Best Personal Financial Planning and Personal Investment Articles this Week from Personal Finance Blogs
Carnival of Financial Planning – Edition #157 – September 10, 2010
Welcome to the September 10, 2010 Edition #157 of the Carnival of Financial Planning.
The Carnival of Financial Planning takes a long-term view of personal financial planning for individuals and families. We focus on efficient and sustainable personal financial planning practices that can lead to lifetime financial security.
This edition is arranged by subject heading, so that you can browse efficiently.
Enjoy!
The Skilled Investor, Editor
Budgeting and Economics
Joe Plemon presents Five Steps Toward Automating Your Way to Wealth posted at Personal Finance By The Book, saying, “Will power won’t get the job done, but automating your finances will. This post tells how.”
Mike @ Green Panda presents The $7.27 Mistake Plus Ways To Avoid It posted at Green Panda Treehouse, saying, “How to make the most out of your money when going out.”
Craig Ford presents How To Make A Budget | Lean How To Budget posted at Money Help For Christians, saying, “A step by step guide on how to budget for people making their first budget.”
Jeff Rose, CFP presents Mortgage-Backed Securities Miss the Bond Rally posted at Jeff Rose, saying, “Read this article to find out how Mortgage Backed Securities missed the bond rally and how that affects you.”
The Skilled Investor presents Save More posted at Personal Financial Strategy, saying, “Budgeting and self-control in consumption is far more important than clever investing. Expenditure control and budgeting works, while “clever” investing usually is counter-productive.”
MoneyNing presents Money Mistakes That (Mostly) Women Make posted at Money Ning, saying, “Women are prone to make certain money mistakes more often than others.”
Roshawn Watson presents Economists Blame ME for the Slow Recovery posted at Watson Inc, saying, “We are responsible with our money, yet instead of admiration (or even understanding), these efforts garner contempt as the frugal once again get the blame for dismal economic activity.”
Jeff Rose, CFP presents What Is Deflation And Should You Be Concerned posted at Jeff Rose, saying, “Deflation can be a detrimental to an individual especially if they are left without a job and by definition have not traditionally been savers. Read this article to finds out if you should be concerned.”
Susan Howe presents Yes, You WILL Get Social Security posted at Get Rich Slowly, saying, “Some of the things you may want to know about the future of Social Security.”
Financial Planning
Sustainable Life Blog presents Prioritizing Goals? posted at Sustainable Life Blog, saying, “Wondering where to turn when starting to attack debt? Here’s a quick guide on how to help you prioritize your goals.”
Dividend Tree presents Building Core Competency for Long Term Survival posted at Dividend Tree, saying, “whether it is running a business or individuals investment portfolio, it is important to build a core competency for long term sustainability. In my case, I focus on good quality companies that consistently pay or have potential to pay growing dividends over time.
jim presents Review Your Credit Reports Every Year posted at Identity Theft Wall.
Frank Knight presents Roth IRA ConversionFinancial Planning Software posted at My Financial Freedom Plan, saying, “Whether to invest in a Roth IRA or Roth 401k versus their traditional retirement account alternatives is one of the most complex personal financial decisions. Roth accounts do not make sense financially for most people. They are a good deal, for a minority, but you need to do the analysis.”
Larry Russell presents Best No Load Mutual Funds posted at Best Index Mutual Funds, saying, “Superior past performance has simply not been shown to be a reliable predictor of superior future performance. However, low costs can lead you to the best mutual funds.
Ryan @ MFN presents What to Do With an Enlistment Bonus posted at The Military Wallet, saying, “What should you use a large cash bonus for? Pay down debt, invest, spend?”
Jim & Martha presents New Credit Card Applications Hurt Your Credit Score posted at Wanderlust Journey.
Frank Knight presents Asset Allocation Strategy posted at Best Personal Financial Planning Software, saying, “When you are already there and invested in an asset class, you are following a passive asset allocation strategy. Tactical asset allocation strategy advocates suggest that you can anticipate the crowd, but flow-of-funds studies show that almost all tactical asset allocation fund flows are late money flows that chase performance after valuations have already moved.”
Health Care
Ben presents Health Savings Account Guide posted at Money Smart Life.
Financing Education
Ryan @ CML presents Where to Open a Coverdell ESA Plan posted at Cash Money Life, saying, “Coverdell ESAs are a college savings account that have great tax advantages. This info can help you find a great place to open your Coverdell ESA.”
Income
MoneyNing presents 15 Ways to Earn Extra Money posted at Money Ning, saying, “There are lots of ways to make more money. Here are 15 to start you off.”
Investing
FMF presents How to Pick a Great Mutual Fund posted at Free Money Finance, saying, “If you want a great return on your mutual fund, there’s one key you must follow: pick a low cost option.”
Super Saver presents Choosing Data Analysis over Emotion posted at My Wealth Builder, saying, “Typically, I like discipline of relying on the data.”
MoneyNing presents Second Recession: Don’t Let Fear Take Over posted at Money Ning, saying, “Whatever the circumstances, allowing fear to creep in will only make the situation worst.”
Tomas Escent presents Stock Trader Automation posted at Nerds on Wall Street
Madison DuPaix presents OptionsXpress Review posted at My Dollar Plan, saying, “If you’re looking for a new online brokerage, check out this review of optionsXpress. They have some great online trading tools.”
Arjun Rudra presents Taking Advantage Of The Growth In Emerging Markets posted at Investing Thesis, saying, “If a global economic recovery, especially in the emerging markets, is what you believe in, then investing in resources and commodities is likely one way to take advantage of that growth. We sit down with a materials and metals analyst responsible for covering metal mining and steel companies across the Emerging Markets to gather insights and find ways to play the growth in the emerging markets.”
The Skilled Investor presents Stock Market Timing posted at Personal Investment Management, saying, “Always stay invested to earn risk premiums. You must have your money invested and at risk to get risk premium returns. Jumping out and in or “timing the markets” doesn’t work.”
Praveen presents Caveat Emptor: If An Investment or Opportunity Appears Too Good To Be True, Beware! posted at My Simple Trading System, saying, “Beware of investment opportunities that seem to be too good to be true.”
The Financial Blogger presents Best 50 Canadian Dividend Stocks posted at The Financial Blogger, saying, “With the plethora of dividend stocks out there, here are the best 50 canadian dividend stock picks.”
Darwin presents Dividends = 43% of Total Stock Market Returns [Graphic] posted at Darwin’s Money, saying, “Dividends are a HUGE portion of overall market returns – you’ll be shocked by the data, and see why you should own strong dividend stocks.”
freefrombroke presents What is Asset Allocation? posted at Free From Broke, saying, “What asset allocation is and why it’s an important concept for an investor to understand and implement.”
Frank Knight presents Muni Bond Financial Software, posted at Best Financial Planning Software, saying, “Municipal bond investments and your state and federal marginal income tax rates: Some investors hold municipal bonds in an attempt to reduce their tax burden. This article discusses the relationships between tax-exempt municipal bonds, bond market returns, marginal tax rates, and investment asset tax location.”
Dividend Tree presents Dividend Investing and Businesses with Moat posted at Dividend Tree, saying, “In general, companies with moats in their business are very good dividend growth providers. However, the opposite may not be true.”
2 Cents presents Revenge of the Dumb Money posted at Balance Junkie, saying, “Retail investors, usually considered the “dumb money”, have been pulling money out of equities for months now. Will they be right this time?”
Silicon Valley Blogger presents Investing In Bonds: Make Money The Boring Way posted at The Digerati Life, saying, “Some ideas for investing in bonds.”
FIRE Getters presents Three Good Habits of Successful Retirees posted at FIRE Finance, saying, “Vanguard’s chairman and CEO Jack Brennan has nearly three decades of valuable experience in investing at this great firm. He has observed that successful long term investors share some common traits …”
Frank Vertin presents Top Index Funds posted at Index Mutual Funds, saying, “Top ten no load index funds that track the Standard and Poors 500 composite index in terms of lowest costs.
Tushar Mathur presents Can’t Control the Markets? Try controlling the Costs posted at Everything Finance, saying, “The financial markets are prone to unpredictable periods of turbulence. That can make investing feel a bit like a roller-coaster ride. The disappointing results may have left you feeling concerned over your financial future. You’re not alone.”
Dividends4Life presents 5 Dividend Stocks Providing Positive Feedback posted at Dividends Value, saying, “It seems that ever so many years the market turns down and someone declares the death of buy-and-hold. Some even go as far to say that Warren Buffett has lost his touch. With time on their side, the buy-and-hold investors and Mr. Buffett always seem to make a spectacular rebound. As long-term dividend investors our focus should be on acquiring fundamentally sound dividend growth stocks at a reasonable valuation and maintaining our asset allocation.”
Managing Debt
Learn Save Invest presents 5 Steps To Debt Reduction posted at Learn Save Invest, saying, “Here are 5 tips you need to master in order to reduce your debts.”
Roshawn Watson presents Why Is Debt Really Decreasing? posted at Watson Inc, saying, “In the first quarter of 2008, our debt to disposable income peaked at a staggering 131%. This means for every dollar we earned, we spent $1.31. As of March, our debt as a share of our annual income is presently 122%. If you think this change indicates that we have collectively been so scarred by the “Great Recession” that we are now behaving fiscally responsible, think again. There is a surprising and sad reason why our debt has gone down. Hint, it has nothing to do with frugality.”
PT presents Credit Card Default: 7 Things You Should Know posted at Prime Time Money, saying, “What to know about managing the debt involved with credit card default, including an example.”
The Smarter Wallet presents Are Debt Counseling Services The Way To Debt Relief? posted at The Smarter Wallet, saying, “On debt counseling services.”
Big Cajun Man presents Found Money Trap posted at Canadian Personal Finance Blog, saying, “Found money should go on debt no matter what!”
Tim Chen presents Rewards Showdown – Chase Sapphire vs Capital One Venture posted at NerdWallet Blog – Credit Card Watch, saying, “The Chase Sapphire and the Capital One Venture Rewards cards are both high-profile travel rewards cards for people with excellent credit. At first glance they seem pretty similar, and even their signup bonuses and rewards programs overlap. But when you really look at the numbers, some glaring differences appear.”
Silicon Valley Blogger presents $50 Checking Account Bonus With PerkStreet Financial posted at The Digerati Life, saying, “Improve money management with the use of a debit card and checking account, instead of just a credit card.”
Miscellaneous
Joe Plemon presents Three New Car Purchases to Steer Away From posted at Personal Finance By The Book, saying, “Sometimes a new car is exactly what you don’t need. This post gives three such times.”
nissim ziv presents How Would you Describe your Ideal Job? posted at Job Interview Guide, saying, “How would you describe your ideal work environment?”
Pasadena Financial Planner presents Vanguard’s Investment Performance posted at Top Mutual Funds, saying, “Compares Vanguard’s actively managed mutual funds and Vanguard’s passively managed index mutual funds. Vanguard investors should read and understand this study.”
Mike @ Green Panda presents Stop Waiting For The Big Idea posted at Green Panda Treehouse, saying, “Just thinking about the next big thing might just be a complete waste of time. Take that step towards your goals.”
Retirement Planning
Jeff Rose, CFP presents Spousal IRA Contribution Rules posted at Jeff Rose, saying, “There are special rules and restrictions that apply to spousal contributions to IRAs that should also be considered when selecting an IRA for your family. Here we look at some of those rules to help you make an informed decision regarding your IRA account.”
Tom @ Canadian Finance Blog presents The Eight Paycheques of Retirement posted at The Canadian Finance Blog, saying, “For most of our lives, we go to work and earn a paycheque. What happens in retirement when we stop working? Where will our income come from?”
Neal Frankle presents IRA FAQ ? All the Answers You Need In Plain English posted at Wealth Pilgrim: Money Management Advice, Financial Stess Management, Addiction Recovery Plan & Resources, saying, “You need to know IRA FAQ PDQ (Pretty Darn Quick). I say this because we have to take responsibility for our own financial future. Nobody else is going to do it for us.”
Jules Wells presents Retirement Planning Calculator-Retirement Savings Software, posted at Retirement Income Planning, saying, “This article helps you understand the trade-offs between traditional and Roth tax-advantaged retirement plan contributions, including Roth 401k and IRA retirement plans. It helps with the 2010 Roth conversion decision.”
Consumer Boomer presents Distribution Rules For Roth IRA posted at Consumer Boomer, saying, “The Roth IRA is an excellent tool to invest and save money toward retirement. Find out what unique benefits a Roth IRA offers.”
Super Saver presents Why Work in Retirement posted at My Wealth Builder, saying, “While working in retirement may sound like a contradiction of terms, I have found it beneficial to do so.”
Mike Piper presents The Best Places to Retire posted at The Oblivious Investor, saying, “For those considering retiring abroad, what countries should be at the top of the list for consideration?”
Neal Frankle presents Retirement Lump Sum ? Your Best Choice? posted at Money Management Advice, saying, “These days, a retirement lump sum isn’t as attractive as it used to be (when compared to an annuity payout). When you take a lump sum after you retire, you have to open an IRA, invest the money and create retirement income.”
Larry Russell presents Roth IRA Conversion posted at Personal Financial Planning Software, saying, “Trying to decide about a traditional IRA to Roth IRA conversion without first having a comprehensive lifetime financial plan in place makes absolutely no sense. Without such a plan, you cannot figure out whether or not you are likely to achieve the tax savings in retirement that would warrant paying higher taxes now.”
Hussein Sumar presents How to Better Understand Roth IRA Conversions posted at Roth IRA, saying, “Roth IRAs and their sister retirement plans Roth 403b and Roth 401k offer oustanding retirement investing choices for American workers & savers. While most people have heard of these plans, they do not exactly know how to take advantage of them, or yet better understand them. This becomes even more difficult when an employee transitions from one job to another company while leaving behind his retirement plan with the old company, not knowing of the choices available.”
Risk Management and Insurance
FMF presents What Is Life Insurance, Where Did It Come From, and Why Should I Care? posted at Free Money Finance, saying, “Everything you ever wanted to know about life insurance.”
Big Cajun Man presents Self Insured Company Disability Plans posted at Canadian Personal Finance Blog, saying, “Sometimes insurance is not as safe as you might think (in Canada at least)”
Consumer Boomer presents Term Life Quotes posted at Consumer Boomer, saying, “When you purchase an insurance policy it is important to know exactly what you are buying. Here is some important information about Term Life quotes.”
Jules Wells presents Investment Risk Tolerance Questionnaire Financial Planning Software, posted at Financial Answers saying, “There is a way for you to get a much better assessment of your risk tolerance than you would from a simple conservative versus aggressive financial industry investor questionnaire.”
Susan Howe presents Why Your Insurance Company Has To Pay For Your Illegal Acts posted at Insurance Blog, saying, “Here are example cases where insurers will have to pay for damage resulting from your illegal acts as long as your crime was accidental.”
Savings
KCLau presents Are You Rich in Internal Assets? posted at KCLau’s Money Tips, saying, “pay attention to the internal assets.”
Ryan @ MFN presents Military Savings Deposit Program (SDP) posted at The Military Wallet, saying, “The Savings Deposit Program is a government sponsored savings account that guarantees 10% return on interest for deployed military members.”
Taxes
The Wise Squirrel presents Tax Rates By Country posted at Squirrelers, saying, “A comparative look at taxes as % of GDP by country, juxtaposed against savings rates. Interestingly, here in the U.S., we’re on the low end of tax buden but also low in savings.”
Intelligent Speculator presents Please do not let the Bush tax cuts expire posted at Intelligent Speculator, saying, “It may be easier to take the popular position and have the Bush tax cuts expire, but I personally think otherwise.”
David de Souza presents UK Income Tax Blunder – How It Happened posted at UK Tax Blog, saying, “Over 2 million people are affected by a tax blunder in the UK. We look at how it happened”
Financial Freedom presents Roth IRAFinancial Software, posted at Financial Freedom, saying, “The Roth tax optimization puzzle for asset conversions, as well as for annual Roth contributions during working years, is one of the most complex decisions that the ridiculously complex US taxation and retirement planning system forces upon individuals.”
That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of Carnival of Financial Planning using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.
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