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I live in Cyprus, and I have been considering ways to get started with some basic investments in the US. After a little, and I mean little, research it seems that Index Funds, Bond Index Funds and Gold are a good fit.
I am not particularly money oriented, so I am looking for something that will give me something be... |
So here is my situation. I have a car that is very dangerous to drive at this point. Like I am seriously worried that either I or the car won't make it through the upcoming winter months. Now, I would love to just...get a new one, but I can't, and here's why. The only thing on my credit report are about $26,000 in scho... |
I'll take a stab at it.
$1,200 per month is a fair bit after your necessities are met.
As far as school loans go, yours doesn't seem huge. What will your payment be?
You have some sort of emergency fund. That's good. Keep that in case something happens to the car.
As for your $1,200 per month discretiona... |
From the sounds of it, your car is in particular dire straits. I would be shocked if you cannot find a $3000+ car that has working brakes. Sure it would be another clunker, but you can trade crappy seats and no heater for brakes. Then you can own two cars while you offload the first.
The way you make it sound, th... |
We don't seem to have (m)any expats or Australians on the site yet, but I'll share what I have learned. I'm taking advantage of your profile information listing you as a **software developer**.
A friend of mine is currently doing a study of national IT professional societies for his MBA project. One of his goals ... |
I was looking for a source of economic and financial forecast information. I have already checked the IMF and the OECD, but they have forecasts up to 2011. Is there something with forecasts up to 2015? Some central bank or some university for example?
I plan to enlarge the list below:
- [IMF World Economic Outlo... |
Been Googling all day and can't find anything definitive.
I left my job in January of 2010, and have been working on a 1099 basis since then (as a sole proprietor). I have been paying COBRA premiums for 10 months. My "company" is profitable for the year, and my net profits more than cover the cost of my COBRA prem... |
Is COBRA Deductable when Self-Employed? |
Forecasting that far into the future is difficult at best, as the future is driven by all sorts of factors, from economic to political to environmental. Many of these factors can be seemingly random.
IMO, the best way to get a feel for the future is to actively broaden your knowledge. Read publications that policy-m... |
This isn't a direct answer to your question, but I want to point out a few things that may help in your eventual goal.
Forecasting that far into the future is difficult at best, as the future is driven by all sorts of factors, from economic to political to environmental. Many of these factors can be seemingly rando... |
The basic idea is that the average person can't deduct health care costs unless they're really onerous. But a business can, and as a self-employed person, you can deduct those costs from the businesses earnings... as long as the business is really generating enough profit to cover the health insurance costs. That's why... |
I'm not sure about where you live, but the 2 cars I've had I got them off Craigslist for $500 and $800 respectively (had an accident with the 1st one that was not due to malfunction).
If you're not concerned with how it looks you can find really cheap cars, but you'll need to cut out the middleman and find someone w... |
Are COBRA premiums deductible when self-employed? |
I'll take a stab at it.
$1,200 per month is a fair bit after your necessities are met.
As far as school loans go, yours doesn't seem huge. What will your payment be?
You have some sort of emergency fund. That's good. Keep that in case something happens to the car.
As for your $1,200 per month discretiona... |
Aside from what everyone else has said about your money (saving, investing, etc.), I'd like to comment on what else you could spend it on:
> Spend it all on small/stupid things
> that, while stupid, would make me
> happier. For example take taxis more
> often, eat often in nice restaurants,
> buy designer clothe... |
I have been using quickbooks for some time (less than a year) and today when I was looking at my balance sheet I noticed something that seems really strange to me.
My Total Assets number is $300,000. My total liabilities are $20,000. I then have the equity section which I don't claim to understand at all. It has r... |
It's very simple. ASSETS = LIABILITIES.
A golden rule of accounting is the balance sheet, which has to **balance**, and that means that ASSETS must EXACTLY equal LIABILITIES always under all conditions no matter what.
This confuses people. They say, "oh gosh, I have 20,000 in debt (liabilities) and 300,000 in the... |
The credit rating agencies (Moody's, S&P, Fitch) issue credit ratings for corporations as well as different debt products.
Their recent track records have been anything but stellar.
It was only [four][1] days before Enron filed for bankruptcy that Enron's credit rating was changed to be below "investment grade".
... |
Do credit ratings (by Moody's, S&P, and Fitch) have any relevance? |
What kind of information do you obtain before buying (or selling) a stock? I know the PE ratio is very important, but not the only thing. Are there any rules of thumb to determine whether some stock is cheap or expensive? Or do you simply listen to 'experts' and hope they are right?
I buy an independent magazine and... |
The credit rating agencies (Moody's, S&P, Fitch) issue credit ratings for corporations as well as different debt products.
Their recent track record has been anything but stellar.
It was only [four][1] days before Enron filed for bankruptcy that Enron's credit rating was changed to be below "investment grade".
... |
What happens if one of the European Union countries goes bankrupt?
Suppose I have money (bank deposits at local banks) in US dollars, Euros and local currency (I'm not in the US). Now one of EU countries goes bankrupt. What happens to my money? |
What exactly happens to Euro if one of European Union countries goes bankrupt? |
The problems with ratings and the interpretation of ratings is that they are retrospective, and most people read them as prospective. They basically tell you that debtor is solvent right now.
What does that mean? It means that the ratings are based on the audited financial statements of a company, government or othe... |
It's very simple. A traditional balance sheet has two columns which have to balance. The left side, usually marked ASSETS, has to equal the right column, traditionally marked LIABILITIES.
Both columns have to be equal, under all conditions, no matter what.
This confuses people. They say, "oh gosh, I have 20,000 i... |
Good Diversification with which World Index ETF or Index fund? |
If you are looking for numerical metrics I think the following are popular:
- Price/Earnings (P/E) - You mentioned this very popular one in your question. There are different P/E ratios - forward (i.e. management's guess), trailing, etc.. I look at the P/E as a quick way to grade a company's income statement. Ho... |
I rent currently and can't help but feel that I'm wasting my money. With the prices for condos so competitive currently, I'm wondering if it would make sense to stop contributing to my 403b and save up for a down payment.
I only suggest this because my employer has excellent benefits and is currently paying in 12% o... |
Better to purchase buy a condo or save more for retirement? |
I rent and can't help but feel that I'm wasting my money. With the prices for condos so competitive currently, I'm wondering if it would make sense to stop contributing to my 403b and save up for a down payment.
I only suggest this because my employer has excellent benefits and is paying in 12% of my salary to my re... |
Is it better to purchase a condo or save more for retirement? |
So there's no extra money from your employer if you contribute extra to your 403(b)?
My answer will be a bit different than most others, but I'd recommend not paying another dime into your 403(b). Pay your taxes now, and be done with them.
Retirement saving does not need to be in a tax-deferred or tax-free accou... |
What kind of information do you obtain before buying (or selling) a stock? I know the PE ratio is very important, but not the only thing. Are there any rules of thumb to determine whether some stock is cheap or expensive? Or do you simply listen to 'experts' and hope they are right?
I buy an independent magazine and... |
Using my FSA is pretty annoying. I have to submit claims and scramble to use it or lose it. Is there any advantage (aside from perhaps cash flow) of using an FSA over just claiming my medical/childcare expenses on my taxes? Is there a higher max or something? Because it seems to me that I'm just better off claiming... |
Is there any advantage to using a FSA instead of claiming medical expense on tax returns? |
[You can claim this if the main purpose of the trip is to attend the seminar][1].
> Travel expenses relating to the attendance at conferences, seminars and other work-related events are deductible to the extent that they relate to your income-producing activities. You will need to apportion your travel expenses whe... |
Aside from the horribly optimistic interest rate projections in the "[Drive Free, Retire Rich][1]" video, is this a plausible way to deal with auto expenses over one's lifetime?
[1]: http://www.daveramsey.com/article/drive-free/
The basic plan is:
* get off the treadmill of buying a new car on credit ever... |
*I live in EU, using Lynxbroker.de and ETFs available to me [here][1] under ETFs' links. My portfolio needs to be become more bogleheadian: better diversification, low-cost and passive. So my plan is to buy World Stock Market ETFs to achieve better `risk/return ratio`. I am looking for low-cost dividend-accumulating ET... |
I am currently working as U.S. DoD contractor in Afghanistan. I arrive in Afghanistan late October 2010. I will be over here until at least October 2011. I know that when working overseas for 330 days or money, the first 90 or so thousand is tax-free.
What I don't know is how to fill my tax for the 2010 year. At th... |
How does tax work for an overseas contractor on a split year contract? |
What kind of information do you obtain before buying (or selling) a stock? I know the PE ratio is very important, but not the only thing. Are there any rules of thumb to determine whether some stock is cheap or expensive? Or do you simply listen to 'experts' and hope they are right?
I buy an independent magazine and... |
The problems with ratings and the interpretation of ratings is that they are retrospective, and most people read them as prospective. They basically tell you that debtor is solvent right now.
What does that mean? It means that the ratings are based on the audited financial statements of a company, government or othe... |
If you are looking for numerical metrics I think the following are popular:
**Price/Earnings (P/E)** - You mentioned this very popular one in your question. There are different P/E ratios - forward (essentially an estimate of future earnings by management), trailing, etc.. I think of the P/E as a quick way to gra... |
If you are looking for numerical metrics I think the following are popular:
**Price/Earnings (P/E)** - You mentioned this very popular one in your question. There are different P/E ratios - forward (essentially an estimate of future earnings by management), trailing, etc.. I think of the P/E as a quick way to gra... |
I live in a eurozone country that a lot of people think will soon default or restructure its debt. My family has a savings account in a bank here. A [similar question][1] has been asked before, but it isn't quite the same thing.
**First, what are the dangers to our savings if the country defaults or restructures its... |
What happens to my savings if my country defaults or restructures its debt? |
I have a $80 minimum on my credit bill.
If I pay them $100, do the additional $20 go to the card's **Principal** or **Interest**?
If it goes to Interest, do I have to explicitly state that those $20 go to Principal? |
The danger to your savings depends on how much sovereign debt your bank is holding. If the government defaults then the bank - if it is holding a lot of sovereign debt - could be short funds and not able to meet its obligations.
I believe default is the best option for the Euro long term but it will be painful in t... |
The danger to your savings depends on how much sovereign debt your bank is holding. If the government defaults then the bank - if it is holding a lot of sovereign debt - could be short funds and not able to meet its obligations.
I believe default is the best option for the Euro long term but it will be painful in t... |
In theory, anything can happen, and the world could end tomorrow. However, with a reasonably sane financial plan you should be able to ride this out.
If the government cannot or won't immediately pay its debt in full, the most immediate consequence is that people are going to be unwilling to lend any more money in ... |
Half `VTS` (Vanguard US total sharemarket) and half `VEU` (world ex-US shares), and stop futzing. The US is roughly half the world market cap so this is like a total world equity index. Very low costs, something like 0.09% for `VTS`, possibly varying depending on your location.
I don't know what you mean by `RSG`,... |
I co-own a house with two unrelated friends. We have a single mortgage that we're each responsible for our fraction of. We've been keeping track of our payments in a spreadsheet but for a variety of reasons we'd like to switch to real accounting software. I'm trying to use Quickbooks Online and model the house as th... |
How to account for a shared mortgage in Quickbooks Online? |
The biggest risk you have when a country defaults on its currency is a major devaluation of the currency. Since the EURO is a [fiat currency][1], like almost all developed nations, its "promise" comes from the expectation that its union and system will endure.
The EURO is a basket of countries and as such could prob... |
***Does anybody know when in December 2010 we will be receiving our HST cheques?*** |
$1,200 in the pocket AFTER expenses?! With all due respect, what are you complaining about?
Sell the car, even if it's just by having someone else take over the loan, buy a new one with the $4,000 you have, save for 4 months and you're right back at where you are now, only with a new car.
Where exactly is the pro... |
This question is different because you are asking for actual advice vs. a more academic, "what if" scenario. The answer that I'll give will be different, and [similar to another recent question on a similar vein][1].
Basically, if you're living in a European country that's effectively in default and in need of a bai... |
So, during the economy downturn, my parent's business was seriously struggling (as in not making enough income to cover its own expenses) and my parents made a few bad decisions while trying to save it to the tune of $45k in credit card debt, all of it at around 19.5% interest.
With the income they have and the econ... |
File bankruptcy, consolidate, or other options? |
So, during the economy downturn, my parent's business was seriously struggling (as in not making enough income to cover its own expenses) and my parents made a few bad decisions while trying to save it to the tune of $45k in credit card debt, all of it at around 19.5% interest.
With the income they have and the econ... |
So, during the economy downturn, my parent's business was seriously struggling (as in not making enough income to cover its own expenses) and my parents made a few bad decisions while trying to save it to the tune of $45k in credit card debt, all of it at around 19.5% interest.
With the income they have and the econ... |
So, during the economy downturn, my parent's business was seriously struggling (as in not making enough income to cover its own expenses) and my parents made a few bad decisions while trying to save it to the tune of $45k in credit card debt, all of it at around 19.5% interest.
With the income they have and the econ... |
Could someone please provide an example of a portfolio similiar to the GFP or Couch potato, but for Australia? |
So, during the economy downturn, my parent's business was seriously struggling (as in not making enough income to cover its own expenses) and my parents made a few bad decisions while trying to save it to the tune of $45k in credit card debt, all of it at around 19.5% interest.
With the income they have and the econ... |
I just created a PayPal account, because I want to get registered **[ON THIS WEBSITE][1]**
There, in their registration form, there is one field to be filled in: "PayPal account", but I don't really know what exactly I am supposed to type in there. Should it be my email account that I gave PayPal while I was registeri... |
What is my "PayPal account"? How does it look like? |
Some family members are getting excited about investing in Iraqi Dinars. I'm pretty sure it's not a great idea. What are the best online resources for or against this idea? |
Iraqi Dinars. Bad Investment, or Worst Investment? |
So, during the economy downturn, my parent's business was seriously struggling (as in not making enough income to cover its own expenses) and my parents made a few bad decisions while trying to save it to the tune of $45k in credit card debt, all of it at around 19.5% interest.
With the income they have and the econ... |
I just created a PayPal account because I want to get registered on a web site requiring PayPal. In the registration form on that site there is one field to be filled in: "PayPal account", but I don't really know what exactly I am supposed to type in there. Should it be my email address that I gave PayPal while I was r... |
When a web site asks for my "PayPal account", is it just the email address I use with PayPal? |
Just out of curiosity how much approximately a credit score will go down if I don't pay a $500 hospital bill? |
How skipping a bill will hurt my credit history? |
Just out of curiosity, approximately how much would my credit score go down if I don't pay a $500 hospital bill? |
How would skipping a bill affect my credit history? |
For example EUR/USD is 1.32395.I understand that this means, I will require 1.32395 USD to buy 1 EUR. But, how is this rate arrived at? I also, understand that there are fundamental reasons which affect this rate and the pair (EUR/USD in this case) will go up or down. But, how did we arrive at the rate initially?
And ... |
how are exchange rates decided for each country? |
Currently, EUR/USD is 1.32395. I understand that this means I will require 1.32395 USD to buy 1 EUR. But, how is this rate determined? I also, understand that there are fundamental reasons which affect this rate and the pair (EUR/USD in this case) will go up or down. But, how did we arrive at the rate initially?
Al... |
How are exchange rates decided for each country? |
More specifically, what is the single metric you would use to monitor personal wealth? |
What is the ultimate measure of wealth? |
The NY Times [says][1]:
>He cited the example of buying a one-year Australian government bond, yielding 5.25 percent. He said he believed that the American dollar was going to lose value and the Australian dollar was going to gain it. That’s Part 1. Part 2 is that the Australian government is stable, so an investor ... |
What is the easiest way to buy Australian government bonds? |
How can one calculate how much emergency fund should one put away? What factors? How to decide how much should an emergency fund should be? |
How Much Is Appropriate For An Emergency Fund? |
How much is appropriate for an emergency fund? |
The main factor should be what sorts of emergencies you are trying and also need to protect yourself against.
- Job loss? Figure out how long it'll take you to find another good job, not just the first one that comes along. If you're in a country you can get unemployment benefits, you might want to factor that in. M... |
Seems obvious, but if someone says, "He made his first million before 25" does it mean you have paid taxes on a million dollars by the age 25?
Or does it mean you have right now $1,000,000 in cash / liquid?
Or, could it mean you have something not liquid but valued at over $1,000,000? Like a business.
Just curi... |
What does the phrase "To make your first million" mean? |
A couple of thoughts from someone who's kind of been there...
Is the business viable at all? A lot of people do miss the jumping-off point where the should stop throwing good money after bad and just pull the plug on the business. If the business is not that viable, then selling it might not be an option. If the bus... |
In the U.S., what is the easiest way to buy Australian government bonds? |
What options should I consider to be best for a two year short term investment? |
Are you working? Does your employer offer a 401(k) and if so, is there any match?
Saving should be taught to kids at the same time they are old enough to get an allowance. There are many numbers tossed around, but 10% is a start for any new saver. If a college graduate can start by saving even 15%, better still. If... |
In the investment world, people are constantly advising me to consider "market conditions". I'm investing mainly in mutual funds with a diverse asset allocation (bonds **and** stocks spread across market cap, growth vs value). I'm investing for the long term so I just need to know what the basic indicators are. Is it j... |
What are the top "market conditions" to follow? |
What choices should I consider for a two year short-term investment? |
You've never saved money? Have you ever bought anything? There probably was a small window of time that you had to pool some cash to buy something.
In my experience, if you make it more interesting by 'allocating money for specific purposes' you'll have better results than just arbitrarily saving for a rainy da... |
[duffbeer's answers](http://money.stackexchange.com/questions/3451/how-to-evaluate-stocks-e-g-whether-some-stock-is-cheap-or-expensive/3452#3452) are reasonable for the specific question asked, but it seems to me the questioner is *really* wanting to know **what stocks should I buy**, by asking "do you simply listen to... |
Are you going to South Africa or from? (Looking on your profile for this info.)
If you're going to South Africa, you could do worse than to buy five or six one-ounce krugerrands. Maybe wait until next year to buy a few; you may get a slightly better deal.
Not only is it gold, it's minted by that country, so it'... |
[You can deduct this if the main purpose of the trip is to attend the seminar][1].
> Travel expenses relating to the attendance at conferences, seminars and other work-related events are deductible to the extent that they relate to your income-producing activities. You will need to apportion your travel expenses wh... |
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