Comments on: Money Magazine – February 2007

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 15:36:57 +0000

Hi. I hope you don’t hate these really ‘simple’ questions but here goes. I bought a copy of Money magazine thinking I should open up a Roth Ira for retirement-I’m 34. Ok, so I did. I opened up the Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 with $4,000 and plan to max it out each year for as long as I am able (per the rules) Ok, so then I’m reading about buying stock (in the magazine) and I want to do this. I want to stick with Vanguard (comfort zone) and buy the minimum of $3,000 in Vanguard 500 Index (VFINX) or Total International Stock Index (VGTSX) The problem is that once I ‘buy’ this stock, I really don’t understand what to do with it? Do I designate it as an IRA or just a general fund? I’m looking for retirement savings. Also, how do I get it out years from now? Will I have to pay taxes or penalties? I am a very novice investor and I would really appreciate your help. I have no 401-K, just my Roth IRA at Vanguard. Thanks! Michelle

By: Man on a Mission

Man on a Mission — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 16:36:26 +0000

I soured on Money magazine a few issues ago when they advised an elderly widow to reverse mortgage her home for living expenses. It wasn’t Money magazine’s advice, but the advice from some financial planner reviewing her case for the magazine. I think reverse mortgages are a rip off and would rather not have seen them recommend one.

Regardless, I still get the subscription and have found better recommendations since then…maybe it was just a down month for them!

By: phil

phil — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 02:06:24 +0000

Are healthcare stocks undervalued because there is some chance that we’ll be moving to a single-payer healthcare system?

The Canadians pay much less per capita on healthcare, yet they are healthier.

Also, some of corporate America is starting to push for a single-payer system: about $1500 of the price of a GM car comes from employee healthcare payments. Our current healthcare system is starting to look like a competitive disadvantage.

By: Jim Lippard

Jim Lippard — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 01:15:33 +0000

I was just in Buenos Aires last week (and had great summer weather)–it’s not just the exchange rate, it’s that most travel-related expenses themselves are much less expensive in South America than in Europe. In particular, eating out in Buenos Aires is quite inexpensive for very high quality meals. And even if you stay in a top-of-the-line hotel and eat in restaurants in touristy areas, the prices are still significantly less than the European equivalents.

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 20:25:06 +0000

Since your blog’s about money, you should consider doing this Money magazine “Ten Most Important…” recap each month. It’d be a neat feature.

Keep up the great work!

Steve
http://www.youheardithere.com