Posted on 12/18/2017 3:52:35 AM PST by Berlin_Freeper
American optimism on the economy is reaching new heights and the President's approval ratings looks to be benefiting, at least somewhat.
The CNBC All-American Economic Survey found that for the first time in at least 11 years, more than half of the public rates the economy as good or excellent, while a near record 41 percent expect the economy to improve in the next year.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnbc.com ...
Trump!
Here’s a thought. When 2018 begins, the amount that Seniors have to take out of 401Ks will be announced. It’s based on the balance in those accounts. With the stock market increases, Seniors are going to have to take more money out of our accounts. That money will mostly be a huge boost to the economy, and it’ll be a much larger amount than in previous years.
It’s going to be a frustrating year having to listen to the left’s constant attacks, but I think this will be the difference in the 2018 mid terms.
Oooh...
Yeah, but...but...”the homeless”
The left goes over the top more and more.
The Roy Moores of the world may lose battles but they will win wars.
Personally I feel the federal government could be a good case for one Hugh RICO indictment listing about 50,000 federal government workers, appointed, direct hires, and elected.
Even they may benefit. A combination of spiritual and economic help is needed. People who are more flush will donate more to missions.
Wait what happens when most everyone realizes their taxes went down not up like press is saying.
Obumer?
Yup, and “women & children hardness hit”.
Saw a statistic that when Reagan’s tax cut bill was passed polls were that only 18 percent favored it as dems pushed the storyline it was a tax cut for the rich. Once passed and in effect favorability in the polls advanced to well above 60 percent and Reagan’s favorability ratings soared. Right now the same skepticism surrounds the tax bill with the same old tax cuts for the rich storyline. If history is any judge Trump has a lot of favorability upside going forward once this thing passes
The money taken out should be reinvested in a different account perhaps in the very same stocks or mutual fund from which it originated.
I don't see it that way. For Seniors, there's no reason to save for more than 20 years in the future. Add to that the stock market has done very well. It seems like a good time to be nudged into profit taking. It seems like a real good time to use that money for home repairs, gifts to love ones, or a vacation or something special for oneself. If not, it can fund an improved daily quality of life. All of that will help local economies.
FWIW, I'm not one for mutual funds. If the managers were so brilliant, they wouldn't be making money for me. They'd be making it for themselves.
A more apt description would be the turd in the punch bowl.
Can you do what good fund managers do? Most people, myself included, cannot. Because I cannot, I'm willing to get behind a good manager, and invest in their product. And trust me, when customers get behind them, they are making money for themselves.
It's not rocket science, nor is it a conflict of interest. Money mangers can make money for themselves, as well as shareholders.
FWIW, I tried mutual funds years ago when I was just being acquainted with the stock market. After fees and the way they were taxed, the results were unimpressive. I don’t make a lot of money in the stock market, but it keeps my mind sharp on analyzing situations and by not being greedy I’m doing as well as a mutual fund that’s open to us little folk does.
I'm not suggesting that every mutual fund is a hit, but most of the ones I've invested in have had far better returns than I could've ever achieved in any other non-equity investment. As your experience went, it was a good introduction to the market...probably taught you a few things, and you learned from it. I've had similar experiences.
You make a good point about fees and taxes. I don't mind paying reasonable operating costs (relative to the style and objective of the fund); I won't pay front- or back-end loads, 12b-1 costs, or commissions to any broker. Were there a mutual fund that produced above-market returns and charged such fees, I might look into it, but it wouldn't be my first choice.
I can't speak to the tax implications; my funds exist primarily in tax-deferred accounts. I think you're going to pay up front, or pay later, regardless of where you invest. I'd rather pay later.
An example of a mutual fund I like and have been in for years is the T. Rowe Price Healthcare fund: PRHSX.
Have you considered exchange-traded funds (ETFs)? I don't have enough time to research individual stocks, so I like the fund approach to reduce risk. ETFs are much more flexible than mutual funds, and usually have significantly lower costs. I would recommend looking into them.
I wouldn't say I'm "greedy," but I do speculate with a small portion of my portfolio. In a market like we're currently in, it's hard to make a bad choice. Of course, 2007-8 was a painful time to be in the market, and required a lot of patience and fortitude to stay the course.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.