-
Shopping on Thanksgiving Is for the Birds
Tweet Share on Facebook November 30, 2011 Comment (1)Isn’t Thanksgiving sacred? Weren’t stores supposed to be closed? Shouldn’t we all enjoy a wonderful dinner, family, and good conversation and leave the shopping until Friday? Not this year.
-
Should You Move Your 401(k) to 'Safe' Investments?
Tweet Share on Facebook November 29, 2011 CommentWe’ve had quite a roller coaster ride in the stock market so far in 2011. From the highs earlier in the year, we experienced a horrible third quarter, followed by one of the best Octobers on record for the S&P 500, followed by what is shaping up to be quite a volatile November. There is much talk in the financial press about this “safe haven” or that one. My question is: safe from what?
-
Stocks or Mutual Funds: Which Is Right For You?
Tweet Share on Facebook November 23, 2011 Comment (1)Investors typically think of their portfolio in one of two ways. Some select companies to invest in based on the fundamentals of the organization. Others choose mutual funds, which enable participation in the market without having to conduct all the research. Both can be very effective, but they are very different approaches.
-
How to Lose Money Investing in Bonds
Tweet Share on Facebook November 22, 2011 Comment (44)Many people believe bonds are a safer alternative to stocks, especially when market volatility is high. Bonds pay interest on a regular schedule, and their value typically doesn’t fluctuate as much as stocks.
-
Retirement Risks: High Seas Ahead!
Tweet Share on Facebook November 18, 2011 CommentAs you plot the course to a happy and successful retirement, you’ll be navigating through a sea of financial risk. Whether you have a trusted wealth adviser or you’re sailing alone, there are many financial hazards to avoid in order to get to your retirement port safely.
-
Stop Paying Wall Street to Take Your Money
Tweet Share on Facebook November 17, 2011 Comment (1)"Odds are you don't know what the odds are." —Gary Belsky and Thomas Gilovich, "Why Smart People Make Big Money Mistakes"
-
4 Tips to Help You With Annuities
Tweet Share on Facebook November 17, 2011 Comment (1)Every week, it seems, there’s another news story about a company eliminating a pension plan in favor of an employee-directed option, like a 401(k).
-
What's Your Budget for Risk?
Tweet Share on Facebook November 16, 2011 Comment (1)Risk as derived from its Italian origin “risicare” means “to dare.” If most people thought of their portfolios as a dare, they would probably keep their money in cash.
-
3 Reasons to Ignore Celebrity Financial Services Endorsements
Tweet Share on Facebook November 16, 2011 CommentHere in Chicago, Mike Ditka (Da Coach) is hawking indexed annuities. Tommy Lee Jones is a spokesperson for Ameriprise Financial on TV. Even Aaron Rogers, quarterback of my beloved Green Bay Packers, is doing an insurance commercial.
-
When Are Capital Gains Distributions a Bad Thing?
Tweet Share on Facebook November 15, 2011 Comment (13)Autumn brings three things: cooler air, football, and capital gains and dividend income tabulations by mutual fund companies. So if you're considering buying or selling a fund between now and the end of the year, it's important to know if—and when—that fund plans a distribution.
