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Smart401k Blog

401(k)Mistakes – Using Diversification Correctly

March 10th, 2010

In my last common 401(k) pitfalls article I discussed a few advanced distribution strategies.  For this article I thought I would take a step back and discuss a couple things to avoid regarding the diversification of your account.

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A Week in the Rearview – week ending 3/5/10

March 6th, 2010

In the headlines

A look at some of the market movers over the past week:

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Visiting the KC Fed Helped Put Retirement Planning Into Perspective

March 2nd, 2010

Last Friday, I had the opportunity to attend a speech by Alan Barkema at the Kansas City Federal Reserve.  He’s the senior vice president of the Research Division and Director of Research for the KC Fed.  It was a great experience to visit the new(ish) Fed building and hear from a very experienced and very knowledgeable economist.

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A Week in the Rearview – week ending 2/26/10

February 27th, 2010

In the headlines

A look at some of the market movers over the past week:

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Fitting credit cards into your long-term strategy

February 24th, 2010


Credit cards can be your best friend or your worst nightmare. When used appropriately, they provide a convenient and efficient way of making purchases. Whether it’s filling up your gas tank or buying groceries, a credit card can speed up the purchase process and keep you from having to carry around a pile of cash or fumble through a pocket of loose change. They can also help you build a credit score that will be used in determining the rates you’ll pay on loans, like mortgages. Unfortunately, if you spend too much, even the best credit card in the world isn’t going to be able to help.

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A Week in the Rearview – week ending 2/19/10

February 20th, 2010

In the headlines

A look at some of the market movers over the past week:

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401(k) Advice, My Ruined Vacation (Thank You Delta) & Why You Should Care

February 17th, 2010

I had been looking forward to President’s Day weekend for the last couple of months.  It’s a long weekend for Smart401k, and my friends and I had decided to meet up in Park City, UT.  Park City is an awesome mountain to board on and the town has great food and drink.  Needless to say, I was excited to get there when I headed to the airport on Friday.

Unfortunately for me, Delta switched to a smaller plane.   Read the rest of this entry »

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A Week in the Rearview – 2/12/10

February 13th, 2010

In the headlines

A look at some of the market movers over the past week:

  • European leaders promised to not let Greece fall under the weight of its credit crisis
  • The Federal Reserve began outlining its exit strategy for its record credit expansion
  • Former Merrill Lynch chief John Thain is set to take over at CIT
  • SAP shook up its top level management

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A Week in the Rearview – week ending 2/5/10

February 7th, 2010

In the headlines

A look at some of the market movers over the past week:

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Take Charge of Your 403(b) & Avoid Common Investor Mistakes

February 2nd, 2010

If you are an employee of a public school, hospital or other 501(c)(3) organization, then you are most likely eligible to participate in a 403(b). The responsibilities of employers offering a 403(b) plan are much looser than those of 401(k) sponsors. For example, employers offering a 401(k) (or 403(b) with an employer match) have a fiduciary duty to ensure that there is an appropriate mix of investment options offered and that the fees in the plan are reasonable for the services being provided. In contrast, voluntary 403(b) plan sponsors must only provide access to an adequate number of companies for investors to choose from. Adequate in this case, is most commonly defined as a number large enough to ensure that it does not appear that the employer is endorsing one company over another. The relaxed structure means that you as a 403(b) investor have to look out for yourself when it comes to selecting an option with a good mix of investment choices and reasonable fees.  As overwhelming as this may seem, I know that you can do it if you do your homework and seek guidance when needed. Here are a few tips to get you started.

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