Re: Roth IRA question

When you say "Once you max out the Roth IRA" do you mean the $3500 per
year limit?  So max it out each year and then crank my 401(k) back up
as much as I can afford?

What books do you recommend?

Thanks

"John A. Weeks III" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...
> In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, Russ
> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> 
> > So I opened a Roth IRA account with E-Trade because my H&R Block financial
> > advisor told me I should start funding one.  I'm already funding my
> > employer's 401(k) with 6-8% (with $1 for $1 up to 4.5% matching) as
> > well.
>  
> > 1) should I really start putting regular
> > contributions into a Roth IRA,
> 
> Yes.  Once you max out the Roth IRA, go back and max out your 401K.
> When you have both of them maxed out, then post back here for more
> advice.
> 
> > 2) which funds are good?
> 
> That is hard to say without being a broker or a registered agent.
> If you have to ask, then I would suggest education.  In the mean 
> time, stick with low cost index funds until you learn enough to
> pick what you need.  Vipers or Vanguard total stock market index
> funds are good.  In the long run, you need growth, but you will
> have to learn on your own how to pick these funds.
> 
> > I bought
> > an initial $250 in WESRX (some realty fund that looked good).
> 
> Real estate is very high right now.  REITs have had a good run,
> but they may have already peaked.  The bad ecomony has pinched
> some of the REITs that invest in office space due to so many
> technology companies going toes up or otherwise laying off staff.
> 
> > It's a no-load fund.
> 
> You need to be careful looking at buzz words.  Many pundits harp
> on no-load funds, but in reality, most no-load funds have very
> high expense ratios, often much higher than load funds.  What you
> really are looking at is the total cost to own a fund, including
> any loads, expenses ratios, and 12b1 fees.
> 
> > I'm 31 years old.
> 
> Yes, put away as much as you can now.  The money that you put
> away between now and age 36 means more than anything that you
> put away from 40 to 65.  Time is your friend today, and your
> enemy once you turn 35.
> 
> > Any suggestions?
> 
> Learn.  Buy some books and read.  No one care about your future
> more than you do.  When money is involved, everyone else you talk
> to simply wants to take it away from you.  You are the one that
> needs to step up to the plate and manage your future, and the
> only way you can do that is if you know what you are doing.
> 
> -john-