At the time of this writing, I have 148 articles saved that I want to write about/post on/share with you. Yep, 148. Even at my decent posting rate of six a day, it would take me almost a month of these posts alone assuming I posted that much on weekends (which I don't.) Needless to say, there's a lot of good stuff out there that I think will benefit many of us.
So instead of doing full pieces on all these topics, I thought that every once in awhile I'd summarize a few and then let you decide whether or not you'd like to read more. Here are a few to look at today:
- Which has priority? My 401(k) or my Roth IRA? - Key thoughts: "You start by contributing enough to your 401(k) to get the full employer match. This will give you the biggest bang for your 401(k) bucks: the convenience of payroll deductions, the upfront tax break and your employer's matching funds, aka 'free money.' Next, contribute as much as you can to a Roth IRA, up to the limit. By taking this step, you get the advantage of tax-free withdrawals down the road, plus you get the tax diversification I referred to earlier. If you still save more money after this and I hope you can, since for many people these two steps alone won't lead to a nest egg large enough to assure a comfortable retirement then funnel your additional savings into your 401(k) until you reach the contribution limit."
- Attack Debt or Fund Retirement? - Key thoughts: "Should you temporarily suspend your contributions to your retirement accounts to pay down that debt faster? From a purely mathematical standpoint, the answer to that question is almost always 'yes.' It's very likely that the interest rates charged by your credit cards and other loans will exceed the returns on your retirement investments. That argues for paying down debt with every penny you can muster. However, the mathematical answer isn't always the best answer."
- Taxes 2007: Good planning's your best move - Key thoughts: "The surest way to tax savings is through tax planning, but you don't necessarily have to hire a financial adviser as a guide. There are several steps you can take yourself to reduce your tax bill."
- When a Would-Be Employer Takes Forever to Make an Offer - Key thoughts: "Many companies drag out their selection process, leaving applicants in anxious limbo for months. Such a protracted effort can take its toll on your current job -- not to mention your sanity. To stay upbeat, you should find out from outside recruiters, inside acquaintances and hiring managers how long the potential employer typically takes to fill a desired spot. They can also describe the usual steps involved."
There. Now only 144 articles left. ;-)
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