BUILD UP YOUR SAVINGS Americans carrying record amounts of debt The lowest savings rate in 12 years Little room for error Retirees need a cushion to see them through bear markets Withdrawing principal during market declines can seriously hurt financial security Watch the related WEALTHTRACK episode.
ACTION POINT
CONSIDER INVESTING IN A SMALL CAP INTERNATIONAL FUND
CONSIDER INVESTING IN A SMALL CAP INTERNATIONAL FUND Regional diversification: many do business within their home countries A history of outperforming large-cap competitors Not widely followed, giving active managers a better shot at outperformance Watch the related WEALTHTRACK episode.
CONSIDER BUILDING A LADDERED TREASURY BOND PORTFOLIO ONLINE AND FEE FREE
CONSIDER BUILDING A LADDERED TREASURY BOND PORTFOLIO ONLINE AND FEE FREE Buy a series of bonds that mature at different times TREASURY BOND LADDER Bottom rungs – short-term maturities (1-2 years) Middle rungs – intermediate (5-7 years) Top Rungs – long-term (10-30 years) Diversify interest rates Insulate portfolio from ups & downs Keep […]
ADD THE 50% RULE TO YOUR INVESTMENT DECISIONS
ADD THE 50% RULE TO YOUR INVESTMENT DECISIONS Goal is to keep at least 50% of your profits after taxes and fees Apply that criterion to all of your investments: financial, real estate, art…. Stuart Lucas’ 50% Rule investing strategy [.pdf] Watch the related WEALTHTRACK episode.
TAKE A LOOK AT CLOSED END MUNICIPAL BOND FUNDS
TAKE A LOOK AT CLOSED END MUNICIPAL BOND FUNDS Overlooked Asset Class Frequently Uses Leverage Can Be Volatile Issues a Fixed Number of Shares When Offered to the Public Trades Like a Stock on an Exchange Share Price Frequently Trades Below Its Net Asset Value Income Is Frequently Reinvested at a Discount Can […]
CONSIDER HAVING SOME EXPOSURE TO EMERGING MARKETS STOCKS
CONSIDER HAVING SOME EXPOSURE TO EMERGING MARKETS STOCKS Actively Managed: Rowe Price Emerging Markets Stock Fund (PRMSX) Passively managed: Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund (VEIEX) Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) Watch the related WEALTHTRACK episode.