Best Personal Financial Planning and Personal Investment Articles this Week from Personal Finance Blogs
Carnival of Financial Planning - Edition #138 - April 23, 2010
Welcome to the April 23, 2010 Edition #138 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
The Financial Blogger presents Why The Loonie Is As Strong as a Bear? posted at The Financial Blogger, saying, “It’s been more than a year that our Canadian Loonie has been beating on the greenback and we have now reached the moment when most economists predictions will become reality: the elusive state of parity between the Canadian and US dollar.”
Super Saver presents Living on a Cash Basis was a Good Experience posted at My Wealth Builder, saying, “Living on a cash basis quickly taught me financial responsibility.”
KCLau presents Global Spending: How People Spend their Money posted at KCLau’s Money Tips, saying, “Results from a World Bank study entitled “Global Purchasing Power Parities and Real Expenditures 2005 International Comparison Program” spanning 2003 – 2008.”
The Skilled Investor presents Saving Money posted at Personal Finance Decisions, saying, “The most dominant determinants of your long-term financial well-being are how much you earn, spend, budget, and save. 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.”
2 Cents presents Is Capitalism Broken? posted at Balance Junkie, saying, “This article reviews some of the current views on our capitalist system as well as the work of Hyman Minsky.”
Estate Planning
FMF presents Your Parents’ Estate Plan Part 2: What You Need to Know posted at Free Money Finance, saying, “Helping your parents through estate planning issues.”
Jeff Rose, CFP presents How To Select a Guardian for Your Children posted at Jeff Rose.
Financial Planning
Sun presents The Importance of Choosing the Correct Retirement Date posted at The Sun’s Financial Diary.
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 How Long Should I Keep Financial Documents? posted at Blueprint for Financial Prosperity.
Big Cajun Man presents Personal Finance Resolutions for the New Year? posted at Canadian Personal Finance Blog, saying, “Are Financial New Years resolutions a good idea? Yes, but make them achievable, don’t try to boil the ocean, just take small steps!”
Roshawn Watson presents What’s Your Financial Mindset posted at Watson Inc, saying, “A study by Nielson and research firm Inmar has illuminated the spending habits of the affluent. Did you know that affluent households tend to be heavier coupon users than those with lower incomes? This is one of the ways a person gains a high net worth in the first place: he knows how to spot a deal”
Roshawn Watson presents Through the Looking Glass posted at Watson Inc, saying, “Do you really believe in a world of financial abundance? Could you ever have too much money? Could you ever even conceive of summering in the Hamptons for $35,000 per night? Pregnant in your answer is a revelation of your core belief system regarding money”
Larry Russell presents Mutual Fund Load posted at Top 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.”
Super Saver presents I Avoid Financial Advisors with These Characteristics posted at My Wealth Builder, saying, “In my experience, I have found it challenging to connect with a person that matches what I expect in an excellent financial advisor. Many candidates have what I consider a “fatal flaw” in a financial advisor.”
Frank Knight presents Roth IRAFinancial Software posted at 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.”
Nigel Savers presents Asset AllocationPersonal Financial Plan, posted at Pasadena Financial Planner saying, “Diversification means that the specific risks of businesses and other investment entities can be eliminated from a portfolio without reducing expected returns. You should diversify your investments completely and globally – now and always.”
Jessica Bosari presents Five No-Fail Debt Reduction Techniques posted at Billeater, saying, “Time tested techniques that anyone can use.”
Financing a Home
FMF presents How Much House Can You Afford? posted at Free Money Finance, saying, “How much home can you really afford?”
Ryan @ MFN presents How to Apply for a VA Loan posted at Military Finance Network, saying, “A VA Loan is a great way to finance a home, but there are several steps you need to take before you can qualify for and obtain a VA Loan.”
Financing Education
MoneyNing presents How to Use a 529 Plan to Improve College Savings posted at Money Ning, saying, “A 529 plan can help your college savings tremendously. Check out how the government can help contribute!”
Health Care
Joe Plemon presents The New Health Care Bill: A Prescription for Diminished Health Care posted at Personal Finance By The Book, saying, “Yes, the health care bill passed. I predict the long term consequences will be poorer health care.”
Income
FMF presents Free Money Finance: Money-Making Hobbies posted at Free Money Finance, saying, “Great ideas for turning something you love into a money-making venture.”
jim presents Dividend Champions posted at Blueprint for Financial Prosperity.
Investing
studenomist presents Paying For College With a Credit Card posted at studenomics.com.
Steve Alexander presents 3 Quality, Cheap Micro-Caps Not In MFI - MagicDiligence posted at MagicDiligence - Optimizing Joel Greenblatts Value Stock Strategy, saying, “While many have tried, few have been able to duplicate Joel Greenblatt’s Magic Formula Investing screen. Here are 3 micro-cap stocks with high returns on capital, low earnings yields, and solid growth rates that do not appear in MFI but probably should.”
Darwin presents How to Invest in Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn posted at Darwin’s Finance, saying, “Ever wonder how to invest in Facebook, Twitter and other companies that aren’t publicly traded? Here’s now - if you’ve got the money!”
Zach Scheidt presents Employment Issues Trigger “Backsourcing” posted at ZachStocks, saying, “Outsourcing Employment is becoming less of a competitive advantage for US based business. Stimulus programs to encourage employment is prompting “backsourcing” Here are some short candidates that will fall because of the trend”
Frank Vertin presents Best Index Funds posted at Noload Mutual Fund, saying, “Useful information on the top ten no load index funds that track the Standard and Poors 500 composite index in terms of lowest costs.”
Four Pillars presents Use Your Cell Phone Apps To Manage Your Money posted at Quest For Four Pillars, saying, “Some cell phone apps to help track your finances”
Frank Knight presents Municipal Bond Financial Software, posted at Personal Finance 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.”
Praveen presents Lichello’s AIM System posted at My Simple Trading System, saying, “FINBLOG - A look at Robert Lichello’s AIM stock investing system, which was popular in the 1970’s and then went out of style.”
Silicon Valley Blogger presents Best Online Stock Brokers For Cheap Stock Trades posted at The Digerati Life, saying, “My own take on top brokers.”
Tomas Escent presents Automated Stock Trading posted at Nerds on Wall Street, saying, “A little artificial intelligence goes a long way on Wall Street. If you give someone a program, you will frustrate them for a day; if you teach them how to program, you will frustrate them for a lifetime.”
Tushar Mathur presents Can’t Control the Markets? Try controlling the Costs posted at Everything Finance, saying, “As 2008 proved, 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 that many mutual funds posted in 2008 and at the outset of 2009 may have left you feeling concerned over your financial future. You’re not alone.”
The Skilled Investor presents Market Timing posted at Investment Portfolio Management, saying, “Stay invested always in the securities markets 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. Professionals and amateurs are both really lousy at market timing.”
The Smarter Wallet presents TradeKing Review: Top Discount Brokerage posted at The Smarter Wallet
Marc Ryan presents Avoid short-termism: rules of thumb to borrow, trade or stay in cash posted at IndependentInvestor.info, saying, “As an investor you probably regularly ask yourself if now is the right time to borrow, to stay in cash, or to sell. The media inundate us with guidance in this regard (buy, sell, start-over), but on closer examination their short-term focus rarely ends up being very helpful for a long-term investor. Here are some rules of thumb for a long term investor.”
Michael Pruser presents Scottrade Review–Online Discount Broker posted at The Dough Roller, saying, “This post is a detailed review of (what I think to be) one of the best online discount brokers in the online space today. Thanks for consideration! -Michael”
LearnSaveInvest presents An Introduction to Investment Fees posted at Learn Save Invest, saying, “Learn about the various fees that your investments will cost you, and how they affect your overall portfolio performance.”
Craig Ford presents Kid’s Roth IRA | Can Teens and Kids Open A Roth? posted at Money Help For Christians, saying, “This post helps readers understand the rules regarding kids and the Roth IRA.”
Patty Pedersen presents Janus Overseas JAOSX, A Worthy International Mutual Fund? posted at AlphaProfit MoneyMatters - Investing Blog, saying, “Janus Overseas Fund has many positive attributes that include strong performance and low expense. Its go-anywhere strategy looks appropriate for the current market environment. This article brings out factors investors need to consider before using JAOSX as a core international mutual fund.”
Dividends4Life presents 4 Dividend Stocks Raising Dividends and Expectations posted at Dividends Value, saying, “Have you ever pondered the concept of forever or infinity? It is truly mind boggling! What is even more astonishing is that when I buy a stock, my target holding period is forever. For most people, myself included, that is hard to grasp and to carry out. When things start going bad, our primal instinct of flight kicks in and we want to sell. In many cases, that is the time we should be buying.”
Steve Alexander presents Magic Formula Stocks with High Piotroski Scores posted at MagicDiligence - Optimizing Joel Greenblatts Value Stock Strategy, saying, “The Piotroski score is a popular mechanical stock filtering strategy that has historically beaten the market by a wide margin. Which current Magic Formula stocks also have high Piotroski scores?”
Zach Scheidt presents China Secondary Price May Provide Tipping Point posted at ZachStocks, saying, “Ctrip.com Intl Ltd. (CTRP) is a speculative growth stock in the China travel industry. Shifiting trends may point to a decline, and a recent secondary offering could provide the catalyst.”
Managing Debt
Consumer Boomer presents Checking Your Credit Score posted at Consumer Boomer.
Jeff Rose, CFP presents How To Improve Your Credit Score Fast posted at Jeff Rose.
Big Cajun Man presents Do You Have a Financial GPS? posted at Canadian Personal Finance Blog, saying, “Do you need a financial GPS?”
The Smarter Wallet presents Are Debt Counseling Services The Way To Debt Relief? posted at The Smarter Wallet, saying, “On debt counseling services.”
Miscellaneous
Pinyo presents What is a Good Credit Score? posted at Moolanomy, saying, “Do you know your credit score? Do you know what’s considered a good credit score? Learn how to get your credit scores for free and compare your score to established credit ratings.”
Joe Plemon presents With Apologies to Dave Ramsey, One Size Doesn’t Always Fit All posted at Personal Finance By The Book, saying, “The point of this post is not to fault Dave Ramsey; it is to encourage people to think beyond the Dave Ramsey formula and clearly understand why they are doing what they are doing.”
nissim ziv presents Why Changing Jobs: Reasons for a Job Change posted at Job Interview Guide, saying, “It is not about money or at least, not just money give you rational for changing jobs and look elsewhere.”
Pasadena Financial Planner presents Mutual Fund Investment Performance posted at Top Mutual Fund, saying, “Compares Vanguard’s actively managed mutual funds and Vanguard’s passively managed index mutual funds. Vanguard investors should read and understand this study.”
Retirement Planning
Jeff Rose, CFP presents Rules on Opening a Simple IRA for Your Small Business posted at Jeff Rose.
Joe Plemon presents New Study on 401(k): Failed Experiment or Solid Plan? posted at Personal Finance By The Book, saying, “Recent study seems to validate use of 401(k)…but could the conclusions be skewed?”
Jules Wells presents Retirement Calculator-Retirement Savings Software, posted at Retirement Financial 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.”
Ryan @ MFN presents How Military Service Affects Your Social Security Benefits posted at Military Finance Network, saying, “Military service can affect your social security benefits. Here is the information you need to know!”
The Financial Blogger presents Freedom 75 posted at The Financial Blogger, saying, “Life is full of irony! While my retirement goal is to stop being part of the rat race by 35, we see more and more people working pass the “normal” age of retirement of 65. I must admit that most of us will define themselves according to our job: “Hello Mike, nice to meet you, tell me, what are you doing in life?” A) I am me. B) I am a father. C) I am a passionate man who loves watching hockey, playing golf, blogging, play soccer with my son and making pony tails to my little girl, and.. and.. bla blab la… D) I am a financial planner / web entrepreneur I can tell that most people will answer “D”. So if we define ourselves according to our job, what do we become if we quit working?”
Larry Russell presents Roth IRA Conversions posted at Best 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.”
Risk Management and Insurance
Ryan @ CML presents How to Read a Contract posted at Cash Money Life, saying, “Contracts aren’t fun to read and they can be difficult to understand. This guide can help you better understand contracts to make it easier to read them.”
Ryan @ CML presents How to Hire a Lawyer posted at Cash Money Life, saying, “Do you need a lawyer? Check out these tips to help you understand what to look for when searching for and interviewing a lawyer.”
Consumer Boomer presents Questions to Ask Before You Buy Insurance posted at Consumer Boomer.
Mike Piper presents Renters Insurance: Cost and Tips on Buying posted at The Oblivious Investor, saying, “Tips for making sure you get a renters insurance policy that fits your own needs.”
Savings
June Tree presents Best High Yield Savings Accounts posted at The Digerati Life, saying, “On high yield and high interest savings accounts.”
MoneyNing presents 10 Situations in Which DIY is More Expensive posted at Money Ning, saying, “DIY is not always the most cost effective way of doing things.”
KCLau presents Are You Rich in Internal Assets? posted at KCLau’s Money Tips, saying, “pay attention to the internal assets”
Taxes
Consumer Boomer presents How to Check The Status of Your Federal and State Income Tax Return posted at Consumer Boomer, saying, “Now that your 2009 tax returns are filed, how can you find out what the status of your return is and when you might get some money back.”
Four Pillars presents How Long Before I Get My Income Tax Refund? posted at Quest For Four Pillars, saying, “A guideline for how long you have to wait for a tax refund.”
Madison DuPaix presents Surprising Things That Count as Taxable Income posted at My Dollar Plan, saying, “This takes a look at some things that people might not realize need to be considered as income when filing taxes.”
Financial Freedom Plan presents Roth IRA ConversionFinancial Software, posted at My 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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Tags: budgeting, economics, estate planning, financial planning, financing education, income, insurance, investing, managing debt, personal finance advice, personal finance blogs, retirement planning, risk management, taxes
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