Browse by Categories

• Income Investing
• Index & ETF Investing
• Q&A (from print)
• Retirement

• An 8 Percent Yield Means Major Risk

  Q. In a recent column you told a reader that a guaranteed high investment return doesn't exist. You also said, "If someone tells you about an investment that will provide a safe 8 percent return, grab your wallet and run." I take exception to your conclusion... Posted Apr 25 2007, 06:00 PM by scottb with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: Couch Potato Investing, Financial Planning, Q&A (from print)

• The Long Term Cost of High Investment Expenses

  Today's rude question: When does your money manager cost more than the taxman? Answer: Sooner than you think. If the idea of comparing a money manager with the tax collector sounds a bit perverse, let's examine some basic realities. When we earn income... Posted Mar 10 2007, 06:00 PM by scottb with | with 15 comment(s) Filed under: Couch Potato Investing, Financial Planning

• Is 2007 the Year for Growth Stocks?

  Growth is back! That's the message from the strong start mutual fund investors have enjoyed since the New Year. Growth-oriented funds have trumped value-oriented funds in all three capitalization categories--- large, mid-cap, and small (see chart below... Posted Feb 17 2007, 06:00 PM by scottb with | with 5 comment(s) Filed under: Couch Potato Investing, Financial Planning

• Using ETFs to Build a Portfolio

  Q. I am 47 and work fulltime. I have about $250,000 in my 401(k) and about $150,000 in my IRA from a previous employer. I have invested in the Couch Potato portfolio and in the IRA, and in the past few years have moved to the Margarita Portfolio (I am... Posted Jan 31 2007, 06:00 PM by scottb with | with 6 comment(s) Filed under: Couch Potato Investing, Financial Planning, Q&A (from print)

• Four Milestones for Successful Investing

  Allow me to introduce the yellow brick road of investing. Follow this road and you will be a happy investor. Ignore it at your peril. The yellow brick road has four major milestones. The first three are clearly visible. Anyone can get good investment... Posted Dec 09 2006, 06:00 PM by scottb with | with 13 comment(s) Filed under: Couch Potato Investing, Financial Planning, Income Investing, Index & ETF Investing

• Early Retirement Is a Very Ambitious Project

  Q. My wife and I are in our mid 30's with one child and another on the way. We've been very lucky and have quite a nest egg put away in qualified plans--- about $220,000. Over the past 3 years we've been continuing with adding qualified funds on a consistent... Posted Feb 28 2002, 02:01 PM by scottb with | with no comments Filed under: Couch Potato Investing, Financial Planning, Q&A (from print), Retirement