| In business school I had little direction; nor did I learn | | | | the most casual observer. Neither your employer nor |
| how to invest. In graduate school (MBA,finance) my | | | | the government can afford to take care of you in |
| financial education did not include how to invest in the | | | | the future. They are both busy getting their own |
| real world. In training to be a stock broker the focus | | | | financial house in order. You should get busy too. For |
| was on selling, not investing. You learn how to invest | | | | example... |
| on your own. You'll never regret the time and effort | | | | The economy is on the skids and you fear for your |
| it takes to get yourself up to speed. | | | | job. It's one thing if you have funds set aside to last |
| If you don't know how to invest you're not the Lone | | | | you a year or so, it's quite another if you don't. Or, |
| Ranger. Few people today have a real down-to-earth | | | | you're thinking of changing occupations and going |
| financial education, yet they invest anyway in IRAs, | | | | back to school so you can get a better job. Same |
| 401k plans and on the internet. Last decade millions | | | | story. Or, you had set aside money in IRA and 401k |
| of Americans lost trillions of dollars investing. In the | | | | plans for years so you could retire at age 60 and not |
| heat of the financial crisis our national leaders | | | | worry about money. Then you lost half of it in |
| displayed both discomfort and financial incompetence | | | | 2000-2003, and again in 2008; leaving you no other |
| dealing with our economic problems. Is the financial | | | | choice except to keep on working if you can keep |
| system now fixed, or are we due to revisit the | | | | your job. |
| crisis? | | | | When you are going through bad times in your |
| Financial education is rarely included in our educational | | | | personal life, the last thing you need is to find out |
| system; in part because there would be a shortage | | | | that you've taken a large loss in your retirement plan |
| of qualified teachers. For now, your best shot at | | | | as well. That's why I strongly suggest that there is a |
| getting up to speed is probably self study, with some | | | | financial solution that can help in situations like those |
| guidance. In case you've never really given it serious | | | | above, and improve your quality of life. Give yourself |
| consideration, here's why you need at least a | | | | a financial education and do what you can to learn |
| familiarity with the world of finance and investing. | | | | how to invest. Money will not necessarily make a |
| The gravy train is over. Millions of Americans nearing | | | | miserable person happy - but a lack of it won't even |
| or in retirement today have it made due to employer | | | | come close. |
| pensions and other benefits, including Social Security. | | | | Read more investing articles, I say. At least you're on |
| If you missed the train or you're not close to | | | | the right track. |
| retirement age, one thing appears obvious to even | | | | |