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Investing

The Future for Investors

by Luke Landes

I’m not looking to make a quick million through my investments. Sure, it would be nice, but I have realistic expectations. If you’re investing for the long term like I am, you might want to read this interview with Jeremy Siegel. He has some interesting insights about what investment strategy has performed the best in ... Continue reading this article…

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Stock Market Down

by Luke Landes

The Nasdaq composite sank to a new low for the year Friday and stocks lost ground for the second straight week as investors dealt with rising oil prices and long-term interest rates. (From CNN Money.) To me this says Keep On Investing. I’m in it for the long haul. My investments are all long-term, and ... Continue reading this article…

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My Investments

by Luke Landes

In the interest of full disclosure, I might as well give you a a peek into the investing side of my net worth. Roth IRA Invested in the TIAA-Cref Equity Index [TCEIX], directly with TIAA-Cref. The fund invests in the stocks listed in the Russell 3000 Index. It has a low expense ratio of 0.26 percent, ... Continue reading this article…

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Buffett Says

by Luke Landes

When Warren Buffett speaks, it would do investors well to heed his advice. In his annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders, he offers this advice: Be un-American. By this he means that the way to great returns is to go against the trends while investing in index funds. If Wall Street is fearful, be greedy. ... Continue reading this article…

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Every Other Friday

by Luke Landes

Every other Friday, I try to will the stock market down. Most of my investing is done on pay day. My 401(k) funds are invested at the same time I get paid, and naturally I want to invest at the best price possible. So on that day, I try to channel some of my brain ... Continue reading this article…

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2004 Investment Performance

by Luke Landes

According to my Microsoft Money 2004 report, my investments did well in 2004. My 401(k) produced a 23.9 percent return over the year, not accounting for my employer match, just the change in fund values. My Roth IRA delivered a 17.2 percent return. I have a regular investment account that provided me with a less impressive 6.8 percent ... Continue reading this article…

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Delayed Deposits Cost Account Holders

by Luke Landes

Jonathan Burton of CBS MarketWatch has pointed out that millions of dollars are lost by employees when their employer holds onto 401(k) funds after they are deducted from the paycheck. It works like this. On Friday, January 1, you receive your paycheck. 12 percent of your paycheck has been deducted before taxes and put aside. According ... Continue reading this article…

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401(k) Exploitation

by Luke Landes

Robert Powell has written an article entitled, Seven ways to fully exploit your 401(k), and it appears on CBS MarketWatch. In it, he does what the title suggests and gives the reader seven important things to remember when planning for retirement. Here they are, with infamous Flexo commentary. Enroll now. I have a friend of ... Continue reading this article…

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Investing While In Debt

by Luke Landes

An article by Dayana Yochim at The Motley Fool gives the reader license to invest in the market while in debt — as long as the debt is good debt and not bad. Even if the debt is bad debt (credit cards), she suggests investing what you can while keeping to a plan to get ... Continue reading this article…

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More Millionaires This Year

by Luke Landes

There are more millionaire households in 2004 than ever, and they have increased in number at a record rate year-over-year. The latest research shows that the number of millionaires has increased 33 percent this past year to a total of 8.2 million U.S. households. Most of the people surveyed said that it was not real estate ... Continue reading this article…

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Post-Election Update

by Luke Landes

Like the rest of the country, I am dealing with the aftermath of the presidential election. The stock market rallied for the day after the elections, but it’s probably more of a response to the fact the election was over quickly, not a response to specifically the guy who won. While we could think about ... Continue reading this article…

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My Name is Flexo, and I Approved This Message

by Luke Landes

Last week, I received the following email. I have changed the name of the firm for the safety of the author: Flexo- I enjoy reading the posts on your blog ‘Consumerism Commentary’. It is a well put together site. I was reading a post on 9/29 about your brokerage recently charging you an annual fee. ... Continue reading this article…

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Financial Advisors and Predators

by Luke Landes

Before you make any decisions regarding a financial advisor, read this commentary. The article, from The Motley Fool, gives the reader some tips on how to determine what your potential advisors true motivations are and why this is something important to consider.

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Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow

by Luke Landes

Gerri Willis at CNN warns readers that they should not stop investing in a 401(k) just because the market is doing poorly (like it has over the third quarter of this year). Her five points are don’t disengage, resist the makeover urge, pick winners, don’t fear bonds (though I’m fine without them as I’ve investing ... Continue reading this article…

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Speaking of Fees

by Luke Landes

Is your financial manager worth it? Walter Updegrave from CNN/Money answers a writer’s question. The writer has had a financial manager in charge of $400,000 in mutual funds and stocks since 2001, to whom the writer has paid 1 percent per year, or $16,000 total, in fees. The assets have increased 1 percent over the past 4 ... Continue reading this article…

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Annual Fee?!

by Luke Landes

My previously-mediocre-but-not-horrible discount brokerage firm decided to start charging an annual fee… a fee higer than some full-service brokerages. I’m high-tailing it out of there ASAP, and I’m looking to do it without any tax implications. Although, even if I have to sell, the tax burden shouldn’t be too bad. So, with the several thousand ... Continue reading this article…

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Collect on Interest

by Luke Landes

The Federal Reserve (“the Fed”) raised interest rates yesterday. That usually means that banks follow suit, raising interest rates in the loans they offer and some investment products, like CDs. I’m going to use this opportunity to change some of my cash investments into CDs at ING Direct. This bank already raised its interest rates ... Continue reading this article…

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Active Trading?

by Luke Landes

I added a link in my sidebar to an Exceptional Blog called The Kirk Report. The author, Charles Kirk, appears to be an accomplished investor. For the last few years, the amount of time I’ve spent thinking about wealth expansion and making a comfortable living, I’ve been following the theory of passive investing, that is ... Continue reading this article…

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The Power of Residual Value

by Luke Landes

MSN Money – 10 cars that lose value fastest – Save on a Car Do you own a car that retains a good portion of its value over time or does your car depreciate fast? This article gives some insight and informs the reader about situations where depreciation doesn’t matter as much. An additional article ... Continue reading this article…

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If I Were Suddenly A Rich Man

by Luke Landes

Ask the Expert: Investing a windfall – Jan. 16, 2004 Here are some tips for a course of action when you receive a large sum at once, a problem most people would be interested in having. The author invokes Eminem while cautioning against financial advisors.

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