Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine back issues from January 2007:
What Lurks in Your E-mail?(Editorial)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: FRED W. FRAILEY Should I prosecute my spam filter? The software that keeps unsolicited mass mailings out of my in-box has criminal intent. It never sees a felonious e-mail that it doesn't endorse and send through for my immediate attention. This month, for their ...
Letters.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
Jan 01, 2007 ... A reader disputes columnist Siegel, while another wishes he'd taken our advice when he signed up for a cash-rebate card. Plus, we explain who is eligible to contest a Medicare Part B premium. THE END IS NEAR Only a fool would believe, as Professor Jeremy Siegel says ...
Clearing the Hurdles in 2007.(Ahead)(trends in the housing sector)(Statistical data)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: ANNE KATES SMITH The one-two punch of high oil prices and lower home prices in 2006 would have sent lesser economies into recession. Not this one. It's moving forward and ready to face the challenges of its sixth year of expansion. The chief concern remains the housing ...
Quick Facts.(Ahead)
Jan 01, 2007 ... 70 PERCENT of small businesses plan to add workers in 2007; 59% expect to raise wages; 44% plan to increase capital spending. SEVEN IN TEN consumers think that now is a good time to buy a car, up from 53% who thought so in May. NEARLY HALF of stocks with ...
www: Care from Afar.(Ahead)(Website overview)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Nearly seven million Americans care for family members who live far away. Caring From a Distance is a nonprofit information clearinghouse ...
No Tax Cut Rollback.(Ahead)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... For the next two years, watch for cooperation in Congress. You'll see no big new tax cuts, but also no rolling back the cuts now in place. There will be no full repeal of the estate tax ....
For Options, Timing is Everything.(Ahead)(Michael Moran of The Goldman Sachs Group Inc.)(Interview)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Michael Moran is a portfolio strategist at Goldman Sachs. He has studied the stocks of companies with acknowledged investigations into the backdating of stock options, a ploy that can boost executives' pay by making it appear options were granted when the company's stock traded at a lower ...
Easy Reading.(Ahead)(eBooks use electronic ink)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: CHRISTINE M. VARNER After years of enduring eyestrain from illuminated displays, fans of eBooks can stop squinting. Electronic ink, or E Ink, has hit the mainstream, and manufacturers are launching affordable portable reading devices that use it. Sony's ...
Do I Have to Report My Fender Bender?(Ahead)(financial management)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: Knight Kiplinger I recently caused a small fender bender. No one was injured, no policeman was summoned, and I readily accepted responsibility. I told the other driver I'd rather pay him directly for the minor damage to his car (less than $500) and not put the claim ...
Miles Take Flight.(Ahead)(frequent-flier programs)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... With about as much notice as an emergency landing, airlines are cutting back the time you're allotted to use your frequent-flier miles. Starting New Year's Eve, Delta SkyMiles will expire in accounts that are inactive for two years--and that goes for the two years prior to that date, as ...
The January Effect.(Ahead)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... January is famous for small-company rallies. But, according to scholarly research, small value-style stocks show the most vigor. You could buy a needle, but why not the haystack? PowerShares ...
Walk-In Critics.(Ahead)(shopping for a house)(Website list)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... When it comes to real estate, one person's backyard "private oasis" is another's "unsightly swamp." Home shoppers are hearing both sides of the story more often as consumer reviews, a staple of online shopping, reach real estate Web sites. ZipRealty, a discount brokerage operating in 20 ...
Sweeten the Deal.(Ahead)(selling a house)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Hector Sanchez is a man with a past he can't shake. Sanchez, 33, wife Alejandra Lopez, 30, and daughter Sara, 1, began a new life last summer in Atlanta, where Sanchez took a job as art director of Atlanta magazine. The young family is eager to buy a house near downtown, but they're still ...
What You Need to Know About Your Dry Cleaner.(Ahead)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: Sean O'Neill 1. Make them come clean. Before you entrust your precious Armani to a dry cleaner's care, ask to see a suit that the shop has recently worked on. Expert cleaners will show you their handiwork, says Steve Boorstein, who dispenses advice at ClothingDoctor.com ....
A Landlord Seeks a Solid Foundation.(Ahead)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: Jeffrey R. Kosnett Chicagoan Yan Searcy exudes entrepreneurial zeal. Yan, who is 37 and single, has invested in a carwash and aspires to own an ice-cream franchise on the city's South Side, where he resides. In 1998, Yan bought a three-flat apartment building, which he ...
Becoming a Better Investor.(Ahead)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: James K. Glassman Warren Buffett noted in 1999 that "success in investing doesn't correlate with IQ, once you're above the level of 25." What you need, he went on to say, "is the temperament to control the urges that get other people into trouble in investing." He's ...
A Late Bloomer's Guide to Saving.(Special Report)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: Mary Beth Franklin Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans," John Lennon wrote. Baby-boomers closing in on retirement with nest eggs that are a few zeroes shy of what they need to live comfortably know all too well what he meant. As the vanguard of the ...
Timeline.(Special Report)
Jan 01, 2007 ... 1947 First issue of Kiplinger Magazine is published. Oldest baby-boomers turn 1. The national debt stands at $257 billion. The Social Security trust fund, created ten years earlier, holds less than $10 billion. Today, the fund holds an estimated ...
Over 40? Say Ouch.(Special Report)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: Jane Bennett Clark You've spent the past few decades running, dunking and pedaling. You planned to spend the next few decades swinging, smashing and pivoting. Retirement? You thought you'd do a little bit of all those things, plus maybe hip-hop lessons and that ...
Life-Changing Legacy.(Special Report)(how to handle inheritances)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: Steven T. Goldberg When Jim Grabski's three teenage children come home from school, Jim is there to greet them. He considers that to be his father's real gift, the result of an inheritance that allowed Jim to quit his high-powered job in technology sales. "Financially, ...
Practice Makes Perfect.(Special Report)(Mary and Steve Garrish-Podnos' change of job)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: Jessica Anderson Mary Garrish-Podnos and her husband, Steve, had it all. Three kids. Flourishing medical practices. A six-figure income. A nice home. But the Merritt Island, Fla., couple were willing to risk their comfortable lifestyle for new careers. Mary, ...
Where to Invest in 2007.(Investing)(Market overview)(Statistical data)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: Andrew Tanzer As 2007 dawns, some shadows have fallen across the U.S. economy. Air is hissing out of the inflated housing market. Growth in corporate earnings is slowing from a sprint to a trot. The Federal Reserve, still worried about rising inflation, is reluctant to ...
The World's Three Best Funds.(Investing)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Let's begin with a conclusion: You probably need to invest more heavily in overseas stocks. Economic growth in the U.S. will lag the world average in 2007. European companies are cutting costs, boosting productivity and selling at more-attractive share prices. Japan has emerged from ...
Wild Cards.(Investing)(US economic conditions)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... With the Dow Jones industrial average regularly hitting record highs in November, investors seem convinced that the economy is in Goldilocks mode--not too hot, not too cold. But before you get too complacent, consider some of the potential economic and political risks to this sanguine ...
Can REITs Keep Going and Going?(Investing)(real estate investment trusts )
Jan 01, 2007 ... Each year from 2000 through 2005, real estate investment trusts (companies that invest in commercial and residential property) delivered market-beating returns. After performing so impressively for so long, it wouldn't have been a huge surprise if REITs took a breather in '06. So how did ...
Stocks to Own in 2007.(Investing)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: Jeffrey R. Kosnett 3M (symbol MMM, $79) A fine third quarter dispelled the gloom over the shares of this fabulously diverse company. The stock had been whacked in July on news of lower-than-hoped-for sales in optical films, which are used in LCD ...
Why Bond Investors are In a Bind.(Investing)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: Katy Marquardt The inverted yield curve is about to throw you a curve. For those of you who aren't bond geeks, an inverted curve means shorter-term bonds yield more than ones with longer maturities. This situation defies common sense--why be paid more to hold bonds for a ...
Gaming the Cycle.(Investing)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: David Landis The U.S. economy has been growing nonstop for more than five years--nowhere near the record of ten years beginning in 1991, but a good, long run. Although we don't expect a recession anytime soon, no economic expansion lasts forever. Since World War II, the ...
What's Next for Home Prices.(Investing)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: Patricia Mertz Esswein If you're a homeowner who pays attention to news reports about the housing market, you should be in a cold sweat. Recent headlines announced the first year-over-year drop in existing home prices in 11 years. A report from Moody's Economy.com ...
Cover your Assets.(Investing)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: David Landis The next time you log in to your online brokerage account, ask yourself: How well do I know this computer? If you're making trades from a public place--say, in an airport, library or hotel lobby--you could be handing vital account information to thieves. ...
A Tale of Two Markets.(Investing)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: JEFFREY R. KOSNETT You could divide 2006's stock market into two parts. Early on, shares of small companies flourished. But starting in mid May, large-company stocks started to outpace their smaller brethren. Many of the blue chips we suggested in "Stocks to Own in 2006" ...
Hedge Fund Team Goes Mainstream.(Investing)(Whitney Tilson and Glenn Tongue's Tilson Focus)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: Andrew Tanzer The hedge fund and mutual fund worlds seem to occupy parallel universes. Hedge funds cater to the wealthy, luxuriate in secrecy and relish risky tactics, such as selling stocks short and employing borrowed money to magnify their bets. Mutual funds are aimed ...
In Praise of Wal-Mart.(Investing)(Column)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: Jeremy J. Siegel Wal-Mart is certainly a company that merits superlatives. It is the world's largest retailer, with more than 4,000 stores in the U.S. and nearly 2,300 abroad. Annual sales exceed $330 billion, a figure larger than the gross domestic product of all but 20 ...
Boring Businesses But a Terrific Yield.(Investing)(Macquarie Infrastructure Group Ltd.)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: Thomas M. Anderson Chilled water courses through miles of underground pipes to cool nearly 100 buildings in downtown Chicago. Those pipes form the largest district cooling system in the world, and Macquarie Infrastructure Co. owns them and the plant that supplies the ...
Looking Abroad for Hidden Gems.(Investing)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: Katy Marquardt Given the spectacular results of small foreign companies over the past few years, instinct may tell you that now isn't the best time to invest in this group. But there is a case for reserving a slice of your portfolio for a diversified mix of these kinds ...
Your Real Total Return.(Investing)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: Katy Marquardt While reading your favorite financial magazine (presumably this one), you note that the hot Russia fund into which you sank $10,000 six months ago gained 35% over the past year. You smugly compliment yourself for your investing brilliance. But a few days ...
Munificent.(Investing)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: ELIZABETH ODY When it comes to bond funds, high yield is virtually synonymous with junk--risky, low-quality debt. It's different, though, with many high-yield, tax-free bond funds, as Northern High Yield Municipal demonstrates. The fund, run by Jane McCart ...
The Kiplinger 25.(Investing)(T. Rowe Price Growth Stock Fund Inc.)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... You can't always judge a fund by the index it competes with. Despite trailing the S&P 500 by three percentage points over the past year, T. Rowe Price Growth Stock deserves credit for a job well done. It has topped 90% of its rivals--funds that invest in large companies with above-average ...
Rankings: Top-Performing Stock Mutual Funds--One Year.(Investing)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... RANKINGS: Top-performing stock mutual funds--one year HOW TO USE THE TABLES: Diversified funds are categorized by the average market value of their holdings. Funds that invest in stocks of all sizes are included in the Midsize category. Investment Style describes the kinds of ...
The Great Annuity Rip-Off.(Your Money)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: Kimberly Lankford Seven years ago, when Alice Bouchard was 85 and needed her money to be easily accessible, an insurance agent sold her a deferred annuity that tied up her money until she was 101. If she had needed to withdraw the money during the first five years after ...
Superstar Drugs Debut as Generics.(Your Money)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: Thomas M. Anderson Designer labels may excite fashionistas and sports-car fanatics, but many consumers are happy to stock their medicine cabinets with less-expensive generic alternatives to brand-name prescription drugs. Value-conscious shoppers will soon be able to pick ...
6 Ways to Get Ahead this Year.(Your Money)(Column)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: Marty Nemko I know, I know. You don't even bother making New Year's resolutions anymore because you always break them. But let me tempt you by offering what I consider to be the six most potent career resolutions. Keep even one without backsliding and your work life will ...
Early Birds Grab the Financial Aid.(Your Money)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: Jane Bennett Clark Like many high school seniors, Lauryn Sherman spent hours gathering information and filling out forms to ensure that she was on top of her college applications. Now it's her parents' turn to pore over paperwork. Helen and Tim Sherman of San Diego will ...
Pack Your Passport.(Your Money)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: AMY ESBENSHADE HEBERT Travel to the U.S. from some of our nearest neighbors is about to become a more formal affair. Starting January 8, air travelers of all nationalities--including Americans--who enter the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, Bermuda ...
The New Kiddie Tax.(Your Money)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: Mary Beth Franklin For many middle-class families, the hoopla about new "kiddie tax" rules--which expand the number of years during which a child's investment income can be taxed at the parent's rate--is much ado about nothing. That's because most custodial accounts, ...
Oops. There Goes Another Loophole.(Your Money)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: MARY BETH FRANKLIN It was too good to last. Over the past few years, many property owners took advantage of a legal strategy known as a private annuity trust, which allowed them to sell highly appreciated real estate to a trust, receive payments over their lifetime and ...
The 31% Credit-Card Trap.(Your Money)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: Kimberly Lankford I recently had two late payments on one of my credit cards. My APR was raised from 15.98% to 31%. How long will this high rate last? Also, the interest rate on another one of my cards increased, too, even though I always paid that bill on time. Can they ...
Credit Cards.(Your Money)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: JOAN GOLDWASSER If reading credit-card documents gives you a headache, you are not alone. A recent GAO study found that materials soliciting new cardholders, and credit-card agreements themselves, are complicated, poorly organized and badly designed. "They have proven ...
Great Things from Big Boxes.(Rewards)(Costco Wholesale Corp.)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: Jane Bennett Clark Renee Tan knew exactly what she wanted in an engagement ring, and she knew exactly where to shop for it. "My dad bought my mom a beautiful princess-cut ring from Costco," says the Culver City, Cal., bride. "So I got it in my head that I wanted a ring ...
The Best of the New Camcorders.(Rewards)(Product/service evaluation)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: Jeff Bertolucci Today's camcorders have the memory of an elephant and the eye of an eagle--and they can even capture the colors of a cockatiel. But as they've grown more sophisticated, the increasing number of features and functions makes it tough to choose one from the ...
Street Smarts for Teen Drivers.(Rewards)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: Mark K. Solheim When I was 15, I took driver's ed so I could drive on my 16th birthday. The high school shop teacher--a humorless fellow with a crew cut and thick-soled black shoes--taught the course. He showed us a lot of filmstrips about teens who took chances and met ...
5 things to Ask About Cashmere.(Rewards)(Buyers guide)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: AMY ESBENSHADE HEBERT 1. Why is cashmere coveted? Run your hand across a fine merino wool sweater. Now, try it with cashmere. There's no comparison. Cashmere is softer, and its featherweight fiber is warmer than wool without adding bulk. The supply of imported cashmere ...
College in Four Years?(My Story)(Interview)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: Sean O'Neill and David Banh David Banh, 19, earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia in one year. How did you manage to graduate in just 12 months? At the science-and-technology magnet high school I attended in Annandale, Va., I took many ...