i used to put 15% of my money into a 401k then i dropped it to 10% this year i dropped it to 5%. i think i'll probably be dead years before i can retire. i've had my money in the fidelity low price stock fund and that thing has done very well relative to the market in recent years and in the past. i used to mess around a lot with stocks and even options a few years ago but after getting killed one year i stopped. i would've done well last year though, my co-worker and i had a stock picking contest and i went with apple and google. oh well.

Roth IRA. Anyone who isn't on this train is missing out big time.

Not necessarily. For some folks, (points towards self), a "simple IRA" works better, though the Roth is the best option for most folks.

By the way, kids, as a resource, this guys' website is really good on shit like this (as is his radio show).

Gotta love the chart

Also, 401(k) contributions are tax-deferred until you cash it out.

most people who have qualified pension plans at their work are ineligible for Roth IRA's.

There is really not much difference between traditional IRA's and Roth (assuming tax rates stay the same) – in traditional, you pay no tax when you pay in, whereas with a Roth, the dollars you put in have already been taxed – so the government already has your money and they wouldn’t tax it again.

Yet.

Diversification gents, diversification.

i stopped understanding this thread like 20 posts ago.

ever. tax on these type of investments will probably go away if the conservatives keep winning...along with capital gain tax, the alternative minimum tax, estate tax...

<------despite being a liberal, prays that estate and capital gains taxes will go away....

Clark Howard is the man! Had never heard of him until I moved down here. I believe he's a self made millionaire who just does the show because he enjoys it.

Not only is he good on investment strategies, but scams, consumer ripoffs, legal issues and my favorite-reporting on great airline deals!

Steve

Sorry to tell you Chris, but Estate Tax in its current state will most likely never apply to you.

It got away from you. Much of the info is good, but it's not really dealing with your original issue.

You got to hold on to your threads, son!


Steve

nah, i let go of this puppy a long time ago. I really should be paying attention to this stuff, though. It's a shame i don't care about money enough.

you should invest in a t-shirt.

why do you hate america so much?

That reminds me, I owe you $.

no you do not.

I have my money with AG Edwards. I don't really understand all the jibber jabber he feeds to me when we speak..I basically told him, that as long as my balance is going up consistently, I'm happy....They make thier money based on what they make for me...Although I do think I should be a bit more pro-active.

That mean I don't get a shirt? Just like that, I'm out?

well they're not ready yet. i'm not taking any money until i know that the system works.

Does this mean my PayPal payment didn't go through yesterday? Or is my card not charged till you receive the goods? Or will you use it to get another brick of coke with Bam Morris? Please advise.

and you want me to invest in this dust factory?

everything is fine. less talk more rock.

the estate tax is actually quite fair - people holding property that appreciates in value are not taxed on until they have a realizing event (such as a sale) - if it were not for this tax, this property could escape taxation simply by being passed down to the next generation. whereas people like me who need to sell most of my apreciated assets at some point will get taxed...capital gain tax no less which is quite low these days anyway.