Best Personal Financial Planning and Personal Investment Articles this Week from Personal Finance Blogs
Carnival of Financial Planning - Edition #117 - November 27, 2009
Welcome to the November 27, 2009 Edition #117 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
FMF presents Mindless Spending: Frequency Matters More Than Height posted at Free Money Finance, saying, “Controlling your spending — even “small” expenses — is a key part of growing your wealth.”
Four Pillars presents Get Out Of Debt With YNAB – You Need A Budget Financial Software Review posted at Quest For Four Pillars, saying, “Indepth review of You Need a Budget software.”
Linda Jones presents 100 Money Experts You Should Follow and Learn From on Twitter posted at AccreditedOnlineColleges.org.
Alex presents The Best Free Online Budget Tracking Tool posted at MoneyStance, saying, “Alex has broken past the half million dollars in debt milestone and climbing his way toward goal #1. He also found a free online budget tracking tool that is assisting him in identifying his wife’s spending trends.”
Estate Planning
Jeff Rose presents Your Estate Planning Checklist posted at Jeff Rose.
The Financial Blogger presents Estate Planning: 5 Reasons Why You Should Have A Professional Among Your Liquidators posted at The Financial Blogger, saying, “managing an estate is more complicated than simply writing a few checks! Fortunately, for those who can afford it, you can name a professional among your liquidators.”
Financial Planning
Bucksome presents Celebrity Financial Dummies posted at Buck$ome Boomer’s Journey to Retirement, saying, “This article discusses three celebrities who didn’t use good financial planning and one who thinks he’s an expert.”
Ray @ Financial Highway presents Best Credit Card posted at Financial Highway, saying, “Using Credit Cards properly can be a good part of your financial planning, here are some tips on how to find the best credit card that fits your needs.”
Madison presents What to Expect When Working With a Financial Planner posted at My Dollar Plan, saying, “Financiial planning basics.”
Roshawn Watson presents Are Wealthy People Dishonest? posted at Watson Inc, saying, “Are the wealthy dishonest? While it is certainly a fair question, it is also a polarizing one. The typical dichotomy is that there are some who feel like there is absolutely no way for honest people to get ahead financially while the wealthy often feel maligned for their prosperity.”
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.”
Chris presents Living or moving overseas? Tips to save money when transferring funds. posted at Home I Own.
Susan Saverton presents Financial Planning Pasadena California posted at Pasadena Financial Planners, saying, “Set your personal investment asset allocation according to your personal tolerance for investment risk. Allocated percentages to asset classes would tend to slowly change with the years, and thus it is key to decide correctly from the beginning.”
Finavigation presents The Basics of Building Wealth posted at Finavigation, saying, “Building wealth requires that you do some things that are relatively unexciting. This makes it hard for people to stop doing what they aren’t supposed to do and start doing what they are.”
Financing a Home
April presents How Much House Do You Need? posted at Get Rich Slowly, saying, “April from Get Rich Slowly sheds light on the fact that our houses are getting larger and larger, but the average family size is actually shrinking! Do we actually need all this extra space? Could you live in a ‘tiny house’?”
Dan Green presents 2010 Conforming Loan Limits : Same As 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006 posted at The Mortgage Reports, saying, “The government has set the 2010 conforming loan limits. They’re the same as from 2009, but worth a review nonetheless.”
Roshawn Watson presents Should You Buy A House Outright? posted at Watson Inc, saying, “Suppose you find yourself in the somewhat unique predicament of having the resources to purchase your house outright without a mortgage. Is it then financially-wise to make the purchase?”
Ben presents House Hunting Tips for Busy Parents posted at Money Smart Life.
Alex Fotopoulos presents When to Refinance a Mortgage? posted at My Trader’s Journal, saying, “Some key points to consider when refinancing your home.”
Financing Education
Praveen presents Will Education Follow the Housing Bust? posted at My Simple Trading System, saying, “Tips for students to avoid excessive loans and debt”
Health Care
Peak Personal Finance presents Considering a Health Savings Account posted at Peak Personal Finance, saying, “Some people can really benefit from an HSA.”
Jeff Rose presents What’s the Best Health Savings Plan For You? posted at Jeff Rose.
Patrick @ Cash Money Life presents Open Enrollment Health Insurance Options posted at Cash Money Life, saying, “what you need to know about the common health insurance options available from most employers during the open enrollment season.”
Patrick @ Military Money presents Open Enrollment Window Open for Some posted at Military Finance Network, saying, “Open enrollment is the only time of the year that many people are able to make changes to their health insurance elections. Make sure you take advantage of this time to select the best health care option for your needs.”
Income
FMF presents Have You Ever Taken Risks to Try and Improve Your Career? posted at Free Money Finance, saying, “Taking calculated risks can be a great way to grow your income.”
Dividend Tree presents Three Companies with Sustainable Dividends posted at Dividend Tree, saying, “Even in soft economic environment, there are companies out there that are continuing to increase dividends for their shareholders. While dividend increase is good, it is more critical to make sure we understand that companies can sustain their dividends.”
Investing
Marc Ryan presents Financial literacy programs posted at IndependentInvestor.info, saying, “Financial education (called financial literacy programs) seems to be the flavor of the day everywhere. Our own site has a strong educational component: give information to help you manage your portfolio yourself (DIY investing). As a result our own general reaction can only be one of supporting such initiatives , which in theory should lead to increased financial literacy, and subsequently to better financial decisions, and even enable some persons to become DIY investors. But is the enthusiasm of the financial industry for such programs disinterested? Does the industry really have any incentive to promote independent investing?”
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.”
studenomist presents Welcome To The Stock Market posted at studenomics.com.
The Dough Roller presents Sccusesufl Peosrnal Finnace Deos Not Riqueire Perftceion posted at The Dough Roller, saying, “While we don’t have to be perfect, we do need to get the important things right.”
The Skilled Investor presents Investing Strategies posted at Personal Financial Investments, saying, “Investment costs which are clearly measured, like fees deducted on your monthly investment statement. Most investors are no aware of opportunity costs that arise from sub-optimal investing practices. Opportunity costs like these are much greater than more costs and investment fees that show up on their statements.”
Super Saver presents Asset Allocation Investing Based on Time posted at My Wealth Builder, saying, “Here’s a strategy that diversifies risk by time.”
Larry Russell presents No Load Mutual Fund posted at Best No Load Mutual Funds, saying, “Don’t bother to frantically move your assets from one mutual fund to another or from one ETF to another. Investment research has repeatedly showing academic studies that performance chasing is a bad strategy the most ofter will yield inferior returns.”
The Smarter Wallet presents Scottrade Review: Best Online Brokerage posted at The Smarter Wallet, saying, “On scottrade, a popular stock brokerage.”
The Financial Blogger presents Note to Myself: Key Points to Investing During a Bear Market Part1: Remember High Yield Bonds posted at The Financial Blogger, saying, “This is what I am doing with the recent market crunch of 2008. Some people generated amazing returns by taking little risk. Here’s how they did it:
ABC presents More Exciting Facts About Stock Indexes posted at ABCs of Investing, saying, “Some interesting facts about stock indexes.”
Tomas Escent presents Investment Management Strategy posted at Nerds on Wall Street, saying, “A Hitchhiker’s Guide to Wired Markets. In this funny financial book, there are no robots parking your car millions of times, however, right now in milliseconds robots trade millions of shares.”
Mike Piper presents Best Online Brokerage Firms posted at The Oblivious Investor, saying, “A line-by-line comparison of the lowest-cost online brokerage firms.”
Zach Scheidt presents Blackstone Sees Improving Trends posted at ZachStocks, saying, “The Blackstone Group, LP (BX) reported earnings and the stock is trading sharply higher. The environment is improving for the private equity company as liquidity and risk premiums increase.”
Jules Wells presents Best Investment Strategies posted at Best Financial Planning Software, saying, “Investing often seems almost unfathomly complex, however your best investment strategy will tend to be a simple and straightforward investing strategy.”
Praveen presents Just Bought Hyatt Hotels (H) posted at My Simple Trading System, saying, “About Hyatt’s recent IPO and why its a good stock.”
ABC presents Top Down Investment Approach posted at ABCs of Investing, saying, “An explanation of the “top down” investment method.”
MoneyNing presents How to Get Your Wife to Invest posted at Money Ning, saying, “Talk and discuss. Learn how to get your significant other to invest!”
Zach Scheidt presents Blue Nile Reports Growth posted at ZachStocks, saying, “Blue Nile Inc. (NILE) reported earnings growth in the third quarter. The company is growing market share but the stock is simply overpriced. Watch for a 50% drop in the coming months.”
Frank Vertin presents No Load Funds posted at Best Index Funds, saying, “When you buy an S & P 500 index mutual fund through a broker or investment advisor you can increase substantially your purchasing costs, while you drive up your recurring annual expenses through asset management and other fees. Financial advisors most often will not recommend to buy index mutual funds with very low fees.No load, low cost index mutual funds don’t pay financial brokers and advisors nearly as well as front loaded, high fee, active mutual funds.”
Dividends4Life presents 11 Dividend Stocks Increasing Dividends and Long-Term Returns posted at Dividends Value, saying, “It is a well-documented fact that a significant portion of the historical equity returns are a result of reinvested dividends. In Triumph of the Optimists: 101 Years of Global Investment Returns (2002), the authors looked at equity returns from capital gains and dividends from 1900 to 2000.”
Managing Debt
MoneyNing presents Are 0% Balance Transfer Credit Cards for Life Possible? posted at Money Ning, saying, “Is 0% balance transfer for life really possible? Find out what people are saying and a reader that actually has one of these cards!”
Miscellaneous
Joe Plemon presents 6 Steps on How to Prosper by Celebrating Your Marital Differences posted at Personal Finance By The Book, saying, “The reasons couples are attracted to each other in the first place is their differences. By celebrating those differences, the couple’s marriage and finances will prosper.”
nissim ziv presents Taking a Career Break: Career Break Ideas & Options posted at Job Interview Guide, saying, “Seriously Considering a Career Break? Taking a career break. The gap year. A sabbatical. Basically, you need time off, you want to refresh and recharge, you need a change of scenery, or maybe it’s necessary for you to leave and not by choice.”
Tom @ Canadian Finance Blog presents 10 Ways To Reduce Your Cable Or Satellite TV Bill posted at The Canadian Finance Blog, saying, “With the majority of households looking for ways to cut their expenses, television might be the first non-essential bill you’ll want to look at. Fortunately there are a few ways to save money on your television bill.”
No Load Bond Funds presents Bond Mutual Funds posted at Bond Index Funds, saying, “There is not good reason to invest in bond mutual funds and ETFs with higher fees. Pick the lowest cost broadly diversified index mutual funds and get better results and more sleep.”
Frank Knight presents How to Stop Identity Theft posted at Best Financial Planning Software, saying, “You need to be proactive and take easy steps to prevent becoming a victim of identity theft. Identity theft is increasing dramatically and it takes a huge amount of time to clean up the mess once you get hit with identity theft.”
Susan Saverton presents Personal Investment Management posted at Family Financial Planning, saying, “You need a system that is efficient with respect to your time and your costs, when to develop, implement, and track a personal investment plan.”
Tyler Tervooren presents Multiple Intelligences: Why You?re A Green Rock Star but Suck at Saving Money posted at Frugally Green, saying, “Ever wondered why you’re a natural at one thing, but a complete dunce at another? According to the theory of multiple intelligences, it makes perfect sense. You see, there are actually 8 different ways that anyone can express the intelligence that they possess and the commonly accepted ones, well, aren’t necessarily all that common. Find out how you can identify what your natural learning styles and intelligences are and how you can use them to teach yourself better personal finance habits even if you hate numbers and suck at math by following my own case study.”
Dorian Wales presents A Temple Restaurant and a Clearing House for Tickets – Two Observations of New York City posted at The Personal Financier, saying, “New York City is my favorite destination in the world. Any opportunity to visit again, whether on business or pleasure is a joy. With each visit a new light is shed on some other aspect of the city. I’d like to share two such spotlights with you.” (Editor’s note: Dorian is right about Peter Luger. Best steakhouse around.)
Retirement Planning
Wenchypoo presents The New Money-for-Life Plan posted at Wisdom From Wenchypoo’s Mental Wastebasket, saying, “An article from MSN regarding a new twist on an old standby–the “Income-for-Life” model. This new model aims to reduce risk and maximize income at the same time.”
Barry presents Money Mangement As You Approach Retirement posted at Associate Money.
Super Saver presents Why I Consider Myself Retired posted at My Wealth Builder, saying, “Since I retired while still in my forties. I know that some people questioned whether it was really a retirement or whether it was just simply a job resignation, followed by unemployment.”
Top Stock Mutual Funds presents Best Stock Mutual Funds posted at Top Index Funds, saying, “This article discusses the 10 ten very low cost stock index mutual funds that track the Standard and Poors 500 large capitalization stock index.”
FMF presents The World’s Best Places to Retire posted at Free Money Finance, saying, “One way to make your retirement savings go farther is to retire overseas.”
Frank Knight presents Roth Retirement Planning posted at Financial Planner Software, saying, “One of the most complex personal financial decisions is whether to invest in a Roth IRA or Roth 401k versus their traditional retirement account alternatives. For most people, Roth accounts do not make sense financially. For a minority, they are a good deal, but you need sophisticated financial planner software to do the analysis for yourself.”
Risk Management and Insurance
Patrick @ Cash Money Life presents Save Money on Auto Insurance Rates posted at Cash Money Life, saying, “Tips on how to save money on your auto insurance rates, including multi car discounts, multi-line policies, defensive driving courses, and more.”
Patrick @ Military Money presents COBRA Benefits 2009 Economic Stimulus Recovery Act posted at Military Finance Network, saying, “The 2009 Economic Stimulus Plan includes additional COBRA and unemployment benefits.”
Savings
20smoney presents Radical Saving Commentary posted at 20s Money, saying, “What would it look like to radically save money? Here are my thoughts on saving extraordinary amounts of your income each month.”
Four Pillars presents $8,000 Credit For First-Time Homebuyers Extended 6 Months – Not Increased To $15k posted at Quest For Four Pillars, saying, “Home buyers credit extended 6 months.”
KCLau presents Are You Rich in Internal Assets? posted at KCLau’s Money Tips, saying, “pay attention to the internal assets”
KCLau presents Caring for the Elderly posted at KCLau’s Money Tips, saying, “Problems faced by the elderly”
Taxes
Jeff Rose presents First Homebuyer Tax Credit posted at Jeff Rose.
Robert D Flach presents WHAT’S THE BUZZ? posted at THE WANDERING TAX PRO, saying, “A bi-weekly “carnival” of great tax and personal finance posts and articles.”
Super Saver presents End of Year Tax Planning - Deductions posted at My Wealth Builder, saying, “For me, October is a good time to review my 2009 financial status for tax return filing purposes. It gives me a few months to make any changes that can lower my taxes.”
Wise_Bread presents Check Your Withholdings posted at Wisebread.
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.
Technorati tags: carnival of financial planning, blog carnival.
Tags: budgeting, economics, estate planning, financial planning, financing education, income, insurance, investing, managing debt, retirement planning, risk management, taxes
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