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Is my company 401k okay or should I be using an IRA? |
Okay, so I bank at a local credit union, [AllegacyFCU][1]. (Here is their [rates sheet][2].)
Currently I have through this bank:
- [Daily Access Savings account][3] with 0.2% interest
- [Totally Free Checking][4] (no interest)
- Credit card (I pay it off monthly in full)
My bank is offering a ["SmartRate... |
Should I switch to this high rate checking account for my emergency fund? |
I am looking for a free way to get a large amount of data on the prices of stocks. I am not a trader or anything like that so it wouldn't be worth it to pay for a service to give me stock prices. I have a mathematics background and I would like to make my own determinations of what stocks to invest in. To do this, I n... |
Note: I do not actually have millions of dollars, but seemed like a good question.
Let's say you had $10 million dollars in cash in your bank account and you needed it to be a) safe b) liquid and c) invested in a solid investment.
- First problem: you'd be getting the crappiest interest rate ever right now for yo... |
How do I participate in Treasury auctions with my millions of dollars? |
I am contributing to my employer's Roth 401(k). The consensus in [this question][1] is that when you're young you should make your retirement contributions after-tax so that they grow tax free, and that when you get closer to retirement and your tax bracket increases, you should switch to saving in a pre-tax way like a... |
When should I switch from after-tax to pre-tax retirment savings? |
Since I graduated from college, I've collected ~$15K USD of savings. Currently this is sitting idle in a low interest checking account. I'd like to put it to better use, but I also need to make sure I can draw on it if necessary. Should I go for a high-yield checking account, or is there a better option? |
It's not so much a matter of your age as it is a matter of what your current tax rate is vs. what your tax rate will be when you take out the money. As long as your current tax rate is lower than what you anticipate it will be when you withdraw the money, it makes sense to pay the tax now.
Of course you can't know ... |
When should I switch from after-tax to pre-tax retirement savings? |
My employer allows new contributions to my 401(k) to go in as Roth (post-tax) or "regular" (pre-tax). What should I consider when deciding how to distribute my contributions between the two? |
What factors should I take into account when deciding how much of my 401(k) contribution should go into my Roth 401(k)? |
I recently made a large purchase with PayPal two days ago, but didn't realize that it would try billing my checking account with the whole amount rather than splitting it between my checking account (primary) and my credit card (backup funding source).
I'm concerned because nothing has shown up on my credit card yet... |
What happens when PayPal overdrafts a checking account (with an ample backup funding source available)? |
<a href="http://seekingalpha.com/article/190362-something-very-strange-is-happening-with-treasuries?source=email">Here</a> is a good article that explains how treasury auctions work.
As for treasuries being a "safe" investment? I'm not so sure. Right now the yield on 10 years is around 2.5%. Who, in their right m... |
This <a href="https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://www.cumber.com/content/misc/fed.pdf">chart</a> summarizes the FED's balance sheet (things the FED has purchased - US treasuries, mortgage backed securities, etc.) nicely. It shows the massive level of "printing" the FED has done in the past two years. The FED "p... |
My brother just asked me this question: he currently has a son that is three years old. What are some ways to save for his son's education? What are the pros and cons of each way? How much should he be contributing to his son's education? Any other advice? |
What are some ways to save for a child's education? |
I'm going to rent an apartment in a major urban area in the next few months. When I drive around the area where I want to rent I see numerous "For Rent" signs. Also when I look online there are numerous listings. Given the abundance of properties for rent... and from a short conversation with a real estate agent... ... |
How does one effectively negotiate rent? |
What site offers the best deal on college textbooks? |
What are some sites that offer decent deals on college textbooks? |
Have you tried seeing if your college's bookstore offers used textbooks? [Half.com][1] still may be cheaper, but used from your bookstore beats new by a lot.
[1]: http://half.com |
My company offers a 401K and a Roth 401K. Given the income level of my family (married filing jointly status), IRAs aren't really an option. We're past the Roth IRA limits and get no deduction for a regular IRA.
Currently I contribute to my regular 401K and have barely investigated the Roth 401K option until readi... |
Have you tried seeing if your college's bookstore offers used textbooks? [Half.com][1] still may be cheaper, but used from your bookstore beats new by a lot.
Also, from [this website][2] which I just discovered comes a [list of places][3] to rent textbooks or buy them at a discount.
[1]: http://half.com
[... |
Re:
> "In retirement I don't see how we can
> be in a higher tax bracket than we are
> now (maybe than we will be if one of
> us stops working, we buy a house, we
> have a couple of kids, etc)."
That's **assuming tax rates remain the same**. What if tax rates go up? Consider the U.S. deficit and the debt, ... |
Since reading [this][1] and [this][2] about the essentials a guy needs in his closet, I've come to realize that mine is...perhaps somewhat lacking.
My wardrobe was seriously overhauled about 2.5 to 3 years ago, and since then, aside from buying a t-shirt or long-sleeved shirt here and there, I haven't spent any sign... |
I understand that 401ks have a mandatory withdrawal that can be triggered at some point.
What triggers a 401k mandatory withdrawal and how is the amount of the withdrawal calculated? |
How are mandatory withdrawals calculated from a 401k? |
[Amazon got into this market][1] a few years ago and given their customer service reputation, I'd say it's a good place to check out.
[1]: http://www.amazon.com/New-Used-Textbooks-Books/b?ie=UTF8&node=465600 |
How to calculated mandatory withdrawals for 401k? (Required Minimum Distribution) |
This may sound a little crazy but I would take $5K of that money and buy whiskey with it (Jack Daniel's would be my preference).
My guess is that in 5 years that whiskey will be worth more than the $10K you put in the bank. I just can't see how the dollar survives the next 5 years without a major downward adjustmen... |
If I want desktop, web and mobile (preferably Android) access to all my accounts and assets, in a personal finance tool, what would you recommend I look at?
Until Wesabe cancelled their web dashboard it was a pretty good online tool. I use GNUCash on my desktop.
Is there a cross-platform tool that provides a fair... |
What is the best cross-platform GPL personal finance tool available? |
I am European, always worked in Europe in many different countries, and I have pension funds scattered around all the old continent. The EU legal system does not allow pension fund transfer among countries, as far as I understand, but I also know that the pension funds I have are slowly draining due to administrative c... |
I am currently looking at changing jobs from a large corporation to a smallish company. I currently have only about $4k in a Roth 401(k) though my current employer. The smaller company does not offer a retirement package through them, so I am trying to figure out my options.
I am pretty young (23) and inexperienced ... |
Changing Jobs - Roth 401(k) to ??? |
Aggressiveness in a retirement portfolio is usually a function of your age and your risk tolerance.
Your portfolio is usually a mix of the following asset classes:
- **Stocks** = Historically the highest return, but also very volatile
- **Foreign/Developing Countries** = Potentially a high return, but it's mor... |
I am European, always worked in Europe in many different countries, and I have pension funds scattered around all the old continent. The EU legal system does not allow pension fund transfer among countries, as far as I understand, but I also know that the pension funds I have are slowly draining due to administrative c... |
As noted in the [products you shouldn't buy cheap][1] question, you should buy quality, long lasting clothes. Where can you find quality clothing and how can you recognize quality clothing in discount and thrift stores?
A corollary, "How do you extend the life of this clothing?" is even further afield from Personal ... |
How do you find reasonably priced, quality, long lasting clothing? |
How can I can convert ticker symbols (which include information on the exchange) to an International Securities Identification Number (ISIN) (which contains no information on the exchange)?
Also I am interested in the other way round -- given an ISIN and a market identification code (MIC) how can I determine the tic... |
How to map ticker symbols to ISIN? |
On the quality angle a big part of it is experience, but the biggest thing is careful observation. You have to take a close, critical look at any article of clothing. (This holds true for just about any purchase.)
What is the quality of the fabric? (This would include bstpierre's point about the color fading and ... |
I recently made a large purchase with PayPal two days ago, but didn't realize that it would try billing my checking account with the whole amount rather than splitting it between my checking account (primary) and my credit card (backup funding source).
I'm concerned because nothing has shown up on my credit card yet... |
One of the best ways to "win" any negotiation is to make an offer in which the other guy "wins" too.
Give them something you don't care much about in exchange for something you do care about. (Assuming the "something" is of value to them.)
You've already hinted at this strategy in your question:
* Prepay mont... |
I recently made a large purchase with PayPal two days ago, but didn't realize that it would try billing my checking account with the whole amount rather than splitting it between my checking account (primary) and my credit card (backup funding source).
I'm concerned because nothing has shown up on my credit card yet... |
On the quality angle a big part of it is experience, but the biggest thing is careful observation. You have to take a close, critical look at any article of clothing. (This holds true for just about any purchase.)
1. What is the quality of the fabric? (This would include bstpierre's point about the color fading a... |
The eligibilty of the deduction is based on what the borrowed money is used to purchase and NOT what asset is used as collateral. So at the beginning of your mortgage, 10% of the interest is deductible because the entire loan was used to purchase the condo. But when you withdraw money from the account the additional ... |
<div>
After the last crisis it was easy for many to look back and say all the signs were there to indicate an impending crisis. Super-low interest rates from the FED, no down-payment loans, interest-only loans, under qualified borrowers, flipping of properties, securitization of mortgages, over leveraged banks, etc..<... |
How are you preparing for the dollar collapse? |
How are you preparing for the possible dollar collapse? |
<div>
After the last crisis it was easy for many to look back and say all the signs were there to indicate an impending crisis. Super-low interest rates from the FED, no down-payment loans, interest-only loans, under qualified borrowers, flipping of properties, securitization of mortgages, over leveraged banks, etc..<... |
Does my credit record apply internationally?
For example, if I have a good credit record in Australia, with a car / house loan and a credit card or two, can my good credit rating be seen by banks and finance companies if I move to Canada?
Or would I have to start afresh and build up a whole new record? |
How are you preparing for the possible dollar (USD) collapse? |
Are you preparing for a possible dollar (USD) collapse? (How?) |
I'm planning on opening a Roth IRA in the very near immediate future (by this year's end, if not sooner). Is there a place I can go to see the different pros/cons of IRAs offered by different companies? Are there some highly recommended ones? Any other advice? Thanks! |
Is there a site that compares IRAs by different companies? |
I'm planning on opening a Roth IRA in the very near immediate future (by this year's end, if not sooner). Is there a place I can go to see the different pros/cons of IRAs offered by different companies (or does anyone know)? Are there some highly recommended ones? Any other advice? Thanks! |
Okay, so I bank at a local credit union, [AllegacyFCU][1]. (Here is their [rates sheet][2].)
Currently I have through this bank:
- [Daily Access Savings account][3] with 0.2% interest
- [Totally Free Checking][4] (no interest)
- Credit card (I pay it off monthly in full)
My bank is offering a ["SmartRate... |
On the quality angle a big part of it is experience, but the biggest thing is careful observation. You have to take a close, critical look at any article of clothing. (This holds true for just about any purchase.)
1. What is the quality of the fabric? (This would include bstpierre's point about the color fading a... |
My citi divident platinum select card is being replaced with citi dividend world mastercard.
I don't quite understand their explanation. But what are the changes on the benefits?
why change from visa to mastercard? I think visa is more popularly acceptable. Is this true?
Thanks and regards! |
My citi divident platinum select card is being replaced with citi dividend world mastercard.
I don't quite understand their explanation. But what are the changes on the benefits?
why change from visa to mastercard? I think visa is more popularly acceptable. Is this true?
Thanks and regards!
*************
... |
Cars can be very expensive, so it seems like a good place to save money. However, I worry that getting a car that is too cheap, especially if buying used, may end up costing me more in maintenance, gas, etc.
What should I be looking out for in order to avoid this problem? |
How can I tell if buying a cheaper car will end up costing me more? |
I'm living in Malaysia, around [Klang Valley][1]. One thing I notice is that the housing price keeps on increasing and increasing and increasing ( just my perception, no data to backup my point), with no sign of abating even during the tumultuous years of 2007 global economic crisis. I'm hoping for the music to end and... |
How to Know the Real Estate Market is Now Overheated? |
How to Know the Real Estate Market is Now Overheated? (Malaysia) |
Go to [http://finance.google.com][1], search for the stock you want. When you are seeing the stock information, in the top left corner there's a link that says 'Historical prices'. Click on it. then select the date range, click update (don't forget this) and 'Download to spreadsheet' (on the right, below the chart).
... |
Are specific brand recommendations allowed? I'm a big fan of [Lands' End][1]. They have good quality clothing at reasonable prices in all the basic styles. They have great customer service and you con order online and avoid clothes shopping at the mall (which I hate).
[1]: http://www.landsend.com/ |
Changing Jobs - Should I cash out Roth 401(k) or move it to another account type? |
Global credit record: Would my good credit history apply internationally? |
Historical stock prices: Where to find free / low cost data for offline analysis? |
Changing jobs: Should I cash out Roth 401(k) or move it to another account type? |
Asset allocation software: Application or tool to help me rebalance my investment portfolio? |
Malaysian real estate: How to know if the market is overheated or in a bubble? |
Full-time work + running small side business: Best business structure for taxes? |
Wandering EU worker: Pension / retirement fund if working in multiple countries? |
Credit card changed by card company: Why is Citi changing my Visa dividend card to Mastercard? |
How to map stock ticker symbols to ISIN (International Securities Identification Number)? |
My wife and I are both expatriates and our financial situation is complicated by having accounts in different currencies. A frequent topic between the two of us which accounts are the best for keeping our money and how to minimize risk of exchange rate changes. As a mathematical guy, I've always wondered if there's a s... |
Confusion about Roth 401K: Better for me to do pre-tax or Roth post-tax contributions? |
I am also from Malaysia and I just purchase a property around [Klang Valley][1] area. Property market is just like share market. **You will never know when is the highest peak point and when is the lowest peak point.** Yes. Not only you, but everyone of us.
What I would say that, just buy according to your need and ... |
FYI...during the housing boom here in the US many people spoke about every increasing home prices. Many thought home prices could never go down. Until they did.
If it seems like it is impossible for home prices to continue to go up then they probably will stop going up at some point, although the rising prices can... |
My wife and I are both expatriates and our financial situation is complicated by having accounts in different currencies. A frequent topic between the two of us which accounts are the best for keeping our money and how to minimize risk of exchange rate changes. As a mathematical guy, I've always wondered if there's a s... |
Evaluating the value of currencies is always difficult because you are usually at the mercy of a central bank that can print new currency on a whim.
I am trying to diversify my currency holdings but it is difficult to open foreign bank accounts without actually being in the foreign country. Any ideas here?
You d... |
I have both an IRA in Vanguard and an old employer's 401k with Fidelity management. I would like to compare the performance between the two accounts over time, in order to determine if I should rollover the 401K into an IRA, possibly at Vanguard.
I have dollar cost averaged with both accounts, meaning that I have h... |
FYI...during the housing boom here in the US many people spoke about ever increasing home prices. Many thought home prices could never go down. Until they did.
If it seems like it is impossible for home prices to continue to go up then they probably will stop going up at some point, although the rising prices can ... |
Credit card changed by card company: Why is Citi changing my Visa dividend platinum select card to dividend world Mastercard? |
Google Docs spreadsheets have a function for filling in stock and fund prices.
You can use that data to graph (fund1 / fund2) over some time period.
Syntax: =GoogleFinance("symbol", "attribute", "start_date", "num_days|end_date", "interval") where:
* "symbol" - stock symbol
* "attribute" - high, ... |
The number you are trying to calculate is called the Internal Rate of Return (IRR). Google Spreadsheets (and excel) both have an XIRR function that can do this for you fairly simply.
Setup a spreadsheet with 1 column for dates, 1 column for investment.
Mark your investments as negative numbers (payment to invest... |
I recently made a large purchase with PayPal two days ago, but didn't realize that it would try billing my checking account with the whole amount rather than splitting it between my checking account (primary) and my credit card (backup funding source).
I'm concerned because nothing has shown up on my credit card yet... |
As the US dollar continues to be devauled the metal content value of US coins will eventually be worth more than the face value of the coins.
There use to be silver in US coins but due to the continued debasement of the dollar, the silver content of the coins became more valuable then the face value of the coin. Pe... |
Should I stockpile nickels? |
As the US dollar continues to be devauled the metal content value of US coins will eventually be worth more than the face value of the coins.
There use to be silver in US coins but due to the continued debasement of the dollar, the silver content of the coins became more valuable then the face value of the coin. Pe... |
As far as I know, there is no legal standard for a check. It is in effect just an IOU in the standard form that a bank will pay out for you. If you can get a merchant to accept it and your bank to honor it you could write a note on a napkin that says:
> I authorize my bank to pay merchantABC
> $500 from my account.... |
**Stockpile**? No.
**Keep a few around**? Sure, if you are a collector. I used to collect pennies and I thought the steel pennies from WWII were neat. I do believe I paid about $0.01 for them at the coin shop. They might be worth $0.15 if in great condition today.
No harm in finding $20 worth of really nice ... |
I don't buy the "house prices will always increase due to the increased cost of raw materials" argument. In a lot of countries you will find that the cost of (re)building a property is substantially lower than its perceived sale value. If it wasn't, there would be no incentive for developers to take the risk of buying ... |
Probably a big fat **NO**.
1. I do believe it is illegal to harvest money for their raw materials.
2. You have to store them somewhere and they're not exactly light.
3. This is right up there with your stock piling [Jack Daniel's][1] idea. :)
Update re this edit:
>NOTE: I'm not suggesting that I melt the coi... |
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