SmartMoney (2-year)

- Ten Things: a "watch out" list of 10 things that you should know about the different professionals you interact with (your dentist, your accountant, a real estate broker, etc.). Always an eye-opener.
- Stock Screen: Paul Sturm is a knowledgeable, value-oriented journalist who puts together a list each month of 8-10 stocks that make it through a rigid screen of several characteristics. Each month, he features a different screen and he uses a good mix of quantitative characteristics and common sense to generate the list.
- Feature articles that profile common people and the serious personal finance problems they have endured (e.g., collecting on insurance, fighting the IRS, traveling overseas).

SmartMoney is frequently compared to Money magazine, but Money is often more narrowly focused on investing and it sometimes dumbs down its articles. I also read BusinessWeek, Forbes and Fortune regularly. While they all have their place, none provides the depth and common sense focus of SmartMoney when it comes to personal finance. I have photocopied and saved countless articles and I sometimes refer to them years later. ... my advice is to get a subscription now - it's definitely worth it.


Great magazine   December 16, 2002
 70 out of 72 found this review helpful

I subscribe to all of the big names, Fortune, Forbes, Money, Businessweek and by far Smartmoney has given me the best bang for my buck. It's easy-to-read timely articles are a no-nonsense approach to what every individual needs; honest, straight-forward advice.


Best magazine I've ever subscribed!   June 27, 2003
 25 out of 26 found this review helpful

I've had Forbes and Money before but neither appealed to me. I don't think there's anything wrong with Forbes: articles are well structured, researched and written. But it didn't cut it for me as an upcoming investor who needs more recent market news. I thought Money would work for me but its articles tend to lack substance (great titles but articles lack the punch and research).

So much for the digression... I actually discovered Smartmoney after accidentally visiting their website (which has pretty nice charting capabilities). Their articles are well-informed, personal and just sounded more sincere than Money's. The only drawback is that it only comes once a month. Am thinking of subscribing to Fortune (bi-weekly) to keep up with market news.


For $1 per issue you can't go wrong   February 4, 2006
 17 out of 19 found this review helpful

I have been a Smart Money subscriber for over three years. I must say that each month I look forward to receiving the new issue. It needs to be said (to those who aren't aware) that this is a publication of the Wall Street Journal. There isn't as much market news but the writing is just as good. From undervalued stock picks, to mutual fund screening and research, finding cheap bottles of good wine, car ratings, retirement planning and portfolio health - this magazine hits on many important topics for people in their working years. I find the writing to be accurate and insightful. I would still be a subscriber if the subscription was $3 per issue. That's the true value I find in it. Hands down it's the best personal finance magazine around. Head and shoulders above Money & Kiplingers.


The Benchmark for Financial Magazines   February 6, 2004
 16 out of 19 found this review helpful

Simply the best -- this magazine is very well laid out- not busy like Money seems to be, has some intermediate technical analysis, covers a great range of financial issues including new stock pics (performance of which which they track over time), mutual funds, financial managers/discount and full service broker comparisons, bonds, tax and retirement issues, travel, just the right amount (minimal) of tech product reviews, and a monthly car review/comparison.

I appreciate the focus on bargain hunting, both in stocks and the other areas mentioned above. These guys are not stock pumpers, but value seekers!