Smart401k Blog

Over the past several months we’ve fielded calls from Smart401k clients concerned about investing in bonds. The main reason: interest rates are at historically low levels and seem to have only one way to go – up. While this concept is generally true, the fact is all bonds are not created equal. First, let’s recap the basics so we can move on to how this fits with a retirement plan strategy: when interest rates go down bond prices typically go up – a seemingly good thing for the bond investor. When interest rates go up the price of bonds will fall.

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In the headlines

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

• BHP continued to face major hurdles in its hostile bid for Potash Corp
• Mortgage fraud is starting to rear its ugly head again
• Dell and HP battled for the right to acquire 3Par
• The Federal Reserve is trying to delay a court-ordered release of documents from the financial crisis

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There have been some major changes to the rules governing credit cards, with the last round taking effect on August 23rd.  These rules were implemented to protect the consumer and it is important that you know how it could affect you.  This is an overview of the major changes that have taken place.

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In the headlines

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

• Dell agreed to buy 3Par for $1.2 billion
• Potash Corp of Saskatchewan found itself on the defensive after a hostile takeover bid from BHP Billiton
• Warren Buffett tipped his investment cards in a recent SEC filing
• BP pledged oil sales in exchange for $5 billion in loans

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I’ve already discussed my plan for teaching my son about money through age 10. This post contains my thoughts about how to approach the most challenging group of children – teenagers.

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My name is Kevin, and I have a fear of snakes.  Even though I know most of them are harmless, I cannot fight the urge to head the other direction as quickly as I can.  I’ve always been somewhat embarrassed by my excessive fear, but it turns out this is fairly common.  Studies suggest that this fear has been conditioned in humans because of the danger snakes posed for our ancestors.  And besides, the manly-man Indiana Jones was also terribly afraid of snakes.

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Since the day I started working in the financial industry, there has been one question that seems to come up more than the rest. I hear it from family, friends, friends of friends and even complete strangers. The question is this: “I haven’t done anything to start saving for retirement, is it too late?” Whether the person asking is 30 or 50, the answer is always the same – NO!!! And if you haven’t already started, it’s more important than ever to get started now.

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I believe that a major cause for the financial problems that many Americans face is directly tied to a lack of money-related education earlier in life. If you set a good example and start educating them early, you will give your children a significant advantage when they begin their lives in the real world.

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In the headlines

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

• BlackBerry maker Research in Motion faced a service shutdown in Saudi Arabia
• Credit card companies may soon face tough competition from mobile carriers
• HSBC announced big profit gains
• Kinross Gold agreed to pay $7.1 billion to acquire the shares of Red Back Mining it didn’t already own

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