by Melinda Torbay
Debt or Savings?

I guess most of us dream about living without debt. If you are like me, you sit down and pay bills, and think about how much money you would have if you did not have to service credit card bills, car loans, or a mortgage. Maybe a picture of a shack on an island even comes to mind.

I really think that those end of the world books became popular as an escape. Even if something awful happens, like a zombie invasion, it would still wipe out all of our creditors too.

But are we better off without debt, or should we had onto cash? I think the answer is complex, and like most things in life, it depends.

Move Credit Around

Maybe you can improve your debt situation even if you cannot eliminate it. It is tough these days, but many people can still find offers for …

Many websites and e-books on investment training strategies promise you incredible things. Writing Covered call options on stock is one of the most popular trading strategies taught today. These websites promise that you can earn up to 10% monthly returns using that very strategy. Sound good? Read on.

Under the right circumstances, impressive monthly returns can be achieved by selling out-of-the-money covered call options. This strategy has been successfully used by me. However, it is not without its disadvantages. The public has not been properly educated by the website and e-book marketers. This strategy is marketed as having low risk and being conservative. They leave you holding the bag when it all goes wrong.

When the stock market is rising in value selling out of the money covered calls works well. Additionally, when the stock market is neutral (not going up or down …

by Pete Veslick

Anyone who has money to invest is hurt by low interest rates. If you want to buy things on credit such as a car you might like the interest rates where they are now but people who have money sitting around are not happy. Right now the saying time is money does not really apply to bank cds and other investments where you make money by lending it to banks.

The people that are hurt by low interest rates are those people that like to invest in bank certificate of deposits (CDs) and other investment that are guaranteed by the government. Government bonds would also fall into that category. Seniors often have their money in this type of safe investment vehicle because they need to be guaranteed that they will not lose the money. In exchange for the low risk, they are willing to make less …

by Marc Abrams

Incredible things have been promised by many websites and e-books regarding investment training strategies. One of the more common stock market trading strategies taught is to sell covered call options on stocks. These websites promise that you can earn up to 10% monthly returns using that very strategy. Sound good? Read on.

Under the right circumstances, impressive monthly returns can be achieved by selling out-of-the-money covered call options. This strategy has been successfully used by me. However, it is not without its disadvantages. The public has not been properly educated by the website and e-book marketers. This strategy is marketed as having low risk and being conservative. They leave you holding the bag when it all goes wrong.

Selling out-of-the-money covered calls works when the stock market is going up in value. Additionally, when the stock market is neutral …

by Marc Abrams

One step forward, five steps back. This seems to be the motto lately, especially when it comes to investing. Many people thought that 8% to 10% annual returns were just something to be expected. After all, how many of you used those returns in your retirement projections? Well, we have reluctantly entered a new age with new questions to be asked. What are you going to do?

You need to take control of your investments. You can no longer rely solely on the advise of your broker or financial advisor. After all, didn’t they allow you to get into this position in the first place?

Are you waiting for those losing stocks to recover, you know, the ones that you have an emotional tie to? You as an investor must teach yourself to think differently. …

by Jessica Haug

The option of the 403b retirement scheme is a great way of saving for when you finish working. It is a plan that has been created specifically for employees of educational institutions, non-profit businesses and clergymen. There are a number of options available on this plan and it has advantages for both the employee as well as the employer.

The employer can rely on the fact that the plan features the facility for the funding to be shared by both parties. It is sometimes stipulated that only the employee can contribute, however. Employers can rest assured that the benefits an employee gets on the 403b retirement plan will keep them with that employer for a long time to come.

Workers will love the range of advantages that this plan has to offer them. Firstly, they can revel in the fact that they will get a reduction of tax …

by Joe James

There are many retirement saving options out there for people looking to invest in their future. The two most important ones are the 401k and the IRA. There are many different types of each of these options. Both options have different rules too. However, if you use these two options together, you will be able to save a lot of money for your retirement.

A 401k is an option that is set up by your employer. They give you a select number of stocks and mutual funds to invest in and you can set the ratio you want to invest in. This is an optional plan. The money is taken out before taxes meaning your contribution is not taxed. However, when you retire, the money you take out is taxed so if you are in a higher income bracket than when the money went in you …

by May Eastwood Elenore Lewis Brenda Warden Pamela Stewart

What’s the FDIC?

The world financial crisis has dried up the credit market, caused money giants like Lehman Brothers to crash, and forced gigantic banks to combine, making many folks wonder where their money will be safe. Through the FDIC or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation the bank is still the best place to keep your money regardless of what occurs to your bank. In October 2008 the deposit insurance was briefly raised to $250,000 per depositor thru December 31, 2009, so if your area bank falls down you can still be guaranteed your deposit up to $250,000.

FDIC 101

Established in 1933, the FDIC was made to guarantee public confidence in the banking system. This worked by providing all depositors in FDIC-insured banks coverage up to $5,000 ( in the thirty’s ), and second by taking over for a failed bank …

by Leonard Maltby

Many people become interested in investing in annuities, and the thing to remember is that a fixed annuity is used to invest in government securities and high grade corporate bonds. Many people choose to invest in annuities because it is a potential savings choice for many people.

If you are one of these people, first, determine if an annuity is really the right investment option for you. Then, take a look at the different types of annuities that are available to today’s investors like you.

Choosing between fixed and variable annuity is a must; while the former offers a guaranteed rate of return with fixed payments over the annuity’s lifetime, the latter may offer greater returns, and yet at the same time put your investment at greater risk.

To many, investing in fixed annuity is more appealing, as it offers more security and guarantee. You should consider …

by CalculatedRisk on 4/10/2009 02:46:00 PM

From Rex Nutting at MarketWatch: Budget deficit triples to $957 billion for year

The U.S. federal budget deficit rose to a record $956.8 billion in the first six months of the fiscal year … the Treasury Department reported Friday. … In March, the deficit widened to $192.3 billion from $48.2 billion in March 2008. Outlays rose 41% to $321.2 billion from $227 billion, while receipts dropped 28% to $129 billion from $178.8 billion.

Click on graph for larger image in new window.

This graph shows the year-over-year change in total Federal tax receipts.

For March 2009, receipts were off 27.9% compared to March 2008.

For individual income taxes, receipts were off 27.3%.

For corporate income taxes, receipts were off 89.6% (from $32.6 billion in March 2008 to