Table Of Content

INDEX oF ARTICLES 1996 BANKING Aston Martin Sep 150 Personal digital assistants rebate cards Apr 120, AuG 16 Account security Ju. 84 Crash tests Fes 132 Nov 121 surfing Fes 73 ATM fees Jun 92 Financing May 94 Personal information manager Credit reports Automatic electronic transfers Global positioning systems programs Oct 105 access Fes 18 Auc 83 Jut 104, Jut 106 Trip-planning software Jui 103 reform Dec 34 Certificates of deposit Apr 106, Insurance JAN 102, May 114 V chip Apr 15 Credit scores Jui 84 May 88 Leasing Apr 89, Nov 126 Debt reduction AuG 61 Credit unions AuG 22, Oct 21 | Luxury tax May 113, Nov 128 Interest rates Apr 22 Electronic banking Fes 20, Negotiating the best deal Dec 84 Late payments Oct 91 Fes 110, Nov 42 | New-driver training and licensing Hf 1996 strategies Jan 19 Fees AuG 84, Sep 16, Oct 18 Fes 128 Hold rules Jun 112 1997 buying guide Dec 79 THE ECONOMY Mergers Mar 121, AuG 21 Ownership costs Jut 108 Business-friendly cities Fes 17 Money-market deposit accounts Price increases May 115 Employee relocation Apr 16 pavvifpi8fag)ah Jut 21 Rental cars JUN 115, Ju. 108 ti.oue , Interest rates May 15 PIN alternative JAN 15 Replacement parts Fes 132 Outlook 1996 Jan 38 U.S. currency redesign Apr 16 Scaled-back models May 112 Sport utility bumpers JuL 109 Video on demand May 16 EDUCATION CAREERS AND JOBS Tires Nov 128 Watches, high-tech Jun 120 College costs Dream jobs May 75 Used cars Jul 12, AuG 48 Year 2000, programming for bargaining Apr 61 Gender wage gap JuL 14 Vehicle registration Dec 12 Jut 12 nontuition Sep 132 Home businesses Nov 14 Volvo's life insurance May 114 planning (countdown) Oct 55 Job buyouts Fes 91 Year-end deals Sep 148 CONSUMER ADVOCACY saving for Jan 81 America Online free time Sep 133 student loans Jui 84, Oct 89 ANNUAL FORECAST Issur_ CHARITIES AND VOLUNTEERS Broker disclosure Jut 65 Prepaid college tuition plans Charities with low profiles Dec 111 Child labor Dec 46 Sep 140, Dec 14 Donating savings bonds Dec 122 Complaint, filing online Jan 93 | Scholarship searches Mar 123, Fundraising for a burned church Financial-magazine advertising Dec 112 Oct 128 May 45 | Year-round schoois Sep 12 Food .abeling Sep 14 COLLECTIBLES Givens, Charles Fes 110 ESTATE PLANNING Billy Beer Oct 102 Online advertisements Nov 16 Cremation Jun 14 Coronation program Jut 101 Online telemarketing scams Home-sale profit exclusion May 96 $500 bills Sep 141 May 15 Retirement-plan tax strategies Layoffs AuG 16 “Ford” nickel Mar 134 Prudential refunds Sep 133, Mar 77 Medical guinea pig May 128 Half dimes Auc 95 Dec 10 National Guard reservist JUN 136 Japanese swords Apr 116 Replacement insurance policies Olympic rower Jut 120, Nov 10 Norman Rockwell print Nov 118 Jan 93 Outlook 1996 Jan 51 Space memorabilia Dec 122 Scholarship searches Dec 112 Political telemarketing Mar 152 Stock certificates Oct 102 The Stimulator May 93 Relocation of employees Apr 16 “J | Rock musician Nov 132 COMPUTERS AND CREDIT Best Funds Simplifying your life Auc 32 TECHNOLOGY Borrowing online Fes 20 Ww Your als Teen jobs Jut 83 Cameras, digital AuG 97 Credit cards Volunteer doctor Apr 140 Gift ideas Dec 132 annual fees Nov 16 Whistle-blower Fes 140 Global positioning systems automatic bill-paying Nov 40 Work vs. leisure Sep 16 Jut 104, Jut 106 convenience users Apr 103 FAMILY FINANCES Working women Mar 18 internet gold Jut 100 Adoption Jun 12, Nov 105 blocking software Apr 105 home-equity-backed Oct 97 Camps, summer Mar 137 CARS AND OTHER VEHICLES in rural towns Oct 16 hometown affinity Fes 17 Caregivers May 67 Air bags Oct 14, Nov 130 Laptops Jun 12 oil-company Apr 116 Children’s essay contest May 89 Alternative fuel vehicles Apr 16, Notebook computers Apr 14 perks Jun 18 Elder-care resources Apr 104, Dec 83 Parking-ticket software Mar 18 preapproved offers Oct 90 Apr 114 January 1997 KIPLINGER’S PERSONAL FINANCE MAGAZINE 1996 INDEX Family and Medical Leave Act Health care reform Apr 14, Oct 16, Ratings Nov 106 Budgeting JAN 91 Jun 99, Nov 13 Dec 116 Replacement policies JAN 93 Couples and money Jun 49 Infertility costs May 50 Health insurance while traveling Safe-deposit boxes May 94 Credit card surfing Fes 73 Kids and money (Dr. Tightwad) Jur 95 Financial Adviser Alert Dec 112 Jun 85 Heart-attack costs Fes 49 INVESTING AND SAVING Financial planning Saving for children Fes 55 HMOs See also: Banking, Mutual Funds, for singles May 81 School-cafeteria debit cards coverage questions JuL 92 Real Estate Investing, Stocks for under-35s Jun 104 May 15 ratings Apr 110 and Bonds Stock Market Game Jun 94 volunteer services AuG 90 Asset management accounts Stocks for kids Auc 26 Hospice May 92 Mar 103 Supermarket play-care centers Lifetime insurance caps AuG 87 Basic investing plan JAN 56 Dec 10 Malpractice awards Jui 94 Brokers Travel toys AuG 86 Medical savings accounts crooked May 24 tgram}e Uniform Gifts to Minors Accounts Mar 130, Dec 116 disciosure Jut 65 =i f Fes 120 Medicare Brokerage-firm rankings May 25 elait V chip Apr 15 : benefits updates Apr 115 Cash advance to invest Nov 118 World Wide Web sites, financial HMOs Auc 73 Certificates of deposit Apr 106, Oct 69 paperwork Jun 98 May 88 KIPLINGER'S participating physicians Classic investment books (review) Generation Xers Nov 53 Nov 114 MAR 36 High life on a budget Dec 140 Medigap premiums Mar 16 Community-development Keep more cash May 32 Physicians per capita JuN 13 investments MAR 17 Overseas money management Prescription vs. over-the-counter Credit-union safety Oct 21 Fes 85 costs MAR 126 Emerging markets JAN 22 Personal-finance quiz Apr 83 Geniuses’ mistakes Mar 73 Quick tips Nov 94 HOMEOWNERSHIP Gold coins Sep 141, Nov 118 Simplifying your life AuG 32 Apartments accessible to disabled Income investing Apr 44, Jut 24 Software Nov 107 Jun 102 lowa Political Market exchange Web sites, financial Oct 69 Buying a home Apr 65 Sep 11 HEALTH AND FITNESS abroad Nov 82 Master limited partnerships MUTUAL FUNDS Cities, healthiest Sep 134 Closing costs Oct 99 Auc 79 Acorn funds Mar 143 Cost of staying young Oct 42 Disney's town Jut 13 Momentum investing Fes 41, Aggressive-growth Jun 134 Diet drugs Nov 108 Escrow rule changes Oct 97 Nov 77 Asset allocation, automatic Apr 14 E-mail, doctors’ Mar 17 Financial products to avoid AuG 91 NASD censure Oct 27 Beckwitt, Robert (interview) Exercise and diet books Jan 100 Homeowners insurance Nov 71 Newsletters Fes 79, Apr 29 JAN 85 Exercise bikes and “spinning” Inspectors Jun 103 1996 strategies JAN 19 Best funds for your goals Mar 43 Jan 101 Lead-paint disclosure Jun 102 Outlook 1996 Jan 42 Best funds now Sep 36 Exercise incentive plans Fes 118 Mediating disputes by phone Bogle, John Sep 46 Eyeglasses Fes 116 Fes 115 Bond funds May 126, Jun 17 First-aid kits APR 110 Mortgages Brandywine May 117 Fitness equipment Oct 94 documentation Mar 134 Brokerage funds Apr 75 Gift ideas Dec 120 fixed vs. adjustable Sep 20 Broker-sold no-load funds Sep 41 Health information online Jun 96 lock-ins May 20 Bruntjen, Worth Jun 135 Nail salons Oct 96 overages Fes 112 Bull-market winners May 124 Osteoporosis Nov 110 rates Mar 16, Jun 102 CGM Fixed Income Auc 111 Physical exam, deluxe AuG 112 refinancing Mar 23 Class B shares Dec 122 Pool-water sanitizing Fea 118 Outlook 1996: home prices JAN 46 Closed-end Jun 55, Nov 24, Quit-smoking aids AuG 89 Pricing by ranges Auc 94 Dec 20 Snoring remedies Jui 94 Reverse mortgages Fes 114, Playing the market Auc 55 Collins, James, and Navellier, Stress-management spas May 90 Oct 99 Safe navens in down market Louis AuG 107 Security systems Jun 75 Sep 20 Corporate-bond funds Nov 34 HEALTH INSURANCE, Sidewalk liability Fes 112 Savings bonds Fes 110, Apr 116 Correction, 1996 Oct 121, DISABILITY INSURANCE Steel house AuG 95 Savings rate Jui 11 Oct 126 AND MEDICARE Synthetic stucco Oct 98 Securities arbitration Apr 13 Counselors Fes 16 Clinton vs. Dole proposais Auc 18 Termite control Auc 92 Socially responsible investing Dreyfus Jun 127, Dec 26 Clinton's and Dole’s coverage Yard sale Jun 100 Apr 53, Oct 32 Duplicate holdings Fes 122 Oct 92 Software Nov 99 Eastern Europe Oct 14 Credit card for health care JAN 16 INSURANCE Treasury securities May 19 Expense ratios Apr 34 Disability insurance May 14, See also: Cars, Health Insurance, TV financial shows Fes 62 Fad funds Nov 30 AuG 16 Homeownership What to do with $1,000 (or less) Fees Apr 131 Discounted charges, co-payments Free life insurance Mar 134 JUN 32 Fidelity Magellan Fes 135, on Apr 108 Level-premium term life Dec 114 Yields, best Apr 38 Jut 113, AuG 24 Experimental treatments Nov 18 Life insurance worksheet JuN 71 Fidelity shake-up May 117 Family and Medical Leave Act Long-term-care MarR 111, Nov 114 MONEY MANAGEMENT Fidelity's World Jan 32 Jun 99, Nov 13 Prudential refunds Sep 133, Abandoned assets Sep 131, Fund-family diversification Apr 116 Fee-for-service plans Mar 132, Dec 10 Sep 141 Fund mergers JAN 15 Nov 110 Quiz Jui 45 Asset management accounts Funds of funds Dec 26 Flexible spending accounts Jan 99 Quote services JAN 67, Oct 90 Mar 103 Fuss, Daniel (interview) Apr 46 172 KIPLINGER’S PERSONAL FINANCE MAGAZINE January 1997 1996 INDEX Future superstar managers JuN 42 Rankings Tech-laden funds Mar 148 Earnings limits Ju 96 GAM International Jun 127 by one-, three- and five-year | Telephone directory Sep 127 Global social security liabilities Hall of Shame Oct 48 return Sep 51 Twentieth Century Giftrust Fee 43, Dec 12 Harbor International Growth of closed-ends Jun 59 Apr 131 Seniors living together Oct 83 JUN 127 stock and bond funds Sep 56 Twentieth Century Investors Fes 41 Social security numbers, finding High return, low risk JuL 118 top 500 by three-year returns Uniform Gifts to Minors Accounts Oct 102 Index funds JAN 102, Mar 143, Fes 120 Jut 27, Oct 77 Van Wagoner, Garrett Auc 110, RETIREMENT PLANS, institutional funds Fes 120 Sep 26 PENSIONS AND BENEFITS lronciad funds Dec 40 Vanguard Sep 44 Deferred compensation Nov 114 Linafelter, Rod (interview) Auc 68 Weatherproof funds Nov 10 401(k) plans Fes 15 Lindner Bulwark Fes 24, Apr 29 Whitridge, Nick (interview) Dec 60 company-stock ownership Loomis Sayles High Yield Dec 30 | Winners’ subsequent performance Dec 12 Losers in 1995 Fes 24 JAN 116 improving yours Mar 96 Management fees Jan 102 with financial stocks JAN 113 investor advisers Ju. 96 Mini- and micro-caps AuG 107 loans Oct 101 Momentum investing Fes 41, REAL ESTATE INVESTING misuse by employers Mar 99, Nov 77 Farmiand Nov 14 Nov 16 Money-market funds Apr 21, Reasons to invest AuG 95 REITs Fes 24, May 94 more choices Jun 12 Jut 22 Rydex Juno AuG 111 participation Apr 15 Morningstar ratings Jui 113 SEC rules changes Dec 18 RETIREMENT AND SOCIAL reports Apr 114 Muni-bond funds Sep 119, Separate accounts for couples SECURITY starter plan Nov 114 Oct 127 Jun 110 Annuities for smokers Oct 16 transfers Nov 112 Mutual Shares Sep 26 Sharpe ratio Fes 138 Benefits updates, social security IRAs New funds Fes 135, May 40 Simons, Kent, and Marx, Larry Apr 115 closing fee Auc 95 No-transaction-fee Nov 89 (interview) Jun 80 Clinton vs. Dole proposals Auc 18 conservative investments Oppenheimer Quest Opportunity Simplifying your portfolio Fes 97 Continuing-care communities Ju. 98 Value JAN 113 Small-company-fund forecast Jun 62 creditors Sep 141 PBHG Growth Jut 101 Sep 32 Contributions vs. benefits Jut 13 inheriting Dec 122 Pilgrim, Gary (interview) Oct 60 Software offer Sep 60 Cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) penalties Jan 102 Precious metals Mar 28, Apr 136 Stein Roe Young Investor Nov 30 Dec 9 separate accounts for couples Price, Michael Apr 29 Tax-efficient funds JAN 25 Early retirement Apr 114, Jut 57 Jun 112 Buy your first put wisely. Execute a call first: FREE OPTIONS VIDEO AND SEMINAR 1-800-952-8665 You've heard a lot of talk about options. Now, with our FREE VIDEO, you can learn exactly what this versatile investment tool is. And how you can use it to take part in the profit potential of stocks with a significantly lower cash commitment than a stock purchase requires. Attend a FREE SEMINAR and learn even more. Of course, options involve risk and are not suitable for Free Options Seminars: everyone. But this free o; tions education will help you decide for San Antonio Jan 7 San Diego Jan 22, 23* yourself whether this valuable investment tool is ripht for you. Houston Jan 8, 9* Tampa Jan 28 Amencan Stock Exchange Albuquerque Jan 14 Orlando Jan 29, 30* Chicago Board Options Exchange Phoenix Jan 15 Birmingham Feb 4 Pacific Stock Exchange Tucson Jan 16 Atlanta Feb 5, 6* THE OPTIONS Philadeiphia Stock Exchange INDUSTRY COUNCI! The Options Clearing Corporation Los Angeles Jan 21 *Advanced Workshop Visit our Web sice at: http://www.optionscentral.com A copy of Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options will be provided at the seminars and included with your videotape. Consult your tax advisor for tax considerations 174 KIPLINGER’S PERSONAL FINANCE MAGAZINE January i997 1996 INDEX Lump-sum payout options Apr 112 inflation-indexed AuG 14, growth companies with stock- Prepaid college tuition plans Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. Dec 17 owning bosses Dec 18 Sep 140, Dec 14 Jur 98 junk Ju 119 high-quality growth stocks Refunds Jut 89 Pension COLAs Jan 14 returns JAN 25 JUN 22 Rental-property sale Mar 117 Pension rules changes Sep 12 vs. bond funds Ju 77 real estate investment trusts Retirement-plan tax strategies Simpiified employee pension Boston Beer Fes 28 Fep 24 MarR 77 (SEP) plans Jun 110 Browning-Ferris Industries JuL 28 small companies Apr 26, Tax-bracket adjustments JAN 97 State pension funds and tobacco Chalone Wine Group Nov 25 AuG 24 Worthless stock, writing off stocks Fes 16 Cisco Systems Nov 26 tomorrow's blue chips Oct 24 Nov 118 Taxing pensions Mar 18 Columbia/HCA Mar 32 undervalued stocks JAN 22, Year-end tax steps Dec 53 Defaulted nuclear-power bonds May 22, Jut 24, Nov 24 SMALL BUSINESS Nov 118 U.S. industrials MarR 27 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Bartering Fes 103 Pros’ stock picks AuG 41 AT&T Fes 120, Jui 30, Auc 10 Competing with big retailers Rawlings Sporting Goods Jun 25 Baby Bell mergers Jun 24 Jan 124 Retailing stocks JAN 75 Cellular phones Fes 16, May 104, Franchises Jut 71 iW S&P 500 dividend yield Mar 17 Oct 18 Microbrewery AuG 10 Saga Communications Fes 26 Long-distance flat rates Dec 10 Protecting a business idea May 94 Schlumberger Oct 28 MCI Apr 30 A Recovering from disaster Nov 10 Sigma-Aldrich Jun 24 Pay phones Mar 122 World Wide Web entrepreneurs Small-cap stocks and initial Phone-number privacy JAN 92 Dec 67 ififtf tr? public offerings Mar 15 Prepaid phone cards JUN 91 Small stocks AuG 10, Oct 36 SPENDING SmithKline Beecham Jan 24 TRAVEL AND LEISURE Cause-related marketing Dec 14 Dividends Oct 13 Southwest Airlines Jun 28 Airfares Child iabor Dec 46 Dividend reinvestment plans Standard & Poor's historic data consolidator Apr 127 Cost of staying young Oct 42 AuG 13, Nov 44 Jun 110 discounts Apr 114 Coupons, online Jun 14 Dividend yields JAN 24 Stock-picking criteria JAN 36 on the Internet Dec 128 Dining discounts Mar 124 Dow 10,000 May 13, Jui 36 Stock splits AuG 27 Airline-ticket tax refund Mar 16, Fast-food locations JAN 14 Duplicate holdings Fes 122 Stock value Ju 100 Sep 140 Grocery shopping, online Auc 14 Education stocks Jun 22 Stocks for kids Auc 26 Airport security checks Dec 125 Housemaids JAN 16 Election effects Nov 23 Sun Microsystems JAN 28 ATMs vs. traveler's checks May 87 Nobiiity title for sale Fes 18 Eiection-year markets JAN 13 Technology stocks Fes 27, Sep 24 Baseball, cost of game Jun 92 North Carolina furniture bargains Electro Scientific Industries Dec 17 Telephone-service stocks APR 26 Cancellation fees for hoteis and Aus 103 Electronic Data Systems Auc 28 3Com Nov 26 cars Apr 15 Pianos Sep 143 European stock exchange Tidewater Oct 26 Cruises Fes 123, Dec 130 Rebates Apr 119 (Easdaq) Jun 13 Tobacco stocks May 24, Oct 26 Digital atlases Ju. 104 Service contracts Fes 109 European stocks Dec 20 Trampled stocks May 59 Fast food in hotels Dec 129 Shopping online JAN 105 Fastenal AuG 26 Transportation stocks Mar 87 Flight cancellations Sep 14 Smart cards May 88, Oct 22 Federal Signal May 26 Turner Broadcasting May 24 Frequent-flier programs May 14 TV infomercial products May 99 Financial stocks Jui 51 Unit trusts Jut 100 Auc 85, Oct 110, Nov 18 Frontier Corp. Apr 30 United Technologies May 26 Gambling, legalized Jui 14 The Gap Sep 28 Global positioning systems Global Marine Oct 28 TAXES Jut 104, Ju. 106 en Hewlett-Packard JAN 28 Adoption credit Nov 105 Hotel room rates Sep 151 Houston industries Dec 22 Audits Jui 86, Sep 140 In-flight entertainment Jan 16 Initial public offerings Sep 14, Business-travel receipts JAN 97 Laptops Jun 12 Tnflt Sep 154 Charitable deductions Mar 134, Missing a flight May 108 lronciad stocks Dec 40 Sep 12 iri Kmart Sep 28 Children’s social security numbers .ate interest checks Oct 102 Jan 98 Lucent Jut 30 Clinton vs. Dole AuG 18 STOCKS AND BONDS Mac Frugal's Bargains Apr 28 Cut your taxes Fes 32 AES Dec 22 | Manor Care Mar 32 Employee vs. independent x 4 Affiliated Computer Services Market instability May 22 contractor Sep 138 a Buyer's Guide Sep 26 Market trading curbs JuN 11 Filing by phone Jan 14 - —<New(Cars American depositary receipts MCI Apr 30 Filing guides and software Fes 38 Nov 14 Mexican stocks JuL 12 Flat-tax plan and retirement AMR Corp. Jun 28 Mutual fund stocks May 14 savings May 16 Analogic Nov 23 National Health Enhancement 401(k) loans Oct 101 Olympic souvenirs Jun 13 Anheuser-Busch Fes 28 Systems Mar 28 Home-office deductions Fes 114 Online travel services Fes 17 AT&T Fee 120, Jut 30, Aus 10 “Nifty 50” stocks Oct 24 Home swaps Jut 100 Rental-car fees Jun 115 Automatic Data Processing 1995 performance; '96 Income-tax burden Jut 91 Restaurant portions Jut 13 AuG 28 predictions Mar 30 Land basis Oct 102 Timeshares May 96 Beating the Dow Mar 27 100-year gold bond Fes 122 Last-minute tax tips Apr 95 Trip-cancellation insurance Jut 110 Berkshire Hathaway JuL 28 Online stock tips Nov 59 Nanny-tax rules JAN 94 Trip planners Jut 103 Bonds Pink-sheet stocks Sep 27 Online commenting on regulations high-quality Jan 15 Portfoiios Jut 90 U.S. AND GOVERNMENT how to choose Jun 110 cheap stocks Sep 24 Pensions, taxing Mar 18 Voting by mail Oct 14 176 KIPLINGER’S PERSONAL FINANCE MAGAZINE January 1997