Larry Lane

The longer you have your money invested in stocks or real estate, the more time you allow you money to grow. You also allow yourself time to make up for periods in the market when there is an extended period of time when the market suffers through a correction (like now) or is flat. At its low, the stock market has retracted more than 50% from the high. Depending on your portfolio, you may have experienced a larger downturn

If you wish to borrow money, your credit score will determine the amount of credit you receive and at what interest rate you'll receive on your purchase. Your FICO score will have a direct effect in establishing new lines of credit through credit cards, as well as purchasing a car or new home. There are a number of employers who will request a credit check even before you become employed. Having a good credit score is imperative to being financially successful.

In order to be competitive in your chosen field, you've decided you need a four year degree. What is the average income for high school and college graduate? Measured in 2006 dollars, the median earnings for adults' ages 25–34 who worked full time throughout a full year increased as education level increased this pattern held true for males and female across all ethnicities.

if you own assets, you need to be financially protected. The news is riddled with celebrities who have gone bankrupt; MC Hammer, Evander Holyfield, Willie Nelson, Hulk Hogan, the list goes on and on. How could someone who earns more than 99% of the general public declare bankruptcy? Let's examine some financial no no's and how to avoid financial trouble.

You have 6 months saved for your emergency fund earning a robust 1% interest. You think there's got to be a better way to earn more interest. You turn to Cd rates, but the prospects of tying your emergency money up for 2 years for an extra 1% return aren't an option. Desperate times call for desperate measures. It's time to go shopping (for better returns on your money that is!)

Need to know where to invest a portion of your investment portfolio in relative safety? The investment world has a plethora of investment choices. Bonds can be an ideal investment for those seeking safety.

Before investing in a stock, mutual fund or ETF, there are several factors to consider. How would you react if your investment went down 25% in 6 months? What about if you suffered a 50% loss? Not a pleasant thought, but these are the unfortunate realities of investing.

The chief reason investors purchase mutual funds are for diversification. A mutual fund may hold as little as twenty securities all the way to several hundred. These can include stock, bonds as well as cash. If your investable assets are under $50,000, mutual funds can be an ideal tool to diversify your portfolio. By investing in a mutual fund, you are in fact paying for a professional manager or team of managers to oversee your investment.

Commonly known as ETFs, Exchange Traded Funds have been traded since the mid 1990's. ETFs are a direct competitor to index mutual funds. Like mutual funds, they offer instant diversification, usually tracking an index.

Preferred stock is considered a hybrid investment since it has both the qualities of a stock as well as a bond. Preferred stock is considered senior debt (higher ranking) to common stock, but are subordinate (lower ranking) to corporate bonds. In the case of a liquidation event, the shareholders of preferred stock will be first in line to get paid behind bond holders.