| Do you feel as though your personal finances are | | | | for profit. |
| taking a dangerous roller-coaster ride? Well, in these | | | | For, today's economy is a worldwide entity. The |
| current days of economic uncertainty and instability in | | | | economic progress, stability and state of every |
| the U.S. and throughout the world, it's difficult to | | | | country is affected in some way, and to some |
| know how much, and in what to invest. In reality, | | | | degree, by worldwide economic trends, profits and |
| what truly is the best way to invest money? Should | | | | losses. Fundamental elements such as major news |
| you hold on tightly to investments you now hold? Or, | | | | events and politics also affect world markets and the |
| should you try to sell that vacation cottage at the | | | | markets of individual countries directly. As you know, |
| beach -- the one advertised as a sure and safe real | | | | central banks in many countries regulate rates and |
| estate investment just two summers ago? Should | | | | flow of imports and exports whenever they |
| you keep those U.S. Treasury and municipal bonds | | | | determine doing so will benefit their countries' |
| that you always thought were such a secure way of | | | | economies. So, in general, you'll find that having a |
| saving and investing after those first few years of | | | | well-informed picture of the world's current financial, |
| success at your first job? And how about your | | | | political and economic movements will help you |
| annuities and retirement fund -- are pension funds | | | | understand your own country's investing position and |
| doomed to disintegrate and disappear as stocks | | | | status, showing you the best way to invest money |
| plummet and major corporations close their doors? | | | | in today's market for your future benefit. |
| In times of economic uncertainty and even crisis, the | | | | And, what percentages of your hard-earned money |
| best way to invest money is carefully and safely. As | | | | should you place in which investment tools and |
| the old adage goes, "Don't put all your eggs in one | | | | forms? Well, a generally accepted and simple |
| basket -- don't spend all your money in one place." | | | | investment method is to first subtract your current |
| Stay informed on the current state of, and daily | | | | age from 100. If your age is greater than the |
| changes in the economy. Watch for even slight | | | | resulting number, invest the percentage of your |
| devaluations in your current investments. And be sure | | | | money equal to your age in liquid or easily accessible |
| to consult at least one financial expert who is familiar | | | | investments (CDs, savings and money market |
| with your current portfolio or with your favored | | | | accounts). Then, place the smaller percentage in less |
| methods of investing. Avoid making hasty or | | | | liquid or accessible assets (stocks, bonds, property, |
| impulsive changes to the investment tools and | | | | trusts). -- (For example, if you are now 60 years of |
| amounts you now hold, but don't be afraid of making | | | | age, put 60% of your money in liquid assets, and |
| a well-advised change just because you've held that | | | | 40% in less accessible ones.) Your IRA, 401k or |
| certain stock for a long time and always considered it | | | | pension fund should remain untouched -- except of |
| a rising star in the market. Remember, yesterday's | | | | additions or deposits -- until you retire. |
| rising star might prove to be today's falling meteorite. | | | | And always remember, the best way to invest |
| -- But, don't get discouraged. When investing, there's | | | | money is sensibly, carefully and with a mixture of |
| always a different path you can travel -- another | | | | know-how and savvy that will make your money |
| stock or bond or enterprise in which you can invest | | | | work for you and your future security. |