Intelligent Speculator

Best Personal Financial Planning and Personal Investment
Articles this Week from Personal Finance Blogs

Carnival of Financial Planning – May 9, 2009
Edition

Welcome to the May 9, 2009 edition of the Carnival
of Financial Planning.

The Carnival of Financial Planning takes a
long-term view of personal
financial planning for individuals and families. We focus on efficient
and sustainable personal financial planning practices that can lead to
lifetime financial security.

This edition
is arranged by subject
heading, so that you can browse efficiently.

Enjoy!

The Skilled
Investor, Editor

Budgeting

The Dough Roller presents Is
Budgeting Keeping You Poor? posted at The Dough Roller,
saying, “Budgeting can be a big help in improving your finances. But if
not done correctly, budgeting can also set you back. Check out these
seven ways budgeting could be making you poor and how to fix them.”

The Smarter Wallet presents Microsoft
Money Software Review: A Look At Money Essentials posted at The Smarter Wallet,
saying, “Thanks!”

Spider5 presents DebtGoal:
How big can a ‘glitch’ be and still be a ‘glitch?’ posted at Prosper Lending
Review, saying, “Is it safe to submit your personal finance
information online? Data breaches at popular sites raise concern.”

Home Life Weekly
presents Wedding
Budget Planner and Calculator Spread Sheet posted at Home Life Weekly,
saying, “Are you planning a wedding on a budget? Then this printable
wedding budget spread sheet will help you keep a close eye on the costs
of your wedding.”

Silicon Valley Blogger presents The
Dave Ramsey Budget: Budgeting Tips For Successful Savers
posted at The
Digerati Life

Pasadena Financial Advisor presents Financial
Planning Reading List posted at Pasadena Financial Advisor,
saying “When I work with clients to develop their customized lifetime
financial and investment plans, they often ask what they should read to
improve their financial literacy. This article provides a list of
recommended reading from among the many hundreds of articles that I
have authored in the past several years.”

Gregory E. Rouse presents How
to Live Under Your Means posted at Frugal-Living-Skills
Blog,
saying, “One of the first principles of self-reliance and frugal living
is the counsel to live under our means and if followed can be a
foundation on which to build the other principles. The problem is that
most people are not sure how to actually do it, they need a specific
plan. To achieve this goal a family or individual can use the 70/30
Rule as their plan.”

Economics

Dorian Wales presents On
Causality and Correlation in Economics posted at The Personal
Financier,
saying, “Causality is perhaps the most fundamental element of empirical
evidence available to economists. However, it is also the source of
many misconceptions due to its elusive nature.”

Curt presents The
Economic Collapse Could Have Been Prevented posted at PennyJobs.com.

Raag Vamdatt presents What are
bonds – Price, Coupon, Yield and more :: RaagVamdatt.com :: Financial
Planning Demystified posted at RaagVamdatt.com,
saying, “What are bonds? What is “face value” and “coupon rate”? What
is the relationship between the price of a bond and its “yield”? This
article explains it all!”

Michael Haltman presents Man,
Is This A Real Bull Market? posted at The Political
and Financial Markets Commentator,
saying, “Why Do I Watch CNBC? I’m not sure, but if you look closely at
CNBC during the day the anchors are all wearing Dallas Cowboys
cheerleading uniforms. Men and women. Now it is my fault for watching
it, as I have the option to change the channel, but I do like the
ticker going across the bottom. Takes me back to my trading days.”

Dorian Wales presents Stress
Tests and Capital Adequacy Explained posted at The Personal
Financier,
saying, “The highly anticipated FED stress test results may very well
serve as fuel for further gains or, more likely in my opinion, as a
sought after excuse for turning the tide (in the short run).”

Estate Planning

Tushar Mathur presents Getting
finances in order posted at Everything
Finance,
saying, “Keeping organized records is a gift to your family and to
yourself. It helps ensure that your wishes are followed, that your
assets are accounted for, and that your money is available to meet your
family’s needs in a timely fashion.”

Financial Planning

Pinyo presents How
To Get A Free Financial Checkup posted at Moolanomy,
saying, “Discussion of using online financial planning software as a
stepping stone before you start working with a financial planner.”

Martin Roth presents Eleven
Two Fund Management – interview with Christian Counseling Services
posted at Christian
Counseling Services,
saying, “Financial planning from a Biblical perspective – an interview
with the president of Georgia-based Eleven Two Fund Management.”

Tushar Mathur presents How
to choose a financial planner posted at Everything
Finance,
saying, “There’s retirement to plan for and college tuition for the
kids. Insurance. Estate planning. And, oh, don’t forget a wedding for
your daughter. If all this sounds familiar, it may be time for you to
start shopping around for a financial planner.”

Financing a Home

Brian McKay presents Refinancing
a Mortgage from an ARM to a Fixed Rate Mortgage posted at MonitorBankRates.com,
saying, “Do you have an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) coming up? Now
would be a good time to lock in a 30 year mortgage or 15 year mortgage
at these historic low mortgage rates. Adjustable rate mortgages are
also low these days but you run the risk of having to refinance again
at a later date when rates might not be as low anymore.”

Alex Fotopoulos presents When
is it Smart to Refinance a Mortgage? posted at My Trader’s
Journal, saying, “Some key points to consider when
refinancing your home.”

Dan Green presents Everything
You Need To Know About The FHA Streamline Refinance (Including How To
Apply For One) posted at The Mortgage Reports,
saying, “As the FHA’s market share increases, first-time FHA borrowers
are getting acquainted with the FHA Streamline Refinance. What they
need to know about it.”

Financing Education

Heidi presents Little
People Wealth: Paying off College with UPromise posted at Little People
Wealth, saying, “A how to guide for setting up and UPromise
to pay off (or save up for) your college loans.”

Finance Tips 101 presents How
To Get An Athletic Scholarship posted at Finance Tips 101.

Investing

Sam presents How
Day Traders Make Money. Day Trading ! Surfer Sam posted at Surfer Sam and Friends,
saying, “.
How Day Traders Make Money
The Ins and Outs of Day Trading Stocks
Successful day trading is a difficult, but rewarding, financial career.
If you can make it work for you, you’ll never have to punch a time
clock again.
What is Day Trading?
Investors buy and hold stocks in their portfolio for months or years at
a time.”

Darwin presents Why
were the Risk-Averse so Heavily Invested in Stocks? posted at
Darwin’s Finance,
saying, “This article questions why people were so heavily invested in
stocks during this recent market downturn and what the implications are
for today’s investor.”

Joe Light presents How
swine flu could impact the markets posted at Invest Wisdom,
saying, “Invest Wisdom is about the market, investing for retirement,
and mutual fund trends. This post uses research from the World Bank to
try to answer two questions: “Have swine flu worries really caused the
market to drop or is that just media speculation?” and “If the swine
flu did become widespread, how would that hurt the market?”"

Praveen presents Two
Stock Ideas posted at My Simple
Trading System, saying, “An analysis of EZCorp
(EZPW) and Hansen Natural (HANS).”

Frank Vertin presents Just
Buy Index Funds Directly posted at No Load Index Funds,
saying, “Buying an S&P 500 index fund through an investment
counselor can substantially increase your initial purchasing costs and
and drive up your annual management expense fees. Unfortunately, the
vast majority of individual investors buy mutual funds and ETFs through
brokers and investment advisers. Rarely do financial advisors recommend
that you buy index funds with low fees. This is because low cost, no
load mutual funds do not pay them as well as loaded, high fee mutual
funds.”.

Zach Scheidt presents Synaptics Staying
Ahead of Expectations posted at ZachStocks,
saying, “Synaptics Incorporated (SYNA) manufactures touchscreen and
touch pad technology used on iPhones and laptop mouse applications. The
company is beating estimates and the stock should offer an exceptional
opportunity.”

Praveen presents Combining
Fundamental and Technical Analysis in Stock Trading posted at

My
Simple Trading System,
saying, “The difference between fundamental and technical
analysis, and how they can be blended into an approach to investing.”

Four Pillars presents Transfer
In Kind posted at ABCs of Investing,
saying, “An explanation of transfering your investments “in kind”.”

Walter Fouse presents 7
Ways to Pick the Best Noload Mutual Funds and ETFs posted at Best Index Funds,
saying, “The vast body of investment research studies show that there
really are better approaches to buying and owning mutual funds and
ETFs. You do not need to frantically chase fund performance.
Performance chasing simply does not work.”

Larry Russell presents 7
Ways to Pick the Best Noload Mutual Funds and ETFs posted
at NoLoad Mutual Funds,
saying, “Taken as a whole, the vast body of investment research studies
show that there really are better approaches to buying and owning
mutual funds and ETFs. You do not need to frantically chase fund
performance. Performance chasing simply does not work.”

Alex Fotopoulos presents SPY
Chart - Premarket posted at Chart Analysis,
saying, “Chart of the large S&P 500 ETF, SPY. Alex analyzes the
SPY
chart using trend lines, moving averages and the Williams %R
indicator.”

Four Pillars presents Asset
Allocation – Include Future Contributions? posted at Quest For Four Pillars,
saying, “Can a small investor ignore asset allocation?”

nickel presents The
Best 529 Plans – 2009 Edition posted at fivecentnickel.com,
saying, “This post contains a rundown of the best 529 plans for your
money. Even though plans are (for the most part) underwritten by
states, you can invest out-of-state, so… Before choosing a plan, do
your homework.”

Jae Jun presents Stock
Investments From Forbes 400 Best Big Companies posted at Old School Value,
saying, “stock investment ideas from Forbes 400 platinum list”

Aussie Investor presents Buying
International Shares posted at Australian
Investing,
saying, “Diversification is one of the cornerstones of a long term
investment strategy. It reduces risk and can improve your overall
returns. This article discusses why buying international shares may be
a good strategy, as well as describing how you can gain exposure to
this often overlooked asset class. Although written from an Australian
investor’s perspective, the principles behind buying stock in overseas
companies are universal.”

Sun presents Index
Mutual Funds Are Still Not Popular, But posted at The Sun’s
Financial Diary.

Zach Scheidt presents IntercontinentalExchange
(ICE) Sharply Higher on Earnings posted at ZachStocks,
saying, “IntercontinentalExchange, Inc. (ICE) reported earnings and
investors bid the stock higher. Futures clearing and Credit Derivatives
Swaps accounted for much of the strength. Management has an excellent
track record with acquisitions.”

The Investor presents Assume
every investment can fail you posted at Monevator.com,
saying, “It’s important to realize that literally every investment can
turn sour when you’re making decisions about your portfolio and
wealth.”

Alex Fotopoulos presents DIA
3 Month Chart – April 29, 2009 posted at Chart Analysis,
saying, “Alex charted the Dow Jones tracking ETF, DIA,
this week and highlights where near term resistance could surface.”

Richard M. Rothschild presents Low
Cost Taxable Bond Mutual Funds posted at Best Bond Index Funds,
saying, “The top 14 low cost taxable US fixed income funds with a
$10,000 or lower initial deposit. Low investment management fees are
very important with fixed income funds. Simply put, if you pay higher
bond mutual fund fees, then these bond management expenses tend just to
be a deadweight loss to you. When you pay more in bond mutual fund
fees, you are just wasting your money.”

Zach Scheidt presents Bankruptcies,
M&A, and Playing Defense posted at ZachStocks,
saying, “A discussion on current economic reports and their effect on
the markets, Bank stress tests as a catalyst for selling, and defensive
strategies to protect your portfolio from losses.”

Dividends4Life presents IBM
Assumes Familiar Leadership Role posted at Dividends Value,
saying, “IBM, once considered the blue-chip technology company, faced a
near-death experience in the early 1990’s when it misjudged the
importance of PCs. IBM has never quite regained it technology
bellwether crown from Microsoft (MSFT) and Intel (INTC), but it has
taken steps to regain its leadership role.”

Alex Fotopoulos presents RSP
Chart – May 7, 2009 posted at Chart Analysis,
saying, “Alex analyzes the RSP chart for the past three
months to attempt to pick an entry point.”

ChristianPF presents Should
I sell my stocks or buy more? posted at Money in the Bible |
Christian Personal Finance Blog, saying, “Is now the time to
be buying more stocks like Buffett says? Or should you just sell them
and cut your losses?”

MoneyNing presents TradeKing
Review posted at Money
Ning, saying, “TradeKing is quickly becoming one of the best
stock brokers out there. Find out why.”

Managing Debt

PabloPabla presents Four
Alternative Methods To Fund Credit Card Repayments posted at Money Insider,
saying, “Use these techniques to track down the money that seems to go
missing within the budget and take advantage of alternative methods
that can be used to find money to repay your debt from credit cards,
loans and other consumer debts.”

KCLau presents Do
You Have a Wedding Debt? posted at KCLau’s Money Tips,
saying, “Most couples want to begin their married life auspiciously and
free from the problems. However, it is not uncommon to hear about
married couples who go into debt just to get married. Article explores
the reasons.”

Khan presents Dealing
With Financial Aid Debt posted at Higher Education and
Career Blog, saying, “There are several ways for the grad to
conquer college debt.”

Miscellaneous

Patrick @ Cash Money Life presents How
to Decide Whether to Be a Stay at Home Mom or Working Mom

posted at Cash Money
Life, saying, “These are some factors to consider when
deciding between being a stay at home mom or returning to the work
force.”

Roshawn Watson presents Hobby
Lobby Raising Minimum Wage to $10 Hourly posted at Watson Inc,
saying, “With the interminable focus on bad financial news that plagues
most media, today it is great hear of companies (such as Walmart and
Hobby Lobby) that are thriving in spite of (possibly because of) the
recent economic turmoil.”

Super Saver presents I
Won’t Follow This Advice #5 posted at My Wealth
Builder, saying, “This approach to frugal living was a bit
too extreme for me.”

Patrick @ Military Money presents 25
Ways to Eat For Free (Really): Get Free Food! posted at Military Finance
Network, saying, “How to get free food and save money while
eating out at restaurants.”

Retirement Planning

FinancialHealthGuy presents More
Important Than Ever: Happy Birthday to the IRA posted at Financial Health Guy,
saying, “This year is the 35th anniversary of the Individual Retirement
Account (United States only, of course). There are several types of IRA
and each has distinct features, requirements, and benefits, which are
outlined alongside a little history of how the IRA was started.”

Brian Reilly presents Zen
and the Art of Creating Competition in Merger and Acquisition Deals

posted at Merger
and Acquisiton Advice, saying, “Getting the best price when
selling your business”

Risk Management and Insurance

FMF presents What
It Means to Be Self-Insured posted at Free Money Finance,
saying, “Details on what it means to be self-insured.”

Jeff Rose presents Buying
Life Insurance: What Kind and How Much? posted at Jeff Rose.

Silicon Valley Blogger presents Lower
Your Car Insurance Rates! How To Cut Insurance Premiums In Half
posted at The
Digerati Life,
saying, “I offer some suggestions and tips for lowering your car
insurance and keeping your car related costs (and budget) to a
minimum.”

MoneyNing presents 20
Different Areas to Think About for a Cheaper Auto Insurance Policy
posted at Money Ning,
saying, “Insurance is something we usually forget, yet we pay quite a
bit for it regularly. If you can spend a few minutes and save big, why
not?”

KCLau presents Bad
Experience of Car Insurance Claim posted at KCLau’s Money Tips,
saying, “a story of bad experience with vehicle insurance claim”

Savings

Raj Patel presents Family
Changes that are Good for the Finances posted at DebtGoal,
saying, “This article presents some strategies for families to save
money in the upcoming summer season.”

MoneyNing presents What
Drives You to Be Frugal posted at Money Ning, saying,
“The reason why I’m frugal is not strictly about necessity. What is the
real reason for you?”

The Skilled Investor presents Most
Individual Investors Are Poor Personal Portfolio Managers | Personal
Investment Management posted at Personal
Investment Manager,
saying, “Investors more easily understand investment costs that are
directly measurable, such as fees deducted on investment statements.
However, many investors ignore or are unaware of the opportunity costs
of their sub-optimal investment behaviors. Opportunity costs are
usually much more difficult to measure directly, but these investment
costs can be even higher than more visible investment fees.”

Taxes

Barb A. Ryan presents Asset
Allocation, Investment Asset Tax Location, and Emergency Cash Management
posted at Independent Financial Planner,
saying As you move your cash, bond, and stock financial assets into
lower cost, more broadly diversified investment mutual funds and/or
ETFs, you should also consider how to locate your investment
asset
allocation with respect to more optimal taxation. This article will
discusses some ideas about where and how to hold your cash assets and
how to make emergency cash available.”

That
concludes this
edition. Submit
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