Download Kiplinger`s Personal Finance - March 2014

CONTENTS
KIPLINGER’S PERSONAL FINANCE // FOUNDED 1947
VOL. 68 NO. 3
AHEAD
13 Topic A: Companies load up on their
own shares . . . Employers make their
401(k) plans more attractive . . . Knight
Kiplinger on money and ethics. PLUS:
March money calendar.
20 SUCCESS STORY Savoring the
fruits of their labor, by PATRICIA
MERTZ ESSWEIN.
22 OPENING SHOT Newspapers:
not dead yet, by JAMES K. GLASSMAN.
INVESTING
26 CASH IN ON THE NEXT BIG
THING These five companies foster
innovation and are converting their
big ideas into investor-friendly profits.
30 HAPPY FIFTH BIRTHDAY,
MR. BULL What we’ve learned since
62
the market began its ascent from hell.
33 FIVE EUROPEAN STOCKS TO
BUY NOW A real recovery is taking
hold on the Continent, and bargains
in stocks abound.
35 PROMISED LAND Swimming
in a cesspool, by ANDREW FEINBERG.
38 PRACTICAL INVESTING My
46 WHEN CAN YOU RETIRE?
Use our guide to help figure out the age
that’s right for you and take the steps
to meet your goal. PLUS: Two profiles
of people who chose diverging paths.
54 HOW TO COMPLAIN To get
LIVING
62 LET’S MAKE A DEAL It’s a car
buyer’s bonanza. Look for a generous
supply of 2014s on dealer lots. Plus,
many models now boast features once
available only on luxury nameplates.
68 2014 BUYER’S GUIDE Our top
picks in 11 categories, including
sedans; small, midsize and large
crossovers; wagons; and minivans.
stocks are like family, by KATHY
KRISTOF.
the desired outcome, it pays to stay
focused, be persistent and keep your
cool. PLUS: A day in small-claims court.
40 CASH IN HAND Investors give
Bernanke an A, by JEFFREY R.
KOSNETT.
58 FAST FIXES FOR MONEY
MISHAPS Solutions for ten common
missteps—because accidents happen.
need to know about streaming audio,
by JEFF BERTOLUCCI.
36 MORE ABOUT INVESTING
53 GAME PLAN Appealing your
80 3 SIMPLE STEPS Safeguard
property taxes, by SANDRA BLOCK .
your bling.
Pimco’s annus horribilis (36). How to
read an annual report (41). News of the
Kiplinger 25 (42). Fund rankings (43).
AMANDA FRIEDMAN
MONEY/COVER
60 ASK KIM How to buy an umbrella
liability policy.
ON THE COVER
Photograph by Mark Hooper
Stylist: Birte VonKampen
78 THE LOWDOWN What you
IN EVERY ISSUE
6 FROM THE EDITOR The right age
61 MORE ABOUT YOUR MONEY
to retire.
Yields and rates (61).
10 LETTERS
3
03/2014
KIPLINGER’S PERSONAL FINANCE
KIPLINGER.COM
LOG ON & EXPLORE
5
Best Times to Buy
TOP
Save on your big-ticket purchases—such as
computers, furniture and luggage—by planning
ahead to buy when prices are lowest.
kiplinger.com/links/whentobuy
CARS FEATURES
1. 10 Cheapest Cars to Own
kiplinger.com/links/cheapestcars
2. 12 New Cars w/ Highest Resale Value
kiplinger.com/links/resale
Kiplinger’s
Economic Outlook
Red Flags for
IRS Auditors
3. 14 Most Fuel-Efficient New Cars
kiplinger.com/links/fuelefficient
Stay ahead with
exclusive forecasts
of inflation, GDP,
employment, more.
14 factors most
likely to trigger
unwanted scrutiny
of your tax return.
4. 10 Cars That Refuse to Die
kiplinger.com/links/refuse
kiplinger.com/outlooks
kiplinger.com/links/auditredflags
5. Best Values: All-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
kiplinger.com/links/awd
INTERACT
QUIZ YOURSELF
Is It Tax-Deductible?
Some breaks are legit. Others are not.
Can you tell the difference?
TOOL
Compare New Cars
Sort the universe of new cars by various
costs and specs to find the best model
for you and your budget.
kiplinger.com/links/carguide
ONLINE STORE
New Tax Rules for 2014
This special issue of The Kiplinger Tax
Letter alerts you to the most significant
tax changes you’ll face in 2014, with
practical advice to maximize deductions and claim all the benefits you can.
JUMP-START YOUR
RETIREMENT PLAN
CUT INSURANCE
COSTS
GREAT FUNDS
FOR 2014
Circle your calendar for
February 20, when
financial planners will
be online all day at
Kiplinger.com to answer
your questions free.
Kim Lankford reveals
steps you can take to cut
your insurance risk—
and, with it, the cost of
your premiums.
Columnist Steve
Goldberg makes his picks
for the best no-load
stock and bond funds,
plus load funds and ETFs.
kiplinger.com/
links/risk
kiplinger.com/
links/goldberg
LIVE CHAT
KIM LANKFORD
STEVE GOLDBERG
live.kiplinger.com
[email protected]
@Kiplinger
kiplinger.com/go/newtaxes2014
4
KIPLINGER’S PERSONAL FINANCE
03/2014
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kiplinger.com/links/taxdeductible