The ABCs of IRA

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The ABCs of IRAs
By Bankrate.com

Here are five quick lessons to help you understand individual retirement accounts.

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Lesson 1: An introduction to IRAs
	Understanding the basics of how these tax-saving retirement accounts work is a good first step. Managing your IRA for maximum gain Where to start investing for retirement Playing catch-up in our IRAs 10 must-know IRA terms

Lesson 2: To spend or not to spend -- wise and unwise ways to cash out early
	Saving too much to count on your fingers? Good. Now, don't waste it. Tapping your IRA Retiring early on a 401(k)/IRA without penalty Don't do it! 4 good reasons for not tapping your IRA

Lesson 3: Using an IRA for real estate
	Time for home economics with your IRA as a cash resource. Self-directed IRAs: the way to invest in real estate Rolling an IRA into rental property IRA real estate investing IRA home-buying limits

Lesson 4: Roths -- Save, stay, then roll over. Good investor!
	Ready for second-semester IRAs? Roth: Watch it grow tax-free. The ABCs of Roth IRAs The rules of the Roth Is a Roth IRA right for you? Time to convert to a Roth? Avoiding the Roth IRA 'excess contribution' tax Roth IRA guidelines

Lesson 5: Making the world a little bit smarter -- education with an IRA
	Now that you have learned so much, use the educated way to invest in your children's future. Coverdell education savings accounts Can you cancel an Education IRA? Cashing in an IRA to pay college costs Tax Tip: Education IRAs -- new name, more options Section 529 College Savings Plans

	-- Posted: Sept. 20, 2002

See Also

•	IRA investing with savings bonds
•	IRS simplifies rules for IRA required minimum distributions
•	Traditional IRA a tax-saving move for some
•	Find the best IRA for you?

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