Welcome to the April 15, 2011 Edition #180 of the Carnival of Financial Planning.
The Carnival of Financial Planning takes a long-term view of personal financial planning for individuals and families. We focus on efficient and sustainable personal financial planning practices that can lead to lifetime financial security.
This edition is arranged by subject heading, so that you can browse efficiently.
Enjoy!
The Skilled Investor, Editor
Estate Planning
Clariity presents Last Will and Testament Fact Sheet | Living With Clariity posted at Living With Clariity, saying, “Here’s some of the basics of setting up a last will and testament.”
My Journey presents Family Businesses and Succession Statistics posted at My Journey to Millions, saying, “Family owned businesses are statistically more successful than other business, yet a surprisingly small number of family businesses have a plan for succession. In addition, many family businesses don’t make it to the second generation even though the majority of owners would like them too. It is simply irresponsible if you have a successful business and don’t at least think about using a buy-sell to plan for the future.”
Financial Planning
Mitch Archuleta presents Social Security Will Not Be Insolvent, But It Won’t Make You Rich Either posted at RothIRA.com, saying, “Doom and gloomers say social security is going to go bust.
That’s not what we believe but we do side with the “plan for the worst” when it comes to retirement income.”
N.W. Journey presents 4 Tips for Healthy Finances in Marriage posted at Networth Journey, saying, “Learn how to improve your finances in marriage.”
Frank Knight presents Portfolio Asset Allocation posted at Best Personal Financial Planning Software, saying, “When you are already there and invested
in an asset class, you are following a passive asset allocation strategy. Tactical asset allocation strategy advocates suggest that you
can anticipate the crowd, but flow-of-funds studies show that almost all tactical asset allocation fund flows are late money flows that
chase performance after valuations have already moved.”
Financing a Home
Mike @ Green Panda presents The Pros and Cons of Buying a Home posted at Green Panda Treehouse, saying, “What to know before buying a home.”
Kyle Berks presents Pros and Cons of Reverse Mortgages for the Elderly posted at Integrated Loans, saying, “A reverse mortgage can help some elderly individuals meet all of their financial obligations and cover any home-related
expenses that could happen during their retirement.”
Income
Darwin presents My Salary Will Never Increase Again In Real Dollars – Will Yours? posted at Darwin’s Money,
saying, “You may be shocked to learn that in terms of real dollars, your salary will never increase again. Think about it. Here’s why.”
Investing
Freddy presents Two Stock Picks When The Market Slipped 7-Apr-2011 posted at Protege Analytics, saying, “Another big earthquake hit Japan, reminding us about the nuclear issue. The stock
market is going sideways today but there are two stocks which make their new high. Let’s take a look at them.”
mike presents How To Set Up The Safest, Simplest And Cheapest RESP Account posted at Money Smarts Blog, saying, “Learn how to set up the simplest RESP account.”
The Skilled Investor presents Market Timing posted at Personal Investment Management, saying, “Always stay invested to earn risk premiums. You must have your money invested and at risk to get risk premium returns. Jumping out and in or “timing the markets” doesn’t work.”
Mike @ DNW presents 2011 Market Predictions – Part II posted at Do Not Wait, saying, “The second look at our market predictions for 2011.”
Intelligent Speculator presents I’m intrigued but happy about the Expedia (EXPE) spinoff posted at Intelligent Speculator, saying, “We look at interesting changes with Expedia and its future.”
Frank Vertin presents Top Index Funds
posted at Index Mutual Funds, saying, “Top ten no load index funds that track the Standard and Poors 500 composite index in terms of lowest costs.”
Alexander presents 7 Dividend Blogs You Need To Read posted at Dividend Stocks, saying, “Use these blogs to help you with your dividend learning and research.”
Pasadena Financial Planner presents Vanguard
Funds posted at Top Mutual Funds, saying, “Compares Vanguard’s actively managed mutual funds and Vanguard’s passively managed index mutual funds. Vanguard investors should read and understand this study.”
Dividends4Life presents 6 Dividend Stocks Building Shareholder Returns posted at Dividend Growth Stocks, saying, “Numerous research projects have shown, a conservative dividend
growth based investment strategy has consistently outperformed the market over time. My goal as a dividend growth investor is to build a steadily increasing income and not necessarily to outperform the market via capital gains. But given the choice, I certainty don’t mind having both.”
Managing Credit and Debt
Khaleef @ KNS Financial presents Tips For Using Credit Cards Responsibly: Advice from Nora Dunn posted at Faithful With A Few, saying, “Using Credit Cards Responsibly is a common goal for many Americans. Nora Dunn explains to us how to use credit cards responsibly based on her experience!”
Glen presents Credit Card Perks – Take Advantage of What You Have posted at Parenting Family Money, saying, “Make the most of the benefits your credit cards may be offering. You find you can save money with some services.”
BIFS presents Should You Apply for a Retail Credit Card? | Budgeting In the Fun Stuff posted at Budgeting In the Fun Stuff, saying, “Are retail credit cards just another trap that we have to avoid? Or are they worth that 15% off offered at the checkout stand of every retailer that offers a custom card?”
Joe Plemon presents What is Your Debt Actually Costing You? posted at Personal Finance By The Book, saying, “You pay for debt with interest payments to your lender, but you are paying in other ways too.”
Amanda L. Grossman presents Suze Orman Gives Dave Ramsey the Financial Smackdown: Whose Side are You On? posted at Frugal Confessions, saying, “Suze never named the man she coined the “financial pundit” during her segment several weeks ago when she called someone out for his dumb debt strategy, but anyone that knows his financial advice could clearly make out who she was referring to: Dave Ramsey.”
Jessica Bosari presents How to Reduce Credit Card Debt Fast | billeater.com posted at Billeater, saying, “Eight steps to paying down your debt quickly.”
Miscellaneous
Consumer Boomer presents How to Pick a Caregiver For Your Elderly Parents posted at Consumer Boomer, saying, “Here are some helpful tips to help you in the process of picking a caregiver for your elderly parents.”
Craig Ford presents How to Incorporate Your Business with Ease posted at Money Help For Christians, saying, “A simple way to incorporate your business.”
Moneyedup presents FDIC Insurance Limits: What You Need To Know posted at MoneyedUP, saying, “The most important caveat to remember about FDIC insurance is that not all accounts are covered, and those that are may not be fully covered.”
Walter W. Fouse presents Large Cap Funds posted at Best Mutual Fund, saying, “This table of low cost top 10 S&P 500 mutual funds has been organized with the lowest cost index fund first. Nevertheless, each of these S & P 500 index funds is among the least costly on the market.”
DGB presents Dividends – Where Do You Include Them In Your Asset Allocation? posted at The Dividend Guy Blog, saying, “How you can start placing dividends in your portfolio.”
The Financial Blogger presents iPad is Dead posted at The Financial Blogger, saying, “Why we feel the iPad is done now.”
Retirement Planning
Consumer Boomer presents How to Choose a Retirement Home posted at Consumer Boomer, saying, “There are many options for senior or retirement living. Here are a few of those options.”
Mike Piper presents How is Social Security Taxed? posted at The Oblivious Investor, saying, “The unique way in which Social Security benefits are taxed creates tax-planning opportunities for the savvy investor.”
FMF presents Retiring Overseas posted at Retirement Finance, saying, “Have you ever wanted to retire overseas? A growing number of people are making such “dreams” a reality.”
Jim Wilkerson presents No Load Mutual Funds posted at Best No Load Funds,
saying, “Very young stock and bond mutual funds are more likely to put you into the position of being an experimental guinea pig of mutual fund companies and the ETF industry.”
Clariity presents Retirement Planning & Risk Mitigation | Living With Clariity posted at Living With Clariity,
saying, “If you want to know where you stand in terms of your retirement readiness, then answer these questions to see if you know
where you really prepared to retire.”
Jareth presents Retirement Calculator posted at Retirement
Software, saying, “Retirement investment calculator software automatically acts as a comprehensive compound investment
calculator that applies historical investment return growth rates to your cash, bond, and stock assets.”
FMF presents Don’t Retire: Keep Significant Goals posted at Retirement Finance,
saying, “Most Americans fail to plan adequately for retirement and consequently miss out on opportunities to enjoy the last third of life. The best and most rewarding financial planning is not just about the numbers but rather takes place in the context of personal goals.”
Risk Management and Insurance
Clariity presents 28 Factors of Buying Long Term Care Insurance | Living With Clariity posted at Living With Clariity, saying, “There are many factors to consider when buying Long Term Care
Insurance and here’s a comprehensive guide to help you along.”
Sustainable Life Blog presents Insurance and Switching Jobs posted at Sustainable Life Blog, saying, “This article talks about how to get the most out of insurance benefits if you’re switching jobs.”
Savings
Nathan Richardson presents Best CD Rates in 2011 posted at Deals & Tips, saying, “I’ve compiled the highest-yielding CD Rates as of April 8th, 2011. Learn how to get the maximum return on your parked cash.”
James Nara presents 5 Rules to Help You Manage Your Money Savings : JamesNara.com posted at The Secret to Be Happy and Feel Fulfilled, saying, “Why save money ? Money is very important to help you feel more comfortable, to help you feel more secure and hopeful about the future. With this article I will help you deal with your first savings in a very
systematic way by providing you with 5 rules that you can follow without changing too much of your life style.”
Taxes
Consumer Boomer presents Independent Contractor Tax Rules posted at Consumer Boomer, saying, “Tax rules apply to all self-employed individuals. Here’s a look at what those tax rules are.”
Dr. Dean presents Paying NO Taxes: How? posted at Dr. Dean’s TheMillionaireNurse.com Blog, saying, “Taxes are important but wouldn’t you like to not have to pay any? With proper planning, that is possible.”
Robert Moore presents Why are Roth IRA Accounts Online so Popular? posted at 2010 Tax,
saying, “These accounts have options for those with more capital to invest at one time, as well as plans for those with less, and finding the best options for a particular situation is relatively easy with the right help.”
Financial Freedom presents IRA Contributions, posted at Retirement Worksheet, saying, “The Roth tax optimization puzzle for asset conversions, as well as for annual Roth contributions during working years, is one of the most complex decisions that the ridiculously complex US taxation and retirement planning system forces upon individuals.”
Robert Moore presents Where are the Most Trusted Roth IRA Providers Online? posted at 2011 Taxes, saying, “Locating these options and providers is actually one of the easiest aspects of the Roth IRA process, and it is often the job of choosing from the many options with these accounts that proves to be the most involved.”
Tommy John presents Tax Tricks for Homeowners posted at 2010Taxes, saying, “Every bit of your property taxes and mortgage interest can be itemized on your taxes and result in impressive savings.”
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