THREAD CLOSED!!! Ask Rande 5000+: USE NEW THREAD
- RhyneN
- Rande
- Rande
- Karin_
- Rande
- Jaybird248
- Rande
- JenL_2
- JenL_2
- Kirk
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» RhyneN - Karin - Estate or Inheritance Taxes
Karin asked:< The Federals levy only estate taxes. Many states levy estate taxes equal to the Federal credit for state taxes, so in these states, estates pay just the amount of the Federal tax, but send a little of the tax to the state government and the rest to the Federals. Historically, many states levied inheritance taxes. These taxes varied in percentage according to who you left your money to. Money left to a spouse was hit the least. Money to your children was taxed a little higher, and money left to more distant relatives was taxed at an even higher rate. As the years have past, many states changed their laws and eliminated their inheritance tax and in its place enacted an estate tax equal to the Federal credit for taxes paid to the state.
-- posted by RhyneN
» Rande - Jack -- What happens Thursday morning that will confirm inflatio
Jack -- What happens Thursday morning that will confirm inflation out of control?Jen -- Thanks for the clickables.
Michael -- Given the option, I'd take the cash value up front in a NY minute. The lottery may be a "tax on the stupid," but I'm not that dumb.
Rhyne -- Righto! No federal tax on reciepient of gift/inheritance, but some states do the nasty on you. Currently, the following states still have some form of inheritance tax (though most exempt spouse and children and there are other limitations and thresholds):
CT
DE
ID
IA
KS
KY
LA
MD
MT
NH
PA
SD
TN
Estate and inheritance taxes -- governments' way of saying, "Thanks for dying."
<img src=http://www.internetcount.com/1867857677.cgif width=5 height=5>
-- posted by Rande
» Rande - As for Jack's Thursday lament, the major economic reports due o
As for Jack's Thursday lament, the major economic reports due out tomorrow are April import prices and retail sales figures. Current consensus expectations are for a -.1% drop in import prices and a +.4% rise in retail sales. PPI comes out on Friday and is expected to drop -.2% overall and be up .1% at the core. CPI next Tue along with FOMC. Not sure where "out of control inflation" is coming from. Fact is, though there are signs of upward pressures, inflation remains relatively well-controlled and the Fed appears more than willing to keep it that way. Greensapn is fully aware of the disinflationary impacts of new technologies and increased productivity, but doesn't enjoy the luxury of patience that long-term investors can afford. This cycle, like all others, will pass -- perhaps more quickly than past history might suggest.For those who didn't experience 1994 or 1990 (or...take your pick prior to the last five years) with significant portfolios (and there are a lot of you), 2000 may be the first chance to test your long-term mettle. As Kirk says, not much fun, but part of the territory. Maintain the asset allocation and continue to DCA if you are still in capital accumulation mode. Periods of market adversity can be a time for ill-advised emotional action, or an opportunity to grow and build character as an investor. Stay the course and keep the faith -- you'll come through the better for it and won't be so easily dismayed the next time the market runs into some temporary headwinds.
<img src=http://www.internetcount.com/1867857677.cgif width=5 height=5>
-- posted by Rande
» Rande - The only ones who might rightly feel desperate are those who mis
The only ones who might rightly feel desperate are those who mistakenly invested money they need in less than five years. In the meantime, DCA mode could mean picking up what might be seen as neat bargains down the road.
<img src=http://www.internetcount.com/1867857677.cgif width=5 height=5>
-- posted by Rande
» Jaybird248 - Nasdaq Deja Vu
Watching the Nasdaq plunge and the talking heads yap about how tech overvaluations have finally blown up, one gets a profound sense of deja vu.Look back to last summer, and the one before: There was the same dropoff, the same arguments for it. All this is nothing new. And again it pays to remember this:
Under all the rhetoric, there are buyers for every tech share dumped. One day in late summer, or early fall, those buyers...who are now knocking down companies like CSCO, despite their superb metrics, will begin to pump the prices up on their accumulated inventory.
Suddenly techs will again be "immune" to interest rate rises; their valuations right in line with the suddenly back in vogue "new paradigm".
We're watching a fashion show, folks. And when wide ties come back in favor, I'm buying them now at bargain prices to have them to sell later.
-- posted by Jaybird248
» Rande - Not sure what Joe B.
Not sure what Joe B. is saying at the moment, but he'll be on CNBC from 7-10 Friday morning if you care. In the meantime, this piece from the Gruntal website is pretty solid advice:Strategies for Portfolio Strength
Focus on Long-Term
Take a Long-Term View - When the financial markets experience a significant upward or downward spike, it tends to make headlines, and everyone seems to want to liquidate their holdings. Remember, your investment strategy should be shaped by your long-term objectives -- and not by short-term market movements.
Think Before You Act - Some investors equate a market drop with an actual dollar loss. However, until you actually sell shares, any drop in share price is a loss on paper only. You don't realize the profit or loss until you actually make the trade. In addition, when you sell shares you may incur capital gains, which must be taxed.
Time in the Market - Your investment time frame will of course vary according to your goals. But if you're investing for more than five years, short-term market fluctuations will have less impact on your portfolio. In fact, the longer you remain invested, the more likely you'll be able to withstand periods of market lows. Some investors try to "time" the market, jumping in and out based on possible market movements. Unfortunately, this usually requires more luck than skill. Historically, staying fully invested in the market -- even through some the worst market lows -- has paid off.
Diversify -- One of the best ways to offset the risk of stock market fluctuations is to diversify. Consider balancing your stock investments with recommended securities within different sectors. This principle of diversification also applies within single asset classes. For example, you can diversify your stock portfolio with international investments, small-cap and large-cap investments.
Invest on a Regular Schedule -- Dollar-cost averaging is a technique that gets rid of investment guesswork. By investing a consistent amount on a regular basis, $100 a month for example, you avoid timing the market. Your $100 will buy more shares when prices are low and less shares when prices are higher. While a program of regular investing does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss in declining markets, it can help build discipline and relieve you from decisions about when to buy shares. Before enrolling in an automatic investment program, you should evaluate your willingness and ability to continue investing through periods of market decline.
<img src=http://www.internetcount.com/1867857677.cgif width=5 height=5>
-- posted by Rande
» JenL_2 - Wilshire 5000
Lisa - Vanguard Index Total Stock Market fund (VTSMX) tracks the W5000. Here's a link for the Wilshire 5000 index...http://www.wilshire.com/indexes/5000.htm
..but I don't see a total list of stocks in the W5000 at that site either....Jen
-- posted by JenL_2
» Kirk - New Ask Rande Thread
Please post all NEW questions to Rande at the new thread. I try to limit the posts to 1000 so I can move or delet posts as required without crashing Netscape and taking a ton of time to transfer all the posts.Please use this URL now
http://www.suite101.com/discussion.cfm/i...
Thanks to Rande for running the most popular discussion topic in ALL OF SUITE101.com! Impressive when you consider we have 1000 topics like this one!
-- posted by Kirk
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