Retire in 2012? Four Factors to Consider
December 22, 2011
It's a spooky time for people contemplating retirement. The economy is still shaky, even after two-and-a-half years of supposed "recovery." Stocks continue to yo-yo wildly, while Treasury bills and bank deposits barely yield enough crumbs to keep a mouse alive. Unless you've got a plump government pension to lean on (and even those aren't totally secure these days), you may be wondering whether retiring in 2012 is really such a good idea at all. More »
The Best Deals in the Financial World
October 28, 2011
Times are tough, but the tough-minded are making the most of the times! Sure, you've got to be on the alert constantly, nowadays, for risks to your wealth—plunging markets; ever-changing laws and regulations; shady operators bent on fleecing you.
But there's a flip side. In a rough economy, honest providers of financial services are bending over backwards to deliver extra value. If you're a smart, careful consumer, you can find an abundance of deals that will stretch your dollar further. Here are some of the best I've uncovered lately. More »
Saving for College: Stick With the Program
August 16, 2011
Most parents encourage their kids not to drop out of school. I’m here to give another type of encouragement–to you. Don’t drop out of your long-term investment program, especially if you’re saving for a child’s (or grandchild’s) college education! Millions of people, battered by the 2008 financial crisis and worn down by the slow economic recovery since, have given up on the stock market. The frustration is certainly understandable. However, I believe these folks are making a serious mistake. If you’re hoping to build a kitty for the really big-ticket expenses in life (such as retirement or a child’s college education), you won’t get very far by stashing cash in the bank. More »
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Journal
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Helicopter Ben Drops the Loot
Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:18:32 ET
More free money from the Federal Reserve -- all the way out to late 2014! Sounds like pennies from heaven, and that's how the financial markets took it Wednesday. Today, however, equity investors had second thoughts. The Dow pulled back 22 points, and the broader S&P 500 index by a little over half a percent. More »
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Shot At and Missed
Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:54:05 ET
Has the world dodged another bullet? Certainly, the behavior of the financial markets this month would suggest so. Stocks have risen, with the benchmark S&P 500 index up 4.5% year to date through today's close. Treasury yields have climbed, at least at the long end of the maturity spectrum. And the dollar has eased against the currencies of our major trading partners. More »
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Party On, My Friends
Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:08:04 ET
Up and up and up. Where does it stop? Stocks kept climbing again today, with the Dow tacking on another 45 points to post a fresh six-month high. More »
Latest Issue
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February 2012 Issue
Is it the "End of America," as one well-known prophet of financial doom insists? Or are we on the cusp of a new "American ascendancy," as a leading Wall Street strategist proclaims? In this month's visit, I'll show you what's right, and what's wrong, about both of these popular points of view. I'll also map out a simple four-point flight plan to help you pilot your portfolio safely through the uncertainty we're facing right now.
As you'll see, today's markets offer ample opportunities for profit, but only if you first take precautions to avoid losing your shirt! It's no secret that dividend-rich stocks form a major pillar of our strategy. (I've got four of them for you on p. 3.) However, bonds play a crucial role, too, reducing risk and padding our returns. On p. 4, I'll explain how to blend bonds of different types and maturities so you can profit steadily even as the economy and interest rates zigzag in 2012. More »
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Ask Richard
Can Government Properties Income Trust (NYSE: GOV) be held in both taxable and tax-sheltered accounts?
The decision whether to buy Government Properties Income Trust (NYSE: GOV), a member of our Total Return Portfolio, inside or outside a retirement account turns on whether you need the dividend income right now. If you don't need the income, you're better off holding GOV in a retirement account. Otherwise, you'll pay taxes on most of the dividend at high "ordinary" rates (the rates you pay on wage or salary income, not the reduced 15% rate on qualified dividends). For a person who needs the income to meet living expenses, it makes sense to hold GOV in a taxable account and accept the tax bite as the dividends get paid. More »
About Richard E. Band
Richard E. Band is the newsletter world's #1 authority on investing for low-risk growth. His flagship Total Return Portfolio has quadrupled in value since its inception in 1990, while taking far less risk than the popular stock market index funds. More »
Today's Market
| DJIA | 12660.46 | -74.17 | -0.58% |
|---|---|---|---|
| NASDAQ | 2816.55 | 11.27 | 0.40% |
| S&P 500 | 1316.33 | -2.10 | -0.16% |
| Global DOW | 1928.31 | -2.19 | -0.11% |
Testimonials
Dear Mr. Band: I found myself last year suddenly a widow, and I've been contemplating whose advice to follow and what to do with my money/estate. I remembered your Sept. 2010 Supplement to the newsletter. Thanks! It's given me helpful guidelines about what to do, combined with reasonable explanations of the same.
–C.C., Rocklin, CA
