A Safe Return Roundup

Some weeks there are so many good posts to share, it tough to know when to call the roundup done. Let’s get to it.

First, at Cesi Debt Solutions (by the way, they are a non-profit, I avoid including commercial sites in roundups) offers 10 Ways to Tell You’re Living Beyond Your Means. I like this list a lot, I’m just afraid those who need to see it may not realize it applies to them. I’m thinking you might just want to print it out and hand it to those who need an intervention. You’re not saving anything in your company’s matched 401(k)? You might want to brown bag your lunch the next few decades.

Next, at Passive Family Income, Alban wrote What the State of Your Finances Reveals About Your Personality, a discussion of how money impacts us emotionally as we grow up and still, as adults. It’s good to take a stwp back and think on these things now and then.

Next, a Canadian PF Blogger, Jim Yih who posts at Retire Happy Blog, asks (and answers) Does half your money go to taxes? There are many aspect of finance that are the same no matter where you are, our rate of taxation is unique to each country. If you think we in the US are overtaxed, why not read Jim’s take on his taxes?

At My Money Blog, a wild result of a study: What Is A “Safe” Savings Rate? How About 16.62%. Since past results are not good at forecasting the future, I don’t know if I believe this, especially since in this study the goal was a 50% replacement of pre-retirement income. An interesting read, nonetheless.

The Oblivious Investor Mike Piper helps us understand When Should I Take Social Security Benefits? (Single Investor). Not to be selfish here, but I’m looking forward to the Married Investor version as last I checked the math gets a bit more complex when two are involved. Still, check out Mike’s great explanation of your options as retirement draws near.

The Tax Question: Save, Spend, or Pay Off Debt? was Kristina’s post at Dinks Finance.A fun thought, but I had to point out a dollar of tax refund is a dollar you lent the government interest free. My goal each year is to adjust my withholding to the point where I owe, just enough to avoid a penalty.

Let’s wrap up this week with Len Penzo, The 15-Year vs. 30-Year Mortgage Debate: Why 30 Is Better. Len offers a list of 8 factors to take into account, all of which point to the 30. Truth is, I could add at least 2 or 3 more thoughts to that list. The punchline for me is that the lower obligation reduces your risk, and you can always pay it off in 15 years if you wish, but on your terms. I’m with you, Len.

Joe