Moneysmartz

New Ratings

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:11:45 -0600

Keeping your finger on the pulse of what investment banks and independent research firms think about your favorite or not so favorite stocks can pay big dividends. Newratings.com offers an online database of equity research reports and ratings issued by investment banks and independent research firms. Newratings.com is still in beta and requires registration to use more advanced features, including a stock tracking tool. To learn more or post your review and comments, visit the newratings.com Moneysmartz Profile.

Abnormal Returns

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:10:30 -0600

Are you looking for a fast and efficient way to scan the Web for investment information and insight? Rated as one of the top 50 business blogs by the Times Online, Abnormal Returns, an investing blog, offers linkfest, a daily post of recent investment and market related information. Linkfest summarizes recent posts and articles from leading investment blogs and financial portals. You don't have to be a speed-reader to quickly review linkfest and click on links of interest. To learn more or post your review and comments, visit the Abnormal Returns Moneysmartz Profile.

The Big Picture

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 11:15:00 -0600

If you are looking for a rudder during these turbulent economic times, then The Big Picture, an economic and investing blog, offers straight talk and insight to help steady your ship. The Big Picture, authored by CNBC contributor and author Barry Ritholtz, does not sugar coat market turmoil, but instead offers insight that you can use to make smarter decisions. For example, when commenting on the definition of a bear market in a recent post, The Big Picture offers the following advice: "Rather than focus on terminology, investors should be considering their risk management strategies, what they are doing to preserve capital, and how they are psychologically prepared to deal with what could be an extended downturn." To learn more or post your review and comments, visit the The Big Picture Moneysmartz Profile.

Yahoo! Finance

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:58:32 -0600

As an essential tool to help you make smarter financial decisions, Yahoo! Finance offers personal finance insight, tools, news and more. If you are looking to save time and commit to one financial portal, Yahoo! Finance should be at or near the top of your list. To learn more or post your review and comments, visit the Yahoo! Finance Moneysmartz Profile.

Economist.com

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 08:36:39 -0600

As global markets become increasingly linked and experts tout risk reduction through global diversification, it pays to know what's happening outside the United States. Economist.com offers insight and opinion on international news, world politics, business, finance, science and technology, as well as overviews of cultural trends and regular industry, business and country special reports. To learn more or post your review and comments, visit the Economist.com Moneysmartz Profile.

Investing Education Update

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 18:38:55 -0600

How much investing knowledge is enough? For some, visiting a financial portal every year is too much, while for others, complete immersion in CNNMoney, The Wall Street Journal, and all forms of investing information is not enough. The obvious answer is that your level of investing knowledge depends on your personal situation and interests. With increasing market complexity and volatility, and so much of your net worth depending on smart investment decisions, it's difficult to argue against spending some of your free time learning more about investing. The Moneysmartz Investing Education guide offers a list of free and for-fee investing education resources covering the full-spectrum of investing education needs. To view listings from leading providers of investment education, visit the Moneysmartz Investment Education guide.

Investment Professional Selection Tips

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 12:33:10 -0600

Do-it-yourself or get help? This question, a dilemma for many, will occur early and often during the course of your financial life. As your personal finances become more complex, you will inevitably need help from an investment professional. The following tips will help you make an informed selection:

Determine your personal finance objectives and think about the services that will meet these objectives. For example, are you saving for retirement, protecting against risk, preparing your estate, or putting money aside for the education of your children? These are just a few of the potential questions that will help determine the financial services you are seeking. Financial services fit into an array of disciplines, including financial planning, estate planning, retirement planning and preparation, tax planning, investment management, college financing and planning, and insurance. Investment professionals may specialize in one discipline or offer services in several areas. Don't worry if you can't think of a complete list of financial services to meet your needs, because, after all, this one important reason for getting help.
Ask trusted sources like friends and relatives for the names of investment professionals. Keep in mind that everyone's financial situation is unique, so what is good for your neighbor, may not be good for you.
Don't use titles or generic terms to make your selection. According to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA"), the largest non-governmental regulator for all securities firms doing business in the United States, titles like Financial Adviser or Financial Planner can be used by investment professionals that may not "hold any specific designation."
Understand professional designations. The list of designations continues to grow, with each one representing something different. FINRA lists almost 100 designations. There are requirements for each designation, so when an adviser lists a credential, ask questions about the meaning of the designation and where to go to verify the designation. For example, to verify the credentials of a purported Certified Financial Planner, visit the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standard's search page and enter the name of the professional. To understand the meaning of a designation, do a Google keyword web search using the designation title. For example, Google keyword search "CFA" links to the CFA Institute, the organization offering the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.
Conduct face-to-face interviews with prospective investment professionals. FINRA suggests the following questions: "areas of specialization, professional designations, registrations or licenses, education, work history, investment experience, products and services, and disciplinary history." Be sure to ask about compensation, which may be hourly, a flat annual fee, commission based, percentage of assets managed, or a combination of commissions and fees. Ask if the professional or their firm receives additional compensation for selling particular investment products. Finally, in the case of a professional offering investment products, ask if their firm is a member of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation ("SIPC"). According to FINRA, "the SIPC provides limited customer protection if a firm becomes insolvent."
Verify state and federal regulatory registrations of the investment professional and their firm. Ask the prospective professional if they and their firm are registered at the state, federal, or at both the state and federal level and the actual name of these regulatory authorities. Once you have the name of the regulatory authorities, visit them online or call to verify registration. Many investment professionals and their firms are registered by FINRA, so a great place to start is FINRA's BrokerCheck, "a free online tool to help investors check the professional background of current and former FINRA-registered securities firms and brokers." In addition, FINRA provides links to state regulatory authorities.
Ask for references. Going the extra mile and checking references is worth the effort when considering that you may be entering into a lifelong relationship with the selected investment professional.
Make sure the services being offered fit your unique needs and situation. Every investment professional should tailor a solution unique to you and your situation. Beware of professionals offering "one-size-fits-all" services.

Ultimately, selecting an investment professional is your responsibility, so whether you choose to do-it-yourself, or partner with one or many investment professionals, you control your financial destiny.

Suggested Sites: FINRA, Securities and Exchange Commission, CFP.net, Financial Planning Association

Guide Categories: Financial Planning, Insurance, Investing, Estate Planning, Retirement Planning, Tax Preparation and Planning, College Financing and Planning

Surviving and Thriving in 2008

Sun, 25 May 2008 09:56:16 -0600

2008 started with such promise. Sure, the danger signs were everywhere, but like every New Year, optimism prevailed. Well into 2008, many wish for another new year and an end to the stream of economic woe and confusion. Before throwing in the towel, Moneysmartz offers the following ideas to survive and thrive:

Take stock of your current financial situation. Begin by calculating your net worth and determining if you have enough saved in an emergency fund. You might find that you are in better shape than you thought or that you need to act right away to shore up your financial situation.
Prepare a budget. Sites like Mint.com make it easy and it won't take as much time as you think.
Assess your protection against risk by inventorying your insurance coverage. In the event of a worst-case, you'll be happy you took the time.
Avoid making investment decisions based on emotion. Understand your risk tolerance and investment time horizon to avoid selling low and buying high.
Learn more about the big economic issues of the day so you can make smarter and more informed decisions.
Try not to lose sleep over a loss in your home value if you don't intend to sell, refinance, or get a home equity loan. The market will eventually recover. This provides small comfort to those facing a reset on their mortgage interest rate or foreclosure, but for the majority of homeowners, a reset or foreclosure is not a concern.
Reduce your daily spending through frugality. Go to sites like Valpak.com for money saving coupons.
Focus on the areas where you have more control, including your job, your education, your health, and your family. If you are worried about losing your job, then prepare your resume, start calling your friends, and prepare for a change.

Like every economic cycle, this storm will pass and make way for a better day. Understanding this may be half the battle to begin enjoying the rest of 2008.

Suggested Sites: NetWorthIQ, Mint.com, A.M. Best, Insurance.com, CCH Financial Planning Toolkit, About.com Economics, FrontDoor, Federal Reserve Education: Foreclosures, About.com Frugal Living, Cool Savings, Vault.

Guide Categories: Assessing Your Financial Situation, Financial Calculators, Financial Goal Setting, Financial Planning, Insurance, Investing, Investment Time Horizon, Economics, The Federal Reserve Bank, Stagflation, Mortgages, Real Estate, Foreclosures, Frugality, Coupons, Compensation and Benefits.

Worst Case Insurance Planning

Fri, 16 May 2008 20:30:40 -0600

Chances are you don't have enough insurance coverage. In fact, according to the Insurance Information Institute, nearly 60% of American homes are inadequately covered. So if you think you fall into this group, here's a way to get motivated to get the insurance you really need. Visualize your worst-case scenarios. It's a difficult way to plan, but if a worst-case occurs, you will be thankful you took the time to think ahead. To learn the basics of insurance planning and start filling gaps, visit the MSN Money and Marketwatch guide "Making sure your insurance fits." The Moneysmartz Insurance Guide offers even more links to relevant and reliable sources of Insurance information and advice.

FINVIZ

Wed, 14 May 2008 15:36:39 -0600

What if you could assess the state of the financial markets in a blink of an eye? FINVIZ.com, a provider of financial research, analysis, and visualization services, helps investors visualize market opportunities in seconds, instead of minutes or more. FINVIZ.com Maps yield unique insights through a bird's eye view of the stock market, including the visualization of company capitalization, industry, and stock price movements. To learn how to use FINVIZ, click the guided tour link at the bottom of the home page for a brief video introduction. To screen stocks and find out what the analysts are saying about your favorite investment, visit the Screener page. For insight into insider trades, go to Insider. Visit Portfolio to create you own investment portfolio watchlist, tracking daily performance and linking to recent news. Registration is required to use the FINVIZ Portfolio section, but it is free and only takes a few seconds. To learn about new site features, visit the FINVIZ blog. Whether you are an avid stock picker or casual market observer, beware, FINVIZ may be addictive.

Day Trading Update

Tue, 13 May 2008 15:50:26 -0600

The recently updated Moneysmartz Day Trading page, designed to highlight the risk of day trading, includes two cautionary listings from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). According to the SEC, "Day trading is extremely risky and can result in substantial financial losses in a very short period of time." If you still have the stomach for day trading after visiting the SEC listings, then go to the Wikipedia and Investopedia listings to learn even more about day trading, including trading strategies for beginners.

Foreclosures Update

Mon, 12 May 2008 14:18:23 -0600

The recently created Moneysmartz Foreclosures page offers tips, advice, and solutions to consumers facing the nightmare of foreclosure. For links to agencies and organizations offering consumer assistance, visit the Federal Reserve Education foreclosure page, a Moneysmartz Editor Best Bet. When using Google to find foreclosure information, beware of the numerous foreclosure listing sites targeting real estate investors, as many offer little useful information for consumers facing foreclosure. If you are a real estate investor looking for local foreclosures, then try RealtyTrac, the self-proclaimed "#1 source of foreclosure listings." For ways to avoid foreclosures, look to About Home Buying, with links to how foreclosures work and ways to stop foreclosures.

Garage Sale Tips

Sat, 10 May 2008 08:46:21 -0600

Spring is finally here, your house is full of clutter, and you are looking for a few extra dollars to pay for the rising cost of gas. If you are willing to invest some sweat equity, then a garage sale is a great way to clean and get some green. Before getting started with your garage sale, visit the Yardsalequeen.com for common sense tips and more links. Wondering how to price your items? Visit Your Garage Sale Source for pricing ideas. Try Craigslist to find and advertise your garage sale. For example, if you live in Denver, visit Google, type keywords "craigslist Denver garage sale," and click "I'm feeling lucky" to view the Craigslist Denver garage sale classifieds page. In addition, many local newspapers host garage sale pages with maps and information, so try Google keyword search "your city garage sales." Finally, if you are pressed for time or feeling charitable, find a local Goodwill to donate your stuff.

Money Real Estate Survival Guide 08

Fri, 09 May 2008 08:40:03 -0600

Money Magazine's 2008 Real Estate Survival Guide offers a tale of a world turned upside down with growth predicted for Syracuse, Buffalo, and Scranton, and dire times for the darlings of real estate, including Los Angeles, Miami, Phoenix, and Las Vegas. With projected eye-popping real estate price declines, what can we do to survive and for the select few, even prosper?

The Money Magazine Real Estate Survival Guide offers facts, tips, and insight. Here's how to make the most of the guide:

Get the facts about your market including home price data for 381 markets.
Learn the new rules of real estate including how homes will be financed in the future, what to ask your next mortgage broker, and a video on real estate trends.
Try to stay positive, but if you must wallow in a little misery, take consolation in tales from the California bust.

Like the boom, bust, and boom of economic cycles, this correction will pass, leaving us with new opportunities and a greater understanding of the risks associated with real estate.

Squidoo Personal Finance

Thu, 08 May 2008 19:55:22 -0600

Wikipedia, an online encyclopedia open to editing by anyone, was the first of many collaborative web-based resources. Squidoo, a relatively new entrant into the space, with an emphasis on openness, declares, "Everyone's an expert on something!" This is bad news if you are looking to use Squidoo for definitive financial advice, but good news if you are looking for fresh perspectives on your personal finances.

To get the most from your visit to Squidoo, the following tips will help guide your way:

Use the search bar at the top of the Squidoo home page and enter a financial keyword. Let's try personal finance.
Note the terminology on the search results page. A Lens is a page created by someone. A LensRank™ "is the secret Squidoo algorithm for ranking lenses. A LensRank of #1 is best! (Ex: LensRank #14 beats out LensRank #39,999)."
Sort search results by LensRank or Recently Updated.
Buyer beware. Lenses come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including thinly veiled advertisements with links to more obvious advertisements. Like so many web 2.0 websites, the ranking system is not foolproof.
Patience is a virtue. You'll have to do some digging to find gems. Here are two (we had to do a lot of searching to find these examples): The Best Personal Finance Websites and CFP.

With a fresh way to present the expertise of the masses, Squidoo offers a new, but not necessarily improved, view on your personal finances.