Smart401k Blog

This post is part of Smart401k CEO Scott Holsopple’s contribution to the U.S. News & World Report Smarter Investor blog series. To view the original article, click here. Original post date May 1, 2012.

Investing in 401(k)s may be the most popular way many Americans prepare for retirement. When you’re creating your retirement savings and investing strategy, though, there’s more to consider.

Let me backtrack to March and point you toward a post I wrote about asset class diversification. In fact, diversification can extend far beyond your 401(k) plan. To approach your retirement strategy with a big-picture view of diversification, you’ll want to consider additional categories.

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Note: The following is as of the close of markets on Thursday, May 10.

In the headlines

A look at some of the market movers from the week:

• Election results in France and Greece roiled markets
• JPMorgan took a $2 billion hit from bad trades
• Bank of America will start offering some homeowners principal forgiveness

We follow lots of really good blogs – mostly related to personal finance and economics. The Blog Round-Up allows us to point you in the direction of some great content from the blogging world. Posts* included in today’s round-up are our favorites from the month of April.

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This post is part of Smart401k CEO Scott Holsopple’s contribution to the U.S. News & World Report Smarter Investor blog series. To view the original article, click here. Original post date April 24, 2012.

If you haven’t already, you may soon notice some investing options from a newer asset class in your 401(k) plan.

Real estate investments are gaining popularity as an employer-sponsored plan offering. So where do they fit into a well-diversified retirement investing strategy?

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In the headlines

A look at some of the market movers from the week:

• Hiring in April fell short of expectations
• Eurozone unemployment rose to 10.9% in March
• Spain’s economic troubles were once again front and center
• The reality of a Facebook IPO draws nearer as the company looks to raise nearly $11 billion

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Over the past few years, I’ve had the opportunity to contribute over 30 articles to the Smart401k blog. I’ve written about general topics, like credit cards and investing 101, and more exotic topics, like stock market superstitions and being a billionaire. As great as it is knowing that I have been able to contribute to the financial education of our readers, I think it’s also important to reflect on the lessons our members have taught me over the years.

Below, in no particular order, are the top lessons-learned from Smart401k members.

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This post is part of Smart401k CEO Scott Holsopple’s contribution to the U.S. News & World Report Smarter Investor blog series. To view the original article, click here. Original post date April 17, 2012.

When you’re staring at your 401(k) investments, how do you decide which funds are best for you?

There isn’t one “right” fund lineup for everyone; anyone who tells you one investing portfolio is right for you and everyone else is making sweeping generalizations. And selecting your investments based on a recent hot streak isn’t a good long-term investing strategy.

There’s a better way to decide which funds will work best for you. It will take work if you’re going it alone, but it will be worth it.

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In the headlines

A look at some of the market movers from the week:

• First-quarter U.S. GDP growth was slower than expected
• The Apple freight train kept on rolling after a big earnings beat
• Wal-Mart shares suffered after a report that the company had covered up bribery in Mexico
• The Federal Reserve kept its key interest rate stable and signaled that additional stimulus is unlikely

With the end of April quickly approaching, many of you have already taken part in your own version of spring cleaning. Whether it’s finally reorganizing that garage, getting the yard work done or just freshening up the house, this time of year represents a time of rejuvenation and fresh beginnings. What better time than now to discuss the often-overlooked importance of cleaning and reorganizing your 401(k) investments?

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This post is part of Smart401k CEO Scott Holsopple’s contribution to the U.S. News & World Report Smarter Investor blog series. To view the original article, click here. Original post date April 10, 2012.

You’ve heard of fight or flight, and I know you felt the urge to do one or the other the last time you were truly afraid. But falling victim to this instinct with 401(k) investing could carry long-term consequences.

It’s an instinct carried forward through thousands of years of dangerous living. The idea is that humans, when presented with hazard, will choose to fight or run away. Deciding whether to battle or flee is partly determined by the situation, and it’s partly a function of individual personality.

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