My 2007 401(k) Performance and Blog Roundup

Yesterday, I received my final 2007 401(k) statement in the mail. According to their records, my account’s performance in the fourth quarter last year was down 3.50% while my performance for the entire year was up 7.09%. That’s a bit of a let-down from 2006, when my 401(k) performance was a strong positive 16.25%. It would be nice to see good performance this year, but I’ll be more concerned with performance when I approach the point of needing my retirement funds.

(Those measures are internal rates of return including cash flow. Looking at pure balances, my account was up 45% in 2007.)

This year, I’ll be contributing to a Roth 401(k) in addition to the traditional. My asset allocation for my contributions in one account will mirror the other, so I would expect similar returns in each account this year. See also Russell Bailyn’s article about the benefits of a Roth 401(k).

How was your 401(k) performance in 2007?

Here are some articles from around the web I’ve enjoyed lately.

I have to disagree with Nickel’s five things that are worth the money. The only items of his five that I use are online movie rentals, but I really should have canceled my Netflix subscription months ago. I have been meaning to purchase a print server, however, so maybe I’ll look into the Airport Express following Nickel’s suggestion.

Jim is busting out the trivia with 50 fun facts about banks. Did you know that the largest cash robbery of a bank took place in North Carolina in 1997? Were you aware that the total amount of money held in United States banks at the end of 1934 was $46,437,000,000.00? Read 48 more nuggets of information at Blueprint for Financial Prosperity.

J.D. from Get Rich Slowly writes about the value of a college education. Those with a undergraduate or graduate degree generally earn more than those without, but that’s not the only reason to get a college education. If all you’re interested in is financial return on your monetary investment in a degree, then you could be in for disappointment.

Trent explains how he remains frugal in the era of new security regulations at airports on The Simple Dollar. Empty water bottles, refilled travel-sized toothpaste containers, and energy snacks help Trent feel prepared for his flight, which he assumes will be delayed.