Tagged Questions
3
votes
1answer
75 views
Does buying/selling a stock for a loss count as income?
In 2011 I accidentally bought $1000 worth of stock in a brokerage account and immediately sold it the same day for $985 (a $15 loss). The IRS is now claiming I owe $280 in taxes on $985 of income. Is ...
4
votes
2answers
126 views
Is there an advantage to international stock diversfication?
I'd like to reduce my risk of investing solely in the U.S. stock market compared to the rest of the world. However, my concern is that perhaps the U.S. stock market already has such international ...
1
vote
0answers
27 views
Where can I find quarterly earnings-per-share data for the major U.S. market indices?
Where (on what website) can I find last few years' worth of quarterly earnings-per-share for the Russell 3000? and the Dow?
3
votes
1answer
58 views
Roth or Traditional IRA if getting a dramatic increase in income this year?
So I just learned that it's not too late to fund an IRA for 2012. With a week left and never having done this before, I now get to decide which type I want to open.
Based on my (really vague) ...
3
votes
3answers
68 views
What sort of investment accounts are generally used for short term (not retirement) investing?
If accounts such as Roth IRA and 401(k) are designed for investing towards retirement, what sort of accounts do people generally use for short term investing, say 5-10 years?
Ideally there would be ...
1
vote
2answers
64 views
What are the advantages of an IRA over general investment accounts?
I'm trying to understand the benefits of IRAs. I get that an IRA is an account for retirement in which I keep investments. And I get the difference between Roth and Traditional IRAs (in fact, that's ...
3
votes
1answer
92 views
Why might it be a bad idea to invest 100% of your 401(k) into a stock index fund?
Background: I'm a young 20-something, I won't be retiring for 40+ years, and the expense ratios for the funds offered in my company's 401(k) plan mostly suck.
I understand that one of the reasons an ...
2
votes
1answer
51 views
How to buy stock on the Toronto Stock Exchange?
I have an Ameritrade account and thought I was purchasing a stock that trades on the TSE. However, I was only able to buy a pink sheets stock. I'm not sure of the difference. Would it be possible ...
5
votes
3answers
260 views
How to make a small investment in the stock market? What is the minimum investment required?
I am not rich, so I am talking one to two hundred U.S. dollars per month only. I would like to know whether I can buy stock using that little amount of money, and how to do that if possible?
As an ...
3
votes
4answers
160 views
Where can I find all public companies' information?
Warren Buffett mentions that in his early days he used Moody's Manual, which centralized all public companies's information into a manual, to go through all companies and find interesting ones to ...
1
vote
2answers
120 views
Investments other than CDs?
I have quite a lot of cash on hand, but I'm discouraged that I haven't been able to make my money work for me.
I have no debt and live well within my means.
I have an emergency fund in a savings ...
0
votes
0answers
45 views
Investing in US Markets from India [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How can I trade in U.S stock exchange living in India by choosing the broker in U.S?
I don't reside in US but would like to invest in US markets. If not in specific ...
3
votes
2answers
76 views
Should mainland Chinese invest in the US market?
Forgive my poor financial vocabulary to put this properly. I'm a Chinese in China and for now most of my money (USD earned from US, transferred to China and then exchanged into CNY) are being managed ...
14
votes
1answer
156 views
Is there a benefit to creating a donor advised fund to make charitable donations instead of simply donating to organizations each month?
I'm looking to set up recurring charitable donations to various groups, and I'm considering using a donor-advised fund through Fidelity or Vanguard. General question: Is there a benefit to placing ...
2
votes
3answers
398 views
P2P lending in Maryland?
I'm interested in investment through Prosper or Lending Club, but both are not available in Maryland where I live.
Is there any other alternative that I can invest quite safely?
2
votes
1answer
111 views
Are 401(k) fees based on contribution amounts or total account balance? What's reasonable?
I have a good employer match of a straight 25%. Deposits are made weekly. My balance is roughly $150,000. I have contributed $17,800 YTD, and paid $817 in fees, or 4.6% of my contributions.
Are ...
1
vote
2answers
145 views
I want to invest in a U.S.-based company with unquoted stocks, but I am a foreigner. How to do this?
Other investors and I might invest in a U.S.-based company (in Texas) that needs funding to build the tools they took 20 years to develop. The thing is, if they get funding and can build the real ...
9
votes
1answer
103 views
What are the risks in buying a property from a “Tax Deed” auction?
Recently, I was approached by a friend of my wife's, and she said that she and her husband were making a lot of money bidding on properties that went up for sale in our area, at auctions like this ...
8
votes
2answers
135 views
What should I consider when selecting a broker/advisor to manage my IRA?
I am extremely unhappy with my current IRA manager. I am considering a move to another financial planner.
How can I objectively measure a financial expert?
What subjective things should I consider?
...
2
votes
3answers
307 views
I have $12k in a Chase checking account, but want to start earning interest/saving/investing/etc to make more money. What should I do?
Basically I'm tired of money just sitting there doing nothing. Is it wise to open a savings account with my bank (Chase)? Should I take it elsewhere? Should I get into stocks? Do I even have enough?
...
3
votes
2answers
115 views
How are gains in an IRA taxed vs a Roth IRA?
If I have $10k in an IRA, trade stocks with it until my retirement it accumulates (with no additional contributions) to $100k and withdraw it, how are the $90k gains taxed? How does this differ from a ...
2
votes
3answers
115 views
Are IRAs condusive to short term trading?
Since IRAs are only taxed when you take the money out when you retire, are the normal tax implications of short term trading non-existent? Thereby making it extra beneficial to do your short term ...
0
votes
1answer
65 views
What else besides fees should I consider in rebalancing my fund portfolio's asset allocation?
My portfolio is currently $10k invested in VWNFX. I also have a 401k (contributing about $13k/year) and an emergency fund. But for the purposes of this question I am just talking about my ...
2
votes
3answers
740 views
How can foreign investor (residing outside US) invest in US company stocks?
I am a small individual investor (less than $100K) and would like to invest in US stock market. My invest style is to buy-and-hold a good US's company stocks.
I checked couple discount brokers. All ...
2
votes
2answers
183 views
Are company dividend reinvestment plans (DRIP) limited to US citizens?
Im moving to the states in 5 months but would like to start investing in US companies, namely through dividend reinvestment schemes. Are these limited to US citizens or can I start investing from ...
6
votes
3answers
285 views
Should we invest some of our savings to protect against inflation?
My wife and I are in our early 30s. Our gross combined income is about $125,000/year, and our rent is ~$2,500/month (we live in San Francisco). We have no debt, and we have about $85k saved up in a ...
11
votes
4answers
246 views
How do you balance the risk of having your wealth tied up?
I'm at the point in my financial life we're I'm ready to start investing for retirement in earnest, and I'm planning to invest 15% of my income into retirement accounts, but I hear a lot of stories ...
2
votes
1answer
87 views
Using stable short-term, tax-free municipal bond funds to beat the bank?
I was lately been looking into some investment strategies, and I thought that short-term, all-single state municipal bond funds (which are free from both state and federal taxes), might be a good way ...
3
votes
1answer
235 views
Are Investment Research websites worth their premiums?
There are websites that claim to own formulas that outperform the market. Examples of these websites are - Zacks Investment Research or Investors Business Daily. Each keep a list of equities that they ...
4
votes
1answer
140 views
When you buy mutual funds through a broker, where are the shares held?
This question arises from a previous one regarding managing all one's investments from one screen on a brokerage house's web site, and a recent answer by @Patches regarding segregation of the ...
4
votes
1answer
83 views
Is there a term for people who manage the money of dual citizens?
I'm a dual citizen of the United States and Canada. I'm afraid to invest in anything because the tax treaties and laws between the two countries make everything too complicated for me to follow.
Even ...
3
votes
2answers
180 views
How can I reduce my taxes for 2011
I am looking for options/steps I can take right now to reduce my tax bill for 2011. I am married filing separately ( cannot file jointly, as non resident spouse was working abroad in 2011 and ...
4
votes
2answers
333 views
Legal documents required for managing an investment portfolio among friends?
I am considering setting up a personal kind of hedge fund / stock portfolio among friends.
I am trying to figure out what kind of a legal agreement I should have them sign for investing with me to ...
4
votes
2answers
49 views
Question about Tax Information from a Prospectus
I've been studying the prospectus for a Vanguard Index fund that I'm invested in, and I'm confused as to what percentage and what taxes I will end up paying. When the prospectus's tax information says ...
7
votes
4answers
224 views
Multiple 401K accounts
I had a 401K with a previous employer. When I left, I rolled the account over to ShareBuilder and it's been sitting there ever since. I am not making any contributions to this account.
In the last ...
8
votes
1answer
120 views
Investing strategies for tax-advantaged accounts (401k, IRA) vs regular accounts?
What are some investing strategies to take into account when working with a tax advantaged account such as a 401k/IRA versus a normal non tax advantaged account?
I know a big strategy is to buy and ...
7
votes
1answer
181 views
Opened a Vanguard brokerage account. What do I need to keep track of for next year's taxes?
I know opening the account will not impact me for this tax season, but next year since I opened the brokerage account taxes will be a little different.
What do I need to keep track of while I'm ...
3
votes
1answer
132 views
Do all ETFs fall under the Investment Company Act of 1940?
Do all ETFs fall under the Investment Company Act of 1940? If not, how would a buyer know? Are there legal or financial terms to look for in the prospectus, or will be it spelled out explicitly?
14
votes
4answers
533 views
How do I invest and buy/sell stocks? What does “use a broker” mean?
This is an embarrassingly basic question. I'm a college student and know very, very little about the world of investing and purchasing stocks. I realize that some Googling could find me the answer ...
1
vote
2answers
97 views
What are the fundamental levels that makes a Stock Ideal? (either to sell or buy)
During the analysis of a stock, you analyze a few technical, fundamentals as well as environmental points. For example the PE, or Volume, etc. for technical points and News and rumors for ...
5
votes
3answers
226 views
Do ETF managers charge management fees on top of transaction fees?
I see that ETFs do work very similar to diversification of individual stocks following either an industry or an index. I am thinking of changing my strategy to reduce my cost of investing which at ...
1
vote
1answer
36 views
What are good places to look for information/listings when trying to buy land?
I am looking at purchasing land both as an investment and as a place to live, farm, camp, and retreat in the future.
What are things from an investment standpoint that I should keep an eye on when ...
7
votes
2answers
286 views
When you're really young and have about 2K to start investing $ for retirement, why do some people advise you to go risky?
I've heard people suggest (here and in other forums) that you should be willing to take more risks when you are young. Can someone explain what "risky" options are being referred to?
I only have ...
15
votes
5answers
602 views
Where should my money go next: savings, investments, retirement, or my mortgage?
I am a little unsure where to put my money at this point in my life. I have followed all the basic advice on what to do with your money and now I am at a point where I just don't know what to do ...
11
votes
1answer
172 views
Using a Health Savings Account (HSA) as an investment vehicle: What are the drawbacks?
For next year, my company has started offering an HDHP with an HSA.
With this, they will contribute $500 per year flat, and 50% matching up to $500 (where they will match $250; up to $750 total). I ...
10
votes
3answers
338 views
Own my home, have no debt, and must start taking RMDs on an Inherited IRA. What should I do?
My father passed away and I have a sizable amount of money in an inherited IRA (about 2 times my yearly salary). I don't have any debt to pay off as I already own my home, auto, no credit card debt, ...
33
votes
10answers
3k views
Should you always max out contributions to your 401k?
I am a year out of college, and therefore, i don't have any real retirement/investment plans kicked off.
I was having a discussion with my boss, and he was making a few claims I would like to get ...
10
votes
4answers
254 views
Where is this 10%/year mutual fund, stock market, index?
I've been researching life insurance, and got sucked into whole life policy research, and in every article that says it's a bad investment they assume you can invest the money in some 10%/yr return ...
5
votes
1answer
86 views
What effect would a lower U.S. government credit rating have on TIPS?
TIPS = Treasury Inflation Protected Securities.
Inflation could come quickly if the U.S. starts printing money to pay debt. I'm thinking about investing in these to protect my portfolio.
How does ...
6
votes
4answers
1k views
Why are monthly mortgage pre-payments applied to the back-end of the mortgage?
After having paid several years of 'extra' principal payment on my mortgage, I found that the extra monies were being applied the the 'back-end' of the mortgage instead of the 'front end'.
The ...
