Best Personal Financial Planning and Personal Investment Articles this Week from Personal Finance Blogs
Carnival of Financial Planning - Edition #137 - April 16, 2010
Welcome to the April 16, 2010 Edition #137 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
FlBlogger presents Inflation or Deflation? What’s The Evidence Say? You Decide. posted at 20s Money, saying, “Analyzing the evidence of both inflation and deflation and offering some insight into how to prepare for both scenarios.”
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 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.”
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 Capitalism’s 3 Children posted at Balance Junkie, saying, “This article is the first in a series on capitalism as an economic system and the current economic issues that we face globally.”
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.”
Estate Planning
Jeff Rose, CFP presents How To Select a Guardian for Your Children posted at Jeff Rose.
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.”
Financial Planning
FMF presents 14 Great Money Principles posted at Free Money Finance, saying, “Here are the keys to success in personal finance — boiled down to 14 simple-to-understand points that will work to make anyone both financially secure and happy.”
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!”
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.
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.”
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”
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.”
Roshawn Watson presents Thoughts on Escaping The Rat Race posted at Watson Inc, saying, “Do you yearn to be free…really free? What would you do if money was not a big limitation? Perhaps the primary reason for increasing your financial literacy is so you may indeed escape the rat race.”
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.”
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.”
Financing a Home
Roshawn Watson presents Is Bigger Better? Scaling Down The American Dream posted at Watson Inc, saying, “Today’s post-crash buyers are not willing (nor able in some cases) to extend themselves like before, and the impact on the housing market is substantial.”
MoneyNing presents First Time Home Buyer Tips and Guide posted at Money Ning, saying, “If you are a first time home buyer, read this first.”
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!”
The Smarter Wallet presents A 529 College Savings Plan As A Child’s Gift posted at The Smarter Wallet, saying, “Thoughts on financing a child’s education.”
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 Make and Save Money by Getting Rid of Your Junk posted at Free Money Finance, saying, “A simple and easy way to declutter your life and make some extra money to boot!”
jim presents What is a Highly Compensated Employee? posted at Blueprint for Financial Prosperity.
Ryan @ CML presents Highest Paying College Degrees posted at Cash Money Life, saying, “List of the top 10 highest paying degrees and college majors.”
Investing
Consumer Boomer presents Best Places to Open and Setup a Roth IRA posted at Consumer Boomer, saying, “Here is a breakdown at the different choices you have at opening a Roth IRA and why it may be best for you.”
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.”
BeaBu presents Why Arithmetic Average Fails to Measure Average Percentage Return over Time posted at BeaBu.com, saying, “Imagine you’ve bought a stock. It goes up by 70% in the first year and falls 50% in the second year. Do you think you’ve made money? You’re wrong. While being able to do quick calculations with percentages is helpful for an active investor, sometimes these percentages can be misleading. So is using arithmetic average for measuring investment performance over multiple time periods. This article explains why and what to do about it.”
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”
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”
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.”
The Investor presents Bond default probabilities: by rating posted at Monevator.com, saying, “The risk of non-investment grade bonds and munis defaulting is very real. This table gives you an indication of the historical stats.”
Zach Scheidt presents Apollo Cashes Out with Metals USA posted at ZachStocks, saying, “Metals USA Holdings Corp (MUSA) traded poorly after its IPO on Friday. Apollo Group still holds a majority position and will eventually collect the proceeds. Be wary of this steel company as there will likely be significant selling pressure.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
Dividend Growth Investor presents Top Dividend Stocks for 2010, 1Q update posted at Dividend Growth Investor, saying, “The companies which I selected for 2010 include high yielding companies from four sectors of the economy, which also were characterized with consistent cash flows and stable but rising dividend payments. The sectors covered include real estate, utilities, energy transportation and tobacco.”
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.”
Dividends4Life presents 5 Dividend Stocks Building Superior Long-Term Returns posted at Dividends Value, saying, “Ned Davis Research examined the relative performances of stocks between 1972 and 2006 and established a link between rising dividends and superior long-term returns. The study found S&P 500 stocks that consistently increased their dividends produced total returns (dividends + share price greater than those that did not increase their dividends.”
Managing Debt
Big Cajun Man presents Do You Have a Financial GPS? posted at Canadian Personal Finance Blog, saying, “Do you need a financial GPS?”
Ryan @ CML presents How to Get Out of Debt posted at Cash Money Life, saying, “Tips on how to quickly and efficiently create a plan to get out of debt. No gimmicks or programs - just straight tips.”
The Smarter Wallet presents Beyond The Annual Credit Report: Should You Monitor Your Credit? posted at The Smarter Wallet, saying, “Should you monitor your credit with a service?”
Jeff Rose, CFP presents 10 Killer Tips to Stop Creditor Harassment posted at Jeff Rose.
Miscellaneous
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.”
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 How to Make Interest on Your IRA posted at Jeff Rose.
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!”
PT Money presents Roth IRA vs 401K: Which is Right for You? posted at Prime Time Money, saying, “I explain the differences in these two retirement accounts and how to decide which one to use.”
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.”
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.”
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?”
Mike Piper presents Using Annuities to Protect Inheritance posted at The Oblivious Investor, saying, “Can a single premium immediate annuity actually increase the amount you leave behind to your heirs?”
Risk Management and Insurance
Ryan @ MFN presents Should You Get Veterans’ Group Life Insurance? posted at Military Finance Network, saying, “Veteran’s Group Life Insurance is an inexpensive group life insurance policy that does not require a medical examination if you roll it over directly from SGLI. A good option for former military members with health problems.”
Jessica Bosari presents How Much Will it Cost to Insure That New Car? | billeater.com posted at Billeater, saying, “car insurance costs and calculations”
Savings
jim presents What is a Callable CD? posted at Blueprint for Financial Prosperity.
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 Can You Take a Tax Loss on an Annuity? posted at Consumer Boomer.
FIRE Getters presents Short on Tax Money - File an Extension or Pay in installments! posted at FIRE Finance, saying, “With Tax Day less than 24 hours away, you are either done with taxes or are hurrying to finish the formalities. But what if you don’t have enough money to pay your taxes?”
Craig Ford presents Can’t Pay IRS Taxes in Full? Tax Payment Options posted at Money Help For Christians, saying, “This article introduces your options if you don’t have the cash on hand to pay your tax bill.”
KCLau presents Are You Rich in Internal Assets? posted at KCLau’s Money Tips, saying, “pay attention to the internal assets”
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.”
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.”
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: money budgeting, money capital gains taxes, money economics, money estate planning, money financial planning, money financing education, money managing personal debt, money personal finance advice, money personal finance blogs, money personal income, money personal insurance, money personal investing, money personal retirement planning, money personal risk management
Comment by Joe Plemon
1 April 16, o'clock |
As always, great Carnival. Thanks for hosting and including my posts. Much appreciated!
Comment by FIRE Finance
2 April 17, o'clock |
Thanks for hosting the carnival and including our post. Best wishes ahead :).
Cheers,
FIRE Finance
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