Financial publications just don't appeal to me much anymore

[MichaelB]

Many years ago I stopped reading investment magazines, such as Money, Kiplinger, etc, about the same time I stopped listening to financial news TV programming like CNBC, which is also when I stopped listening to general cable news. Not because it was good or bad, just because what they discussed had little in common with what I considered important, and what real analysis they did was superficial at best.

These news sources are like fast food: tasty with lots of calories but very little real nutrition.

 

[mrfeh]

Many years ago I stopped reading investment magazines, such as Money, Kiplinger, etc, about the same time I stopped listening to financial news TV programming like CNBC, which is also when I stopped listening to general cable news. Not because it was good or bad, just because what they discussed had little in common with what I considered important, and what real analysis they did was superficial at best.

These news sources are like fast food: tasty with lots of calories but very little real nutrition.

I do watch Bloomberg daily. Not necessarily for the "analysis", but just to be aware of economic conditions.

 

[jazz4cash]

In the past 12 years, since joining this forum, I’ve learned more about retirement finances and planning than anywhere else. Thanks to all of you who post - it’s very enlightening!

This. Forums like this and internet access have mostly fulfilled the role of the traditional publications. It is still nice to peruse a paper or digital publication while sipping on a beverage but there are more efficient ways. I’ve become a podcast guy but I always really enjoyed audio anyway ( eg Bob Brinker). Its interesting to see the digital enterprises trying to get people to pay after giving away content for so many years (Bloomberg, Seeking Alpha, etc). I’m willing to pay but there needs to be a Reader’s Digest type service that consolidates content. I tried Apple News but it was off a bit.

 

[disneysteve]

Its interesting to see the digital enterprises trying to get people to pay after giving away content for so many years (Bloomberg, Seeking Alpha, etc). I’m willing to pay but there needs to be a Reader’s Digest type service that consolidates content. I tried Apple News but it was off a bit.

Yep. One news app that I’ve always used has started charging. No thanks. I’ll get my news elsewhere.

 

[COcheesehead]

Never paid for anything of this nature, either online or in print.

My financial education began in earnest about 15 years ago, and everything I've needed (in text or video form) is available for free.

I have read a handful of books regarding finances, but those were borrowed from my public library.

15 years ago that’s true, but back in the 80’s you had Money and Kiplingers and maybe Smart Money.

 

[Chuckanut]

I used to subscribe to Forbes and found it of value. I really enjoyed its emphasis on how it was the combined talents of the people that made the difference between a great success and a pathetic flop. It's yearly mutual fund ratings issue was how I first got started in buying no-load funds, and what turned me on to my first big winner - Mutual Shares.

I still go to the website from time to time to check out an interesting article. There is something about the physical magazine sitting on the table that makes me want to read it. Sadly, the web is too much of a time sink, so I try to avoid it.

 

[jollystomper]

I stopped reading Money when I was in my late 30s/early 40s. I was married, had a child and was struggling to keep the bills paid because my then-husband spent everything he made and then maxed out his credit cards. I was the "emergency fund". It was hard to read the cover story which inevitably featured a smug couple my age with a paid-off house and 2 perfect kids whose future college expenses were already fully-funded.

For me the favorite article beyond the cover stories were "One's Persons/Couples/Family Finances". They portrayed a wide range of personal finance situations, from folks in dire trouble to those doing well, with the background of how they got there, and them the recommendations for their situations. I found these useful to generally look at what things to avoid, if possible, and what recommendations that made sense.

Of course, I did ignore the detailed recommendations of specific investment. They never seemed to mention the same or stock, fund, they were biased towards the "Money 30" stock/fund picks for the year, and there were load funds included. One could spend a lot of money on commissions and loads trying to keep up with them. But the range of situations, discussion on possible options to stabilize ones finances, and the options to grow one's finances I found a worthwhile education during our accumulation phase.

 

[Koolau]

Many years ago I stopped reading investment magazines, such as Money, Kiplinger, etc, about the same time I stopped listening to financial news TV programming like CNBC, which is also when I stopped listening to general cable news. Not because it was good or bad, just because what they discussed had little in common with what I considered important, and what real analysis they did was superficial at best.

These news sources are like fast food: tasty with lots of calories but very little real nutrition.

I know what you mean. I consider that I have "aged out" of the interest in Financial Magazines.

 

[athena53]

The Kiplinger letters are probably better than the magazine. I just flipped through this month's issue via Libby and the articles were just more of the same.

Thanks for mentioning the Libby version! I just checked and my library subscribes to it. I'll see if it has anything useful.

 

[MarieIG]

Yes, I used to have a few subscriptions (probably Money lasted the longest) most of which I purchased from the kiddos schools as part of fund raising). I no longer have them. They dropped off when either I could not get another subscription at a price I wanted or simply forgot.

 

[Flyfish1]

Same here - I used to read these extensively and enjoyed The Economist. Now I don't really care that much although I like following the market news on CNBC when I'm on the elliptical at the YMCA.
Elliptical and treadmills are really boring....

 

[NoiseBoy]

I agree with the OP. Now that I'm retired, I don't spend that much time reading about purely financial matters anymore. The one area that is still important are changes to the tax laws.

I do have an online subscription to the WSJ which I peruse every morning with my coffee. They hooked me with their $1 / month come-on deal, but the price is now $42.99 / month and my thrifty nature objects to that amount. I'm willing to pay for high quality content, but my preferred price would be $1 / day. Has anybody here dropped their WSJ subscription and then picked it back up again at the cheap price?

 

[RetiredAt55.5]

Of course, I did ignore the detailed recommendations of specific investment. They never seemed to mention the same or stock, fund, they were biased towards the "Money 30" stock/fund picks for the year, and there were load funds included. One could spend a lot of money on commissions and loads trying to keep up with them. But the range of situations, discussion on possible options to stabilize ones finances, and the options to grow one's finances I found a worthwhile education during our accumulation phase.

Not mentioned yet, another thing that caused the demise of some financial publications was the growing popularity of index funds, particularly the index 500, total stock market, and total bond.

No need to read publications each month trying to jump onto the wagon of the latest hot funds or stocks and the whole load/no load details.

Index funds really simplified investing, and once you embraced them, how many more articles did you have to read about them each month?

 

[yakers]

My last issue of The Economist will probably be delivered around the time of my funeral. Other than that, nothing.

Had a subscription to THe Economist since 1979, just renewed for 2 years, @75 years old hope to do that again several times. I considered tthe Financial Times as well but gotta cut off the reading somewhere. I do love the Bloomberg writer Matt Levine, get daily emails and just love his writing. Funny, I listened to his podcasts and don't like the talking.

 

[srblanco7]

As with many on the board Money, Kiplinger, Smartmoney back in the day. Now it's mainly financial podcasts when I'm walking the dog or running errands and a handful of forums/websites.

 

[freedomatlast]

I used to subscribe to "Money" but cancelled my subscription many years ago when there didn't seem to be much new to read. I have no need for any of them anymore.

 

[SnowballCamper]

I think any of the regular users here could write almost all/any of the articles in the personal finance magazines (except perhaps new policy changes). And so, they're just not interesting anymore.

 

[kilgore]

Nothing beats experience. Been through many bulls and bears. Hardly over my skiis. Been giving with a warm hand. Don't need formulas or talking heads.

 

[EastWest Gal]

In October of 1995, a year of major burnout in my life, Money magazine had an article entitled "The New Retirement: Quit Young & Enjoy the Rest of Your Life". I bought that month's magazine and read that article until the issue fell apart. I remember a young 30 something couple whose child was my patient, who told me they were retiring and moving out of state. This was Silicon Valley in the mid-90s.

I didn't have time to think about investing except to max my 401K and send money each month to my after tax brokerage account. I never had interest in getting into the weeds of financial reports and have never watched financial shows. I did enjoy Money Talk radio in the day, though.

 

[pugs135]

I’ve used Libby for books but didn’t realize until your post that we can see magazines on there as well. Thank you.

 

[Randy145]

Geez, didn't know this thread was here until I got the latest Early Retirement newsletter. Anyway, when I first got interested in investing, maybe 40 years ago and way before the internet blossomed, I'd read any publication I could get my hands on. Kiplinger, Money and the like soon got old for me because of the same old tired articles, a lot of mutual fund hocking, and a lot of bad calls. In the last decade or so, it's been Barron's and a few select articles from my wife's "The Economist" that I read. Barron's ain't what it used to be so now I only sign up when they give me a real good deal, which turns out to be a subscription about every other year. Now that I'm shifting focus from equities to income, I'm finding less and less use for any publication. Kiplinger's Jeff Kosnett's articles in their "Investing for Income" newsletter were interesting/informative but his recommendations were very ho-hum. If someone could take his concept and make some quality recommendations they'd have a big audience, I think.

 

[azxracer]

Like the rest I read Money, Smart Money etc etc for years beginning about 1980. This continued for maybe 12 or 13 years. Eventually I dropped them all as the articles just got so repetitive. How many ways can you say "index funds work"? There were some good columnists (The Mole) and their insights were entertaining. Then I joined an existing investment club and started reading the AAII Journal. Since most of us in the IC worked for MegaCorp we even started a 401(k) club. We lobbied for better options and, in time, even got some of our asks. I subscribed to the WSJ for years until their editorial stance just became too much. Now it's Schwab's quarterly online magazine and routine newsletters and seminars. A newsletter from Fidelity. Bogleheads. Matt Levine's newsletter. I'm past the hardcore accumulation stage and more concerned with income and enough growth to stay ahead of politics and inflation.

 

[Dean56]

I bought my first Money magazine in the mid 80's. I subscribed after that. I remember there were only around 700 mutual funds at the time.

 

[Redbugdave]

I remember the days before the internet. Going to the library to get into the Morningstar books/magazines. I subscribed to WSJ for years. But now...I do not have that need and do not subscribe to any financial magazines. Being retired, my investments have done well because I pretty much have figured it all out these years. However...I do subscribe to some archaeology and science magazines because there is so much to learn.

 

[DrRoy]

I agree. I just catch some retirement related articles online now. I do get The Economist, but that's largely for the international news.