Finding value in a pricey market

A year ago, when all sorts of investments–stocks, bonds, commodities–were being tossed on the scrap heap, dyed in the wool bargain hunters who had the courage to sift through the market’s ruins were richly rewarded.
U.S. blue-chip stocks, for instance, rebounded 59 % from March to January. Bonds issued by companies with poor credit ratings rocketed [...]

Investor Year-End Tips from Schwab

To assist in helping everyone be financially fit, Charles Schwab is offering a series of tips to help investors be better positioned to begin the New Year.
Year-end Financial Checklist
Financial Tips: 1. Manage your investments for potential tax savings
It’s smart to think ahead — especially if your investments have fallen
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A couple investing lessons from Warren Buffet

MSN Money has put together Buffett’s list for smart living and savvy investing.
Lesson #1: Be frugal. That’s how Buffett lives. How will this make you a better investor? First, like Buffett, it gives you more to invest; second, it makes you demand the same quality from others which keeps excess and waste in check; and [...]

Harvesting Year End Tax Losses

Even though the stock market is positive year-to-date, you probably have some stock or mutual fund holdings that aren’t worth as much as you paid for them a few years ago. If that’s the case, you may want to consider recognizing some losses to save taxes this year.
This process is called tax loss harvesting, [...]

5 Financial tips for newly married couples

For married couples, there are always five different areas that seem to matter the most when talking to a financial planner. 1. financial debts, 2. financial goals, 3. opening accounts, 4. making a budget, and 5. deciding who is going to act as accountant for the couple.
First thing they need to look at is what [...]

Investments : Buffett Selling Means You Shouldn’t Be Buying

It’s not often that Warren Buffett gives the investing public a reason to believe he’s not on their side.
Then again, it’s not every day that Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. shows up on the list of selling shareholders in another company’s initial public offering.
This brings us to today’s question: If Buffett is a seller, should you [...]

Workers discover 401(k) plans are failing them in retirement

If you’re one of the more than 66 million workers covered by a 401(k) retirement plan, Nancy Hwa has some news for you.
“It was a tax shelter for end-of-the-year bonuses for bankers,” says Hwa, spokeswoman for Retirement USA, a group working to improve retirement plans. “The 401(k) was never even intended to be a retirement [...]

Online tools help seniors plan for retirement

Some of the best retirement planning tools and calculators on the Web today are offered through large financial service companies. While the purpose of these tools is to entice new business, most companies don’t require you to be a client or purchase their products to use them. Here are four dandy sites to use (try [...]

7 Quick Numbers To Fix Your Personal Financial Situation

When we talk about personal finance, there are several rules of thumb that can help you build a solid financial plan. Here are a few numbers to remember when you want to improve your personal financial situation.
Aim for a Credit Score of 750
A credit score may vary from 300 to 900 but most people have [...]

Seven Steps to Supercharge Retirement Savings

One of the areas of an investors’ portfolio that sorely lacks proper attention is the 401(k) plan. According to Chip Workman, Lead Advisor with Cincinnati-based The Asset Advisory Group, a 401(k) is often the single largest asset an investor has for their retirement savings. “These accounts are taken for granted or simply ignored far too [...]

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