Investor Junkie » Weekend Reading

Weekend Reading for May 18, 2012

Melissa Batai — Fri, 18 May 2012 09:44:23 +0000

Today, Facebook stock will be available. Will you be buying?

Beyond Facebook going public, news that Facebook’s Eduardo Saverin renounced his citizenship has angered many who speculate he made the move just to duck out of paying taxes. He’ll save over $30 million in taxes, which is certainly a strong incentive.

Facebook IPO: The Magic Number is $41 a Share: WSJ Readers of this blog don’t have to guess how much I would pay for Facebook stock–nothing. Will you be buying Facebook stock?

Mortgage Rates at Record Lows as 30-yr at 3.79%: MarketWatch Just when you think mortgage rates have gone as low as they will go, they drop even further.

Asia’s Lighter Taxes Provide a Lure: WSJ Would you renounce your citizenship to keep millions of your own money by moving to a country that charges a lower tax rate? That may be the reason Facebook’s Eduardo Saverin recently renounced his citizenship.

Senators to Unveil the ‘Ex-Patriot Act’ to Respond to Facebook’s Saverin’s Tax ‘Scheme’: ABC News This really tops it all! Senator Schumer has proposed a bill that would stop individuals who have likely renounced their citizenship for tax gain (such as Saverin) from ever entering the United States again.

Do The Rich Work Harder?: Bad Money Advice Love them or hate them, the rich are a mystery to most people. Perhaps if we took the time to understand them and to see how hard and how much they work, we wouldn’t hate them quite so much.

Weekend Reading for May 11, 2012

Melissa Batai — Fri, 11 May 2012 09:00:40 +0000

President Obama recently met with Robin Roberts of Good Morning America to declare that he believes same-sex marriages should be legal. The motive for his decision to go public? His daughters, who have friends at their school who have same-sex parents.

Regardless of how you personally feel about the issue, Obama’s decision to declare this now is an interesting political move. Perhaps it could help him garner additional votes among the young, whom he appealed to four years ago when he ran for President, but he does run the risk of alienating older voters and conservative voters who are firmly against making same-sex marriages legal.

Here is what I am reading this weekend:

Who Are the One Percent?: Barron’s Most who vilify the top one percent of income earners may be surprised to learn that the majority of them come from middle class backgrounds and created their wealth during their lifetime. In addition, as the public turns against them, they are increasingly safeguarding their money, which is detrimental to the overall economy.

How to Make Money Online: Seth Godin’s Blog Contrary to what you may think, a blog is not like the baseball field in Field of Dreams. If you build it, there is no guarantee they will come. Here is a guide to how to make money online. Hint: it isn’t quick or easy.

Student Loan Bill Fails Senate Test Vote: MarketWatch Student loan interest rates are set to double July 1st, climbing from 3.4% to 6.8% unless Congress steps in, but a vote to stop the increased rate failed in the Senate.

Universal Checkbook: How It Works: Personal Capital Here is a great app for the iPhone. Neat feature!

I Want 8% Guaranteed Return, Too!: CBS Money Watch Are you an employee with a public pension? Here is why you have it so good, and why the rest of us are paying for it.

Weekend Reading for May 4, 2012

Melissa Batai — Fri, 04 May 2012 09:43:32 +0000

This week the New York Times published an article about the strategies Apple uses to keep their tax burden low, in regard to their income. This created a storm of controversy. Yet is it Apple’s fault that they can use tax laws to their benefit? Why should they pay more in taxes than they are legally required to pay?

Here is what I am reading this weekend:

How Apple Sidesteps Billions in Global Taxes: New York Times Here is the original article that spawned several other articles analyzing Apple’s ability to keep their taxes low.

It’s Not Apple’s Responsibility to Pay More Taxes: Tech.pinions The above New York Time’s article showing how little Apple paid in taxes made readers furious. Yet, is it Apple’s fault or the fault of the tax code?

Apple Dodges Billions in Taxes: Business Insider Here is another take on just how Apple (legally) avoids paying what others believe is its fair share of taxes.

The Big Doubt Over Facebook’s IPO: WSJ Do you hear that hiss? I think it is Facebook’s IPO deflating. Here is more of the story.

Do You Have the Courage to Be Wealthy?: Watson Inc Looking for inspiration and encouragement to believe in yourself and your vision? Read this post.

Weekend Reading for April 27, 2012

Melissa Batai — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:44:47 +0000

Newt Gingrich has been quietly chugging along in his effort to become the next Republican candidate, but there is word that he will soon give up his bid. That leads to the next question–who will be Romney’s vice presidential candidate? Many are speculating it will be Marco Rubio, but we will just have to wait and see. Meanwhile, Obama seems to be ramping up his preliminary campaign efforts.

Here is what I am reading this weekend:

Millionaires More Bearish Than Their Advisors: WSJ Millionaires and their financial advisors differ greatly in how optimistic they are about the economy and investing by a surprisingly large gap.

The Rich and the Rest of Us: Consumerism Commentary Is the middle class poor? That is what Dr. Cornel West and Tavis Smiley state in their new book, but is it true?

Student Loan Rate Hike – What You Need to Know: Money The current low student loan interest rate of 3.4% is set to expire this July 1st and revert back to 6.8%. That could cost students who take out the maximum amount of $23k in subsidized loans an additional $5k over the life of the loan.

Facebook’s Growth Slows as IPO Nears: WSJ Facebook’s first quarter earnings show a decline from the final quarter of 2011, demonstrating the pressure the company is experiencing as the IPO date nears.

And finally, for a little humor, no one is reporting all the iPads sold at CVS recently.

Weekend Reading for April 20, 2012

Melissa Batai — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 09:30:54 +0000

Have you heard of the FinCon12? It is a conference for personal finance bloggers. This year it will be held in Denver, Colorado in early September, and I have decided to attend. This will be a great opportunity to meet other finance bloggers face-to-face and to share knowledge with one another.

Here is what I am reading this weekend:

The Real Tax Rates of the Rich: WSJ While the media is fond of using Mitt Romney’s tax rate as proof that the tax code is unfair and the rich should pay more taxes, this report shows that Romney is the anomaly.

Peer-to-Peer Lending Grows Up: Consumer loans Attract Large Investors: Alchemy Magazine Borrowers seek to ease the burden of high credit card interes rates and seek out P2P loans, while investors see greater returns than they can get almost anywhere else. P2P, while not completely without risk, seems like a win-win borrowing/investing opportunity.

Many Americans Save Plenty for Retirement: Smart Money This study suggested that the majority of those who are approaching retriement are ready with nearly $359k saved for retirement. That still doesn’t seem like a lot to me, though.

Taxes: Who Is Really Paying Up?: WSJ Interesting breakdown of who pays what taxes, including 1,470 millionaires who paid no taxes in 2009.

Senate Rejects Buffett Rule – Fighting Stupidity with Logic: Darwin’s Money Great analysis of why the Buffett Rule never made any sense. Thank you for the voice of logic, Darwin’s Money.

Weekend Reading for April 13, 2012

Melissa Batai — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 09:37:50 +0000

In the last few weeks, there has been speculation that N. Korea would launch a long range missile and that George Zimmerman, the man who shot Trayvon Martin, would be charged with murder. Yesterday, both events occurred. Luckily, the North Korean missile seems to have fallen apart and dropped into the ocean. George Zimmerman was charged with second degree murder and waits in prison until his hearing in May.

Here is what I am reading this weekend:

Can You Get Rich by Visualizing Yourself Rich: WSJ Visualization is a powerful tool. People use it to help them fight cancer, and athletes use it to win medals. Some also believe you can use visualization to make yourself rich.

The Obama Rule: WSJ If it wasn’t clear before, it is now. Obama is focused on “fairness” without regard to other factors, as he tries to push the Buffett rule.

Obamacare May Explode the Deficit By More than Anyone Thought: Business Insider As if the deficit wasn’t high enough, we could be facing a staggering deficit once Obamacare goes into full effect.

Best Money Moves in Your 40s and 50s: Money 75% of successful retirees put away a great deal of money in their 40s and 50s. Here are eight ways they did it.

How a High-Earning Couple Got Roth IRAs and You Can Too: Forbes Make too much to contribute to a Roth IRA? Follow these two steps to gain “back door” access to the Roth.

Weekend Reading for April 6, 2012

Melissa Batai — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 09:31:00 +0000

Mitt Romney seems to have the Republican nomination all wrapped up, but Rick Santorum refuses to stop now. We might have a few more weeks before the official nominee can be named, though Romney and Obama already have their sights set on one another.

The National Debt and Federal Budget Deficit Deconstructed: Tony Robbins – YouTube This excellent video provides a good summary of our current national debt dilemma.

Be Careful Who You Turn to For Investing Advice: Forbes Too many people take investment advice from others who are not professionals. Here is a good example why you should not.

Why Starting a Business Is Not That Risky and Costs Less than You Think: Planting Money Seeds Looking to start a business? Take inspiration from Steve. He and his wife launched a business with less than $700 and made a six figure profit the first year!

Tax Freedom Day Arrives on April 17th: Millionaire Corner You’ll have to work until April 17th to meet all of your tax obligations for 2012. See how tax freedom day is computed and when it has arrived in earlier years.

Two Legendary Market Gurus Say It’s All Over For US Treasuries: Business Insider This may be a public television show that I plan to watch. See what Paul McCulley and Bill Miller suggest instead of bonds.

Weekend Reading for March 30, 2012

Melissa Batai — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 09:16:33 +0000

The Supreme Court has begun to hear the case on Obamacare. Does Obamacare violate the Constitution by requiring all U.S. citizens to buy health care or face a financial penalty? This is an important trial, and the decision handed down, which is expected to happen in June, will be groundbreaking.

Here is what I am reading this weekend:

People Are Saying that Obamacare Got Massacred in the Supreme Court Today: Business Insider While Obama’s lawyer seems to be having trouble in court, most people believe the four liberal justices will vote for Obamacare. Can a fifth be swayed?

Student Loan Debt Bubble – Is This Our Next Economic Crisis? Free From Broke One quote in the beginning of this thoughtful post grabbed my attention, “The total amount that Americans owe for education is now more than $1 trillion.” Student loan debt is a crisis waiting to happen.

Credit Card Rewards Get Richer: WSJ Have a great credit score and a large income? Take advantage of the many credit card bonuses being given away in the pursuit of new customers.

Tax Audit Rates of Millionaires Nearly Double: Yahoo! Finance No surprise here. The IRS is focusing more attention on millionaires’ tax returns because that is where the money is.

What Does the Prudent Investor Do Now? WSJ No doubt, the last few years have not been kind to investors and savers. Here, Burton Malkiel offers some suggestions as to where to invest now.

Weekend Reading for March 23, 2012

Melissa Batai — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 09:00:25 +0000

Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, the man who allegedly killed 16 Afghanistan civilians, including 9 children, is expected to be charged with 17 counts of murder today. He was on his fourth tour of duty, and his recent actions beg the question, how many war zone deployments are too many? How should the military handle those who may be too damaged to serve?

Here is what I am reading this weekend:

The Business of Relying on Google: Minyanville 65% of all Internet searches come through Google, meaning Google has the power to make or break online businesses based on the search engine traffic they send to a site. Relying on search engine traffic is risky, as many businesses have recently discovered.

Even as Millionaire Households Climb to 8.6 Million in 2011, 83% of Wealth Investors Say Achieving American Dream Is Getting Hard: Alaska Business Monthly It is not just the lower and middle class who worry about achieving the American Dream. Whether you define the American Dream as owning a home or having plenty for retirement, many wealthy investors also worry it is out of reach.

Reader Story: Re-Evaluating the Rat Race: Get Rich Slowly Joe has been employed for 15 years and makes a six figure income, yet he is thinking of walking away from it all. What do you think?

Top 1% Would See $90,000 Tax Rise, Report Says: WSJ Under Obama’s budget proposal for next year, the top 1% of earners would see a $90,000 tax increase.

Accreditation for Journalists?: Thomas J. Stanley, Ph.D. If journalists continue to make arguments not based on sound statistical principles, maybe it is time to question their political motivation.

Weekend Reading for March 16, 2012

Melissa Batai — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 09:55:36 +0000

The unseasonably warm weather across the country is actually helping the economy thanks in part to more people going out to shop and construction workers who can continue to work during a time when they are normally at a standstill. However, it remains to be seen how much we may need to pay for storm damage due to a tornado season that has started earlier than normal.

Here is what I am reading this weekend:

Ways for Investors to Earn Income Despite Low Rates: USA Today The chronically low interest rates leave investors with just two choices to increase their income, neither of which help the majority of people who are conservative and already responsible with their money.

Obama’s Big Health-Care Reform Is Going to Cost Double What Obama Said: Business Insider Obamacare is projected to cost nearly $2 trillion, or more than double what was originally predicted!

The Spanx Woman Is Worth a Billion?! My Key Takeaways: TechCrunch Don’t dismiss Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx, who is now worth a billion. There are several important lessons entrepreneurs can learn from her success.

Uncle Sam’s Teaser Rate: WSJ The United States government is taking advantage of short-term, low interest loans to finance the federal debt, but that strategy could come back to bite us soon.

Warren Buffett’s NetJets Sued for $366 Million in Unpaid Taxes: Business Insider Oh, the irony. After NetJets tried to sue the government to recoup taxes and penalties paid, the government turned around and sued NetJets.

Weekend Reading for March 9, 2012

Melissa Batai — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 10:34:56 +0000

Production of the Chevy Volt has been suspended for five weeks due to slow sales. Ironically, the announcement came right after the Chevy Volt won the European Car of the Year award. No word yet if the Chevy Volt will be discontinued or if this is just a temporary production break.

Here is what I am reading this weekend:

Our “Let’s Pretend” Economy: Let’s Pretend Student loans Are about Education: Charles Hugh Smith Smith, in an informative post, goes so far as to say that student loans are a form of welfare since so many use them to pay for living expenses.

Will the Increase in Mortgage Rates Last? HSH Financial News Blog We have been living in a time of low interests rates for so long, many have forgotten that mortgage rates do go up and down. How long will the current increase in mortgage rates last?

How to Outsmart Social Security: Smart Money Those who know at what age to take their Social Security benefits as well as understand economic influences can increase the size of their Social Security check significantly. Read the post and find out how.

What’s a Splunk? Part of the Next Wave of Start-ups Going Public: WSJ Call it revenge of the techies. Start-ups that offer technology to businesses are the next businesses set to go public.

Is Inflation Making a Comeback? Money Rates Inflation is modest right now, but with increasing oil prices, that may all change soon.

Weekend Reading for March 2, 2012

Melissa Batai — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 10:48:54 +0000

This winter has been an unusually mild one, which many people have enjoyed. However, the recent outbreak of killer tornadoes in southern Illinois and Tennessee may be just an unfortunate preview of what is to come with a warmer than average spring. Economically, Bank of America seems not to have learned from their $5 fee last fall as it has now been reported that they are quietly testing out new fees for new customers.

Here is what I am reading this weekend:

DEAR PEOPLE WHO THINK APPLE IS GOING TO $1,000 A SHARE: Here’s Why You Might Be Idiots: Business Insider Author Henry Blodget explains how it might be possible for Apple to reach $1 trillion, but several factors have to be in place.

Two Years Ago Steve Jobs Called Warren Buffett and Asked for Investment Advice: Business Insider Even Steve Jobs had to reach out to others for investment advice. He and Buffett should have both taken Buffett’s advice.

Dem Leader Pelosi Blames Wall Street for Spike in Gas Prices: The Hill Here we go again. Wall Street is once again to blame.

I Tried to Open a Lemonade Stand: Fox News If you have budding entrepreneurs, take a look at the hoops John Stossel had to go through to open a lemonade stand.

Buy Gold. . .schlager: Booze Inflation Highest in 20 Years: Zero Hedge Food, gas, rent, now alcoholic are all seeing a rise in prices thanks to inflation.

Weekend Reading for February 24, 2012

Melissa Batai — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 10:49:15 +0000

This week, there was plenty of good economic news with the report that jobless claims are at 351,000, which is a 4 year low and has been going down for the last nine months. In addition, the Dow briefly hit 13,000 and now continues to dance close to that number. The only concern is the price of gas, which continues to rise. In fact, one news reporter’s story went viral when she reported in front of a gas station that increased the price of gas by 10 cents while she was on the air for less than five minutes.

Here is what I am reading this weekend:

Why Obamacare Won’t Hurt Insurance Companies: Reason.com Last week the emphasis was on Catholic organizations complaining that Obama’s health care plan would require them to give out free birth control. Rather than looking at the religious element, people should be looking at the economics behind Obamacare.

Federal Reserve Driven Inflation Hurts Savers: Yahoo! Finance Many of us have lived with this fact for years, but finally the Federal Reserve is admitting that savers are being “victimized for the greater good.”

Less than Meets the Eye at Facebook: The Big Picture Barry Ritholtz has spent some time digging through Facebook’s S1 and discovered the number of active users are grossly overstated, which ties directly to the amount of revenue Facebook may be able to generate.

Own Your Investments, Rent Your Fun: Five Cent Nickel A strong argument here against buying a vacation home or second property. . .

Why Capitalism Isn’t Going Anywhere: Reason.com Allan Meltzer has a new book, Why Capitalism, that explains why capitalism in the United States will remain.

Weekend Reading for February 17, 2012

Melissa Batai — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:11:56 +0000

The news this week has been dominated by Whitney Houston’s death, but beyond that news is the political news that Rick Santorum may be gaining momentum against Mitt Romney while the media continues to speculate that Obama will win the election.

Here is what I am reading this weekend:

Obama’s Budget Is Every Investor’s Worst Nightmare: Wall Street Daily If you are a dividend investor, read this post and exercise your right to make your voice heard or you could be paying quite a bit more in taxes.

Obama’s Budget Proposal Will Drive Fewer Companies to Pay Dividends: World Beta Companies paying dividends are declining, and Obama’s new proposed budget will only help to continue this trend.

The Crash of California’s Top Earners: WSJ From 2007 to 2009, the last year the stats are available, the number of people earning over $500,000 a year dropped by 33%, which helps explain much of California’s current budget crunch.

The Real Reason the Rich Are Moving Cash to the Caymans: Smart Money Contrary to popular belief, the rich aren’t moving their money offshore to save on taxes. There are actually two sound reasons behind the decision.

Bob Ross: Wikipedia Do you remember the old PBS show, The Joy of Painting? Who knew Bob Ross, the host, was growing a $15 million a year business?

Weekend Reading for February 10, 2012

Melissa Batai — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:53:37 +0000

In a surprise turn of events, Rick Santorum swept Minnesota, Missouri and Colorado. It still looks as if Mitt Romney will be the Republican candidate, but now it will be quite some time until that is determined.

Here is what I am reading this weekend:

Majority of Retail Investors Predict Election Victory for Obama but Wary of Market Effect, According to TradeKing Survey: TradeKing Nearly 47% of TradeKing survey respondents feel Obama will win, and many of them say Obama’s reelection will make them more bearish on the market.

Zimbabwe Part II: Adventures in Capitalism This is informative post gives a great explanation of what happened in Zimbabwe.

Is Greed Good?: Wealth Pilgrim We are trained to think that greed is bad, but this post demonstrates why greed is a necessary part of capitalism.

Facebook’s Zuckerberg May Face $2 Billion Tax Bill: CNNMoney While Zuckerberg will get a record windfall when Facebook goes public, he will also be stuck with a record tax bill.

Lonely Entrepreneur – Battling Isolation when You Have a Home Business: Best Rates In While many people dream of working from home, the lack of social stimulation can be a real problem. Here are some ways to combat that drawback.

Weekend Reading for February 3, 2012

Melissa Batai — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:51:32 +0000

You may not know the name Heather Peters, but perhaps you soon will. Peters sued Honda because her hybrid car did not get the 50 mgp it advertised it would get. Surprisingly, the judge awarded her $10,000, the estimated amount she paid in additional gas since buying her car in 2006. Honda is appealing, but they could be looking at future payouts for other Honda owners if Honda loses its appeal.

Here is what I am reading this weekend:

Facebook Is a Miracle of Capitalism: Business Insider Now that Facebook has gone public, many of those who work there will become millionaires, and perhaps try to start their own companies. The ripple down effect will be felt for quite some time.

Well, Now We Know What Facebook’s Worth – And It’s Not $100 Billion: Business Insider Here is how much the social media site that is now used by 1/7th of the world’s population is worth.

Experiment: Buying on a Dip: The Finance Buff How much can you gain by waiting to invest your money for two days? For this writer, $100 and 4 shares.

Peter Schiff Favors Ron Paul, Says Settle for Romney: Yahoo! Finance Schiff favors Romney because he can do less damage to the economy than Newt Gingrich.

Adam Corolla on Occupy Wall Street: The Rich and Poor Are More Similar than You Think: Yahoo! Finance On a lighter note, hope you enjoy Corolla’s take on how the rich and the poor are actually quite similar.

Weekend Reading for January 27, 2012

Melissa Batai — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:05:18 +0000

Mitt Romney continues to be under fire for his high income and how little taxes he pays in comparison to that income. Yet, is it really that terrible that he uses the tax code to his advantage? He may come under even more scrutiny now that Warren Buffet’s secretary was at the State of the Union address to give a face to the “average” salary earner who pays taxes at a higher percentage rate than millionaires like Mitt Romney and Warren Buffet.

Here is what I am reading this weekend:

Warren Buffet’s Secretary Likely Makes Between $200,000 and $500,000 a Year: Forbes Is she such a good example of the “average” taxpayer with income in this range?

Affluent Investment Choices Turn Away from Cash Toward Stocks: Millionaire Corner Surprisingly, non-millionaire investors are more active than millionaire investors.

37 Must Read Posts for Tax Savings: Money Spruce Check out some of the best tax-related posts around the personal finance sphere.

Obama’s “Buffet Rule” Equivalent to Raising Top Marginal Rate on Millionaires to 44%: The Tax Foundation In the State of the Union address, Obama was more specific about his proposed tax increase on the rich. Here is what it would mean.

Fed Holds Interest Rates Unchanged and Sees ‘Exceptionally Low’ Interest Rates Through LATE 2014: Business Insider The title really says it all. Part of the reason is “strains in the global financial markets.”

Weekend Reading, January 20, 2012

Melissa Batai — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:42:29 +0000

Just when it seemed Mitt Romney might sweep the first three primaries, controversy has erupted based on the fact he revealed he just pays taxes at the 15% rate and that he holds off shore accounts. Rick Perry has dropped out and is endorsing Newt Gingrich, dropping the pool to just 4 candidates. South Carolina is set to be an important primary.

Here is what I am reading this weekend:

Top Ten Annoying Brokerage Fees of 2011 (and the brokerages that charged them): SigFig Do you know some brokers charge you when they try to make your account more secure? That is just one of 10 annoying fees many well-known brokers charge.

Computers Are Replacing the Middle Class: Business Insider Many people worry that our jobs are being outsourced to foreign countries, but it may be that computers are used to eliminate middle-class workers.

Obama Administration Said to Reject Keystone XL Oil Pipeline: Yahoo! Finance For a president who is said to be pro-job growth, this move says just the opposite.

Weekend Reading for January 13, 2012

Melissa Batai — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:06:29 +0000

Mitt Romney is on a roll having won both the Iowa and New Hampshire primaries. Many of his competitors are looking at South Carolina to claim their own stake and to halt Romney’s string of wins. In a contest that has had several front runners early on who inevitably dropped out, Romney is looking like the Republican candidate for 2012.

Here is what I am reading this weekend:

Did the Rich Get Rich from Hard Work or “Connections”?: WSJ More Americans think the rich got their money through family rather than hard work. This view is most pronounced among the young.

U.S. Debt Nears 15.194 Trillion Ceiling: WSJ The U.S. debt is precariously close to the limit. Raising the limit is easy, but there are repercussions.

The Problem with a Wealth Tax: WSJ The movement to tax wealth rather than income is gaining popularity. One significant problem: how do you nail down someone’s net worth when the rich themselves have trouble determining their exact net worth?

What We Need from Suze Orman Instead of Another Celebrity-Endorsed Useless Prepaid Debit Card: PT Money Careful analysis of Suze Orman’s new prepaid debit card with this food for thought: “Should Suze Get a Pass Where Kim Kardashian Did Not?”

Apple CEO Tim Cook Didn’t Really Make $378 Million in 2011: CNN Money Tim Cook has a very worthwhile reason to stay with Apple for the next 10 years. . .

Weekend Reading for January 6, 2012

Melissa Batai — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 10:08:43 +0000

This week the Iowa Caucus was held. Some were surprised to see Romney and Santorum in a statistical dead heat with Romney edging out Santorum by 7 votes. Bachman dropped out of the race. Now the candidates travel to New Hampshire, where it remains to be seen if Santorum can keep up the momentum.

Here is what I am reading this weekend:

Fidelity Investments Looking Ready to Offer Exchange-Traded Funds: WSJ Fidelity may soon be the place to go for all of your index ETF investing.

A Family’s Billions, Artfully Sheltered: The New York Times. See how Ronald S. Lauder, son of Estee Lauder, craftily protects his fortune from taxes.

Chart of the Day: Here’s How Every Asset Class Performed in 2011: Business Insider Good chart to see what is currently performing well. Gold is number four.

Record Dividends in 2012 Should Help Consumers: WSJ Dividends were plentiful in 2011, and they are predicted to get even better in 2012, which should help consumers and retirees.

Lending Club: Join Lending Club and get a $300. If you have been on the fence about joining, now might be a good time.

Weekend Reading for December 30, 2011

Melissa Batai — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 10:08:40 +0000

The last week of 2011 brought us North Korean leader Kim Jong Il’s funeral. His son, Kim Jung Un, has taken power. In the United States, Mitt Romney seems to be the latest Republican front runner, but during the past few months, the front runner seems to change every few weeks. No doubt that 2012 will be a year of political interest, both nationally and internationally.

Wait a Second. . .Did Amazon Kindle Fire Sales Totally Blow?: Business Insider While it looks like Amazon Kindle Fire sales were low, there is hope that sales will eventually be on par with iPad.

Millions of Americans Are Realizing They Can Default on Their Mortgages and Live Scot-Free For Years: Business Insider Thanks to backed up foreclosure reviews, many Americans are staying in their homes for a year or more before they face any repercussions for not paying their mortgage.

Doug Kass’s 15 Surprises for 2012: Business Insider Take a glimpse into the world Kass predicts in 2012.

Vanguard Founder John Bogle on Stock Returns: 1 to 2 Percent a Year: My Plan IQ The title says it all; after inflation and fees, among other things, look for 1 to 2% returns.

Zecco Trading: Here is a good deal–stocks trade for just $4.95, plus earn a $100 reward!

Weekend Reading for December 23, 2011

Melissa Batai — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 10:35:39 +0000

After a very public standoff, Congress has approved a two month extension of the payroll tax cut, which makes for a nice Christmas present for millions of Americans. Whether that tax cut can be sustained in 2012 remains to be seen.

Here is what I am reading this weekend:

The Ron Paul Portfolio: WSJ Ron Paul’s portfolio reflects his beliefs. Check out his holdings.

Is Gold a Good or Wise Investment for 2012?: Arbor Asset Allocation Model Portfolio Blog THE question you should ask before buying gold–Is gold an investment or store of value?

Unwelcome First Looms for Gross: WSJ Bill Gross, famous for his bond management, is about to set a record he surely can’t be proud of.

Bernanke’s 30-Year Mortgage a Sign of the Times: Financial Post Ben Bernanke must be confident of his future health as the 58 year old has just refinanced his house for another 30 years.

Lending Club: Join Lending Club and get $300.

Weekend Reading for December 16, 2011

Melissa Batai — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:15:44 +0000

The end of 2011 is only two weeks away, so now is a perfect time to both outline your financial goals for next year and to wrap up your finances for 2011 by reevaluating your investments and preparing to file 2011 taxes. Some recent articles on Investor Junkie that address these topics include, Preparing Your Portfolio for the End of the Year and 5 Steps to Creating a Successful Financial Plan.

Here is what I am reading this weekend:

How To Solve Inequality? A Really Bad Recession: The Wealth Report In the last 30 years, recessions have been the only way to close the inequality gap. Frank asks, “Is inequality a necessary by product of economic growth?”

Americans Say $150,000 a Year Is ‘Rich’: The Wealth Report Clearly the Americans polled do not live in New York City or California.

When The Going Get Tough, The Tough Get Coffee: Inc. I think we have all had days like this and could benefit from Smoliar’s advice.

No New Taxes Before Pension Reform Dumbass Financial Samurai Instead of penalizing the rich further with taxes, why not implement some other strategies as suggested by Financial Samurai. Makes sense.

Official Atlas Shrugged DVD: Atlas Shrugged Part 1 Not that bad of a movie considering the list of no name actors and budget.

Weekend Reading for December 9, 2011

Melissa Batai — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 10:31:46 +0000

After several rounds of accusations of inappropriate conduct and harassment, Herman Cain has bowed out of the presidential race. Now, Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney come to the forefront while Donald Trump has mentioned that he might still be interested in running. The next few months should be interesting for the Republican party as they continue to search for a candidate to pin their hopes to.

Here is what I am reading this weekend:

4 Investments to Avoid Now: Smart Money If you are a bit skittish about the stock market (and most people are), here is a list of four investments to avoid.

MARK CUBAN: Here Is How You Should Be Investing Your Money Right Now: Business Insider Among his recommendations–choose to invest in start ups rather than public companies.

Gold Will Hit $2,000 an Ounce in Early 2012: Purves: Yahoo! Finance According to Purves, hold on to your gold because it is about to set more records.

Report: Inequality Hasn’t Changed in 25 Years: WSJ While inequality may have briefly increased in 2009, this author points out a study that says it hasn’t increased in 25 years and is not currently an excuse to further tax the rich.

Feds: Seattle Welfare Recipient Lives in Million Dollar Home: King5.com A couple who live in a gorgeous 1.2 million dollar house and have traveled to Tel Aviv and Turkey have been the recipients of welfare for over five years! Gotta love the system with serious flaws.

Weekend Reading for December 2, 2011

Melissa Batai — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 10:57:48 +0000

Both Black Friday and Cyber Monday saw record sales. Unfortunately, there was also more violence documented. One man died and shoppers just walked over his body. At another store, a woman brought pepper spray to spray other customers. While the record sales may hint at good things to come for our economy, some shoppers’ conduct doesn’t say much for our personal behavior. Is a deal that important?

Here is what I am reading this weekend:

Is Microsoft Running Out of Time for Tablets?: Yahoo! Finance While 46% of consumers said they wanted a tablet running Windows in the beginning of 2011, that number is now down to 25%. Worse for the company, it doesn’t appear that the product will be on the market until fall of 2012.

Facebook Is Working on a Phone with the Code Name ‘Buffy’: Business Insider Why would Facebook want to create a smart phone? In my opinion, dumb idea!

You Won’t Believe What Hank Paulson Revealed to Hedge Funders Right Before the Height of the Financial Crisis: Business Insider Here is yet another bombshell piece of information about the infamous bailouts.

Investor Junkie » Weekend Reading

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