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Information is for educational and informational purposes only and is not be interpreted as financial advice.

This information does not represent a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security. Please consult your financial advisor for advise for your own specific circumstances.
 
 
 

INVESTING
AND FINANCIAL PLANNING


Here we provide helpful investing information and resources to help you understand investing basics, and to help you with your own personal investing strategy.

Investing allows us to take the money we have saved, and grow it, by creating our own financial portfolio.  Here, you will find practical financial information to help you with your own finances, and information about the different types of investments, such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, real estate, and others.

Along with learning about investing, we have also provided links to our teaching lessons to help you teach and learn important finance and investment principles.

 

 

 

 

INVESTING MONEY INFORMATION

 

INVESTING BASICS AND OVERVIEW    

 

 

Principles of Investing for Beginners

Some basic investment principles you should understand before investing your money.

 

Investing Begins with Savings

The key to successful investing is beginning with saving money.  An effective savings strategy, together with a smart investing strategy will help you meet your financial goals.

 

Investments:  A General Overview

Investments can be a complicated subject.  Here is an overview of general investments.

 

How much do you Need to Start Investing?
How much money is needed to start investing in the stock market?

 

Investing Terms you should know

Here is a list of basic investment terms you should know, along with their definition.

 

What is a Bull and a Bear Market?

Bulls and bears may sound dangerous, but they simply describe different types of stock markets.

 

What is Growth Investing?

Learn about the growth investment style and investing in emerging growth companies, stocks, and mutual funds.

 

What is Value Investing?

Learn about the value investment style, buying undervalued investments.

 

The Value of Investment Clubs

If you are interested in investing in stocks, but want to expand your investing knowledge, then consider starting or joining an investment club.

 

Investing for Retirement

People are living longer, so we must either work longer, or save more to fully enjoy retirement.

 

How Compounding Interest Helps Me

Learn about the power of compounding.

 

Why Asset Allocation makes me Money

Learn about asset allocation, and diversifying your investment portfolio.

 

Dollar Cost Averaging

Learn about the investment strategy of dollar cost averaging, and its advantages and disadvantages.

 

Investment Portfolio Diversification

Diversification is a fundamental aspect of sound financial planning.

 

Understanding Risk
Risk is an important concept to understand in regard to life, or investing.  Learn your risk personality type, to help with managing your investments.

 

Knowing your Situation: A Personal Investment Strategy
Here are some factors you should know, to help make your decision to invest.

 

Introduction to Estate Planning and Personal Finance
Look at the big picture of your finances and financial goals.

 

An Introduction to Portfolio Management

Most investors leave the more technical aspects of portfolio management to their financial consultants. However, this need not be the case.

 

Investment Liquidity:
What it is and Why it is Important

Liquidity or a lack thereof causes more financial problems than almost any other aspect of finance.

 

Company Retirement Plans

Regardless of which retirement plan your employer offers, it is important to know the simple facts about that plan and how it will help you when the time comes to retire.

 

Fundamental Principles of Wealth and Resource Management

We discuss ways in which you can improve and learn the skills necessary to not only be a success financially but to be a success in life in general.

 

Avoiding Online Investment Fraud

Information and advice on avoiding Online investment fraud.

 

You, Incorporated

Imagine ourselves not as people but instead as businesses.

 

Income Streams and Annuities

It is very important to understand an income stream from a conceptual standpoint in the world of financial management.

 

Using a Team Approach to Real Estate Investing

Real estate investing can be an excellent way to show growth over a period of time.

 

The Inverse Law of Income

The inverse law of income states that the greater the potential for long term income the less the potential for immediate income at the beginning.

 

The Law of Diminishing Returns

The law of diminishing returns teaches us that there comes a point when assuming additional risk will provide no further benefit.

 

Understanding Investment Management

Investment management firms manage the portfolios of individuals, partnerships, corporations, corporate and public retirement plans, non-profit entities and endowments.

 

BUILDING WEALTH STRATEGIES    

 

 

How to Start Investing and Build Wealth
Saving money is a necessary requirement for building wealth.

 

Wish Lists and the Purpose of Money
Learn about wish lists, money, and setting goals.

 

Setting Goals in your Financial Plan
Learn to set goals to reach your financial objectives.

 

Discipline: A Necessary Skill for Financial Success
Proper discipline is a necessary skill for financial success.

 

Balancing Income and Expenses
Learn to balance your income and expenses.

 

Saving Money: Money as Energy
Money is like a form of energy.  Learn to control and accumulate it.

 

Wealth Consciousness
A secret to building wealth is to first gain a wealth consciousness.

 

Delayed Gratification

Being able to delay gratification is a skill that must be acquired on your road to wealth.

 

A Strategy for Building Wealth

Money does not grow on trees. You must give something to receive it. Here are some strategies for building wealth.

 

Understanding Abundance and Needs

It is a fact of human nature that our needs are never entirely fulfilled.

 

TYPES OF INVESTMENTS    

 

 

Basic Types of Investments - Financial Instruments you should know

If you are new to investing, then it is important that you understand the different types of investments, or financial instruments, available to you.

 

Understanding Mutual Funds

Mutual funds provide a convenient way to invest in a diversified stock portfolio.  Here is some basic information on mutual funds.

 

What is a Mutual Fund?

What is a mutual fund?

 

Spreading your Risk with Mutual Funds

Learn about using mutual funds as an investment.

 

Introduction to Mutual Funds

An introduction to investing in mutual funds.

 

What are Stocks?

Learn about the basics of stocks and stock investing.

 

What are Bonds? Investing in Bonds

Learn about the basics of bonds, including the different bond types including government, municipal, and corporate bonds.

 

How to Invest in Bonds

Information on investing in bonds.

 

The Benefits of Index Funds

Index funds provide a simple, low cost way to invest in a diversified portfolio of stocks.

 

Investing in Index Funds

Index investing can be simple or enormously complex, depending on how you approach it and what you expect out of it.

 

Doing your Own Investing with Drips

If you would like to invest in stocks, but don't have much to invest, then you may want to consider a dividend reinvestment plan, or DRIP.

 

Advantages and Disadvantages of Investing in Mutual Funds

Here are some important advantages and disadvantages of investing in mutual funds.

 

Investing in ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds)

Learn about the pros and cons of investing in EFTs, or Exchange Traded Funds.

 

Government and Municipal Bonds
An overview of government and municipal bonds and debentures.

 

What is Private Equity Investing?

Besides investing in public companies, you can also invest in private companies, also known as private equity investing.

 

Investing in Micro Cap Stocks

Learn about investing in micro cap stocks, or stocks for companies with market capitalization under $300 million.

 

Corporate Bonds

An overview of corporate bonds, including risk and terms of maturity.

 

Investing Internationally

International investments have additional risks you should understand before investing in foreign markets.

 

529 College Savings Plans

Qualified Tuition Programs, or 529 plans for saving for college.

 

An Introduction to Options

An introduction to options and derivatives.

 

Common Questions about Stock Options and Derivatives

A review of responses to common questions about these esoteric investments.

 

Investing in Precious Metals

Learn about investing in precious metals including gold, silver, and platinum.

 

Types of Stock

A thorough knowledge of various stock classifications and their defining factors will help you in choosing one appropriate for your portfolio.

 

Investing in REITs

The real estate investment trust (REIT) is an excellent way to invest in real estate, without actually having to manage properties.

 

Investing in Foreign Currencies

Information on investing in foreign currencies.

 

Investing in Foreign Stock Exchanges

Information on investing in foreign stock exchanges.

 

Understanding Derivatives and Futures

A derivative is not an equity, but is rather derived from an equity such as a stock or bond.

 

Understanding Insurance and Annuities

Information on investing and insurance and annuities.

 

Index Options

Index options are not that different from the more traditional options on stocks.

 

A Guide to Non-Traditional Investments

Investing for growth is a principal that applies to other types of assets that lie outside the normal realm of finances.

 

The Basics of Financial Markets

Today, there are all sorts of markets, ranging from the supermarket that sells our everyday food and household products, to the art market, the real estate market and even the drug market.

 

ANNUITIES    

 

 

Information on Annuities - How Annuities Work for You

An annuity may be compared to an insurance policy.  Here is information on annuities to see if they fit your personal financial plan.

 

FINANCIAL PLANNERS AND PLANNING    

 

 

Financial Planning Introduction: Applying what you Know

It is important to go over some actual actions that you can take toward having more financial success and creating a better future for both you and your family.

 

What Services do Financial Planners provide?

Information on how a financial planner can help you with managing your money. Principles of accumulating wealth, limiting your liabilities, and protecting your assets.

 

Which Stock Broker should I Choose?

Choose a stock broker that understands you and your investment needs.

 

Choosing a Financial Planner

Advice on finding and choosing a financial planner.

 

Choosing a Financial Advisor

An astute investment advisor can help you make better and more intelligent decisions for very little cost.

 

Managing Money Yourself
Should you manage money yourself, or let a professional do it for you?

 

Personal Record Keeping and Financial Planning
A comprehensive financial plan will also include record keeping.

 

Creating a Debt List
Learn about creating a debt list -- a list of anything you owe others -- for helping you manage your debt.

 

Protecting Yourself

Some ways you can spot an unscrupulous stock broker and methods you can use to ensure that you are not taken advantage of.

 

INVESTING STRATEGIES AND TRADING    

 

 

Fundamental Stock Market Investing
Learn about fundamental stock market investing and trading.

 

What is Technical Analysis?
One method to analyze stocks is called technical analysis.

 

Understanding Market Volatility
Market volatility allows traders to take advantage of short-term price changes for profit.

 

How to do Free Research on Stocks
For investing in individual stocks, research and due diligence is a must.

 

Creating a Stock Watch List
Stock market traders often use a watch list for monitoring stocks and the market.

 

Day Trading versus Intra-Day Trading
This differences of day trading and intra-day trading.

 

Understanding Analyst Ratings, and When to Ignore Them

When to ignore Wall Street analyst ratings.

 

Introduction to Day Trading

Day trading: Do your own research, do not get caught up in systems that deliver signals for a high fee.

 

Gaining Insight through Company Quarterly Filings

One of the most important things to look at when making an investment decision is the company's quarterly (10-Q) and annual (10-K) filings.

 

What makes Stock Prices go Up and Down?

What causes stocks to go up and down?

 

Investment programs, Software, CDs and Tutorials

Information on investment education programs, software, CDs, and tutorials.

 

Media Strategy: Stock Analysis through the Press

The press, and how the company handles the press, has a big impact on share price.

 

ADVANCED INVESTING CONCEPTS    

 

 

Financial Futures
Foreign exchange futures, commodity futures, and financial futures.

 

An Introduction to Foreign Exchange
The basics of foreign exchange, markets, and trading.

 

Understanding Oil Markets
Learn about oil markets, crude pricing, and the global economy.

 

Understanding Commodities Markets
The commodities markets, futures markets, and how they began.

 

Developing Countries and Markets
Information on developing countries and developing markets.

 

Understanding Financial Risk Management
Financial risk management is used to protect against financial market exposures.

 

International Free Trade Negotiations
International free trade negotiations and agreements.

 

The Business of Importing and Exporting
Importing and exporting business and trade.

 

Importance of International Trade

International trade is the backbone of our modern, commercial world.

 

Purchasing Power Parity Method

The PPP method considers a bundle of goods, and then calculates the price of this bundle in each country.

 

Buying or Selling Calls as an Investment Strategy

Call options on individual stocks or other types of securities provided an affordable and flexible way to benefit from an anticipated price increase.

 

Buying or Selling Puts as an Investment Strategy

Whereas Call options allow one to benefit on a stock price going up, Put options allow one to benefit when a stock price goes down.

 

Esoteric Derivatives and Structured Transactions

Derivatives are the area of the investment industry that exceeds all others in terms of growth in the number of offerings.

 

ECONOMICS    

 

 

What is Economics?

Learn an introduction to economics, including vocabulary, and why it is important to business, government, and our daily lives.

 

Opportunity Cost

Opportunity cost is the cost we pay when we give up something to get something else.

 

Macroeconomics: A General Overview

Learn about macroeconomics, basic principles, and concepts.

 

Microeconomics: A General Overview

Learn about microeconomics, and basic concepts.

 

The Evolution of Money

The two theories which explain what money is.

 

Fundamentals of Economics

The basic principles of economics.

 

World Economics

he study of world economics (also called international economics) is the study of all of the factors that influence the movement of goods and money around the world, and because it is so intricately tied, the related politics.

 

FINANCE PRINCIPLES    

 

Simple Interest
Learn how to calculate simple interest, using its three main components: principal, interest rate, and time.

 

Compound Interest
Learn how to calculate compound interest.

 

Efficient Markets Hypothesis
A basic principle of finance. An efficient securities market is one where the prices of securities traded on that market reflect all publicly known information.

 

Present Value
Present value is today's money value of a future amount.  Formulas and examples of calculating present value.

 

CAPM - The Capital Asset Pricing Model
The capital asset pricing model, or CAPM, is a model for pricing risky securities, such as stocks.

 

Cost of Capital - WACC
The cost of capital is the expected return required on investments to compensate you for the risk.  Learn to calculate the cost of capital.

 

Capital Budgeting
Capital budgeting is the process by which financial managers decide whether or not to invest in specific capital projects or assets.  Learn the basics of capital budgeting.

 

Bond Valuation
Learn how to use finance principles to value bonds.  Calculate bond prices.

 

Information Asymmetry
The financial concept of information asymmetry.

 

Standard Deviation
The financial concept, and calculation of standard deviation.

 

Perpetuities
A perpetuity is an annuity that provides payments indefinitely.

 

The Power of Compounding
Time exerts a great influence on your investment portfolio.

 

Calculating different types of Annuities
Examples and formulas for calculating different types of annuities.

 

Bonds: An Introduction
An introduction to the characteristics and types of bonds.

 

Bonds: Calculating Yield
How to calculate the yield of a bond.  Current yield, yield to maturity, etc.

 

Optimizing Capital Structure
The importance of ensuring an optimal capital structure.

 

Annuities

Annuities are a special type cash flow where each year you get a specified amount of money.
 

Interest Rate Sensibility

The price of bonds can vary, but not every bond is affected in the same way when circumstances change.


Bonds: Market Value, Current Price

Market value is the present value of the expected cash-flows.

 

Understanding Corporate Finance

Corporate finance is the body of knowledge that dictates the decisions a company makes about its finances.



REAL ESTATE    

 

Real Estate

Information on investing in real estate including buying a home, choosing a mortgage, saving money for a home, first time home buyers advice and tips.

 

RETIREMENT    

 

Investing for Retirement

People are living longer, so we must either work longer, or save more to fully enjoy retirement.

 

How much Money do I need to Retire?

To retire you will need to save a large enough nest egg to provide a steady income stream.

Retirement Lifestyle:  A Time for Pursuit of Passion
Retirement may be a time of renewal or reinvention.  Your lifestyle choice is up to you.

Retirement Planning -- Quick Guide to Choosing a 401(k) Advisor

Proper planning for retirement is important, and an advisor can help.  Here is some information on choosing a retirement planner or 401(k) advisor.

 

401(k) Participation Still Too Low

According to a recent Harris poll, only about a third of workers in the U.S. will have enough money saved to retire in comfort.

 

The Place of Social Security in your Retirement Plan

Establishing a financial plan to make up for the social security shortfall is near impossible unless you plan years in advance.

 

Estate Planning: Legacy and End of Life Planning

Everyone should take note to review their current estate plan or create one.

 

A Guide to Individual Retirement Plans

An individual retirement plan is something everyone who is able should contribute to on their way to retirement.

 

Insure Your Future by Retirement Planning

Too many people do not sufficiently insure their future retirement by proper financial planning.

 

TEACHING INVESTING LESSONS    

Teaching Investing
All about teaching investing money. Learn basic investing and financial concepts.  Including stocks, the stock market, interest, income statements. Buying stocks, calculating shares purchased, percentage change in share price, how to read a stock table.

     

     

 

  

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