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What happens to a tax deferred retirement account when you reach retirement age? |
Apparently Genworth has replaced their vanilla term life with a universal life policy ("Colony(sm)"). The agent says the other carriers are heading in this direction too.
The premiums are equivalent to what you pay for term life. (It's actually cheaper than equivalent term life from other carriers.)
It is more co... |
Universal Term Life Insurance instead of Term Life Insurance? |
I'm suspicious of a universal life policy being cheaper than an equivalent term life policy. This may be true for a single vendor with odd pricing, but not for the industry as a whole.
Basically, Universal Life = Term Life + something else
That something else, whether it is savings, investment, extra perks, etc... |
Oddly enough, I started to research the "Bank on Yourself" strategy today as well (even before I'd ran across this question!). I'd heard an ad on the radio for it the other day, and it caught my attention because they claimed that the strategy isn't prone to market fluctuations like the stock market. It seemed in their... |
Both my wife and I file zero allowances for both Federal (W-4) and State (CA). For Federal we checkbox married and for State we checkbox single/married with two or more incomes. To the best of my knowledge, filing with zero allowances means that at the end of the year we should have a $0 balance with the IRS. In add... |
Why are we not getting a rebate when we declare zero allowances? |
Do you have other income that you are not considering? Interest and dividends would be an example, but there are all sorts of options. Also with your witholding is it set up such that your employers have any idea of your tax bracket ultimately based on your combined incomes? Usually what they do is take out money as... |
I have done all the cost-cutting that my family can allow. It is still not enough - I spend more than I earn. This is killing the credit card and is going to be bad news for us unless we can sort this out!
I am a programmer during the day, my girlfriend is a full-time mother and mother-to-be!
What ways are there ... |
I have done all the cost-cutting that my family can allow. It is still not enough - I spend more than I earn. This is killing the credit card and is going to be bad news for us unless we can sort this out!
I am a programmer during the day, my girlfriend is a full-time mother and mother-to-be!
What ways are there ... |
Do you have other income that you are not considering? Interest and dividends would be an example, but there are all sorts of options.
Also with your witholding is it set up such that your employers have any idea of your tax bracket ultimately based on your combined incomes? Usually what they do is take out mone... |
Have you considered doing some small free-lance programming jobs? One site I like for this type of thing is [eLance.com][1], but I am sure there are others.
Heck, you are soon going to be up all night anyway, why not earn some cash during those hours the rest of us foolishly waste on sleep?
[1]: http://www.el... |
I'm 25 and I've been rear-ended once when I was 16 or 17. I've never been in any other accidents or had any speeding tickets. I am currently on my mothers insurance and driving her car. I will be getting my own car and paying for my own insurance within the next 2 months. How can I determine how much my insurance will ... |
How much can I expect to pay for car insurance? |
Don't be afraid to shop around.
Every couple of years when it's time to renew my auto insurance I call a couple of places to see if I can get a better deal. It's especially important to do this as you get older (because your rates go down assuming you keep a clean driving record). Also as your life changes, e.g. if ... |
How can I determine how much my car insurance will cost me? |
I recently got a credit card through my bank that is superior to the one I was using previously (the first one was a secured credit card that I used while I was establishing my credit history).
My question is whether I should cancel the first account or keep it in case of an emergency. Can either option affect my cr... |
Keep or cancel an unneeded credit card? |
I doubt I can write it off, but I just figured I'd check anyway. What if I took a class in it and needed the software to take the class?
#Note:
Please tag this with write-off, I don't have a high enough rep for that. |
Can I write-off Visual Studio 2010 on my taxes if I want to learn it? |
I doubt I can write it off, but I just figured I'd check anyway. What if I took a class in it and needed the software to take the class?
|
How does a 'no-preset spending limit' charge card affect your debt/credit ratio? |
How does a no-limit charge card affect your credit score? |
You or your girlfriend might also consider one of the myriad home "franchises" available (Pampered Chef, Thirty-One, etc).
The real question, in my mind, though, is *how much* do you need to add to your monthly income?
Is it $50, or $500? Might moving to a smaller apartment/house work? |
I don't know about taxes on this issue, but you might be able to save some money!
Are you a student? Checkout the DreamSpark program from Microsoft and get it for free [here][1]. Additionally, your school might have a MSDN license or be able to get you a copy for cheaper than retail.
Alternatively, there is also... |
I don't know about taxes on this issue, but you might be able to save some money!
Are you a student? Checkout the DreamSpark program from Microsoft and get it for free [here][1]. Additionally, your school might have a MSDN license or be able to get you a copy for cheaper than retail.
Alternatively, there is also... |
Dividends are the company sending a portion of its profits to its owners (stockholders). Obviously, the amount that a company can afford to pay in dividends is related to how profitable it is. If they are consistently profitable and pay steady dividends, this will also encourage people to hold the stock for long peri... |
A friend from college (and middle school and elementary school, for that matter) has talked to me a little about his company, a start-up working on technology tangentially related to Internet advertising. He's recently mentioned an opportunity for investing some money in it.
I know it's no fly-by-night scam, and the... |
What should I look at before investing in a start-up? |
Here are the basic questions I usually ask any new business startup:
- **What** is the one thing that they will sell that others will pay for?
- **Who** are those potential clients and how easy are they to reach?
- **Where** would those clients be found and **who or what** are the substitute competitors?
- **Why*... |
Here are the basic questions I usually ask any new business startup:
- **What** is the one thing that they will sell that others will pay for?
- **Who** are those potential clients and how easy are they to reach?
- **Where** would those clients be found and **who or what** are the substitute competitors?
- **Why*... |
I need an account outside of Croatia where I live in, to link it with PayPal to be able to gather income generated by it. I would like to avoid USA banks, and in fact, I would like to find the general principal on how to fund such banks or service providers.
I found some information here:
http://answers.google.c... |
I plan on selling a used car via Craigslist, and I hope to get between $4-5K for it. I don't want to take a check from a stranger, but I'm concerned that no one will be willing to show up at my house with $4,000 in cash.
What is the best way to handle this? Money order? Cashier's check? Or do you think that pote... |
What is the best way to accept payment when selling a used car? |
When I asked this particular question on a car forum recently, I got the following suggestions:
- Accept cash, but make sure you check it's not home printed, so to speak
- *If* the buyer wants to pay by cashier's check, meet him at his bank and see him draw the check out of his account right there and then (no "her... |
Are gains on bond ETFs held for more than one year taxed at a lower rate, similar to stocks and funds holding stocks? I'm referring to the change in price of the fund, not dividends. |
I'm new to this, but how about putting a big part of your money into an MMA? I don't know about your country, but in Germany, some online banks easily offer as much as 2.1% pa, and you can access the money daily. If you want decent profit without risk this is a great deal, much better than most saving accounts. |
Currently, I am interested to invest in HSBC stock.
http://www.google.com/finance?q=NYSE:HBC&fstype=ii
I saw in year end 2008, it is earning USD0.98 per share, and USD0.64 dividend per share.
My question is, does this earning and dividend implied for both shares in New York (~USD50.00) per share and Hong Kong ... |
My retirement account (a traditional IRA) will let me write a covered call, where I sell a call option if I have the underlying securities (for instance, 100 shares of IBM). The shares are required to be held in case the call I sold is exercised.
They will not allow me to sell a "covered put" where the cash is held ... |
Why won't my retirement account let me write a "covered put"? |
Currently, I would like to invest in HSBC stock.
http://www.google.com/finance?q=NYSE:HBC&fstype=ii
I saw that in 2008, it earned USD0.98 per share, and paid out USD0.64 dividend per share.
My question: is this earning and dividend implied for both shares in New York (~USD50.00) and Hong Kong (~HK77.95) ?
A... |
How does one interpret financial data for stocks listed on multiple exchanges? |
Is there any online service that provides (in any format whatsoever) historical foreign exchange rates, with bid/ask values? Intra-day would be preferred, but end-of-day is also of interest. |
Here are three sites I can recommend:
- [ERS International Macroeconomic Data Set:][1] This is annualised data put out by the US Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service and isn't too bad;
- [XE:][2] This is a commercial service which can supply a currency instream but also provides historical data and a... |
I have to go on Employment Insurance (EI) because I am having surgery and was wondering if I still have to wait the 2 week waiting period they make you wait until you can receive benefits or do they waive that 2 week waiting period because I'm having surgery as the reason for going on EI? |
On Canadian Employment Insurance (EI) do you have to wait 2 weeks for benefits due to a surgery? |
Both my wife and I have a Fidelity IRA accounts, but I've never really leveraged it well. I'd like to seed this account throughout the year, but I have questions:
- How much money can I put in per year? What if I exceed it?
- With the Roth IRA, is there an income threshold? We file jointly, and average around $1... |
Both my wife and I have Fidelity IRA accounts, but I've never really exploited it well. I'd like to seed this account throughout the year, but I have questions:
- How much money can I put in per year? What if I exceed it?
- With the Roth IRA, is there an income threshold? We file jointly, and average around $180... |
How to fully exploit my Fidelity IRA account? |
I have a 5-year ARM at 4.5% APR. I can renew the rate at 3.25%. However, the cost of is going to be $800. The current loan value is $156,219. Is it worth it for me to do the rate renew? How long would it take to recoup the $800? I am planning on refinancing at (or selling the home before) the 5th year.
_Please, I d... |
Should I Renew My Rate? |
I'm looking for a good savings account that's 100% online and provides a good interest rate. I saw ING Direct (http://home.ingdirect.com/products/products.asp?s=OrangeSavingsAccount) and it this looks decent. Has anyone used this? Anything to look out for? |
Is ING Direct Orange Savings a decent savings account? |
I have a 5-year ARM at 4.5% APR. I can renew the rate at 3.25%. However, that would cost $800. The current loan value is $156,219. Is it worth it for me to renew the rate? How long would it take to recoup the $800? I am planning on refinancing at the 5th year or selling the home before that.
_Please, I do not want ... |
Should I renew the rate on my ARM? |
I've used ING Direct for several years. Never had any problems with them. They were (and maybe still are?) ahead of the curve on security arrangements.
You *don't* need to have a brick and mortar bank to transfer money in, but it is faster and easier if you do. (At least this is true with my mail account -- see next... |
Is ING Direct Orange Savings a decent online savings account? |
Should I renew the rate on my ARM to a lower one, considering the fees charged? |
We want to refinance; currently at 6% on a 30-year fixed. We are unsure how long we will be in the house but assuming at this time we will want to move within 7 to 10 years. We are offered a 3.75% variable (7-year ARM) with low closing costs. We have a relatively low mortgage (under 175k). I am the sole breadwinner an... |
Want to refinance: 7-year ARM, 30-year fixed, or 15-year fixed? |
Looking for online sources for historical currency data / exchange rates. Recommendations? |
Are bond ETF capital gains taxed similar to stock or stock funds if held for more than 1 year? |
Both my wife and I have Fidelity IRA accounts, but I've never fully utilized it. I'd like to seed this account throughout the year, but I have questions:
- How much money can I put in per year? What if I exceed it?
- With the Roth IRA, is there an income threshold? We file jointly, and average around $180k per y... |
How to fully utilize my Fidelity IRA account? |
What "write off" mean? |
What are the marks of poor investment advice?
Basically, how do you evaluate whether the advice someone is giving you is good or bad? |
What does "write-off" mean? |
http://yhoo.it/9K44hN lists the historical price of Dow Jones Industrial index in a table. The 6th column of this table is the volume information. What does the volume listed in thic column exactly represent?
For example, consider the following line from this table:
Sep 2, 2010 10,270.08 10,350.98 10,211.80 10,32... |
http://yhoo.it/9K44hN lists the historical price of Dow Jones Industrial index in a table. The 6th column of this table is the volume information. What does the volume listed in this column exactly represent?
For example, consider the following line from this table:
`Sep 2, 2010 | 10,270.08 | 10,350.98 | 10,2... |
What is the meaning volume for an index? |
What is the meaning of volume for an index? |
http://yhoo.it/9K44hN lists the historical price of Dow Jones Industrial index in a table. The 6th column of this table is the volume information. What does the volume listed in this column exactly represent?
For example, consider the following line from this table:
Date | Open | High | Low ... |
Forgive the morose topic, but I'm about to renew my term life insurance, and had a question.
I had always thought that life insurance proceeds were not treated as taxable income. From [IRS publication 525][1]:
> Life insurance proceeds paid to you
> because of the death of the insured
> person are not taxable u... |
I had always thought that life insurance proceeds were not treated as taxable income. From [IRS publication 525][1]:
> Life insurance proceeds paid to you
> because of the death of the insured
> person are not taxable unless the
> policy was turned over to you for a
> price. This is true even if the
> proceeds ... |
Will my children owe taxes on my life insurance proceeds? |
I would also consider unnecessarily complex investment strategies a big warning sign as they can easily hide poor investment advice or a bad strategy. This is especially the case when it comes to retail investment as complex strategies can have so many moving parts that you, as someone with a day job, can't spend enoug... |
What are the marks of poor investment advice?
Basically, how do you evaluate whether the investment advice someone is giving you is good or bad? |
What are the marks of poor investment advice? |
what are a few sites that make it easy to invest in high interest rate mutual funds? (12%+) |
What are a few sites that make it easy to invest in high interest rate mutual funds? (12%+) |
What are a few sites that make it easy to invest in high interest rate mutual funds? |
A broker does not have to allow the full trading suite the regulations permit.
From [brokersXpress][1]:
Do you allow equity and index options trading in brokersXpress IRAs?
Yes, we allow trading of equity and index options in IRAs based on the trading level assigned to an investor. Trading in IRAs includes ca... |
Is the existing offer low because the employer's expectations aren't realistic with respect to the position and salary range, or because you are much better than the average employee for that position and the hiring manager has failed to recognize how wonderful you are?
Whatever the answer is, that tells you what yo... |
It seems that 30-year mortgages are very common (standard?). If I find that the monthly payments for, say, a 10-year mortgage are affordable for me, is there any reason not to go with the shorter term so that I can reduce the amount of interest paid and get out of debt faster?
Or maybe it's just a sign that I shoul... |
Are there hidden downsides to a shorter mortgage? |
Answers to this your question break down along a few lines regarding opportunity costs of tying up a significant chunk of your salary and assets in one piece of property, as opposed to other things you'd like to do with your life.
### History ###
The [30 year standard mortgage was invented in the 30's as part of FDR... |
There are some sources (eg. [The Complete Idiot's Guide to Making Money with Mutual Funds][1]) that suggest a portfolio based on style (eg. value, blend, growth) such as
- 30% growth mutual funds
- 30% value mutual funds
- 30% bond mutual funds
- 10% cash/money market funds
And other sources (eg. CNNMoney... |
Should I manage my asset allocation by style or market cap? |
Answers to this your question break down along a few lines regarding opportunity costs of tying up a significant chunk of your salary and assets in one piece of property, as opposed to other things you'd like to do with your life.
### History ###
The [30 year standard mortgage was invented in the 30's as part of FDR... |
Answers to this your question break down along a few lines regarding opportunity costs of tying up a significant chunk of your salary and assets in one piece of property, as opposed to other things you'd like to do with your life.
### History ###
The [30 year standard mortgage was invented in the 30's as part of FDR... |
Is there any hidden catch in this: https://www.pnc.com/webapp/unsec/Blank.do?siteArea=/PNC/pncbk/WebOnlyBonus ? I just can't understand what is the idea behind this offer --- what's the benefit for PNC if they give 100$?
Sorry if it is a dumb question, I am a new international student and this is my first encounter ... |
Answers to this your question break down along a few lines regarding opportunity costs of tying up a significant chunk of your salary and assets in one piece of property, as opposed to other things you'd like to do with your life.
### History ###
The [30 year standard mortgage was invented in the 30's as part of FDR... |
There's no catch.
Banks need to acquire customers just like any other business. One common way to acquire new customers is by advertising on the radio, TV, print, etc. Another common way to acquire new customers is by offering incentives like the one you linked to.
Basically, PNC is confident that they will make ... |
Is there any hidden catch in offers like this [sample offer](https://www.pnc.com/webapp/unsec/Blank.do?siteArea=/PNC/pncbk/WebOnlyBonus)? I just can't understand what is the idea behind this offer --- What's the benefit for PNC if they give 100$?
Sorry if it is a dumb question, I am a new international student and t... |
Is there a catch to offers of $100 when opening up a new checking account? |
What ways are there for us to earn a little extra side money? |
I never understood Puts or Calls. Could anybody explain it like I were a child? |
Options for dummies. Can you explain how puts & calls work, simply? |
Currently, I would like to invest in HSBC stock.
[http://www.google.com/finance?q=NYSE:HBC&fstype=ii][1]
[http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=0005.HK][2]
I am not sure whether I should purchase from Hong Kong or US stock market. What I know is that, HSBC in US stock market is listed in ADR form (1 ADR represents 5 co... |
Currently, I would like to invest in the stock of HSBC.
[Details on Google Finance][1]
[Details on Yahoo Finance][2]
I am not sure whether I should purchase from the Hong Kong or US stock market. What I know is that on the US stock market HSBC is listed as an ADR; with 1 ADR representing 5 common shares. On t... |
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