Most people get some kind of raise each year. They earn a little more than they did in the year before. Without a plan to save that raise, it’s very easy to use it up by adding a few luxuries or consumption to your regular spending.

What evidence is there that the typical investor would be better suited sticking to a defined investment plan as opposed to employing a performance chasing type strategy?

We know all about the tried-and-true ways to reduce our work stress. We journal. We go outside. We take more frequent breaks. These methods are all backed by multiple studies to take away the bundle of nerves keeping us anxious. If these methods are not working for you, however, it’s time to get creative. Here are 4 suggestions:

The dominating role that the U.S. has had with respect to patent applications has been challenged in recent years. Is China becoming the new global leader in innovation?

The math is simple. The more a country increases its debt to simply stay afloat, the more like the increasing debt will cause a tightening of credit. The next step is a burst bubble and economic crisis. This is what happened in 1929 and in 2007, and it’s happening now.

Cryptocurrencies are the biggest Ponzi scheme in modern history. It is very similar to chain letters or pyramid schemes. The issuers make tons of money as well as many of the speculators who get in early. In the end, the whole thing will collapse and late entrants will lose everything.

A study released by GoBankingRates reveals that older people planning their retirement have cause for concern. 42% of Americans are facing their golden years with less than $10,000 in savings.

Fibonacci retracements are technical indicators that can help predict when, and to what extent, both pullbacks and rallies could occur.

The sad truth is that many Americans are vastly underprepared when it comes to retirement savings with a 2016 GoBankingRates survey revealing that 33% of Americans have nothing saved for retirement at all and, in total, 56% have less than $10,000 saved. [That begs the question] "How much money does it actually take to retire comfortably?" It seems like one million dollars is the magic number many people think of but is it really necessary? Could some people could get by in retirement on less? Let's explore all the different ways you could live a happy retirement even if you don’t amass a million-dollar nest egg.

In my view, most people who are selecting stocks for their retirement are doing it wrong. Most investors are picking “good companies,” stocks that have gone up a lot in the past, stocks of companies that are soon to release higher earnings, or stocks that have been selected because the technicals look good. All of these make for lousy long term investments. Here's a better path to retirement bliss, one that’s much more likely to work out if you are prepared to put just a little bit of time and effort into your portfolio.