It's almost fair to believe that a monkey, throwing darts at different asset classes, would have assembled a decent portfolio this year.

Today's Stocks & Topics: 401k Funds, Index Funds, Biggest Money Mistakes, Don’t Buy Last Year’s Winners, LL - Lumber Liquidators Holdings Inc., INGR - Ingredion Inc., KNDI - Kandi Technologies Group Inc., KR - Kroger Co., GMCR - Keurig Green Mountain Inc., Roth IRA vs. 529 Plan.

So often we think there's no difference between stock trading and investing. But Warren Buffett wants us to think again.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Dividends, Home Improvements, Greece, 10 things not to buy in 2015, Target Date Funds, Retirement, TCP - TC PipeLines L.P. vs. WPZ - Williams Partners L.P., CAT - Caterpillar Inc.

Bonds can offer capital preservation. Unless the company goes bankrupt, you can be certain you'll get back your orignal investment.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Right Time to Invest, Bad Economy?, Oil Prices & The Stock Market, Year End Taxes, Universal Life Insurance, Early Retirement, Small Caps, Credit Card Debt, Investing, Bonds, The Stock Market.

To understand whether a self-directed IRA is right for you, you must first understand exactly what it is – and isn’t - and how to avoid the pitfalls.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Oil Prices, Airlines ETFs, Retail Sales, Financial Plan for Retirement, U.S. Debt, 529-Plan, Gas Prices, Trading Information, Mutual Funds, Investing at Old Age, Retirement, Economic Value.

Target date funds could be steering some toward a date with disaster.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Index Funds, Panic Selling, Retail Sales in November, U.S. Debt, Fracking, Closed-End Funds, Target-date Funds, Mutual Funds, GNP: Gross National Product, Dividens, I-R-A, Hedge Funds, Warrants, Financial Analysis, Secondary Market.

From investing on emotion to chasing past returns . . . if you follow what feels good you are usually going to do the wrong thing.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Coverdell I-R-A, Avoiding IRA Mistakes, GILD - Gilead Sciences Inc., SAFM - Sanderson Farms Inc., XOM - Exxon Mobil Corp., MNTX - Manitex International Inc., Moving Average, The Stock Market, CFX - Colfax Corp.

There are a million of them out there.  And they'll keep trying to take our money as long as we'll let them.

Today's Stocks & Topics: GILD - Gilead Sciences Inc., Crisis in Russia, The Fed, Worst Mistakes at Any Age, CORE - Core-Mark Holding Co. Inc., RIG - Transocean Ltd., USO - United States Oil Fund LP, Day Trading.

The average investor believes this has been a particularly powerful bull market in stocks this year.

Today's Stocks & Topics: New Investor, Reverse Mortgage & Retirement, Sectors in 2015, AAPL - Apple Inc., DLR - Digital Realty Trust Inc., First Time Investor, MZOR - Mazor Robotics Ltd. ADS, FB - Facebook Inc. Cl A, IEMM - iShares PLC iShares MSCI Emerging Markets.

In the perennial personal finance debate over whether you should pay off your mortgage or invest your savings, some take a firm stand.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Swiss Announce Negative Interest Rates, Reverse Mortgage, 5 Questions to Predict if Your Will Be a Millionaire, SILC - Silicom Ltd., AAPL - Apple Inc., SYK - Stryker Corp., Oil, CERS - Cerus Corp., BA - Boeing Co.

The element of time can nearly always trump all other investing factors, and can dictate the makeup of your portfolio.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Sitting Dollars, 5 Questions to Predict if Your Will Be a Millionaire, Gold, Where is the Big Money?, CHTRX - Invesco Charter Fund, FSLR - First Solar Inc., IBM - International Business Machines Corp., NEWM - New Media Investment Group Inc., WTW - Weight Watchers International Inc., A & B Shares.

It's not exactly exciting, but it's a proven strategy: Hit a lot of 'singles' and 'doubles'.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Limited Partnership, Why Not to Trust Annuities, Fall of Prices, Retirement at 62, ETFs vs. Mutual Funds, UL - Unilever PLC ADS, PG - Procter & Gamble Co., TLT - iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF, RIG - Transocean Ltd., ETFs.

Mutual funds are intended to be mom-and-pop financial products - easy to buy and easy to sell, quickly.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Return on Investment & Real Estate, Empire State Index, Oil Prices, GNRC - Generac Holdings Inc., NGLS - Targa Resources Partners L.P, GOOG - Google Inc. Cl C, Mutual Funds, OKS - ONEOK Partners L.P., CWCO - Consolidated Water Co. Inc.

Bonds can offer capital preservation. Unless the company goes bankrupt, you can be certain you'll get back your orignal investment.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Right Time to Invest, Bad Economy?, Oil Prices & The Stock Market, Year End Taxes, TZA - Direxion Daily Small Cap Bear 3x Shares, Universal Life Insurance, CVX - Chevron Corp., Early Retirement, Small Caps, CEL - Cellcom Israel Ltd.

To understand whether a self-directed IRA is right for you, you must first understand exactly what it is – and isn’t - and how to avoid the pitfalls.
Today's Stocks & Topics: Oil Prices, Airlines ETFs, Retail Sales, Gas Prices, Financial Plan for Retirement, U.S. Debt, Oil & Electric Cars, HES - Hess Corp., EWZ - iShares MSCI Brazil Capped ETF, 529-Plan.

Target date funds could be steering some toward a date with disaster.
Today's Stocks & Topics: Index Funds, Penicillin, Retail Sales, RIO - Rio Tinto PLC ADS, U.S. Debt, Fracking, GGN - GAMCO Global Gold Natural Resources & Income Trust, Closed-End Funds, TNH - Terra Nitrogen Co. L.P., Target-date Funds, Mutual Funds, GNP: Gross National Product, SDT - SandRidge Mississippian Trust.

There's a whole list of mutual funds offered in your 401(k) plan. Which ones you should trust with your retirement savings?

Today's Stocks & Topics: Retirement, Mortgages, Ideal Budget, Jeffrey Gundlach, Oil & Gold Investments, IRDM - Iridium Communications Inc., Stock Value, WWAV - WhiteWave Foods Co., GILD - Gilead Sciences Inc., ANET - Arista Networks Inc.

Among stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs and more, it can be difficult for young investors to decide.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Institutional Ownership, Oil Industry, Tech Sector, Direct Purchase Plan, Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac, Oil & Energy Stocks, CPRT - Copart Inc., Investing, YHOO - Yahoo! Inc., VNR - Vanguard Natural Resources LLC.

Since mid-2009 through today REITs have returned around 214% compared with 151% for the S&P 500 and 149% for the Russell 2000.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Yukos Restitutions, Oil Reserves in the U.S., U.S. Debt, 10 Biggest Risks to the Stock Market in 2015, BCS - Barclays PLC ADS, Stock Exchanges, Profits, TASR - TASER International Inc., GGN - GAMCO Global Gold Natural Resources & Income Trust, BTU - Peabody Energy Corp., SD - SandRidge Energy Inc.

Amid low interest rates and money market reforms, companies seek better returns on their cash.  Should investors be paying attention?

Today's Stocks & Topics: HE - Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc., PG - Procter & Gamble Co., 30 Year Mortgage, China Bigger than USA, Deflation, OKE - ONEOK Inc., HYLD - AdvisorShares Peritus High Yield ETF, S - Sprint Corp., SNY - Sanofi ADS, Earnings, Mutual Funds.

Nontraditional or alternative investments are becoming increasingly popular, but are investors sufficiently informed?

Today's Stocks & Topics: Junk Bonds, Worlds Five Most Corrupt Countries, CXW - Corrections Corp. of America, Six Ways to Increase Your retirement Income, Dividends, GE - General Electric Co., VZ - Verizon Communications Inc., APD - Air Products & Chemicals Inc., Year End Investing.

With hyper-diversified portfolios, investors can be lulled into a false sense of security.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Long Term Care Insurance, OPEC, Oil Drillers, Oil Prices, EVEP - EV Energy Partners L.P., TEL - TE Connectivity Ltd., QCOM - Qualcomm Inc.

Not all asset classes or investment vehicles are suitable -- and for good reason.
Today's Stocks & Topics: Oil Prices, Japan, Black Friday, LYB - LyondellBasell Industries N.V. Cl A, GGN - GAMCO Global Gold Natural Resources & Income Trust, CVS - CVS Health Corp., MNST - Monster Beverage Corp., Retirement.

Why you should invest cautiously despite all the talk about the mother of all bull runs.
Today's Stocks & Topics: Financial Advisors, Germany & The Recession, U.S. Oil, Investing, How to Succeed in Any Market, Long Short Equity Funds, Stock Evaluation, Unusual Expectetions, College Savings Plans, I-Bonds, Emerging Markets, Financial Advisors.

Instead of breaking down your assets by account, maybe you should think of them all as one big pie.
Today's Stocks & Topics: A Share Mutual Funds, Part Time Workers, Wal-Mart, Foreclosure, Bank Stocks, Stocks Investing, Pull Back, Trading, I-R-As, How to Invest?, Buying Foreclosures.

Increasing global economic integration makes the opportunities in international real estate investment more compelling than ever before.
Today's Stocks & Topics: 401k, Dividends, George Mitchell, State Capitalism, GILD - Gilead Sciences Inc., Roth IRA, PBR - Petroleo Brasileiro, QCOM - Qualcomm Inc., PM - Philip Morris International Inc., HYLD - AdvisorShares Peritus High Yield ETF, BIIB - Biogen Idec Inc., IBM - International Business Machines Corp., College Savings.

The latest data shows an average blend of equities and fixed-income mutual funds has garnered only a 2.6% net return.
Today's Stocks & Topics: Mutual Funds, 12B1, OPEC, Record iPhone Demand for the Holyday Season, Mortgage, State Capitalism, INTC - Intel Corp., GILD - Gilead Sciences Inc., HAL - Halliburton Co., SIR - Select Income REIT, GPRO - GoPro Inc.

One gender simply outperforms the other at investing. By a full 2% points.  Why?
Today's Stocks & Topics: Reversion to the Mean, 401k Allocation, Big Investors & Housing Market, Retirement Benefits in 2015, VA - Virgin America Inc., Oil, TRUE - TrueCar Inc., KMI - Kinder Morgan Inc., BABA - Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.

Some talk of the death of  'buy & hold' investing.  It's still alive and well, but does need some care and feeding.
Today's Stocks & Topics: GSK - GlaxoSmithKline PLC ADS, IBM - International Business Machines Corp., M&A - Mergers and Acquisitions, ISRG - Intuitive Surgical Inc., 401k, Life Insurance, BP - BP PLC ADS.

Trying out asset mixes can show you where your portfolio shines and where it doesn't.
Today's Stocks & Topics: Covered Calls, Economic Data, P - Pandora Media Inc., Small & Mid Cap Indexes, Retirement Worries, Dividends, WAG - Walgreen Co., GPOR - Gulfport Energy Corp., IPCM - IPC The Hospitalist Co. Inc., Taxes.

A survey shows that 53% of world business leaders polled planned to enter or expand their operations there.
Today's Stocks & Topics: Selling Short, The Fed, Long Term Care, I-R-A, SWN - Southwestern Energy Co., SYY - Sysco Corp., Investing.

Why do certain investment companies do better than others and survive unsettled markets?
Today's Stocks & Topics: Stocks Data, Long Term Care Insurance, Where Else to Invest?, Mid Cap Indexes, Retirement, Portfolio Rebalance, VFSTX - Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund, Individual Bonds, Products Releases, MRK - Merck & Co. Inc., RHT - Red Hat Inc.

The funds are appealing to investors looking to avoid market highs and lows, but watch out for the fees.
Today's Stocks & Topics: Discount Brokers, Warnings Signs for Global Economy, Long Term Care Insurance, 10 Quotes from Warren Buffet, Industrial Output, SLB - Schlumberger Ltd., ETFs, BABA - Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., PBR - Petroleo Brasileiro S/A ADS, IBM - International Business Machines Corp.

Why you should invest cautiously despite all the talk about the mother of all bull runs.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Financial Advisors, Germany & Recession, U.S. Oil, RAX - Rackspace Hosting Inc., INVN - InvenSense Inc., AMTD - TD Ameritrade Holding Corp., REGN - Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., Investing, DDD - 3D Systems Corp.

Instead of breaking down your assets by account, maybe you should think of them all as one big pie.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Share Mutual Funds, Part Time Workers, Wal-Mart, PETM - PETsMART Inc., Bank Stocks, CSIQ - Canadian Solar Inc., SEAS - SeaWorld Entertainment Inc., Stocks Investing.

Once you determine what will give you peace of mind in retirement, then you need to know how you can get there financially.

Today's Stocks & Topics: HON - Honeywell International Inc., Gold, Europe Economy, Investing Strategy, GE - General Electric Co., Retirement, Jobs Report, GGN - GAMCO Global Gold Natural Resources & Income Trust, 529-Plan.

Shareholders need to accurately determine a company's true profits.

Today's Stocks & Topics: GE - General Electric Co., RIG - Transocean Ltd., Low Mortgage Rates, Shopping Season, 529-Plans, I-R-A vs. Roth I-R-A, Pension Plan, Investing, FCX - Freeport-McMoRan Inc., PCLN - Priceline Group Inc., BP - BP PLC ADS.

For your American dream to become a reality you've got to make more smart decisions than dumb ones.

Today's Stocks & Topics: ETFs & Gas Prices, Should Companies Reinvest or Buyback?, QCOM - Qualcomm Inc., Mid Cap Mutual Funds, TWO - Two Harbors Investment Corp., OAKS - Five Oaks Investment Corp., Short Sales, Bond Funds.

Will all this money flying out the window through share buybacks and special dividends put a damper on the market?

Today's Stocks & Topics: Umbrella Insurance, Investors Sentiment, Jobs Report, House Prices, SWN - Southwestern Energy Co., KKR - KKR & Co. L.P., BABA - Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., Mutual Funds, Index Mutual Funds, GDX - Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF, SFXE - SFX Entertainment Inc., GILD - Gilead Sciences Inc.

Possibly the greatest illusion we have is that denial protects us. Being asleep is what can hurt us.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Long Term Planning, Jobs Report, Global Financial Cycles, Junk Bonds, GDX - Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF, BABA - Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADS, Trust, PG - Procter & Gamble Co., KRFT - Kraft Foods Group Inc., WDAY - Workday Inc.

Some say investors hold too much in stocks and bonds and need to jack up alternatives allocations.

Today's Stocks & Topics: I-R-A, Jobs Report, Retailers Getting Ready, Sibling Disputes About Elderly Parent's Care, RIG - Transocean Ltd., Europe ETF, Index Funds, COF - Capital One Financial Corp., BLK - BlackRock Inc.

Could there be a hybrid, combining the best of both?

Today's Stocks & Topics: Hedging, China’s Car Sales, Election Day, IBIO - iBio Inc., Lower Oil Prices, TOT - Total S.A. ADS, KNDI - Kandi Technologies Group Inc., FB - Facebook Inc. Cl A, AAPL - Apple Inc., Solar Energy, SNY - Sanofi ADS.

Both ETFs and Mutual funds are viable choices for investors, but . . .

Today's Stocks & Topics: Retirement, China, Apple, DIS - Walt Disney Co., GGN - GAMCO Global Gold Natural Resources & Income Trust, KRU - Proshares Ultra KBW Region Banking ETF, TRP - TransCanada Corp., CJES - C&J Energy Services Inc.

The challenge is to try to figure out which data actually contains useful bits of information and which bits are just noise.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Retirement Fund & Taxes, The Stock Market, Vanguard, Housing & Baby Boomers, Oil, PAY - VeriFone Systems Inc., DDD - 3D Systems Corp., 401k, GDX - Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF, TWWDX - Thomas White International Fund, PCLN - Priceline Group Inc., MELI - MercadoLibre Inc.

Is there a way to get the just-right exposure to the stock and bond markets?

Today's Stocks & Topics: Black Monday, The QE, Dividends Stocks, Why The Market Will Rally to the End of the Year, GDP Numbers, Oil, LYB - LyondellBasell Industries N.V. Cl A, DDD - 3D Systems Corp.,  GDX - Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF, Buy & Hold, VOD - Vodafone Group PLC ADS, T - AT&T Inc., VZ - Verizon Communications Inc.

Diversifying assets by taxability can be an effective planning strategy for your working years and into retirement.

Today's Stocks & Topics: ROKU Going Public, China, QE is Done!, KO - Coca-Cola Co., NRZ - New Residential Investment Corp., RTN - Raytheon Co., RTN - Raytheon Co., RIG - Transocean Ltd., Mutual Funds, Annuities, GDX - Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF.

From an investment perspective, improving your house can make sense.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Financial Data, Sequence of Returns on Retirement, Election & The Market, Another QE?, I-R-A vs. Roth I-R-A, GILD - Gilead Sciences Inc., GILD - Gilead Sciences Inc., Stock Value.

When everyone moves to onload them, will there be anyone to buy?

Today's Stocks & Topics: Investments & Retirement, China, TLLP - Tesoro Logistics LP, RGLS - Regulus Therapeutics Inc., Z - Zillow Inc. Cl A, Share Portfolio, 401k, BHI - Baker Hughes Inc.

Attention older investors: There's a good chance you're doing it wrong.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Investing Strategy, Earnings Report, Oil Prices, QE in Europe, SCHD - Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF, Dividends, DDD - 3D Systems Corp., SYNA - Synaptics Inc., The Stock Market Correction, Energy Stocks.

When searching for bargains, should you ignore the unloved little guys?

Today's Stocks & Topics: 401k Plan, Economic Numbers, Social Security Benefits, Money Management, Bond Funds, BA - Boeing Co., PBR - Petroleo Brasileiro S/A ADS.

If you made it 65, changes are good you'll live to 95.  So, should you invest like a younger person?

Today's Stocks & Topics: Emerging Market Bond Funds, China’s Economic Report, The Fed, Housing Inflation, SNXFX - Schwab 1000 Index Fund, VGPMX - Vanguard Precious Metals & Mining Fund, YHOO - Yahoo! Inc., 457k, KMP - Kinder Morgan Energy Partners L.P., NCR - NCR Corp.

You may want to open your wallet for a better fund manager.

Today's Stocks & Topics: DVN - Devon Energy Corp., Currency, SPXL - Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X Shares, Inflation, Real Estate, MO - Altria Group Inc., 401k.

Its merits aside, an investment that ties up your money can cause inconvenience or hardship.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Economy Indicators, Apple, Profits Margins, Retirement Mistakes, NTI - Northern Tier Energy LP, New Investor, BAESY - BAE Systems PLC ADS, Solar Power.

With the stock market’s recent volatility, should I have a ready strategy to respond quickly?

Today's Stocks & Topics: Day Trading, The Stock Market Always Crash, Retirement, What NOT To Buy At Costco, HAL - Halliburton Co., WWAV - WhiteWave Foods Co., Stock Software, Investing, TNH - Terra Nitrogen Co. L.P., SWKS - Skyworks Solutions Inc., NEM - Newmont Mining Corp.

Investing for the long term is a sound idea, but another key element must be added: diversification, and that requires action.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Index Funds, Economic Calendar, QB, Chinese Banks, Shares, BX - Blackstone Group L.P., Retirement Savings, GLNG - Golar LNG Ltd., Stock Value.

Index funds are winning big, but there’s still a place for stock pros in your portfolio.

Today's Stocks & Topics: P.E. Ratio Range, Hardest Hit Sectors, Economic Data, Baby Boomers & Healthcare Cost, SMT - SMART Technologies Inc., CMI - Cummins Inc.

A big change is nearly certain for investors soon.  Few will be surprised, but some will be nervous.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Are we in a Bear Market?, Spec Homes, Mortgage, Pension Funds, ABC - AmerisourceBergen Corp., CHRW - C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc., XOM - Exxon Mobil Corp., Interest Rates.

The temptation is to put everything into “safe” investments and live off of the income.  Not that easy.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Return on Equity, Gold, Oil Prices, Retirement, Investing, CVRR - CVR Refining L.P., CVRR - CVR Refining L.P., Internatinal Stock Funds, Taxes.

Your'e thinking that the Morningstar ratings are enough, but there's more to know.

Today's Stocks & Topics: ETFs vs. Mutual Funds, Russia, Oil, 10 Safest High Yield Dividend Payers, CE - Celanese Corp. Series A, UN - Unilever N.V. ADS, 5 Year P.E. Range, FHCO - Female Health Co., LF - LeapFrog Enterprises Inc. Cl A., GSK - GlaxoSmithKline PLC ADS., SYNA - Synaptics Inc.

Two types of investors: One who's satisfied with a fair share return accepting a certain risk, and another who always wants more return with less risk.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Portfolio Management, Mortgage Rates, Apple Inc., The Stock Market, COG - Cabot Oil & Gas Corp., BSX - Boston Scientific Corp., BT - BT Group PLC ADS, BP - BP PLC ADS, TOT - Total S.A. ADS, BIOF - BioFuel Energy Corp.

"Wow!  If I put $10,000 in that, I could turn it into $60,000 almost instantly!"

Today's Stocks & Topics: Hutchinson Whampoa IPO, COP – ConocoPhillips, Real Estate, Roth IRA, Today’s Rally, China – Biggest Economy in the World, Interest Rates, CACC - Credit Acceptance Corp., LUK - Leucadia National Corp., VAR - Varian Medical Systems Inc.

Debt is costly.  But, today, can you afford not to invest?

Today's Stocks & Topics: 401k, Housing, Germany, Global Growth Outlook, Sectors, CREE - Cree Inc., BBY - Best Buy Co. Inc., LF - LeapFrog Enterprises Inc. Cl A, Railroads, The Stock Market.

Should you go with the straightforward, cost-effective product, or opt for the pricier, more service-oriented experience?

Today's Stocks & Topics: Social Security, China, Apple Computers Supplier, Peter Thiel – PayPal Founder, CNW - Con-way Inc., 401k, Gold, P.E. Ratio.

If you read the advice on the Internet, you know that you should sell all your stocks right now - a billionaire predicts 

economic crisis beyond the Great Depression.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Investing for Kids, IPOs, Energy Stocks, Bonds, Retirement, Roth IRA, Insurance, Stock Limits, Money Management, Uniform Gifts to Minors, Income Production Vehicles.

Who needs a will?  How much can you gift your children without a tax impact?  Should you have a revocable living trust?

Today's Stocks & Topics: Inverse Funds vs. Selling Short, Living Trust, OI - Owens-Illinois Inc., Price Range, Interview: Mark Powell - Estate Planning, GPRO - GoPro Inc., HLF - Herbalife Ltd.

Enriching a college education with a forward thinking plan for building wealth.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Small Caps, Incomes, China, Roth IRA, Gold, Oil, Bonds, Financial Advisor, Redemption Fees, Earnings, Sectors.

For young to middle-aged investors, the importance of other asset classes pales in comparison to human capital.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Margin Debt, Consumer Report, Personal Portfolio, China, TUP - Tupperware Brands Corp., Safe Investments, TTM - Tata Motors Ltd. ADS, Pention Benefits.

There are two responses to good news.  How to tell which one is right for you.

Today's Stocks & Topics: IRAs, Junk Bond Market, Home Sales, China, Bill Gross, SDRL - SeaDrill Ltd., IRR - Voya Natural Resources Equity Income Fund, Alternative Shares, FFRHX - Fidelity Floating Rate High Income Fund, COL - Rockwell Collins Inc.

If retirees are willing to leave the states behind, the savings can be substantial.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Stock Evaluation, China, Middle Age Mistakes, RCI - Rogers Communications Inc., Oil Companies, 529 Plan, FDX - FedEx Corp., Bill Gross, New Investor.

Some see a trend: More families looking to rent a home rather than buy.  A real opportunity or a fast passing trend?

Today's Stocks & Topics: Balancing, Refinancing, Equity, Durable Goods Report, Indexes, ETN - Eaton Corp. PLC, NRZ - New Residential Investment Corp., Mortgage, TSLA - Tesla Motors Inc., ORCL - Oracle Corp., Today’s Market.

Some take on a lifestyle of ridiculous budgeting and spending practices without realizing just how wrong they are. You probably know of some of these people.  You might be related to them.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Annuities, DEST - Destination Maternity Corp., Data Breach, The Dollar, Mortgage Payments, GDX - Market Vectors ETF Trust Market Vectors Gold Miners, GGN - GAMCO Global Gold Natural Resources & Income Trust, CVX - Chevron Corp., HTM - U.S. Geothermal Inc.

How the divestiture more than $50 billion from portfolios with fossil fuel-related assets will affect energy stocks.

Today's Stocks & Topics: 401k, Companies and Debt, 5 Expenses You Dont Plan For, But Should, China, Class Action Lawsuits, UPL - Ultra Petroleum Corp., GD - General Dynamics Corp., MKC - McCormick & Co. Inc.

As the geopolitical situation the world-over spins out of control, investors are questioning how best to position their investment portfolio for the global turmoil.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Russell 2000, Real Estate Market, New ETFs, 5 Expenses You Don’t Plan For, But Should, GDX - Market Vectors ETF Trust Market Vectors Gold Miners, CLF - Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., GS - Goldman Sachs Group Inc., PGH - Pengrowth Energy Corp., KITE - Kite Pharma Inc.

If you read the advice on the Internet, you know that you should sell all your stocks right now - a billionaire predicts economic crisis beyond the Great Depression.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Investing for Kids, Alibaba, Energy Stocks, Bonds, Retirement, XOM - Exxon Mobil Corp., MO - Altria Group Inc., CCJ - Cameco Corp., SYNA - Synaptics Inc., MOBI - Sky-mobi Ltd. ADS.

They're questions nearly every middle-age worker has asked themself: Should I leave my job and retire early? What would I need? How do I know I'm ready?

Today's Stocks & Topics: Small Caps, JNJ - Johnson & Johnson, Housing, International Monetary Fund: The Stock Prices, Bonds Investors vs. Stocks Investors, Stop Orders, Buy Backs, Real Estate or Stock Market, 401k, MCHX - Marchex Inc. Cl B.

Enriching a college education with a forward thinking plan for building wealth.

Today's Stocks & Topics: PBR - Petroleo Brasileiro S/A ADS, Roth IRA, Gold, Oil, Bonds, Incomes, Financial Advisor, DIS - Walt Disney Co.

One of the biggest mistakes retirees make is forgetting how big a bite state and federal taxes can take out of savings.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Roth IRA, Federal Reserve, Small Caps, Tesla, Margin Interest for Credit Accounts, California Green Bonds, BBL - BHP Billiton PLC ADS, Real Estate, GDX - Market Vectors ETF Trust Market Vectors Gold Miners, WMC - Western Asset Mortgage Capital Corp., TEL - TE Connectivity Ltd.

A new report identifies big businesses, dubbed investment heroes, that are placing the biggest bets on America.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Where to Invest?, LNG - Cheniere Energy Inc., Debt, BND - Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF, STJ - St. Jude Medical Inc., Apple Watch, SBUX - Starbucks Corp.

Statistics show Americans have about $856 billion in outstanding credit card debt.  That works out to around $7,000 per household.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Off Shore Oil Drillers, Commodities, European Inflation Data, Retirement, Roth IRA, Stock Adjustments, Retirement Funds, Secondary Market, Life Insurance, How to Invest.

You're doing it all - feeding your 401(k) at work, at least up to the company match, attending seminars, picking a diversified portfolio.

Today's Stocks & Topics: 401k, China, 5 Day Work Week, URTAX - JPMorgan Realty Income Fund A, PGH - Pengrowth Energy Corp., HD - Home Depot Inc., GD - General Dynamics Corp.

Tracking changes in brand rankings from year to year offers insight into how well various companies are performing.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Inherited Roth IRA, 5 Day Work week, Ali Baba, 7 Fatal Flaws of 401k, ASPS - Altisource Portfolio Solutions S.A., GM - General Motors Co., GGN - GAMCO Global Gold Natural Resources & Income Trust, 401k, BABA - Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADS.

It's all about counterproductive market timing and fund selection - Investors chasing performance.

Today's Stocks & Topics: 401k & Credit, GDX - Market Vectors ETF Trust Market Vectors Gold Miners, The Consumer, Trouble at McDonald’s, Workers are Quitting Faster, Long Term Care, GTAT - GT Advanced Technologies Inc., FCX - Freeport-McMoRan Inc., AAPL - Apple Inc., MON - Monsanto Co., DE - Deere & Co., Gold.

Gaining popularity among do-it-yourself investors, they’re attractive to those looking to expand beyond stocks, bonds and treasuries.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Exchange Traded Funds, Five Day Work Week, Infrastructure, Federal Reserve Policy Dilemma, GDX - Market Vectors ETF Trust Market Vectors Gold Miners, Mutual Bond Funds, Derivatives, Retirement, WES - Western Gas Partners LP, UAN - CVR Partners LP.

Pay attention to fees, and what federal policies on 529s should you be aware Of?

Today's Stocks & Topics: BABA - Alibaba Group Holding, Corporate America vs. Government, Jobs Report, Financial Advisors, CSX - CSX Corp., 529 Plan, BP - BP PLC ADS, RIG - Transocean Ltd., KORS - Michael Kors Holdings Ltd.

Paradoxically, weak overseas economics have probably helped the U.S. at least as much as it has hurt.

Today's Stocks & Topics: European QE, Chinese Stocks, Housing vs. Banks, Gold, 401k, MCP - Molycorp Inc., VOIL - Virtus Oil & Gas Corp., ALLT - Allot Communications Ltd., Sectors.

It's common knowledge that a high credit score is the key to low-interest loans and increased purchasing power. But what makes a credit score go up?

Today's Stocks & Topics: Fundamentals & Technicals, China, Creative Destruction in TV Land, LUKOY - Lukoil Holdings ADS, RIG - Transocean Ltd., Gold, SLB - Schlumberger Ltd., LINE - Linn Energy LLC., TYC - Tyco International Ltd., GLD - SPDR Gold Trust, MYL - Mylan Inc., REITs.

Should you consider bailing out of your current mutual-fund holdings and look for better funds, or come to a better understanding and reconsile?

Today's Stocks & Topics: New Investor, South Dakota, Money Market Funds at Risk, Americas 10 Fastest -Growing Retailers, Buy Backs, EPBEl Paso Pipeline Partners L.P., Minimum Wage, MU - Micron Technology Inc., Investing, ETFs, FSLR - First Solar Inc.

As the baby boomers begin to retire, effects on workforce participation and consumer spending levels will be profound.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Citi Group, Rebalance Your Retirement Portfolio, Fast Food, ETFs, New Investor, Mutual Funds, Treasury Bonds, Day Trading, Dollar Cost Average.

Statistics show Americans have about $856 billion in outstanding credit card debt.  That works out to around $7,000 per household.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Off Shore Oil Drillers, Commodities, European Inflation Data, Retirement, BA - Boeing Co., WFM - Whole Foods Market Inc., AMSG - Amsurg Corp., SAND - Sandstorm Gold Ltd., GILD - Gilead Sciences Inc., CPHD – Cepheid.

Stock index funds are performing superbly as the bull charges ahead. But don’t look for them to protect you when the market stumbles.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Revenue vs. Sales, Return on Equity, Return on Assets, EU Barrowing, China is Exporting Gasoline, Millennials Hate Cash, GoPro Cameras, LEN - Lennar Corp. Cl A, Index Fund, Dividends, NXPI - NXP Semiconductors N.V., GILD - Gilead Sciences Inc.

Sometimes we forget the need to teach our children about planning and budgeting. So how do you create a saving and spending plan to help steer them toward financial wisdom?

Today's Stocks & Topics: Mutual Funds vs. ETFs, The Stock Market Rising, Big Banks Big Profits, 60% Correction, Holiday Trends, DK - Delek US Holdings Inc., CHK - Chesapeake Energy Corp., SU - Suncor Energy Inc., TAL - TAL International Group Inc.

Stock market corrections are inevitable. Since 1932, declines of 10% to 20% have occurred an average of every two years.

Today's Stocks & Topics:  Stop Loss, Investing Options, BLK - BlackRock Inc., Utility Stocks, PLG - Platinum Group Metals Ltd., RIG - Transocean Ltd., IP - International Paper Co.

The bond portions of target-date funds may become more volatile than they were in the past, if current ultra-low interest rates rise back to normal.

Today's Stocks & Topics:  MMM - 3M Co., New Home Sales, Least Tax-Friendly States, Longevity Annuities, FSC - Fifth Street Finance Corp., MET - MetLife Inc., PRU - Prudential Financial Inc., INSY - Insys Therapeutics Inc., KKR - KKR & Co. L.P.

Nationally, hundreds of towns seek to attract retirees as a source of economic development.   Don’t be confused by the hype.

Today's Stocks & Topics:  ALGN - Align Technology Inc., Bonds, Hackers, Labor Inflexibility, HP - Helmerich & Payne Inc., BNO - United States Brent Oil Fund LP, BMO - Bank of Montreal, Regulation Fees, CY - Cypress Semiconductor Corp.

The most successful investors don't chase trends. Instead, they establish their strategy and follow it no matter what.

Today's Stocks & Topics:  Bonds & Stocks, S - Sprint Corp., Bank of America, The AAII Settlement, Retail Sales Payroll & Prices, AGCO - AGCO Corp., 401k, Money in the Market.

35 percent of older workers who remained in the labor force following a job change decided to leave their 401(k) money where it was. That's the EASY answer.

Today's Stocks & Topics:  FRM - Furmanite Corp., Supply & Demand of Stocks, Russia, Beijing, European Borrowing Costs, AREX - Approach Resources Inc., Best Time to Invest?, BAC - Bank of America Corp., RIG - Transocean Ltd., VZ - Verizon Communications Inc., BX - Blackstone Group L.P., AAPL - Apple Inc.

Although they get lots of negative press, many hedge funds are worthy of being part of portfolios.

Today's Stocks & Topics:  AAPL - Apple Inc., Income, Getting Rich, Bill Fleckenstein, KKR - KKR & Co. L.P., HP - Helmerich & Payne Inc., CELG - Celgene Corp., GE - General Electric Co.

Investing is not just about diversifying between traditional and alternative assets, it’s about picking the assets that have the most potential for gain.

Today's Stocks & Topics:  AFL - AFLAC Inc., Kinder Morgan, China & Home Prices, AMD - Advanced Micro Devices Inc., Long vs. Short, FNV - Franco-Nevada Corp., RMBS - Rambus Inc., NEM - Newmont Mining Corp.

As the baby boomers begin to retire, effects on workforce participation and consumer spending levels will be profound.

Today's Stocks & Topics:  PAY - VeriFone Systems Inc., Citi Group, Rebalance Your Retirement Portfolio, Fast Food, ETFs, KORS - Michael Kors Holdings Ltd., EOG - EOG Resources Inc., UNP - Union Pacific Corp.

Commodities have spent much of the previous four years in the basement. Does that make them a bargain?

Today's Stocks & Topics:  CCI - Crown Castle International Corp., 1 Dollar A Day for Your Child, Stock Market Experts, Europe Statistics, QQQ - PowerShares QQQ Trust Series 1, Stock Trade Almanac, Gold, KMI - Kinder Morgan Inc., TWO - Two Harbors Investment Corp., Bonds vs. Mutual Funds.

In 2007 and 2008, property values nationwide dropped dramatically. It seemed that one of the staples of American wealth was a lousy place to invest money. Link to related article.

Today's Stocks & Topics:  VIX - CBOE Volatility Index, China, 4 Signs this Bull Market is on its Last Legs, Mortgage Lenders, KMP - Kinder Morgan Energy Partners L.P., Asian Stock Market, DATA - Tableau Software Inc., RRGB - Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc.