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Online Money Management
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Author |
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Karin Price Mueller
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Pages |
320
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Disk |
N/A
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Level |
All Levels
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Published |
01/03/2001
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ISBN |
9780735611115
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ISBN-10 |
0-7356-1111-4
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Price(USD) |
$19.99
To see this book's discounted price, select a reseller below.
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Index
Bold page numbers indicate figure references.
128-bit encryption, 30
12b-1 fees, mutual funds, 122
15-year mortgages, 94
20-year mortgages, 94
30-year mortgages, 94
401(k) plans, 8, 13, 56
401Kafé (www.401kafe.com), 160
borrowing from, as sources of emergency funds, 66
early withdrawal, 159
employer matching, 158–159
maximum contribution limits, 158
Morningstar.com (www.morningstar.com), 160–161
Quicken (www.quicken.com), 160–162
Web sites, 160–162, 261
401Kafé (www.401kafe.com), 8
403(b) plans, 161
Web sites, 261
40-bit encryption, 30
A
A.M. Best (www.ambest.com)
insurance carriers ratings, 208–209
About.com (www.about.com), money style quizzes, 49–50
Access Vanguard (www.vanguard.com), 9
accountants, researching, 19
AccuQuote (www.accuquote.com), 206–207
adjustable-rate mortgages, 94–96
advertisers, Internet privacy and, 24
aggregated data, 25
airline miles, credit cards, 111
alimony income, 54
American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys (www.estateplanforyou.com), 237
American Bar Association (www.abanet.org), 241
American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (www.actect.org), 240
American Express, 14
financial calculators, 45
American Express Financial Advisors, 44
Ameristock (www.ameristock.com), 126
annual fees, 111
mutual funds, 124
annuities, 162–163
AnnuityScout.com (www.annuityscout.com), 168–169
commissions, 167
fixed, 166–167
Insure.com (www.insure.com), 168
maintenance fees, 167
Morningstar.com reports, 168
mortality expenses, 167
operating expenses, 167
surrender charges, 167
variable, 167
AnnuityScout.com (www.annuityscout.com), 168
appraisal fees, 98
asset allocation, 128–130
Web sites, tools, 128–129, 262
assets, 41
ATM cards, 13
ATM fees
Internet banks vs. traditional banks, 70
online banking arrangements, 72
attorneys, researching, 19
authentication, 30–32
services, 30
auto insurance. See car insurance
autos, financing. See car loans
AutoWeb.com (www.autoweb.com), 108–109
B
back-end loads, mutual funds, 124
bad debt, 92
balance transfers, 111
bank fees, 56
Bank of America
comparison shopping, for online banking services, 82
online banking offerings, 75–77
bank statements, 13
banking and credit expenses, 56
banking fees, 64
bankrate.com (www.bankrate.com), 6, 7
certificates of deposit shopping, 135
comparison shopping, for online banking/bill paying services, 82, 88
mutual fund shopping, 135
online banking rating services, 73, 88
bankruptcy, 114, 118
banks, researching, 18
Big Brother, privacy/security issues and, 27–28
bill paying services, 25–26
bill presentment, 81–82, 88
CheckFree Corporation and, 86, 88
comparing with banks, 80
CompuBank (www.compubank.com), 77–79
costs, 82
MSN MoneyCentral (www.moneycentral.com), 84–85
PayMyBills.com (www.paymybills.com), 83, 88
Paytrust.com (www.paytrust.com), 31, 85–86, 88
personal finance software and, 87
questions to ask, 88–89
Quicken.com (www.quicken.com), 86–87
U.S. Postal Service (new.usps.com), 88
Web sites listing, 262–263
WingspanBank.com (www.wingspanbank.com), 79–80
Yahoo! Bill Pay (bills.yahoo.com), 88
bill paying, time required online, 72
bill presentment, 81–83, 88
Bond Market Association (www.investinginbonds.com), 143–144
Bonds
buying online, 143–144
call feature, 121
corporate, 122
coupon rate, 121
face value, 121
Fannie Mae, 122
government agency, 122
high-yield, 122
junk, 122
maturity date, 121
municipal, 121
par value, 121
U.S. government, 121
borrowing, emergency, 66
break-even point, 97
brokerage services, 79–80
budget busters, 64–65
budget categories, 53–47
budget setting, 48
budget worksheets, 62
budget-cutting tips, 64
budgeting, 51–64
cash flow reports, generating, 53
online tools for, 61
personal finance software for, 57–60
Web sites, 264
bulletin boards, 34–36
business use of home, 246
bypass trusts, 233–234
C
call feature, bonds, 121
capital needs analysis, 201
captive agents (insurance), 208
car insurance
car rental coverage, 224
collision/comprehensive coverage, 223
comparison shopping for, 224–225
defensive driving discounts, 224
InsureOne (www.insureone.com), 224–225
liability coverage, 223
medical coverage, 224
QuotesUSA (www.quotesusa.com), 225
terminology, 223–224
towing coverage, 224
uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage, 224
car leases, 104–106
car loan applications, 41
car loans, 14, 103–109
Web sites, 264
CardWeb.com (www.cardweb.com), 113–114
CareGuide (www.careguide.com), 217–218
cash flow, 41
calculators, 47
determining, 45–47
Web sites, 264
cash flow reports, role in budgeting, 53
cash value, insurance, 204
certificates of deposit (CDs), 6, 13, 125
charitable remainder trusts, 234
Charles Schwab, 140
chat rooms, 34–35
CheckFree Corporation, 86, 88
tracking lost investments through, 145–146
CheckFree Web site (www.checkfree.com), 88
Cisco Systems, 35
Citi f/I, 70
Citibank, 70
closing costs, 98, 100
calculator, 98
CNBC.com (www.cnbc.com), tracking investments with, 137
college costs, 178–179
college funding sources
FinAid Web site, 188–189
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), 188
loans, 199–200
scholarships and grants, 191–195
U.S. Department of Education FAFSA Web site (www.fafsa.ed.gov), 188
CollegeNet (www.collegenet.com), 192–193
College Opportunities On-Line (COOL), 178
college planning, 5
401(k) plans, borrowing from, 195
academic grants, 191
alternative investments, 184–187
athletic scholarships, 191
CollegeNet (www.collegenet.com), 192–193
College Savings Plans Network (www.collegesavings.org), 184
costs, 178
education IRAs, 180–182
eStudentLoan (www.estudentloan.com), 190
Fastweb (www.fastweb.com), 192
Federal Family Education Loan Program, 189
FinAid Web site, 188–189
financial aid sources, 187–195
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), 188
FreSch!(www.fresch.org), 193–194
gift aid, 191
gifts, 194–195
home-equity loans, and 190
Hope Scholarship credit, 181
Lifetime Learning Credit, 181
loans, 189–190
Pell Grant, 191
Perkins loans, 190
personal finance software assisting, 186–187
PLUS loans, 190
prepaid tuition plans, 182–183
Quicken 2001 calculators, 186–187
Quicken.com (www.quicken.com), 185
savings plans and, 179–187
scholarship databases, 192
scholarships and grants, 191–195
Section 529 plans, 183–184
similarity to retirement planning, 177
SmartMoney.com (www.smartmoney.com), 185
Stafford loans, 189–190
Subsidized Stafford loans, 190
Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant program, 191
Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, 181
U.S. Department of Education FAFSA Web site (www.fafsa.ed.gov), 188
UGMA and UTMA, 180
Web sites listing, 264–265
William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, 189
college savings accounts, 13
College Savings Plans Network (www.collegesavings.org), 184
commissions
annuities, 167
avoiding, 141
mutual fund, 122
community sites, 10–11
Company Sleuth (www.companysleuth.com), 137–138
comparison shopping, 18–19
auto leasing terms, 104–106
automobile insurance, 223–225
bill paying services, 82
car loans, 103–109
credit cards, 109–114
disability insurance, 214–216
estate planning attorneys, 240–241
health insurance, 210–214
home and property insurance, 219–223
investments, 130–135
life insurance, 206–208
long term care insurance, 216–219
mortgage insurance, 98
mortgages, 93–103
online banking services, 73–74, 82
ratings sites for, 6–7
tax preparers, 257
compounding, retirement projections and, 152
comprehensive sites, 4–6, 86
Web site listing, 265–266
CompuBank (www.compubank.com), 77–79
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, 211
corporate affiliates, 27
corporate bonds, 122
buying online, 143–144
costs
bill paying services, 82, 88
online banking, 73–74, 82, 88
coupon rate, bonds, 121
Crash Course in Wills and Trusts (www.mtpalermo.com), 236
credit bureaus, 29, 93
credit card
account numbers, 23
balances, 56
Credit Card Counseling Services, 116
credit card debt, 16
calculators, 18
credit card statements, 14
credit cards
annual fees, 111
as sources of emergency funds, 66
balance transfers, 111
CardWeb.com (www.cardweb.com), 113–114
comparison shopping, 112–114
debt reduction strategies for, 115
finance charges, 110
Gomez.com (www.gomez.com), 113
interest rates, 6, 110–114
introductory rates, 110
late fees, 110
ratings sites, 19
rewards programs, 111
secured, 116
Web sites, 266
credit checksmortgage loan applications, 103
credit counseling, 116–117
services, 64
Web sites, 266
credit decisions, in online mortgage applications, 103
credit history, 92–93
Credit Info Center (www.creditifocenter.com), 116–117
credit rating, improving, 114–118
credit reports, 27, 93
identity theft issues and, 29
mortgage loan applications, for, 98
credit-shelter trusts, 233
criminal background checks, 32
C-shares, mutual funds, 124
customer support, online banking and bill paying, 88
D
Datek Online (www.datek.com), 30
David Letterman scholarships, 191
debt
good vs. bad, 91–92
ratio, 98
debt consolidation, 116–117
Web sites, 266
debt reduction, 114–118
planners, 59, 115
Deloitte & Touche (www.dtonline.com), 241
tax preparation aids, 247
department store cards, 14
dining out, 64
direct deposit, 72
Direct Marketing Association, 29
disability insurance
comparison shopping for, 216
cost-of-living-adjustments, 215
employer-sponsored coverage, 214
own occ vs. any occ, 215–216
social security coverage, 215
waiting period, 215
Discover Financial Services (www.discovercard.com), 26
discretionary expenses, 52
curtailing, 64
dividends, 121
dollar-cost averaging, 141–142
Dow Jones Industrial Average, 123
down payment, 96
durable power of attorney, 231
dynasty trusts, 235
E
E*TRADE (www.etrade.com). 9
investment fund research through, 134–135
EDGAR database, 131
Education IRAs, 180–182
educational information, 8–9
e-filing taxes, 255–258
electronic banking, 68. See also online banking
electronic payments, companies accepting, 72, 88
E-LOAN (www.eloan.com), 101–102
e-mail, special offers via, 24
emergency borrowing, 66
emergency funds, 60, 64–66
employee hiring techniques, Web security and, 32–33
employer-provided life insurance, 202
employer-sponsored retirement plans, 158–164
encryption, 30
Equifax Consumer Services (www.equifax.com), 29
equity, 94, 100
estate planning attorneys, 228, 236–237, 240–241
estate planning sites
American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys (www.estateplanforyou.com), 237
American Bar Association (www.abanet.org), 241
American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (www.actect.org), 240
Crash Course in Wills and Trusts (www.mtpalermo.com), 236
Deloitte & Touche (www.dtonline.com), 241
EstatePlanningLinks.com (www.estateplanninglinks.com), 236
EstateWeb (www.estateweb.com), 220
FindLaw (www.findlaw.com), 230–231
Layne Rushforth’s Estate Planning Pages (www.rushforth.net), 236–240
’Lectric Law Library (www.lectlaw.com/formb/htm), 239
Legal Information Institute (www.law.cornell.edu), 236
MSN MoneyCentral (www.moneycentral.com), 236–237
National Association of Financial and Estate Planning (www.nafep.com), 240
Nolo Press (www.nolo.com), 237–238
Partnership for Caring (www.partnershipforcaring.org), 238–239
SaveWealth.com (www.savewealth.com), 236
Web sites listing, 266–267
estate planning
bypass trusts, 233
charitable remainder trusts, 234
comparison shopping, attorneys, 240–241
contingent beneficiary, 230
do-it-yourself options, 236–240
durable power of attorney, 231–232
dynasty trusts, 235
emotional issues, 241
estate planning attorneys, 228, 233, 240
estate taxes, 229
executor, 230
generation-skipping trusts, 235
grantor, 230
handwritten wills, 238
holographic wills, 238
irrevocable trusts, 232
life insurance trusts, 234–235
living trusts, 231, 233
living will, 232
medical power of attorney, 232
minimizing taxes, 228–229
primary beneficiary, 230
probate, avoiding, 230–231
professional help for, 228
qualified terminable interest in property trusts, 235
revocable trusts, 232
second marriages and, 235
Social Security Administration notification, 241
terminology, 230
testator, 230
trustee, 230
wills, 229–232
estate taxes, 229
EstatePlanningLinks.com (www.estateplanninglinks.com), 236
EstateWeb (www.estateweb.com), 220
estimated benefits statement
E-Trust authentication service, 30
expense ratios, mutual funds, 124
expenses
categorizing, with Microsoft Money 2001, 254–255
discretionary, 52
fixed vs. variable, 51–52
ongoing, 14
Experian (ww.experian.com), 29
F
face value, bonds, 121
Family Money magazine, retirement savings calculator, 154
family trusts, 233
Fannie Mae bonds, 122
FastWeb (www.fastweb.com), 192
Federal National Mortgage Association bonds, 122
fees, investment, 133
finance charges, 110
FinanCenter.com (www.financecenter.com), 61, 62–63
loan points calculator, 97
mortgage calculators, 95, 100, 103
retirement income calculator, 152–153
tax preparation with, 250
financial aid, college, 41. See also college funding sources
financial calculators, 4, 17–18
401(k), 158–162
asset allocation tools, 128–129
capital needs analysis tools, 201–202
cash flow, 46–47
closing costs, 98
college savings planners, 185–186
debt reduction, 115
estate planning calculators, 229, 236–240
insurance quotes, 206
investment tracking tools, 136–139
life insurance requirements, 201–202
mortgage, 95, 100, 103
net worth, 44–45
retirement expenses, 150, 170–175
retirement income, 152–153, 154
risk tolerance quizzes, 125–126
Roth IRA, 164–166
tax preparation, 243, 248, 250–252
financial documents, shredding, 28–29
financial news sites, 4, 19
financial planners, researching, 19
financial planning process, 12–17
financial products, ratings for, 19
financial professionals, researching, 18–19
finding lost investments, 144–147
MissingMoney.com (www.missingmoney.com), 145–146
National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) (www.unclaimed.org), 145–146
Stock Search International (www.stocksearchintl.com), 144–145
Web sites listing, 267
FindLaw (www.findlaw.com), 230–231
First Data Corporation, 84
First USA Bank, 79–80
fixed
annuities, 167
expenses, 51–52
fixed-rate mortgages, 94–96
fraud protection, 81, 89
FreSch! (www.fresch.org), 193–194
front-end loads, mutual funds, 123
G
gas cards, 14
generation-skipping trusts, 235
gift aid, 191
gifts, as sources of college tuition, 194–195
goal setting, 12, 15–16
Gomez.com (www.gomez.com)
credit card comparison, 113
online banking rating services, 73–74, 89
online brokers listings, 140
good debt,91–92
government agency bonds, 122
H
H&R Block (www.hrblock.com), 248
hackers, 23, 30–31, 33
handwritten wills, 238
Healthcare Directive, 232
Healthcare Proxy, 232
health insurance
COBRA coverage, 211
comparison shopping, 212–214
deductibles, 56, 210
Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), 211
indemnity plans, 212
InsWeb (www.insweb.com), 212–213
lifetime caps, 211
pre-existing conditions, 210
Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs), 211
QuickQuote (www.quickquote.com), 213–214
terminology, 210–212
Health Insurance Association of America, 216
Hewlett-Packard, 133–134
high-yield bonds, 122
holographic wills, 238
home banking, 68. See also online banking
home equity lines of credit
as sources of emergency funds, 66
financing autos with, 106
vs. student loans, 190
home insurance
comparison shopping for, 221–223
discount strategies, 221
inflation adjustment, 220
InsWeb (www.insweb.com), 221–222
liability coverage, 220
mortgage insurance, 223
personal property coverage, 220
Quicken Insurance (www.quicken.com/insurance), 221
ReliaQuote.com (www.reliaquote.com), 221–222
renters insurance, 220
replacement cost, 219–220
riders and floaters, 220
umbrella policies, 220
Hope Scholarship Credit, 181
housing ratio, 98
I
identity theft, 28–29
iLeads.com (www.ileads.com), 219
Independent Insurance Agents of America, 207–208
index funds, 122
indices, stock market, 123
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), 8, 13
MSN MoneyCentral calculator, 165–166
rollovers from pension plans, 155–156
Roth IRA calculator, 165–166
Roth IRAs, 164–165
SEP-IRAs, 164
SIMPLE IRAs, 164
SmartMoney.com IRA Corner (www.smartmoney.com/retirement/ira/), 165
Tax Information Headquarters Web site (www.irahelp.com), 165
Web sites, 268
inflation, affecting retirement income, 152
information gathering, 12–15
insurance carriers, researching, 18
insurance planning, 4, 14
car insurance, 223–225
comparison shopping for, 206–208
disability insurance, 214–216
health insurance, 210–214
home insurance, 219–223
importance of, 199
investigating carriers, 208–210
life insurance, 200–210
long term care insurance, 216–219
permanent insurance, 204–206
term insurance, 203–204
Web sites, 268–269
insurance types
automobile, 223–225
disability, 214–216
health, 210–214
home and property, 219–223
life, 200–210
long term care, 216–219
mortgage, 96
Insure.com (www.insure.com), 168, 202
InsureOne (www.insureone.com), 224–225
InsWeb (www.insweb.com), 212–213, 221–222
interest rates, 6
balance transfers, 111
bankrate.com (www.bankrate.com) comparisons, 73
bonds, 121
car loans, 104–109
comparison shopping, 18–19
credit cards, 109–114
gomez.com (www.Gomez.com) comparisons, 73–74
mortgages, 93–103
traditional vs. Internet-only banks, 70–71
Internet
as financial management resource, 4
comprehensive sites, 4, 86
Internet banks, 68–70
CompuBank (www.compubank.com), 77–79
ratings services for, 73–74
WingspanBank.com (www.wingspanbank.com), 79–80
introductory rates, credit cards, 110
Intuit Quicken, 12
bill paying services, 86–88
calculating net worth with, 42
college planning tools, 185–186
investing basics, 9
investing, 4
advantages of online, 119
Quicken.com (www.quicken.com), 86–88
investment accounts, linked to mutual funds, 204–206
investment articles online, 136
investment commissions, avoiding, 141
investment objectives, mutual funds, 122
investment reports, 13
investment research, 9
Web sites, 269
investment sites
EDGAR database, 131
Morningstar.com (www.morningstar.com), 133–134
Motley Fool (www.fool.com), 4, 5
MSN MoneyCentral (www.moneycentral.com), 134–135
Multex Investor (www.multexinvestor.com), 133–134
Securities and Exchange Commission (www.sec.gov), 130–131
Vanguard Group (www.vanguard.com), 134
Yahoo! Finance investment information, 132
investment tracking sites
CNBC.com (www.cnbc.com), 137
Company Sleuth (www.companysleuth.com), 137–138
Morningstar.com (www.morningstar.com), 139
Savingsbonds.gov (www.savingsbonds.gov), 138–139
SmartMoney.com (www.smartmoney.com), 136
investment types
bonds, 121–122
certificates of deposit, 125
money market mutual funds, 124
mutual funds, 122–124
stocks, 120–121
investments
buying online, 140–144
college planning and, 184–187
lost, 144–147
online asset allocation tools, 128–130
researching, 130–135
tax-advantaged, 157–169
tax-deferred, 157–158
tax-free, 157–158
tracking, 136–139
types of, 120–125
iOwn (www.iown.com), 103
IRS Web site (www.irs.gov), 245–246
iVillage.com (www.ivillage.com), 47
money style quiz, 49
J
junk bonds, 122
K
Keogh plans, 163
Kiplinger.com (www.kiplinger.com)
Kiplinger’s magazine, 10, 19
stock supermarkets ratings, 142
L
late fees, 110
bill paying service errors, 85
late payments, 114
Layne Rushforth’s Estate Planning Pages (www.rushforth.net), 236–240
leasing, vs. buying, 104–106
’Lectric Law Library (www.lectlaw.com/formb/htm), 239
legal bills, 14
Legal Information Institute (www.law.cornell.edu), 236
level loads, mutual funds, 124
liabilities, 41
liability coverage for accidents, 220
life insurance
A.M. Best ratings (www.ambest.com), 208–209
AccuQuote (www.acuquote.com), 206
capital needs analysis, 201
cash value, 204
comparison shopping for, 206–208
determining optimum amounts, 200–203
employer-provided, 202
Fitch ratings, 208–210
Independent Insurance Agents of America (www.independentagent.com), 207–208
insure.com (www.insure.com), 202
investigating carriers, 208–210
investment accounts linked to, 204–206
MSN MoneyCentral (www.moneycentral.com), 201
Quotesmith.com (www.quotesmith.com), 207
Standard & Poors ratings, 208–210
term insurance, 203–204
trusts, 234–235
uninsurable conditions, 209
universal life insurance, 204–206
variable life insurance, 204–206
whole life insurance, 204–206
Lifetime Learning Credit, 181
living will, 232
loads, mutual funds, 122
loans. See also listing by type
car, 103–109
mortgage, 93–103
long term care insurance
activities of daily living definitions, 217
Alzheimers’ patients and, 217
CareGuide (www.careguide.com), 217–218
comparison shopping for, 217–219
coverage limitations, 216
elimination period, 217
home health care, 216–218
iLeads.com (www.ileads.com), 219
Long Term Care Insurance National Advisory Council (www.longtermcareinsurance.org), 218–219
nursing home care, 218
statistical need for, 216
Long Term Care Insurance National Advisory Council (www.longtermcareinsurance.org), 218–219
long-term goals, 14
long-term savings plan, 59
lost investments, 144–147
MissingMoney.com (www.missingmoney.com), 145–146
National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) (www.unclaimed.org), 145–146
Stock Search International (www.stocksearchintl.com), 144–145
Web sites listing, 267
M
maintenance fees, annuities, 167
marriage penalty, estimating, 251
Marshall & Ilsley Corporation, 100
maturity date, bonds, 121
media sites, 10
medical bills, 13–14
Medical Information Bureau (www.mib.com), 209
medical power of attorney, 232
medium-term goals, 14
Merck & Company, 131
message boards, 35
Microsoft Corporation, joint venture with First Data Corporation, 84
Microsoft Money 2001, 12
asset allocation tools, 128–130
budgeting with, 57, 58–60
calculating cash flow with, 46–47
calculating net worth with, 42, 43, 44
tax preparation with, 253–255
MissingMoney.com (www.missingmoney.com), 145–146
money magazines, 19
money management process, 12–17
money management tasks, Web sites assisting with, 8–9
money market accounts, 13
money market mutual funds, 65, 124
researching interest rates using bankrate.com, 135
short-term investment goals and, 124
money style, assessing, 48–51
Web sites, 270
monthly expenses, 54–57
Moolera (www.moolera.com), 125–126
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, 27
Morningstar.com (www.morningstar.com) , 6, 7, 133–134
annuity reports, 168
tracking investments with, 139
mortality expenses, annuities, 167
mortgage
applications, 41
calculators, 95, 100, 103
debt, 16
insurance, 223
services, via Quicken.com (www.quicken.com), 86–88
statements, 14
Mortgagebot.com (www.mortgagebot.com), 100–101
mortgages, 6
adjustable rate, 94–96
advantages over cash payment, 96
analyzing existing, 99–100
as good debt, 92
closing costs, 98, 100
comparison shopping, 93–103
credit decisions, 103
debt ratio, 98
down payment, 96
E-LOAN (www.eloan.com), 101–102
equity, 94, 100
fixed rate, 94–96
housing ratio, 98
interest rate comparisons, 100–103
interest, 94
Internet banks offering, 79–80
iOwn (www.iown.com), 103
Mortgagebot.com (www.mortgagebot.com), 100–101
points, 97, 100
prepaying, 102
principal, 94, 100
reverse, 170
terminology, 94–98
Web sites, 270
Motley Fool (www.fool.com), 4, 5
MSN CarPoint (www.carpoint.msn.com), 104–105
MSN MoneyCentral (www.moneycentral.com), 5, 6, 134–135, 236–237
asset allocation tools, 129
bill paying services, 84–85
retirement expense calculator, 151
Multex Investor (www.multexinvestor.com), 133–134
multiple banks, bill paying services and, 88
municipal bonds, 121
buying online, 143–144
munis. See municipal bonds
mutual fund companies, 9
mutual funds, 6, 56, 122–124
12b-1 fees, 122
actively managed, 122
annual fees, 124
back-end loads, 124
buying online, 142
commissions, 122
C-shares, 124
expense ratios, 124
front-end loads, 123
index fund, 122
investment objectives, 122
level loads, 124
linked to insurance plans, 204–206
loads, 122
money-market, 65, 124
no-load, 125
passively managed, 122
ratings sites, 19
retirement planning and, 169
Web sites, 270–271
N
Nasdaq Composite index, 123
National Association of Financial and Estate Planning (www.nafep.com), 240
National Association of State Treasurers, 184
National Association of Tax Practitioners (www.natptax.com)
National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) (www.unclaimed.org), 145–146
National Center for Education Statistics (www.nces.ed.gov), 178–179
National Foundation for Credit Counseling (www.nfcc.org), 116–117
National Society of Accountants (www.nsacct.org), 257
needs, 52
net worth calculators, online, 44–45
Net Worth tool, Microsoft Money, 43
net worth, 16
calculating, 41–45
Web sites, 271
news articles, 5
Nolo estate planning software, 237–238
Nolo Living Trust Maker, 237–238
Nolo Press (www.nolo.com), 237–238
Nolo WillMaker, 237
no-load mutual funds, 125
rating, 142
O
online banking, 25
adding payees, 77, 79
advantages of, 67–68, 71
Bank of America, 75–76
comparing with bill paying services, 80
CompuBank (www.compubank.com), 77–79
costs, 73–74
costs, 82
disadvantages of, 71–72
downloading transactions to personal finance software, 77
Internet-only banks, with, 69–70
ratings services for, 73–74
setup time, 70
traditional banks, with, 69
using personal finance software for, 70–71
Web sites, 262
WingspanBank.com (www.wingspanbank.com), 79–80
online banks, ratings sites, 19
online bill paying, benefits of, 67–68
online borrowing, mortgages, 93–103
online brokers, researching, 30
Gomez.com (www.gomez.com), 140
Sharebuilder (www.sharebuilder.com), 141
TheStreet.com (www.thestreet.com), 140
Web sites, 263
online financial tools, overview, 18–21
online investing, advantages, 119
online investment purchases, 140–144
online security, checklist for, 36–37
operating expenses, annuities, 167
P
paper losses, 128
par value, bonds, 121
Partnership for Caring (www.partnershipforcaring.org), 238–239
passwords, Web security and, 33
payees
adding, in online banking, 77
limits on number of, 88
PayMyBills.com (www.paymybills.com), 83–84
pay stubs, in financial planning process, 13
Paytrust.com (www.paytrust.com), 31, 85–86
pension income, 54
pension plans
cash-balance plans, 155
Individual Retirement Accounts rollovers, 155–156
pension statements, 13
PeopleFirst.com (www.peoplefirst.com), 106–107
personal finance software, 12, 87
asset allocation tools, 128–130
bill paying services and, 87
budgeting with, 57–60
calculating cash flow with, 46–47
calculating net worth with, 42–44
college planning calculators, 186–187
downloading online banking transactions to, 77
online banking services offered, 68, 70–71
retirement calculators, Microsoft Money 2001, 172–173
tax preparation with, 253–255
personal financial status, evaluating, 16
personal loans, 14
personal property insurance, 220
personal savings, retirement planning and, 169–170
points, 97, 100
portfolio management, 25–26
portfolio tracking. See investment tracking sites
prepaid tuition plans, 182–183
prepaying mortgages, 102
price appreciation, 120–121
principal, mortgage, 94, 100
privacy policies, Web site, 24–28
property taxes, 98
psychological needs, money behaviors and, 51
Q
qualified terminable interest in property trusts (QTIP), 235
Quicken. See Intuit Quicken, Quicken.com
Quicken.com (www.quicken.com)
bill paying services, 86–88
tax preparation aids, 252
Quicken Insurance (www.quicken.com/insurance), 221
QuickQuote (www.quickquote.com), 213–214
Quotesmith.com (www.quotesmith.com), 207
QuotesUSA (www.quotesusa.com), 225
R
Raging Bull (www.ragingbull.com), 35, 36
ratings services
investments, 130–135
life insurance, 208–210
online banking, 73–74
online brokers, 140–142
ratings sites, 6–7, 19
Web sites listing, 272
real estate taxes, 13
Real Life Investing Guide, 125–126
receipts, role in budgeting, 53
recording fees, 98
refinancing, mortgages, 64
ReliaQuote.com (www.reliaquote.com), 221–222
renters insurance, 220
research tools, 18
researching investments, 130–135
retirement calculators, 18, 170–175
retirement lifestyle choices, 150–151
retirement planning, 4, 5
401(k) calculators, 158–162
403(b) plans, 162–163
calculating income needs, 150–155
home equity and, 169–170
income sources, 155–170
Keogh plans, 163
Microsoft Money 2001 calculator, 172–173
online calculators, 151, 170–175
personal savings and, 169–170
projecting income, 153–155
Roth IRA calculator, 165–166
self-employment and, 163–164
SEP-IRAs, 164
SIMPLE IRAs, 164
tax-advantaged investments for, 157–169
retirement planning sites
401Kafé (www.401kafe.com), 160
AnnuityScout.com (www.annuityscout.com), 168
Family Money magazine (www.familymoney.com), 154–155
FinanCenter.com (www.financenter.com), 152–153
Insure.com (www.insure.com), 168
Kiplinger.com (www.kiplinger.com), 170
Morningstar.com (www.morningstar.com), 160–161
MSN MoneyCentral (www.moneycentral.com), 151, 165–166
Quicken (www.quicken.com), 160–162, 163
SmartMoney magazine IRA Corner (www.smartmoney.com/retirement/ira/), 165, 171
Social Security Administration (www.ssa.gov), 156–157
Tax Information Headquarters (www.irahelp.com), 165
U.S. News and World Report (www.usenews.com), 170
Web sites listing, 272
retirement plans, borrowing from, as sources of emergency funds, 66
retirement savings
increasing, 174–175
projecting, 19–20
reverse mortgages, retirement planning and, 170
rewards programs, credit cards, 111
risk tolerance, 48, 125
Web sites, 272
quizzes, 125–126
Roth IRAs, 164–166
Russell 2000 index, 123
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Last Updated: Friday, July 6, 2001 |
