Exchange-Traded Funds: In a Class by Themselves
In 2010, the combined assets of the nation's ETFs topped more than $800 billion. ETFs are unique investments that share some similarities with mutual funds but trade like stocks. ETFs have some appealing characteristics, including trading flexibility, potentially lower expense ratios, tax efficiency, and diversification.
Finding a Good Time to Invest
When a prominent stock market index closes above an important threshold, many investors who have been sitting on the sidelines may see it as good time to invest, but they may have missed a significant part of the rally. Waiting for the "right" moment to invest could prove to be a costly and ineffective strategy.
Giving the Gift of Knowledge
A college education is still a good investment. Consider this statistic: The overall unemployment rate reached as high as 9.9% in 2010, but for workers with a bachelor's degree or higher, it did not exceed 5.1%. But a college education can be expensive. There is a tax-advantaged way to accumulate money for a child's or grandchild's education: a Section 529 plan.
Help an Inheritance Help You
When Americans were asked what they would do with a large inheritance, 48% said they would save it; only 8% said they would spend it on things they've always wanted. Could the Great Recession be changing attitudes about money? There are some options to consider for those who expect to receive, or have already received, an inheritance.
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