc2xegC8VtoF-IgeUGRUbmqVs2kB6JtYfAsaOw/s200/egg1.png" width="200" /></a></div>
Inertia can be good and bad. If inaction causes desired behavior, then inertia is positive. When your employer automatically signs you up to save for retirement via the 401(k) and places the savings in an age-appropriately allocated portfolio, that's a good thing. However, if they set aside too little, you may not be saving sufficiently for your retirement, and that's probably not a good thing. If you are at an employer, with an automatic feature for the 401(k), check your automatic savings defaults at your employer, don't rely on inertia. See if you need to take some additional action.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303365804576430153643522780.html">401(k) Law Suppresses Saving for Retirement</a> (wsj)<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12873663.post-71604154242091229192011-07-06T14:26:00.000-07:002011-07-06T14:26:56.688-07:00Vexing mortgage question 2: Should you payoff the mortgage?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2DpPhcDHdAzp3Nlk6qITXaLMQ6esjLvJ6m99luAeltlSpEd8LRJwpMTOTIs8x-z5S8hSoVbdh8hyI31eEPR6uJxLj6oJJ0s4ML5OG_NaVQtBu72Xo7cwRjACdHVidsYrIVILaQ/s1600/seesaw_apples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2DpPhcDHdAzp3Nlk6qITXaLMQ6esjLvJ6m99luAeltlSpEd8LRJwpMTOTIs8x-z5S8hSoVbdh8hyI31eEPR6uJxLj6oJJ0s4ML5OG_NaVQtBu72Xo7cwRjACdHVidsYrIVILaQ/s200/seesaw_apples.jpg" width="200" /></a>Lots of web discussion and opinion on this one. The Get Rich Slowly blog recently revisited the topic and got lots of reader reaction. Paying it off early versus investing the funds is "<a href="http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/06/17/ask-the-readers-pay-off-the-mortgage-or-keep-the-money-in-savings/">like choosing between an apple and an orange...they're both good</a>"<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12873663.post-53304779401666596152011-07-05T09:28:00.000-07:002011-07-05T09:28:19.040-07:00Vexing mortgage question 1: Should you refinance?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7aEfmA1xyS1uH6zvdWFWKf7Qg2z1dqMwc9tTt2CTpVL53EXRkeNgCjPvNqCd44dGD_ntjOeRk4ZuZ29zsU55apBYR2z5vqBC0iUBxvJf66iqToYrK-aLgaU3QLqGwORmCEVmfQ/s1600/seesaw_house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7aEfmA1xyS1uH6zvdWFWKf7Qg2z1dqMwc9tTt2CTpVL53EXRkeNgCjPvNqCd44dGD_ntjOeRk4ZuZ29zsU55apBYR2z5vqBC0iUBxvJf66iqToYrK-aLgaU3QLqGwORmCEVmfQ/s200/seesaw_house.jpg" width="200" /></a>Mortgage rates are low these days. Today's link is one mortgage loan officer's take on the question, should you refinance. His take is pretty simple, no break-even points to consider. <a href="http://library.hsh.com/articles/refinancing/should-you-refinance.html">If you can save money with no costs, say "yes."</a> (hsh.com)<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12873663.post-68195314853758068482011-07-01T08:22:00.000-07:002011-07-01T08:22:49.454-07:00Auto Insurance: Shopping around? Check out Amica<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BXWxPO_rImgkxBfHlikl-HD3_AaKTQi7mjnNBYnTWUakvQYSfY_3NUv4DbFgedjaaldtIx-mLB3q_a88pZFuEPSMDO-Z80EwmJFXSz_zRDHDsyupxiz1Pbr4t2heYHrwAVecuA/s1600/600px-ma_route_12-svg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BXWxPO_rImgkxBfHlikl-HD3_AaKTQi7mjnNBYnTWUakvQYSfY_3NUv4DbFgedjaaldtIx-mLB3q_a88pZFuEPSMDO-Z80EwmJFXSz_zRDHDsyupxiz1Pbr4t2heYHrwAVecuA/s200/600px-ma_route_12-svg.jpg" width="200" /></a>The JD Power annual auto insurance satisfaction survey is out. Overall top pick is Amica...again. 12th straight year. A great run, like UCLA under Wooden. Other insurers also worth mentioning - if price is your top criteria, Ameriprise. Erie Insurance also ranks very high for pricing and customer service, if you are in one of the states where they offer insurance.<br />
<div style="color: blue;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1080509659"><br /></a></div>
<div style="color: blue;">
JD Power's 2011 National Auto Insurance Study</div>
<div style="color: black;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #00345e;">If you aren't shopping around right now, don't let your policy lapse with your insurer in hopes of savings some money by picking it up a little later. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1080509654">Bad </a></span><span style="color: #00345e;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://ifawebnews.com/2011/06/27/lapsing-auto-insurance-to-save-money-can-cost-up-to-12-more-later/">move says an Insurance.com study</a>.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #00345e;"><span style="color: black;"><span id="goog_1080509662"></span><span id="goog_1080509663"></span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12873663.post-40471418339683279062011-06-30T08:38:00.000-07:002011-06-30T08:40:32.902-07:00Investing: The four scenarios driving the markets now<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzr3DKyngODnzqHIJZFfL0lUTPyu2AvAg2gAqJAnwKZ6OEMZOhGzHwt1kDhzE5xDcaDjCDdMi2GfRwUvSNySDgv5ykhTyDjK8I81nsNHHBCteye6xyqCH8UQHUP8QCXsfS8Qixcw/s1600/Globe-128.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzr3DKyngODnzqHIJZFfL0lUTPyu2AvAg2gAqJAnwKZ6OEMZOhGzHwt1kDhzE5xDcaDjCDdMi2GfRwUvSNySDgv5ykhTyDjK8I81nsNHHBCteye6xyqCH8UQHUP8QCXsfS8Qixcw/s1600/Globe-128.png" /></a>Investors are in a market that is currently being driven by bets on the outcomes of four main global scenarios, according to today's link. For risk management purposes, traders keep their eyes and their portfolios consistent with their views on how these four events will play out. While everyday folks are not global macro traders, it's an interesting read because your portfolio can be significantly impacted based on what happens.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.institutionalinvestor.com/Article/2855196/Just-Four-Global-Events-Will-Determine-Investors-Fates.html">The four really big global events</a> (Institutional Investor)<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_1945115201"></span><span id="goog_1945115202"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12873663.post-82569852121146239072011-06-28T08:58:00.000-07:002011-06-28T08:58:04.422-07:00Insurance: Summer vacation season...car rentals...the scary insurance pitchIt's summer vacation season. And if you need to rent a car, your probably not looking forward to trying to make snap decisions on all the pitches of the guy at the counter (esp. that scary pitch for the car rental insurance). It's probably because you're not sure if you're getting ripped off, or you're already covered by your credit card or your auto policy. Take a few moments to get more knowledgeable.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2011/06/22/rental-car-insurance-is-it-worth-price/">Rental car insurance: Is it worth the price?</a> (Fox Business)<br />
<a href="http://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/confessions-of-a-rental-car-agent.html">Confessions of a rental car agent</a> (Edmunds) <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-archive/2011/june/money/rental-car-surprises/car-rental/index.htm">Today, renting a car can expose you to every ill known to consumers</a> (Consumer Reports)<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbD04D2JgZg8mHFkq-Im27KSZbk8CJreEgHrTpkYQQCNbrQPlMlIB_L44ryI3GeiwbFmGmcyOthfDAEGxYv-6bNnwmGvfs7SlHhG1qhubgkX8sm-YVrVvWI0LD022gt6urtcSlA/s1600/carrental.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbD04D2JgZg8mHFkq-Im27KSZbk8CJreEgHrTpkYQQCNbrQPlMlIB_L44ryI3GeiwbFmGmcyOthfDAEGxYv-6bNnwmGvfs7SlHhG1qhubgkX8sm-YVrVvWI0LD022gt6urtcSlA/s200/carrental.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bloomberg</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12873663.post-18753655333394249592011-06-27T07:55:00.000-07:002011-06-27T07:55:21.794-07:00Personal Finance: Credit score surprises<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikg-b9CqjnhmiCOrMwFRfqDCJEYExfQYdunADCLaJtgrUbPXil2b47s0kvFB-cASBIF2OhrTaF8gnYLTpuQWtesDa4UccOQiDXYODhBP4tAMxoTkVhCRcsVIXsS0l_epZvw0USaQ/s1600/creditcards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikg-b9CqjnhmiCOrMwFRfqDCJEYExfQYdunADCLaJtgrUbPXil2b47s0kvFB-cASBIF2OhrTaF8gnYLTpuQWtesDa4UccOQiDXYODhBP4tAMxoTkVhCRcsVIXsS0l_epZvw0USaQ/s200/creditcards.jpg" width="200" /></a>A roundup of some recent links that discuss your credit score and ways you may be inadvertently hurting it and credit card balance pay down strategies to improve it.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.walletpop.com/2011/06/07/5-surprising-things-that-hurt-your-credit-scores/">Don't rent a car with your debit card - and others</a> [walletpop]<br />
<a href="http://www.walletpop.com/2011/06/09/5-more-surprising-things-that-hurt-your-credit-scores/">Don't dispute a credit card bill when you're in the market for a loan - and others</a> [more walletpop]<br />
<a href="http://www.mint.com/blog/credit-2/choosing-which-credit-card-to-pay-off-first/">Alternate credit card balance pay off strategies</a> [mint]Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12873663.post-47496277977092891032011-06-23T10:44:00.000-07:002011-06-23T22:05:58.453-07:00Conversations with super wealthy people<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDR87yrSDXBYKiwrlNov6j3dfVCEKvvFQMFUNAfR4-Qwtf5EwGtFVFeEfrYZnkPd_X44gX8jcMNicuGgyhyphenhyphenWKPm54_TGAQ3ritvkbt-9TTR8CnlgcUq03tS1edPPQz3Zh3K9fqaA/s1600/mansion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDR87yrSDXBYKiwrlNov6j3dfVCEKvvFQMFUNAfR4-Qwtf5EwGtFVFeEfrYZnkPd_X44gX8jcMNicuGgyhyphenhyphenWKPm54_TGAQ3ritvkbt-9TTR8CnlgcUq03tS1edPPQz3Zh3K9fqaA/s200/mansion.jpg" width="200" /></a>Some interesting philosophical gleanings on work and money from Barry Ritholz's conversations over the years with some of his High Net Worth clients.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/7-life-lessons-from-the-very-wealthy/2011/06/15/AGxw6aaH_story.html">Don't become "cash rich" and "time poor" and 6 other learnings</a> (wapo)<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0