What hope can there be for motivated stock pickers to outperform the low-cost index funds that simply mechanically track the market? Well - in spite of the absurd rise of the Nobel-acclaimed, and highly promoted, Efficient Market Hypothesis that claims that individual investors can't beat the market - it turns out there is plenty! [Let me explain.] Words: 1574

With the stock market seemingly reaching new highs every day, should we worry about a crash that puts an end to the party? If so, how should investors prepare? Let us explain.

With people living longer and spending as much as 30 years in retirement, if you want to maintain a moderate standard of living, it is essential to plan your retirement well in advance to secure your golden years. This article outlines 6 ways to do just that. Words: 665

One of the most difficult challenges of transitioning to retirement from the working world is a complete change in mindset with regards to an investment portfolio. You go from being a saver to a spender. There’s no future income or nearly as much time to soften the blow from bear markets. Growth is still necessary but you have to be cognizant of the fact that you’ll need to protect some of your assets for spending purposes. Here's an interesting case study in how to approach this change in mindset.

Many articles are being written these days that more or less scope the dire financial circumstances the U.S. is in. That being said, I had not been able to find one "analyst" - even one - who had the guts to outline the probable outcome and general hopelessness of the situation and to offer any meaningful prescription for investors to survive this coming catastrophe - until now. Words: 710

Literal fortunes will be made by this bull market in gold so if you don’t have exposure to it, you need to start doing so now.

Some say that the gold price rises and falls, but they are grabbing the wrong end of the stick. It is the purchasing power of national currencies that rise and fall. Here is an analogy to make this point clear. When standing in a boat and looking at the shore, it is the boat (currencies) – and not the land (gold) – that is bobbing up and down. [Let me explain the value of gold further.] Words: 631

The economy is a better indicator than stocks and bonds (house prices, too) of our financial health.

Serious investors should make a habit of watching key ratios related to gold. They all suggest that it is still a great opportunity to buy gold & silver and/or their miners.

What's an individual investor to do to make sure that his investments will not be completely wiped out in the coming financial Armageddon? Gold is the answer.