See Beyond 20/20 Financial Freedom Blog

Archive for the ‘Stocks and Investing’ Category

Does It Make Sense to Get Into The Market for Troubled Homes?

Monday, May 24th, 2010

In March, RealtyTrac, a leading online market for foreclosure properties, reported that February 2010 foreclosures were actually down 2 percent from the previous month.

Yet, RealtyTrac indicates this break might not last long. Even though the 6 percent year-to-year increase in February foreclosures was “the smallest annual increase” RealtyTrac recorded in 50 straight months, it believes that current foreclosure prevention programs and processing delays are keeping a lid on the numbers. If those programs end and processing glitches lift without an upswing in the economy or job market, or the foreclosure could accelerate. (more…)

Posted in Estate Planning, Stocks and Investing | 1 Comment »

Ways to Afford Your Retirement Account Catch-Up Contributions

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

Turning 50 might not be everyone’s idea of excitement, but when it comes to saving for retirement, 50 is when things start getting a lot more interesting.

That’s because people age 50 and over can make what are known as “catch-up” contributions to IRAs and most workplace-based retirement plans. These special contributions are in addition to regular contribution limits and allow individuals to maximize the amount of tax-advantaged retirement savings they can stash away.

The catch-up phenomenon has never been more important as American workers attempt to rebuild retirement savings devastated by recent market losses. Taxpayers 50 or older are permitted to make additional contributions beyond standard limits. For calendar year 2010, here are the standard contribution limits with their catch-up amount: (more…)

Posted in Estate Planning, Over 50, Practical Issues, Stocks and Investing, Wealth Building, debt reduction | No Comments »

The Balancing Act: Retirement vs. College Savings

Saturday, December 19th, 2009

Even as the economy begins its slow crawl back, college costs are continuing to rise – that means parents are continuing to fight a tough battle between funding college and funding their own retirements.

In October, the College Board reported that the average published price of tuition and fees for in-state students at four-year U.S. public colleges was $7,020 for the 2009-10 school year, up $429 or 6.5 percent higher than a year ago. After adjusting for inflation, the average net price paid for tuition and fees by public four-year college students overall is lower in 2009-10 than it was five years ago — but higher than it was last year. Private four-year colleges saw a smaller increase of 4.4 percent or $1,096, but for a much higher average annual tuition of $26,273 for the school year. (more…)

Posted in Family, Stocks and Investing, Wealth Building | No Comments »

How Your Personality Affects Your Financial Decision-Making

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

All investors are not created equal. That’s why financial planners start their first client meetings with a discussion of money attitudes, goals and risk tolerance – the driver at the root of all investment decisions. Some planners do this by general conversation, others by detailed surveys they ask their clients to fill out.

The survey route can be a more valuable tool because it forces clients to face their money issues, perhaps for the first time. Despite the difficulty in facing up to such key issues, individuals get a better idea of where their money strengths and weaknesses really lie. Often, the real difficulties lie in how money is spent. (more…)

Posted in Business and Tax, Priorities, Stocks and Investing, Wealth Building | No Comments »

What’s Your Money Personality?

Monday, December 7th, 2009

When it comes to money, most, if not all people, have a personality or type. And the key to managing your money better is to know yourself and your “money” type, according to FPA member, Deborah L. Price, founder and CEO of the Money Coaching Institute.

According to Price, it’s important to take into account your cash flow and your net worth when building a financial plan. Your income and asset cash flow are vehicles to help you reach your goals, be it retirement or something else. However, it’s just as important to learn why you want to reach those goals or destinations. You want to understand and resolve any of the ‘potholes’ — patterns of beliefs or behaviors that you have — that may prevent you from arriving at your destination, Price said in a recent issue of FPA’s Journal of Financial Planning. (more…)

Posted in Business and Tax, Stocks and Investing, Wealth Building | No Comments »

What do Retirement, Debt and Winning the Lottery have in Common?

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

Quite frankly, very little. A lottery winner from Nebraska hit the largest lottery jackpot in the United States up to that point. A common question posed to the lottery winners (and this was no exception) is “what do you plan to do with your winnings”? When asked this question, this winner replied “I’ve been retired for about four days now”. That’s not an unusual answer and, sadly, there are a lot of people hoping to “win big” in the lottery to fund their retirement (or some other big goal that they may have). (more…)

Posted in Family, Practical Issues, Stocks and Investing, Wealth Building | No Comments »

New Stock Market Terms

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

CEO — Chief Embezzlement Officer.

CFO — Corporate Fraud Officer.

BULL MARKET — A random market movement causing an investor to mistake himself for a financial genius.

BEAR MARKET — A 6 to 18 month period when the kids get no allowance, the wife gets no jewelry, and the husband gets no sex. (more…)

Posted in Just for Fun, Stocks and Investing | No Comments »

7 Cures for a Lean Purse

Saturday, October 17th, 2009

This is an overview of the principles found in the classic book on financial education, Richest Man in Babylon by George C. Clauson. (more…)

Posted in Practical Issues, Spending Habits, Stocks and Investing, Wealth Building | 4 Comments »

What Is Stock?

Monday, September 28th, 2009

It’s more than just a piece of paper (or in some cases not even that). When you buy a stock, you’re taking an ownership stake in a company. At some point, just about every company needs to raise money, whether to open up a West Coast sales office, build a factory or hire a crop of engineers. (more…)

Posted in Stocks and Investing, Wealth Building | No Comments »

Stocks: Dollar Cost Averaging Evens the Score

Monday, September 28th, 2009

Are you interested in a strategy that may help take out some of the timing guesswork? Much to do about when to buy a particular stock can confuse the beginning investor and can be avoided when you use Dollar Cost Averaging. This strategy allows you to ignore all the noise about market conditions while concentrating on long-term growth. (more…)

Posted in Stocks and Investing, Wealth Building | No Comments »