Archive for the ‘Investing Basics’ Category
Investing For the First Time: What to Do in a Shaky Market
Posted December 20, 2009 by Bernz
The past year has represented one of the most volatile and risky eras in investment history in the United States, especially in the stock market. For those with existing investment portfolios, watching the decline in market value every day has been demoralizing. Retirement asset values have been slashed and many investors are wondering if they will even be able to afford to retire.
But what do you do if this is the very first time that you are investing? You may be just graduating from university or trying to put away some money for your children’s college tuition. How can you ensure that you make good decisions in this shaky economy?
1) Find the right advisor. An effective investment advisor knows the current state of the market and can help you understand the risks and rewards of each of its sectors. Choose an advisor who does not earn income based on how much or what types of investments you buy. Your investment advisor should also be experienced. This recessionary financial market is no time for you to try out a wet-behind-the-ears advisor. (more…)
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Posted in Investing Basics, Investing Strategies, Stock Market Investing | No Comments »
Rebuilding Your Savings
Posted May 31, 2009 by Bernz
If you’ve seen your savings dwindle to an all-time low over the past few years then you’re not alone. Many people have been affected by the current recession and find that they have less cash on hand savings than at any other time during their lives. Rather than simply lamenting this fact the key thing is to get proactive and began to get your money working for you once again.
When looking to rebuild your savings, the thing to do is to start small and start safe. Simply choose a small amount of money that you can afford to invest and put it away consistently into a savings account. While savings accounts don’t offer incredibly high rates of return, they are extremely safe and any amount of interest you earn will be more than you would if your money was stuck under your mattress or in a coffee can in your closet. Choosing to have a small amount of money deducted regularly from your paycheck and deposited into a savings account is a fantastic way to begin to rebuild your savings.
Another safe and secure investment is a CD, or certificate of deposit. The rates they offer are usually higher than those of savings accounts because they make you keep your money in them for specific periods of time. Once a CD is purchased, your money will stay in them and accumulate interest for the term of the particular CD and once the CD matures you will get your money back with the interest it earned. If you are tempted to take out your money before the end of the CD’s term you will face penalties which can negate the effect of these safe money making tools. (more…)
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Tags: certificate of deposit, Saving Money
Posted in Financial Education, Financial Goals, Investing Basics, Saving Money | 1 Comment »
Financial Literacy- Does It Still Work?
Posted March 30, 2009 by Bernz
Financial literacy means being savvy with your cash flows and understanding your financial transactions in order to make better decisions that will protect and increase your wealth. Many feel that financial literacy is no longer useful or relevant in the face of our current economic meltdown. They feel that, no matter what consumers know or do, they will be hurt in this recession.
However, financial literacy is more important than ever. Understanding your financial position and how to navigate through tough economic times will give you a leg up in ensuring your financial security.
The people who will survive and thrive in today’s economy are those who have a handle on their personal finances. They know what they own and what they owe and they know where the cash is coming from and going. Every dollar that comes in has a name- meaning they know exactly where it is going.
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Tags: budgeting, financial education, financial situation, Frugality, personal emergency funds, personal finance, Saving Money
Posted in 401k, Debt, Estate Planning, Financial Education, Financial Goals, IRA, Index Funds, Investing Basics, Investing Strategies, Investing in Real Estate, Life Insurance, Loans, Mutual Funds, Retirement Planning, Roth IRA, Saving Money, Saving for College, Simple IRA, Stock Market Investing, Tax Reduction, Traditional IRA, Wealth Building | No Comments »
Is This the Market of a Lifetime?
Posted March 25, 2009 by Bernz
It’s difficult for even the best prognosticators to get a handle on the stock market these days. The massive recession-that-might-be-a-depression that has gripped much of the industrialized world has brutalized stock markets in the US and abroad. Pension funds, college funds and savings accounts have all been hard hit. Recently, CNBC’s Jim Cramer took a verbal beating from Jon Stewart about his inability to predict the crash.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average has dropped to its lowest level in 12 years recently and continues to test that limit. But even with all of the warnings about the dangers of the market right now, some wise investors are in collection mode.
So, is there opportunity in the stock market right now or only grief and despair? Optimists point to the fact that all stocks are getting punished regardless of their fundamentals. That means that there are stocks that are currently undervalued lurking out there. The tricky part is finding the ones that will both weather the remainder of the recession and also do well when the markets turn around.
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Tags: buying stocks, index funds, investing in stocks, Investing Strategies, mutual funds, Stock Market, Stock Market Investing
Posted in Financial Education, Financial Goals, Index Funds, Investing Basics, Investing Strategies, Stock Market Investing, Stock Watch | 1 Comment »
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