most recent 30 from http://www.ourluckydime.com 2010-03-11T20:39:37Z http://www.ourluckydime.com/feeds http://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/rdf http://www.ourluckydime.com/questions/146/what-is-the-same-store-sales J. Pablo Fernández 2009-12-30T15:47:25Z 2009-12-30T15:47:25Z

<p>According to Peter Lynch, they are important, but what is the same store sales?</p>

http://www.ourluckydime.com/questions/145/best-tutorial-on-calculating-dcf gyurisc 2009-12-15T11:05:00Z 2009-12-15T11:05:00Z

<p>What is the best online tutorial to learn calculating DCF (Discounted Cash Flow )for a stock?</p>

http://www.ourluckydime.com/questions/143/diversified-portfolio-question SK Shan 2009-10-24T23:25:23Z 2009-10-25T09:44:04Z

<p>Looking at the following diversification strategy for a long term portfolio (25 years from retirement)</p> <p><img src="http://chart.apis.google.com/chart?cht=p3&amp;chco=FF3300,66CC33&amp;chd=t:30,5,15,20,15,15&amp;chs=900x300&amp;chl=Domestic%20Equity%28VTSMX%29%2030%|Emerging%20Equity%28VEIEX,EEM%29%205%|Foreign%20Equity%28EFA,VGTSX%29%2015%|REITS%28VGSIX%29%2020%|Bonds%28VFISX,VFITX,VUSTX%29%2015%|Inflation%20Protected%20Securities%28VIPSX%29%2015%&amp;chtt=Ideal%20Target%20Portfolio" alt="Portfolio" /></p> <p>What do you think?</p>

http://www.ourluckydime.com/questions/93/whats-the-best-low-cost-index-fund-available Brian 2009-10-10T05:25:41Z 2009-10-24T23:14:07Z

<p>We've all heard Warren Buffet's advice that if you're not an active investor, you should dump your money into a low cost index fund, effectively investing in the future of the market rather than of an individual company.</p> <p>So what's the best low-cost index fund available on the market? How about internationally?</p>

http://www.ourluckydime.com/questions/122/how-to-budget-holidays-spendings Sklyarus 2009-10-16T14:56:51Z 2009-10-23T23:32:46Z

<p>Some people start planning since the beginning of the year - setting aside a small amount monthly, some end up spending large sums as the season comes. What are the best strategies that have worked for you?</p>

http://www.ourluckydime.com/questions/97/whats-your-favorite-money-cartoon Dan 2009-10-10T07:15:28Z 2009-10-23T03:47:38Z

<p>Here is one of my favorites:</p> <p><img src="http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/1000%5Ftimes.png" alt="alt text" /></p>

http://www.ourluckydime.com/questions/5/best-place-to-research-investments Stephen Efner 2009-09-23T04:24:15Z 2009-10-22T17:59:35Z

<p>I've been using yahoo finance for ages to research my stocks but I'm wondering if there is something better out there. What are your favorite places?</p>

http://www.ourluckydime.com/questions/134/convert-a-401k-from-my-old-company-to-a-roth-ira Kristina 2009-10-21T22:39:52Z 2009-10-22T17:51:25Z

<p>Why would I want to convert my existing 401K to a Roth IRA? Also today at a company meeting with a financial adviser, he mentioned that new rules go in to effect in 2010 with respect to this conversion so should I wait until then?</p>

http://www.ourluckydime.com/questions/116/saving-for-larger-purchases Kristina 2009-10-14T19:54:42Z 2009-10-22T16:02:30Z

<p>I have a pretty strict budget setup and follow it reasonable closely but I haven't figured the optimal way to save for bigger expenses that don't occur month to month. Right now I juse sweep any left over money into a savings account and then purchase from there but I'd like to have a way to set aside money every month for several dedicated purchases at once and purchase them only when I have saved specifically for them.</p>

http://www.ourluckydime.com/questions/62/why-do-stock-prices-go-down-when-the-jobless-rate-goes-up Dan 2009-10-02T16:26:07Z 2009-10-22T15:39:50Z

<p>With the <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-job-losses-accelerate-to-263000-in-september-2009-10-02" rel="nofollow">recent news about joblessness</a> (is that a word?), it seems like markets sank a bit.</p> <p><strong>Why do stock prices go down when the jobless rate goes up?</strong></p>

http://www.ourluckydime.com/questions/128/should-i-be-picking-my-own-stocks sefner 2009-10-19T05:52:25Z 2009-10-22T15:36:42Z

<p>If I have to ask the question then the answer is probably that I shouldn't be but alas.</p> <p>I've had success over the last couple years picking stocks. The gains from the winners have more than made up for the losers. Whereas the mutuals funds I own are all down. </p> <p>I've read quite a few blog posts and articles deploring amateur investors ability to pick stocks and it's got me thinking I've probably just been lucky. <a href="http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog/a-good-example-of-why-you-shouldnt-try-to-pick-stocks/" rel="nofollow">Here's</a> a recent blog post by Ramit Sethi at iwillteachyoutoberich.com advocating lifecycle funds.</p> <p>What do you think, should amateur investors be picking their own stocks?</p>

http://www.ourluckydime.com/questions/67/visiting-disneyland-on-the-cheap Dan 2009-10-02T21:28:27Z 2009-10-21T22:32:57Z

<p>My family has been talking about going to Disneyland for the past 2 years now, and my wife and I are going to finally save up and do it. </p> <ul> <li>We'll be there a week.</li> <li>We don't live in California - and we'd like to stay in a hotel.</li> <li>We'd like to fly, if possible (but we're about 8 hours away by car and we think this might be reasonable).</li> <li>We're not afraid to cook our own meals, but we'd like to eat out as much as possible (it is a vacation, after all)</li> </ul> <p><strong>What are some ways we can minimize expenses during this trip and maximize our fun?</strong></p>

http://www.ourluckydime.com/questions/23/what-are-the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-a-mortgage-offset-account avm 2009-09-28T09:17:00Z 2009-10-21T22:17:49Z

<p>I have a mortgage offset account with 100% offset. I also have enough money in this account, that I am not paying any interest on the mortgage. I don't want to prepay as there is a pre-payment penalty clause. Also, the amount in the offset account is what I use as an emergency fund and an opportunity fund. </p> <p>I have other investments in bonds and equity, but due to the large mortgage offset, the cash component of my portfolio is quite high and skewing the asset allocation.</p> <p>I wonder if I am really getting the best deal out of the offset account and want to see what other's opinions and experiences are. Even though there is no interest, paying the principal will still take another 6 years to finish off the loan. I am effectively getting a return of 7.5% on the offset amount, while still having it liquid. In comparison, the government bond (tax-free) is 8%, but locked for 5 years.</p>

http://www.ourluckydime.com/questions/110/which-online-broker-should-i-use Klara 2009-10-13T18:28:08Z 2009-10-21T22:17:15Z

<p>Which online broker do you use to buy stock? I've heard of Zecco and was wondering if anyone had any experience with them.</p>

http://www.ourluckydime.com/questions/7/tools-for-organizing-your-financial-accounts sefner 2009-09-23T15:10:31Z 2009-10-21T22:09:32Z

<p>I'm currently using mint.com to keep track of my financial accounts and budget and really like the ease of use, categorization of my purchases and budgeting tools but have never been at ease storing all my bank passwords at one third party site. Do you use mint.com for this or have another way to easily manage your accounts?</p>

http://www.ourluckydime.com/questions/125/how-do-you-beat-the-urge-to-buy-on-impulse Kristina 2009-10-19T05:08:42Z 2009-10-19T18:06:19Z

<p>My new budget has been going well for the most part but I still haven't figured out how to avoid random impulse buying. I guess I buy things sometimes without really thinking about it, do you have any tips?</p>

http://www.ourluckydime.com/questions/120/what-is-a-derivitive sefner 2009-10-15T18:00:31Z 2009-10-16T23:13:45Z

<p>I keep hearing these mentioned all over the news but still haven't been able to get a simple answer as to what they are for.</p>

http://www.ourluckydime.com/questions/112/playing-the-credit-game Kyle Cronin 2009-10-14T16:50:52Z 2009-10-14T22:49:59Z

<p>For the past two years my father helped me establish some credit with a car loan. A month and half ago I applied for another one, transferring the existing loan to my sister. At that time I discovered that my credit score was 721, which qualified me for 5.5% interest on my new loan with a 3-year term at my local credit union.</p> <p>About two weeks ago I decided to also take the opportunity to get a credit card from the credit union at a rate of 7.9%, and I've started to realize that apart from paying/not paying on time, I have very little idea about what affects my credit score and/or my credit limit.</p> <p>I've heard that <em>canceling</em> a credit card, as opposed to <em>letting it expire</em> can be a black mark on your credit report. Is this true? What other pitfalls should I avoid?</p> <p>I'm planning on using my new credit card the same way I've been using my debit card - would a lot of little purchases be better or worse than a few large ones (as most people tend to do)? What sort of usage patters should I avoid?</p>

http://www.ourluckydime.com/questions/108/how-does-investing-in-other-currencies-work MrChrister 2009-10-11T17:10:15Z 2009-10-12T19:21:12Z

<p><a href="http://www.ourluckydime.com/questions/86/if-i-want-to-hold-some-of-my-cash-reserves-in-other-currencies-how-would-i-do-it" rel="nofollow">http://www.ourluckydime.com/questions/86/if-i-want-to-hold-some-of-my-cash-reserves-in-other-currencies-how-would-i-do-it</a></p> <p>How does this work? Where does the profit or loss come from? I have heard of this as a strategy and I keep hearing about the value of a dollar, but the value of a dollar only makes sense to me in terms of what I can buy with it.</p>

http://www.ourluckydime.com/questions/28/simplifying-your-finances sefner 2009-09-28T22:01:02Z 2009-10-11T16:39:12Z

<p>What types of things have you done to simplify your personal finances?</p>

http://www.ourluckydime.com/questions/100/when-is-it-ok-to-allow-foreclosure-on-a-house MrChrister 2009-10-10T20:15:23Z 2009-10-11T12:23:56Z

<p>In summary</p> <ol> <li>The house became an investment when I moved 200 miles to take a much better job</li> <li>The house is $40K upside down in the mortgage</li> <li>I have stable renters, but they only pay 60% of the mortgage.</li> <li>I am not technically in hardship. I am only $100 or so in the red each month</li> <li>My loan is a single 40 year fixed, that is 2 years old</li> <li>I bought the house with an ex-wife and refi'd at the peak of the market into my name only as a favor to the ex. That added $400/month to my budget.</li> <li>My credit is currently very high 750-800 range.</li> <li>I am currently renting, have a 1 year old child and a very stable job</li> </ol> <p>The issue and reason I want to ditch the house is I don't see how I can get my family ahead in life with losing $100/month. What if my car breaks down? What if I have some hospital bills? What if we get robbed or some other thing. There is no padding in the budget.</p> <p>I have been told many times that as an investment house, I am not eligible for any of the bailout consumer assistance programs.</p> <p>My ultimate feeling is that as an investment, this house sucks. I can't get out of it any other way than foreclosure since the market won't buy a house at the value I would need. I don't have any cash to make up the difference and take the loss. The only reason I think I should be paying is the "I-took-the-load-so-I-need-to-pay" rationale, which is becoming less and less ration the deeper into debt I go.</p> <p>I understand my credit will be whacked for a few years. But I can save $800/month without this house and that will allow me to be debt free and actually save some money in short order.</p> <p>Besides any moral issues, what feedback do you have? What am I not thinking of?</p>

http://www.ourluckydime.com/questions/101/does-diversification-also-mean-who-you-have-your-portfolio-with MrChrister 2009-10-11T06:35:10Z 2009-10-11T09:41:43Z

<p>I only have one bank and one investment bank, but I have several accounts among the two institutions. Should I open other accounts as part of a diversification pattern? </p> <p>Is it advantageous to act on the good opening offers that many banks hand out, or just stay with one broker to simplify things?</p>

http://www.ourluckydime.com/questions/61/how-does-the-olympics-benefit-the-host-citys-economy Dan 2009-10-02T16:22:46Z 2009-10-11T06:55:49Z

<p>I've heard a lot of hype lately, with the International Olympic committee deciding on their next city soon. <strong>How does the Olympics benefit the host city's economy?</strong> </p>

http://www.ourluckydime.com/questions/81/steps-to-take-when-buying-a-house sefner 2009-10-06T19:06:39Z 2009-10-10T17:15:36Z

<p>My family and I are in the very early stages of buying a house. I think the first step is to get pre-approved for the mortgage but how do you know the best place for that? What are the steps I should take to ensure I get the most for my money?</p>

http://www.ourluckydime.com/questions/76/what-sorts-of-bonds-if-any-should-i-start-investing-in-now Gaius 2009-10-05T02:45:40Z 2009-10-10T06:59:51Z

<p>I have portfolio that consists mostly of various stock mutual- and index funds, as well as an emergency fund in a money market. I've wanted to start adding some bonds in, but it seems like a particularly inopportune time to do so. Bonds have been rising steadily over the last year, which means that even if I'm not buying at a peak, I'm buying much higher than I might be otherwise.</p> <p>If the added risk-reduction through diversification is worth it, what sorts of bonds? I feel like State- and Federal (I'm in the U.S.) bonds would be <em>more</em> of a diversification than corporate. That still leaves me with short-, medium-, and long-term bond funds, as well as blended funds. Any thoughts or suggestions on where I might read some good advice?</p>

http://www.ourluckydime.com/questions/69/is-there-a-fund-of-green-energy-companies Gaius 2009-10-03T01:12:12Z 2009-10-10T06:53:05Z

<p>I'd love to start investing in green energy, but (a) I don't have the time or inclination to research individual companies, and (b) I'd like to diversify, even within a small niche like green energy. Are there any good funds for green energy?</p>

http://www.ourluckydime.com/questions/71/which-personal-finance-blogs-do-you-follow sefner 2009-10-04T06:35:00Z 2009-10-10T00:05:48Z

<p>I'm interested to know personal finance blogs you follow. </p> <p>(if a blog you follow is already listed upvote it rather than re-listing it so we can see the most popular)</p>

http://www.ourluckydime.com/questions/86/if-i-want-to-hold-some-of-my-cash-reserves-in-other-currencies-how-would-i-do-it sefner 2009-10-08T18:03:50Z 2009-10-09T21:19:08Z

<p>What's the best way to convert some of my cash to other currencies to diversify away from the dollar? Or should I just buy gold?</p>

http://www.ourluckydime.com/questions/84/how-to-decide-on-mutual-funds Sklyarus 2009-10-08T15:44:50Z 2009-10-09T19:56:35Z

<p>I've been taking a look at my retirement account investments recently and realized I have no idea what I should actually be looking for when selecting funds to invest in. I've heard some of the funds charge high fees that should be avoided but I'm not sure what to look for.</p>

http://www.ourluckydime.com/questions/9/best-prepaid-by-paypal-credit-card Isaac Waller 2009-09-25T00:38:06Z 2009-10-09T07:23:08Z

<p>What's the cheapest virtual prepaid credit card that you can buy online electronically, pay with PayPal, and works in many online stores?</p>