Rules may be meant to be broken, but with investing ignoring the rules can break you - especially now. Investment rules are tailor-made for tough times, allowing you to stick to a plan just when you need it most. Indeed, a rulebook is important in any market climate, but it tends to get tossed when stocks are soaring. That's why sage investors warn people not to confuse a bull market with brains. Here are 10 rules to survive this stormy stock market. Words: 769

I'm not going to candy coat it for you: making serious money in the stock market is a ton of hard work. It takes patience, savvy, and a certain level of market smarts - and the cold, hard truth is that if you don't have them, the big boys will drain your portfolio dry. Unfortunately, those are the three areas that most retail investors need to work on the most. Otherwise, they will simply end up in a cat-and-mouse game where they are the mice. Don't fool yourself for one second into believing that your "due diligence" can be done by watching a show or two on CNBC. It just doesn't work that way but if there is one voice from the markets that should grab your attention every time you hear it, it belongs to Dennis Gartman, founder and author of The Gartman Letter. He's sort of a guru's guru. [Here is] a glimpse into how he views and trades the markets. Words: 1061

America was once the world’s model democracy. Now it’s a global laughingstock with a government that can’t keep the lights on and is threatening to renege on its debts. How did this happen?

Islamic Finance doesn't have all the answers but if we're going to improve the systems we have, it's important to understand how other systems work — especially one that has been around for a cool 1,300 years, and is now a sector holding $3.2 trillion in global assets.

Whether you think the market is in a bubble or just forming a short-term top is mainly irrelevant but if you’re nearing retirement, or are a retiree, your investment horizon is shorter than that of much younger people it may be wise to consider the possibility.

If you're trying to invest in precious metals, then stick to bullion coins or bars. Don't be distracted by numismatics, rare coins, collector's items, or fancy packaging or grading schemes...Even though I have long warned of the dangers of the industry, it is hard for retail investors not to be led astray by high-pressure salesmen [but] reading this guide is a step in the right direction. Words: 1000

...It’s not unreasonable that gold and silver (along with platinum) are often lumped together in the precious metal basket...but it’s important to distinguish between silver and gold rather than assume that the two metals are interchangeable. Words: 385

Whether it’s pirated software, poison-infused baby formula, cancer-causing drywall, luxury purses, or fake medicines, if you need a knock-off, China has traditionally been the go-to country, with a counterfeiter always willing to oblige. Now, with precious metals prices on the cusp of possibly the biggest price explosion in centuries, fake gold and silver products are becoming a booming industry. Here are some safeguards to protect yourself from getting duped. Words: 1124

The three highest-ranking countries on the list for retirees are the Netherlands (85.0), Iceland (83.5) and Denmark (81.3). Australia came in fifth (77.3), the UK 10th (73.0), Canada 12th (70.2) and the U.S. an embarrassingly low 22nd (63.0). Argentina had the lowest index value (42.3). Where does your country rank?.

“De-dollarization” is being pursued by countries with agendas at odds with the US, including Russia, China, Saudi Arabia and Iran.