Quotes of the Day

A good negotiator rarely makes an important decision on the spot. A little time and distance help separate the people from the problem. [1991] - Roger Fisher

The challenge is not to manage time, but to manage ourselves. Rather than focusing on things and time, focus on preserving and enhancing relationships and on accomplishing results. [2004] - Stephen R. Covey

General rules of thumb regarding move-out procedure: Ordinarily you can charge for replacing ruined/stained/torn carpet, replacing chipped tile, replacing broken blinds/drapes, fixing damaged furniture, pest control for flea infestation, patching holes in walls, replacing broken doorknobs, replacing torn/missing window glass and cleaning for an excessively dirty kitchen/bathroom. You typically should not charge for replacement of an item that could be repaired. If a resident has lived in a residence for more than one year, the need for new paint is normal wear and tear and should not be charged for. [2017] - Bryan M. Chavis

The best hope for decent returns in the years to come - by which I mean a return of 5% a year, not 8% - is to invest in stocks, risky as they are. I would recommend a 60-40 asset mix over 50-50 in the case of a recently retired couple, provided they have some tolerance for risk. [2020] - Frederick Vettese

If you have a portfolio of $10,000 or less, you should either be thinking mutual funds (not ETFs) or be seeking to invest at a brokerage that won't charge you for trading ETFs. Otherwise, the trading costs could eat you alive. If, however, you're unlikely to do any trading in the next several years, an ETF portfolio may make sense. In that case, consider a simple and all-encompassing "everything" (total ball of wax) ETF for your domestic stock holdings. [2013] - Russell Wild