Kiplinger’s 2008 Best List

By Sun

It’s November and it’s time for Kiplinger’s Best List.

In the November issue of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, the magazine published its annual list of what it considers the best items related to personal finance, such as best savings account, student loan, retirement tool, and cashback credit card, etc. After going through the entire list, I saw some familiar names from last year’s list. And of course, there are new comers. For example, the magazine chose Schwab Bank’s High Yield Investor Checking as the best checking account for “no minimum and not ATM or other fees” and 2.2% return, which is now down to 1.75% APY. I don’t know that account until I read the magazine, so in my opinion, there are better choice out there, such as last year’s best ING Electric Orange, unless rate is the decisive factor.

The reason I post the entire list here is to share it with you. For your convenience, I also added links and some related information.

Best Financial Service

Tools to Help You Retire

Stocks and Funds

  • Aggressive Fund: CGM Focus (CGMFX, 1.27% ER, 0.15% yield, $2,500 minimum, 12.98% 5-yr return)
  • Online Broker: Fidelity
  • Bear-Market Fund: Grizzly Short (GRZZX, 2.86% ER, 1.35% yield, $10,000 minimum, 4.84% 5-yr return)
  • Low-Minimum Fund: Amana Growth (AMAGX, 1.28% ER, $250 minimum, 8.02% 5-yr return)
  • Stock to Put Away and Forget: Procter & Gamble (PG)
  • Stock Fund to Weather A Turbulent Market: T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation (PRWCX, 0.70% ER, 3.33% yield, $2,500 minimum, 3.25% 5-yr return)
  • Value Fund: Fairholme (FAIRX, 1.00% ER, 0.86% yield, $2,500 minimum, 8.69% 5-yr return)
  • Way to Bet Against Bonds: ProShares Ultrashort Lehman 7-10 Year Treasury (PST,0.95% ER)

Credit Cards

Web Sites

Travel, Cars, Home, Fun

  • Airline: Southwest
  • Frequent-Flier Program: Southwest Rapid Rewards
  • Low-Cost Destination: Panama
  • Used Cars: Compact, Small Wagon and Sedans
  • Hybrid: Honda Civic Hybrid
  • Nonhybrid Fuel Sippers: Honda Fit, Volkswagen Jetta, Chevy Malibult, Mercedes-Benz GL320
  • Low-Cost Drugs: Wal-Mart
  • Solar-Powered Gizmos: Shed Light, Flashlight
  • Computer Security Software: AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition
  • Mail-Order Barbecue: Maurice’s Gourmet BBQ

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Personal finance

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