Kiplinger's Personal Finance - September 2013

[Pages:2]CONTENTS KIPLINGER'S PERSONAL FINANCE // FOUNDED 1947

VOL. 67 NO. 9

AHEAD

11 Topic A: Why inflation is still a paper tiger . . . Knight Kiplinger on money and ethics. PLUS: September

money calendar.

18 OPENING SHOT

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What not to buy, by

james k. glassman.

21 YOUR MIND AND YOUR MONEY What women want, by anne kates smith.

INVESTING

22 AIM FOR THE BEST TARGET FUND You can put your retirement savings on autopilot. But first be sure to pick the fund that's right for you.

26 WHEN TO DUMP A FUND We offer nine guidelines to help you decide when it's time to bail.

28 FROM CHAMPS TO CHUMPS Investors were burned by these fund managers when their hot hands turned cold. Can you trust them now?

30 U.S. STOCK FUNDS ROCK The best mutual funds in 11 categories for one, three, five and ten years.

36 RANKINGS U.S. stock tables begin on page 36; international and specialized stock tables, page 40.

43 PROMISED LAND Why I'm a cockeyed optimist, by andrew feinberg.

44 PRACTICAL INVESTING Cash isn't just for hoarding, by kathy kristof.

45 CASH IN HAND Don't panic over rates, by jeffrey r. kosnett.

46

MONEY

LIVING

46 CASH IN ON THE HOUSING REBOUND Low rates have created a sweet spot for buyers and sellers. Not moving? You could spruce up with a home-equity loan or line of credit.

55 WHY YOU NEED A ROTH IRA Tax-free income in retirement is only one of its many advantages.

53 RETIREMENT COUNTDOWN Test-drive your budget, by jane

bennett clark.

62 GREAT CITIES THAT HAVE IT

AciLtiLesWweitfhougnododtejnobssm, aaflflotrodmabidlesihzo1em1es

and plenty to do indoors and out.

70 DRIVE TIME How to buy a safe car, by jessica anderson.

71 THE LOWDOWN What you need to know about Twitter, by lisa gerstner.

72 3 SIMPLE STEPS Estimate your Social Security benefits.

54 ASK KIM Why a high deductible on your home insurance could pay off.

58 MORE ABOUT YOUR MONEY ID-theft coverage (58). How to manage money at college (60). Yields and rates (61).

IN EVERY ISSUE

6 FROM THE EDITOR The housing revival is real.

9 LETTERS

ON THE COVER: Photograph by Dan Saelinger

2

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ERIC MILLETTE; NIGEL BUCHANAN; ISTOCKPHOTO/THINKSTOCK

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Fabulous Freebies

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Kiplinger's Economic Outlook Our forecasts for the U.S. economy: GDP, inflation, real estate and more.

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Stock Watch Get all the latest stock picks and market guidance from Kiplinger's investing team.

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5 TOP

MOST POPULAR

1. Cheapest/Most Expensive U.S. Cities links/costofliving

2. Best/Worst Majors for Your Career links/majors

3. State-by-State Guide to Retiree Taxes links/retireetaxmap

4. The Most Overlooked Tax Deductions links/overlooked

5. 12 Red Flags for IRS Auditors links/auditredflags

QUIZ YOURSELF The Car Insurance Quiz

Learn how to make the most of your auto insurance policy.

links/carinsurance

INTERACT

TOOL Find Your Best City

Discover U.S. cities that match your budget and lifestyle.

links/bestcity

ONLINE STORE Retirement Planning 2013

Filled with sound advice and carefully researched investment strategies to assure you of a rich, worry-free retirement, whether your retirement is imminent or many years away. go/retire

MONEY & ETHICS Do you handle your financial dealings in an ethical manner?

Consider these real-life money quandaries to see how your moral compass squares with

Knight Kiplinger's.

links/ethics

KNIGHT KIPLINGER

@KnightKiplinger

ANNUITY MISTAKES Annuities guarantee

lifetime income, but they can be complex and

expensive. Beware these seven mistakes, from

picking the wrong type of payout to jumping at a buyback opportunity.

links/ annuitymistakes

KIMBERLY LANKFORD

askkim@

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FREE ICE CREAM Read our Kip Tips column daily for money-saving scoops--including

where to score treats from your favorite shops throughout the year. links/icecream

CAMERON HUDDLESTON

@CHLebedinsky

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KIPLINGER'S PERSONAL FINANCE 09/2013

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LISE METZGER; THINKSTOCK; PHOTODISK/THINKSTOCK

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