First this week, I’d like to share Kevin Mercadante’s guest post on Fiscal Geek Is a 15 Year Mortgage Financial Suicide? Kevin’s post is what inspired me to write a post earlier this week comparing the 15 to the 30 year fixed rate loan. I agree with Kevin’s view on this, that the difference to go 15 is pretty high and in times like this, the cash flow may be more important.
Bucksome Boomer asks Can Baby Boomers Afford to Retire? The more data I see on this, the more concerned I become. It seems the average boomer has a nest egg of $84,000. Of course that implies the median number is much lower as many boomers have millions. A nice article discussing the options that lie ahead for this generation.
Frugal Real Estate reminds us that there’s a 2009 Property Tax Deduction for Non-itemizers.
Hank at Own The Dollar wrote the excellent There Is No Such Thing As The Lost Decade With Dollar Cost Averaging. I’m not going to ruin the punchline, take a read and see how an investor who started in 2000 would have fared by simply putting in an equal amount every month, the decade wouldn’t have treated her too badly. A great analysis, all I’d add myself is that thse number would have been better still had they been partially matched in a 401(k) account, as many of us have the bulk of our savings there.
On that same note, I’ll move on to Why You NEED To Contribute To Your 401(k) posted at My Two Dollars. For those who don’t contribute to their 401(k) this article offers an explanation of how they work, the present tax benefits, and potential for saving, long term. I’ve been 401(k)ing for 25 years, others may need a little push and better understanding of the process. This is a great start.
Living Almost Large talks about Buying too much, too much house, too much car, too much stuff. I suspect many of us fall into this trap. She’s not talking ‘frugal’ here, the sentiment leans more towards Dr Stanley’s book “Stop Acting Rich.” The difference from the well chosen house to the ‘too big’ house really adding up over time. Today’s title taken with this blogger in mind.
With that, I’ll end this week’s roundup…..
Joe
Thanks for mentioning my post, Joe! Enjoyed perusing the other articles mentioned as well.
Great summary of links this week. Keep up the great work!
The only thing that gives me pause about contributing to my 401k, though I haven’t stopped, is that it’s not impossible for the government to raid it just as it did with the Social Security Trust Fund. Argentina did it and we’re all Argentinians now…
Maybe I kid myself, but this kind of confiscation seems a bit unimaginable. They may as well include every savings and brokerage account along with the 401(k).
Thanks for mentioning the post. I’m glad you liked it. I am actually jealous….I’m one of the many unfortunate investors who do NOT receive a match from my employer for my 401-k contributions.
Thanks for including me in your round-up. I agree about the importance of 401K participation, at least up to your employer’s match.
WOW Joe, thanks for the mention. But for the record, it was your post on Don’t Mess With Taxes, “Roth IRAs and your retirement income”, that inspired me to write “Is a 15 Year Mortgage Financial Suicide?”
What are we writing next??? 😉