Is it wise to put 4k into a roth ira at the VERY beginning of the year?

Answer 1

Absolutely not. Many people do this because they don't want to worry about it later on.

Why shouldn't you put a one lump sum investment every year? First, you don't know if you buying when prices are high or low.
Second, you are not maximizing the potential value your investments can grow.

So, the best way to invest is by investing systematically. That means, you invest the same amount on the same day of every month. If you have a checking account, the investment company can setup an automatic bank draft for you. You can invest as little as $25 or $50 a month per mutual fund. On some months, the stock market maybe doing very good, so price per share may be high, so you buy fewer shares. On some months, price per share may below, so you buy more shares. This is called Dollar Cost Averaging because you are lowering the cost per share over time.

Whatever remaining contribution you have left at the end of the year, then invest it all. For example, if you invest $200/month, you would of only invested $2400 for that year. So in January of next year (2008), you can invest the remaining balance of $1600 for the current year (2007). Your $1600 won't affect your contribution limit for 2008 if you check the correct box on which year you are contributing for.

Answer 2

Is that for this year or last year's taxes?

Also, while putting money into the tax-advantaged investment vehicle is one thing, putting that money into an investment is another--there may be timing issues for your investment choice that may make the first day of trading in the new year less than advantageous. For instance, if the company has been riding up because of a looming dividend ex-date, you will likely see a price depression afterwards. If the price has been falling, perhaps buying a little at a time will help you average down the cost-basis and avoid large losses during a down cycle. Then it might have been better to have waited until things trend up again, or seem to be about to. That is what got me into watching the chart--a trend was down and I bought while high, so the depreciation of value wiped out the amount of the dividend I was counting on.

Answer 3

Totally depends on what you're investing in. If it's a Schwab account or something like that then I'd say put 100% in on January 2. Note, I didn't say invest it all on January 2; just get it deposited and in a MM account. If nothing else, the interest income that you earn is tax free....better to have that tax free than taxable. If you're investing directly with MF companies? Then do it over time. (see below for explanation)

As for the investment piece? If you're investing in Mutual Funds, I advocate a dollar cost averaging approach and investing in the fund over time. Since MF tend to go up and down through the year you are prevented from messing up and buying on a high. But, if you're investing directly in the stock market? Totally depends on your investment...Typically a stock's rise or fall is exclusive of the calendar so you're better off investing based upon news rather than date.

Answer 4

that really depends on your investment choice. If you are using simple interest for your rate of return, say a cd then yes. If you are buying stocks and bonds it kinda depends on where the value is at the given moment since they change value very day.

Last yr it would of have been better to invest in July than January since there was a huge market selloff prior to July. Hence you would have made more had you waited.

Answer 5

There are two different years. The IRA fiscal year starts on April 15. If you mean the calender year, then no because December and January are the traditionally when stocks are at their highest. You want to buy in August-October when most stocks are at their lowest.

Answer 6

Yes, you should max out your ROTH IRA as soon as possible. That way you get the maximum tax free growth.

Answer 7

if you can afford it, there is no legitimate reason not to. it gives you an entire year to make money on the full amount...do so, if you can.

Answer 8

that way it has the entire year to grow, i would do it if i had the extra money