Investing & Savings
To achieve any goal in life you need to be disciplined. Similarly, saving and investing requires discipline. A disciplined approach helps you to remain focused on your financial goals. Formulate a plan and review it periodically to ensure that you are on the right track.
“Investing: Keep it simple for best returns” 20110125MW
Be sure to do your due diligence if you are considering products that offer the possibility of higher return. That may “… be more work than necessary, especially when, as FINRA suggests, there might be a less complex and cheaper investment out there that delivers the same objective.”
“Mixed investment signals” 20111116R
This article highlights what to consider when considering some common investment products and services.
“Why stocks will beat bonds over the next 20 years” 20120109MW
Regardless of your investment outlook, you should have a divers portfolio that is tailored to your specific situation and goals.
“Long Odds for Investors” 20111205WSJ
This article discusses “how rare and fleeting it is for any fund manager to outperform the stock market for any length of time.”
“Now That’s Performance Art” 2011124WSJ
Be cautious when trading stocks at year-end, especially when buying. That is when fund managers dump losers and chase winners to pump their own performance.
“Options for Nervous Investors” 20111210WSJ
A good summary about puts and calls.
“How Small Investors Can Get Stomped in High-Speed Markets” 20111210WSJ
This article discusses why small investors should not put in a market order or a stop-loss order. Instead they should use limit orders.
“How to Save $10,000 by Next Thanksgiving” 20111120WSJ
This article will get you thinking about how to save even if they are not all good for you”
“Are You Ready to Be a Landlord?” 20111112WSJ
“…aspiring property owners need to watch out for a slew of traps.”
“ETFs Mimic Stock Pickers’ Strategies” 20111107WSJ
This article discusses 5 questions to ask when considering a strategy-based ETF.
“The Young and The Riskless” 20111105WSJ
The investment experience of people in their 20s and 30s has not been good. Many are avoiding investment risks. There is a concern that they will not be able to retire comfortably. One approach will not apply to every one in their 20s or 30s. They need to look at other factors to manage their investment risk. This article discusses these issues and others to help guide those in their 20s and 30s.
“Hidden Dangers Lurking In-Money Market Funds” 20111008WSJ
Good discussion about factors to consider on the use of money market funds.
“Why Buying on the Dips Isn’t All It’s Cracked Up to Be” 20110924WSJ
Although it is counter intuitive, buying in a lump-sum may be better than spreading the purchase over a longer period.
“Decoding the Stock Market’s Mixed Signals” 20110916SM
There are competing measures of stock valuations. You need to understand the one you follow and why that is the measurement you are following.
“Mistakes housing Investors Make” 20110910WSJ
Real estate investing can be profitable. However”…owning real properties is time-consuming, expensive and fraught with challenges, and many investors lose money.”
“Dividends: Collect, Reinvest, Repeat-for Decades” 20110910WSJ
Slow growth may be the path to successful long=term investing.
“The Age of ‘Macro’ Investing” 20110910WSJ
Informative discussion about difference between risk and uncertainty.
“Why a Legendary Market Skeptic Is Upbeat About Stocks” 20110910WSJ
John C. Bogle (born August 8, 1929) believes that a long term approach must apply across an entire portfolio and include diversification. READ MORE
“It’s Payback Time!” 20110827WSJ
There is more to picking investments than determining its dividend yield.
Market Volatility: Looking for Opportunities
Having a financial plan helps to determine how to proceed in volatile times.
“After the Downgrade: 5 Moves to make Now” 20110809F
This is another way of saying, hold your emotions in check as you consider the alternatives for your individual situation.
“Market Volatility“
Generaly you should review your planning before making any changes.
“4 Hidden Risks in Your Portfolio” 20110810SM
When reviewing your portfolio you should see if the portfolio can meets your financial goals.
“Bargain Hunters, Beware” 20110809WSJ
If you were thinking about buying stocks now, caution.
“Time to Panic? Just the Opposite” 20110805WSJ
It is a good time to review your planning.
“Three Dangerous Investment Cliches” 20110803F
This point of theis article, although not specifically stated, is know your time horizon. What may apply in the long term may not apply in the short term.
“Debt Limits and Deficit Deal Havoc: Five Common Sense rules for retirement investing during uncertain times” 20110726F
Basic concepts of investing should always be used when constructing a portfolio.
“5 tips to survive the coming market massacre” 20110728MW
These point apply all the time not just in scary times.
“You Need a Plan to Boost Retirement Income” 20110724MW
Planning and periodic monitoring are important to achieve your long-term needs.
“Their Own Worst Enemy” 20110706WSJ
Investors are often their own worst enemies. This article discusses three examples of how investors can hurt themselves financially.
“Why You Shouldn’t Buy Those Quarterly Earnings Surprises“ 20110702WSJ
The reasoning behind the title of the article are another argument for ignoring “market strategists, television commentators and other investment pundits”.
“7 Ways to Stay Ahead of Inflation in Retirement” 20110509 USN
Inflation needs to be considered to maintain your purchasing power.
“Hidden Risks in Target Funds” 20110409 WSJ
Another article discussing the limitations of target-date funds. “…target-date funds still provide the best diversification for investors who don’t have the knowledge, desire or resources to regularly rebalance their retirement portfolios…”
“The Asset-Allocation Fallacy” 20110409 WSJ
The last paragraph an important concept that applies to all aspects of financial planning, not just investing.
“A Place for ‘Ultrashort’? 20110308 WSJ
Be sure you understand the fund you are considering, so are not so simple.
“Where to Put Your Cash Now” 20110305 WSJ
Understand your options and how they fit into your situation.
“Preferred Stock: Are Those Juicy Yields Worth the Extra Risk?” 20110205 WSJ
Something to think about if you are looking to increase yields.
“States Plead to Small Investors: Buy Bonds” 20110129 WSJ
Why are states looking to sell their bonds to small investors?
“Is Gold’s Golden Era Over?” 20110129 WSJ
This article discusses the reasons why gold may not be a good investment at this time. The last paragraph notes that gold may still has a place in portfolios.
“Absolute-Return Funds Aren’t for All” 20110124 WSJ
“…just because something is easy to market to the public doesn’t mean it is a good idea.”
“The Savings Game: One key to secure retirement: Consistent and prudent behavior”20110115 KC
Three behaviors are highlighted that lead prevent some people from maximizing their savings: paying the minimum, not paying themselves first, and passing up opportunities.
“Betting Against the Conventional Wisdom in the New Year” 20110107WSJ
“…Common Sense doesn’t make a practice of predicting the future, CW (conventional wisdom) is all about predicting it.”
“New Year’s Vow$” CT20110102
Here are 7 financial resolutions that will apply to almost everyone. These resolutions can be implemented now without the need to wait to see what Congress does.
“Five ways to introduce youngsters to stocks investing” 20101231 KCS
Here are some ideas to teach youngsters about investing in stock.
“Sharing some key money pointers, one last time”
Some of the common sense points Humberto Cruz made over the years in his columns .
“Don’t pay a fee to enroll in a biweekly mortgage plan” 20101216 CT
“Free lunch seminar may serve up a trap for dessert” 20101202 CT
Not everything you hear and read about investments can be taken literally.
“Is the Bond Bubble Bursting?”
This “Wall Street Journal” answers the question with a maybe, but it looks possible. Review your goals, tolerance for risk and asset allocations to see what if any changes are needed.
“How to Play the New Muni Market”
This “Wall Street Journal Article” discusses the recent changes in the municipal bond market and suggestions how to proceed.
“Market Optimism is an Ominus Sign”
“Fashionable Again, but for How Long?” NYT20090830
“Is modern portfolio theory dead?” IN20090719
“Another Can’t – Miss Deal That Can Miss” 20100723 WSJ
Some guaranteed high yield investments are unsuitable for most investors.
“Congress Overhauls Your Portfolio” 20100717 WSJ
This is a summary highlighting some changes that impact: Mutual Funds, Retirement Plans, Hedge Funds and other private investments, Individual stocks, Derivatives, and Brokerage accounts.
“Head for the Hills? No Way, He Says”20100715 NYT Jeremy J. Siegel is optimistic about the stock market.
“Get Ready for a Cataclysmic Market Crash! (Or Maybe Not) 20100710 WSJ
This article includes the following phrases (among others): “cataclysmic bear market”; “monstrous decline”; “complete retracement”; “highly unusual”; “fall by punishing amount”; “nothing is impossible”.
“Ways to Protect Your Portfolio from Market Volatility” 20100708 NYT
Periods of market volatility are often not the time to get out of the market. It may be the time to improve your portfolio.
“This Flight to Safety Wasn’t Supposed to Happen” 20100606 NYT
“Credit Unions: A Better Bet than Banks?” 20100605 WSJ
Christopher Davis, Davis Select Advisors 20100521 NAPFA Conference
“When ‘Stop Loss’ Trades Backfire on Investors” 20100515 WSJ
“Volatility is Your Friend” 20100515 WSJ
“The Grudge Match Over Your 401(k)” 20100417 WSJ
“Make More on Your Cash” 20100410 WSJ
“Buybacks: Nothing to Snort At” 20100403 WSJ
“With Fund Managers, Past Is No Predictor for Future” 20100131 WSJ
“Three Faces of Market Danger” 20100124 NYT
“Fruitful Decade for Many in the World” 20100103 NYT
