A few very forward-thinking readers have asked me about ways to help their kids or other young folks by giving them a Roth IRA. This seems like an awesome idea to grab them some tax-sheltered action. I've thought about this in passing, but never … [Read the rest]
Investment Gift Idea For Children: A Roth IRA?
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving rocks. I couldn't care less about the arguments about the true origins of this holiday, I just like how we celebrate it now. You actually try to use your kitchen and are suddenly okay with inviting strangers (okay, friends of friends … [Read the rest]
UPromise Holiday Promotion: $25 Bonus With Purchase
UPromise is mainly a cash-back online shopping mall like eBates that deposits money into a 529 college savings fund. If you haven't opened an account already, now may be a good time to do so if you were planning to do some shopping at the stores … [Read the rest]
Multiple Jobs? Don’t Overpay Social Security Tax
Remember when you got your first paycheck and wondered why it was so small? All 16-year-olds hate FICA. :) Even though it's not included when we talk about marginal tax rates, all employees have to pay 6.2% of their gross income to Social … [Read the rest]
Free Book Giveaway: Your Money & Your Brain
I didn't want to clutter up my review post, but I did get this book free from a PR firm, and they were also generous enough to provide additional copies to give away to readers. So if you are interested in getting a free copy of Your Money and … [Read the rest]
Your Money, Your Brain, and Your Happiness
In the book Your Money and Your Brain, author Jason Zweig explores neuroeconomics, which apparently is a mix of psychology, neuroscience, and economics. This book looked like it would be an easy read, but it turned out to be very densely packed … [Read the rest]
TradeKing and Scottrade Promotion: Reimbursed Account Transfer Fees
Looks like TradeKing is trying to convert some customers from "one of the larger online brokers"... I wonder who they are talking about? From an e-mail today: Due to the effect the sub-prime mortgage fallout has had on one of the larger online … [Read the rest]
Reader Question: Bear Market Worries, What About My Roth IRA?
Earlier this week I got a very good question from a reader: Last week I decided to take your advice and invest $4,000 in a Roth IRA. My Roth IRA holds only one fund: Vanguard Target Retirement 2050, which holds 90% stocks and 10% bonds. … [Read the rest]
Pet Peeve: Direct Marketing Based On Guilt Or Power
You've probably heard of "direct marketing" products - like Avon cosmetics, Cutco knives, or Amway health supplements. At the most basic level, I don't mind any of these companies. If you have the desire to sell directly to individuals and work … [Read the rest]
Is It Time To Get Rid Of My Old Car?
I like the idea of driving old cars into the ground, but sooner or later there must be a tipping point where the cost of upkeep outweighs the slow depreciation. I just can't tell if it's time yet. You always see a lot of used cars with ads like … [Read the rest]
Choosing An Asset Allocation, Step 3: Considering The Diversification Benefit Of Small and Value Stocks
So far we've looked into the stock/bond ratio and the domestic/international ratio. Instead of taking these total stock markets as whole, you can further subdivide them into "styles" or additional asset classes. Although these vary in specific … [Read the rest]
Weekend Reading: From Taco Bell to Mortgages
Hazzard points out the story of a Taco Bell employee fired after 30 years of service, including two robberies and being shot once. Seems a bit like ageism to me. I see very little loyalty to companies these days... I wonder why? Madame X … [Read the rest]