Cost of living: Plan financial future with long-term inflation in mind
November 1st 2009Political considerations aside, President Obama's fiscal policies are likely to serve eventually as a stimulant to growth in our economy. That's why I believe that it's time to take the likelihood of long-term inflation into account as you plan your financial future.
Conservative investing: Certificates of deposit offer stability, protection in turbulent times
October 1st 2009If you're of a conservative bent, you probably have some of your savings invested in bank certificates of deposit (CDs). If so, you're already well aware of the poor rates that CDs are paying these days.
On the horizon: Deciding when to collect your Social Security benefits is a highly personal matter
September 1st 2009Whether your retirement is off in the distance or just over the horizon, eventually you will have to decide when to start drawing your Social Security benefits. That decision will have a significant effect on your financial future. The more you know about your options, the better your chance for making the decision that is right for you.
The price of gold: Investment vehicle appealing, yet risky
August 1st 2009For thousands of years, gold has been viewed by many as the ultimate safe haven for investors, especially in times of economic distress. If these gut-wrenching times have you thinking about investing in gold as a guiding hand through the fiscal wilderness, you're not alone. Recent spikes in the price of gold reflect the usual emotional attachment to that commodity in times of economic gloom.
Avoid the 'herd' mentality: Stay focused on long-term investment goals
December 1st 2008When it comes to investing our money, human nature likes to play tricks on us. When the stock market is reaching new peaks, we can't wait to jump in. When it stumbles and falls, we stop investing - or worse, we start selling. Despite the lessons of the past, that insistent inner voice keeps urging us to follow the crowd.