Why Investing Your Emergency Fund Isn’t a Good Idea
December 12, 2013
One of the major disadvantages in a long-running bull market in stocks is that people start to get a little bit greedy. They want to invest any money they have in an effort to make more money in a market that seems like a sure thing. That can include retirement money, borrowed money, money in […]
What You Need to Know to Be a Successful Real Estate Investor
December 11, 2013
Historically, real estate has been one of the very best investment vehicles. Not only has it competed favorably with stocks, but it has probably been the primary way that middle-class people build wealth. But there’s a big difference between being a homeowner and being a successful real estate investor. The degree to which you can […]
Where to Invest Your Money
December 4, 2013
Where to open an investment account is a commonly asked question of new investors and it’s easy to see why you’d be overwhelmed when trying to decide. There are a number of options out there, and what you decide should be based on your investing goals, as well as what makes sense for your present finances. […]
What is the Difference Between an ETF and a Mutual Fund?
November 27, 2013
One of the investment choices that has become increasingly popular in the last few years is the exchange traded fund (ETF). ETFs and mutual funds (including index funds) share some similarities, but there are some very important differences, and these differences explain why ETFs are becoming so popular amongst traders. ETFs and mutual funds are […]
6 Investment Costs You Pay to Play
November 25, 2013
Investing costs can reduce your return on investment and many of us know to try and steer clear of investing fees and expenses. However, avoiding investing expenses can sometimes be easier said than done. For example, the AARP released a report on 401(k) fees and found that 62% of the respondents didn’t know how many […]
9 Ways to “Beat” the Stock Market
November 11, 2013
One of the truths about the stock market is that it’s extremely difficult to beat consistently. What makes it even harder is that often we let the stock market beat us mentally which makes us act in irrational ways. Rather than thinking about beating the return on the stock market, you need to learn how […]
No-Load Mutual Funds vs. Load Mutual Funds
September 26, 2013
A no-load vs. load mutual fund, which is better? This was a reader question that came in through the contact form a while back. A “no-load” mutual fund is one in which the investment company sells it directly to the public. A mutual fund with a “load” is one in which the investment company sells […]
How to Analyze Stock Performance (Fundamental Analysis)
September 19, 2013
Many investors are interested in identifying individual stocks that can add value to their portfolios. Adding individual stocks to your portfolio is a bit more hazardous than simply investing in a mutual fund or an ETF. With mutual funds and ETFs, you are investing in a group of stocks, and so the end result is […]
5 Mistakes to Avoid as a Real Estate Investor
August 12, 2013
There is a learning curve with everything we learn in life. Mistakes are what usually separate those who succeed and those who move on to other ideas. Sometimes it is luck or a mentor that saves an individual from those ever-present land mines. Sometimes it is reading an article that connects with them. Hopefully reading […]
Investing in Real Estate in Your IRA
August 5, 2013
At one time, investors set up their IRAs and purchased stocks, bonds, mutual funds and ETFs. Historically, this is how investing in IRAs has been. Investing in these products is still a very important piece of the puzzle and can create very positive long-term returns. However, using the philosophy of diversification, an increasingly popular idea […]
