February 2010 Issue

Cover Story

Retire When You Want

Our five-step plan will get you there.

Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine

The most trustworthy source of information available today on savings and investments, taxes, money management, home ownership and many other personal finance topics.

Save 75%
off the cover price.

12 issues only $12
Order Now!

Table of Contents

Ahead

From The Editor

There's nothing like a financial crisis to get families to focus on how much they're paying for big-ticket items such as college expenses.

The Tax Man Cracks Down

Uncle Sam is desperate for cash and taking an especially close look at the biggest fish.

Text Yourself and Save More Money

Text-message reminders can boost your bank account (imho).

Is Your ID Safe?

A new website lets you discover whether you’re a likely target.

The Reluctant Landlords

Homeowners put their white elephants up for rent.

Duffers Score Deals at the Club

Don’t be shy about asking for discounts and other perks.

Money & Ethics

Treat terminated employees with respect, by Knight Kiplinger

My Point of View

Health-care rationing is inevitable, by Knight Kiplinger

Discovering Value

Cribbing from the best, by Whitney Tilson and John Heins

Opening Shot

Spot super stocks, by James K. Glassman

Real Money

It's not all about retirement, by Thomas M. Anderson

Your Mind, Your Money

Don't bet on the past, by Robert Frick

Investing

Make a Buck off a Sagging Dollar

The greenback’s long-term trend is down. We name funds, stocks and gold plays that should benefit.

6 Health-Care Reform Winners

More patients mean more profits. We found companies that will benefit from higher spending on medical care.

How to Make Money on Mergers

Invest with mutual fund pros that specialize in deal stocks.

Going Long

Scoop up dividends, by Jeremy J. Siegel

Cash in Hand

Muni funds' worthy rivals, by Jeffrey R. Kosnett.

Mutual Funds

Fund fees on trail, by Russel Kinnel

How to Take the Market's Pulse

We look at five ways to determine the price-earnings ratio of the Standard & Poor's 500-stock index.

Bigger Berkshire, Trimmer Price

The purchase of Burlington Northern plus a stock split are big deals.

ETFs Go After Hedge Funds

New exchange-traded funds sell short, invest in foreign currencies and engage in other esoteric strategies.

Indian Stocks: Just Warming Up

Booming consumption and entrepreneurial flair are driving the gains.

Kiplinger 25 Update

Our favorite commodity fund clobbers its index.

Money

Retire When You Want

Our five-step plan will get you there.

401(k) Plans: Not Dead Yet

These plans may need some improvement, but they're not ready for the scrapheap.

Retirement iPlan

Use these tips and tools to create your personal retirement plan.

Best Values in Public Colleges

These schools offer an excellent, affordable education.

Maryland on the Fast Track

The school jumped from number 28 in our 2008 rankings to number 8 in 2010 by keeping in-state costs virtually unchanged while improving on quality.

Ask Kim

Kimberly Lankford describes how to compare a mutual fund with a similar ETF.

RMD Rules for Retirees

The tax man forces you to take payouts from your retirement accounts.

Paper Records: What to Toss, What to Keep

You can deep-six most of your documents and go digital with the rest.

Protect Your Valentine Diamond

Insuring your precious jewels should not be forgotten.

Now the GI Bill Is for Families, Too

You can transfer education benefits to your spouse and kids.

FAQs on the New Credit Card Rules

Sweeping changes shift the game in your favor.

These CDs Are Fool’s Gold

Gold-indexed certificates lose a lot of luster when you put them under the microscope.

Understanding the New Overdraft Coverage Rules

New federal regulations make it easier to avoid outrageous overdraft fees.

Living

Fly for Less

We show you how to land a cheap airfare despite fewer flights and outrageous fees.

Unlimited Talk and Text: $25

Combine a prepaid cell plan with a cheap phone for extra savings.

How Not to Get Soaked

Water woes? When to call in a pro, and when not to call your home insurer.

Drive Time

Best apps for autos, by Jessica Anderson

The Lowdown

What you need to know about big box e-tailers, by Thomas M. Anderson

My Story

Take this economy -- please.

Today's Video More Videos >>

Save Money in February

E-mail Alerts: Select the Kiplinger columns and topics to be delivered to your inbox:

Advertisement