Introduction Assembling a mutual fund portfolio isn’t just a matter of looking at performance figures. Each fund in your portfolio should be designed to fill a specific role. Strategies for mutual funds fall into three basic areas: (1) strategies for the timing of your investment(s), (2) strategies for selecting specific mutual funds, and (3) strategies
Answer: It’s seldom easy to achieve a balance between saving for your retirement and saving for the ever-increasing costs of a college education within your present income. Yet it’s imperative that you save for both at the same time. To postpone saving for your retirement means missing out on years of tax-deferred growth and playing
Answer: If you don’t want the money, you can always disclaim (refuse to accept) the inherited IRA or plan funds. But if you’re like most people, you will want the money. Your first thought may be to take a lump-sum distribution, but that’s usually not the best idea. Although a lump sum provides you with
Answer: Your first step is to take advantage of tax-favored retirement savings tools. If you have access to a 401(k) or other employer-sponsored plan at work, participate and take full advantage of the opportunity. Open an IRA account and contribute as much as you can. Ideally, you’d be able to invest in both an employer
Answer: This question is difficult because the answer depends on your income and assets, your goals for retirement, and many other factors. Ideally, you should begin saving for retirement in your 20s. More time to save enhances your chances of having the kind of retirement lifestyle you want. If you’re in your 40s or older
What are the different types of annuities? There are literally hundreds of different annuity types–enough to boggle the mind of anyone at first glance. Furthermore, the companies that issue annuities are busy creating new types of annuities every day to meet the changing needs of consumers. However, when all the different types of annuities are
Bonds may not be as glamorous as stocks or commodities, but they are a significant component of most investment portfolios. Bonds are traded in huge volumes every day, but their full usefulness is often underappreciated and underestimated. Why invest in bonds? Bonds can help diversify your investment portfolio. Interest payments from bonds can act as
Businesses sell shares of stock to investors as a way to raise money to finance expansion, pay off debt, and provide operating capital. Each share of stock represents a proportional share of ownership in the company. As a stockholder, you share in a portion of any profits and growth of the company. Dividends from earnings
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Answer: It depends. The right answer in your case will depend on a number of key factors. These include, among others, your income and assets, your attitude toward risk, whether you have access to an employer-sponsored plan at work, the age at which you plan to retire, and your projected expenses during retirement. But it’s
