Blogging Stocks

By Moneysmartz on Wed, April 1, 2009, 5:51 AM | Link

Archived Under: Investing , Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews
Tags: Blogging Stocks, Investing Blogs, Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews

Blogging Stocks
Category: Investing Blogs
True to its mission "to cover stocks with depth, analysis and an obsession unmatched anywhere on the web," Blogging Stocks offers an array of analysis and opinion every day. Articles, opinion, and stock picks are organized by stock, so it's easy to find and track your favorite stock.
http://www.bloggingstocks.com

All Purpose Money Portal

By Moneysmartz on Tue, March 31, 2009, 8:15 PM | Link

Archived Under: Investing , Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews
Tags: Investing, Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews, MSN Money, Personal Finance

MSN Money
Category: Investing
MSN Money, part of the sixth most visited domain on the Internet, MSN, offers personal finance and investing information, an online community, and the latest financial news, services, tools, and articles. MSN Money's financial information can be used for research and tools like calculators will help you plan for retirement, pay off college debt, file tax returns and more. The site's in-depth coverage of financial topics includes personal finance insight from a team of seasoned financial columnists. Like many of the best personal finance portals, MSN has just about everything you need to make smarter financial decisions.
http://moneycentral.msn.com/home.asp

Wisdom For Trying Economic Times

By Moneysmartz on Sun, March 22, 2009, 6:43 AM | Link

Archived Under: Investing , Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews
Tags: Investing Blogs, Investing Microsites, John Templeton, Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews

What Would John Templeton Say?
Category: Investing Blogs

"Successful investing is only common sense. Each system for investing will eventually become obsolete." John Templeton, 1984

During trying economic times, it is comforting to remember that common sense, optimism, and a little creativity can ultimately save the day. "What Would John Templeton Say?", a blog and microsite recently launched by the Templeton Press features the wisdom of John Templeton, one of the twentieth century's greatest stock pickers. As stated on the site, "What Would John Templeton Say?" "is not a site dedicated to giving investment advice. Rather, it is a resource to share the wisdom of John Marks Templeton and provide historical and current perspectives on economic issues." The site includes articles, quotes, and a summary of Templeton's life. Equal parts inspiration and reality, the John Templeton site offers perspective to weather the storm.
http://whatwouldjohntempletonsay.com/

Moneysmartz Profile Updates 3/16/09

By Moneysmartz on Mon, March 16, 2009, 6:29 AM | Link

Archived Under: Investing , Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews
Tags: Bill Cara, Investing Blogs, Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews

Cara Community
Category: Investing Blogs
Cara Community (formerly BillCara.com) helps participants understand global financial markets and has cultivated a trading-learning environment about capital markets and social equity. The site offers articles, materials, and links to help readers trade with an emphasis on quality and value. Caracommunity.com has approximately 100,000 readers in 140 countries and an annual hit rate of over 100 million. Forbes has listed BillCara.com as a "Favorite" for the past three years.
http://caracommunity.com/

Moneysmartz Profile Updates 3/12/09

By Moneysmartz on Thu, March 12, 2009, 5:29 AM | Link

Archived Under: Investing , Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews
Tags: 10Q Detective, Investing Blogs, Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews

10Q Detective
Category: Investing
10Q Detective is a blog written by David Phillips that offers readers information on public company 8-K and 10Q SEC filings. The site highlights financial statement soft spots to help readers make better investment decisions. Phillips' works have been published in top financial sites and have received accolades from other financial blogs. 10Q Detective was recognized by BusinessWeek as a "Best of Financial Blog" and by Kiplinger's Personal Finance as a "Must-Read" money blog.
http://10qdetective.blogspot.com/

Moneysmartz Profile Updates 3/11/09

By Moneysmartz on Wed, March 11, 2009, 6:26 AM | Link

Archived Under: Investing , Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews
Tags: Investing Blogs, Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews, The Big Picture

The Big Picture
Category: Economics
Accumulating over 35 million visits since its inception, The Big Picture covers investing, trading and macro economic topics. Authored by frequent CNBC contributor Barry L. Ritholtz, The Big Picture has received positive reviews from top media sites such as The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Business Week, CNBC, and the Associated Press.
http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/

Moneysmartz Profile Updates 3/8/09

By Moneysmartz on Sun, March 8, 2009, 12:19 PM | Link

Archived Under: Investing , Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews
Tags: Google Finance, Investing, Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews

Google Finance
Category: Investing News and Media
Google Finance is one of the most comprehensive sources of financial information and data on the Web. The site offers stock quotes and interactive charts containing up to 40 years of data, news articles about the market and economy, and a list of major public and private companies. Google has partnered with the NASDAQ and the New York Stock Exchange to provide a real-time stock ticker. Features on the home page dashboard include a sector summary and popular financial searches on Google.
http://finance.google.com/finance

Moneysmartz Profile Updates 3/7/09

By Moneysmartz on Sat, March 7, 2009, 6:31 AM | Link

Archived Under: Investing , Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews
Tags: Abnormal Returns, Investing Blogs, Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews

Abnormal Returns
Category: Investing Blogs
Abnormal Returns has received positive reviews from top investment sites and bloggers for being a one-stop site for a daily dose of top news and updates about the economy and financial markets. The site does not post market-related predictions or forecasts, but offers well-researched and condensed content from the most popular financial websites like NYTimes.com, Freakonomics, MSN Money, and 24/7 Wall St.
http://abnormalreturns.com

Moneysmartz Profile Updates 1/26/09

By Moneysmartz on Mon, January 26, 2009, 6:28 AM | Link

Archived Under: Investing , Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews
Tags: Investing Blogs, Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews, Seeking Alpha

Seeking Alpha
Category: Investing Blogs
Seeking Alpha is a financial website and market opinion and analysis source, with a wide selection of blog posts and articles categorized by topic. Because Seeking Alpha focuses on delivering opinions and analysis rather than news, articles are primarily written by investors with real world experience and insight. The site is the only free, online source for over 3,000 public company quarterly earnings call transcripts. Seeking Alpha was recognized as the "Most Informative Website" by Kiplinger's Magazine and "Best of the Web" by Forbes.com.
http://seekingalpha.com

Moneysmartz Profile Updates 1/9/09

By Moneysmartz on Fri, January 9, 2009, 5:38 AM | Link

Archived Under: Investing , Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews
Tags: Investing, Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews, Vanguard

Vanguard
Category: Mutual Fund Families
Vanguard is one of the largest investment management companies in the United States with about $1.3 trillion in assets. The Vanguard website provides personal and institutional investors access to accounts and investment information including retirement investing, mutual funds, ETFs, IRAs, 401(k) plans, college savings plans, brokerage services, and more. Vanguard has a wide selection of investments with more than 180 stock, bond, mixed, and international offerings. Its Vanguard 500 Index Fund is one of the largest in the United States.
http://www.vanguard.com

Moneysmartz Profile Updates 1/6/2009

By Moneysmartz on Tue, January 6, 2009, 6:41 AM | Link

Archived Under: Investing , Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews
Tags: CNBC, Investing, Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews

CNBC
Category: Investing News and Media
Launched in 1989, CNBC is recognized as the world leader in business news, providing real-time financial market coverage and business information to more than 340 million homes worldwide, including more than 95 million households in the United States and Canada. Its site, CNBC.com, is one of the top financial news sources on the web with live video programming daily, industry blogs, charts, investing tools, and commentary. A leader in providing information about the unfolding global financial and economic crisis, CNBC is becoming the go to source for real-time financial news online and on television.
https://www.http://www.cnbc.com

Moneysmartz Profile Updates 1/4/2009

By Moneysmartz on Sun, January 4, 2009, 10:15 AM | Link

Archived Under: Investing , Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews
Tags: Investing, Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews, Portfolio.com

Portfolio.com
Category: Major Company Information
Portfolio.com is a monthly business magazine published by Condé Nast. The publication and website offers the latest business news, guides, blogs and articles for effective financial management and market and economic reports to monitor economic trends. In addition to business information, Portfolio.com provides information on a variety of topics including travel, career, culture and lifestyle. The current issue features a story about the end of smart money in investing. Condé Nast Portfolio has 100-person editorial staff and more than 20 affiliate publications.
http://www.portfolio.com

Capital Gains Primer

By Moneysmartz on Wed, October 22, 2008, 7:39 PM | Link

Archived Under: Investing , Taxes , The Moneysherpa Pages
Tags: Capital Gains, Investing, Taxes, The Moneysherpa Pages

In an upside down stock market, panic selling occurs all too frequently. Today's market gyrations likely triggered even more selling. For some, the unintended consequence of panic selling is a larger tax bill. If you already sold stock or are contemplating selling, then The SmartMoney.com Capital-Gains Guide offers worksheets to help you calculate capital gains and a primer on rates for a variety of long-term sales, including investment securities, investment real estate, homes, and small business stock.

To learn more about the SmartMoney website, including tips for navigating the site, or to post your review and comments, visit the SmartMoney Moneysmartz Profile.

Watching Economic Indicators

By Moneysmartz on Sun, October 19, 2008, 9:32 AM | Link

Archived Under: Economics , Investing , The Moneysherpa Pages
Tags: Economics, Investing, The Moneysherpa Pages

Until recently, the release of key economic indicators was received by many investors with a yawn. Recent violent market movements in response to the release of economic statistics have resulted in renewed interest in the dismal science. If you ever wondered when the statistics are released and which ones are important, then look no further than the Yahoo! Finance Economic Calendar. The calendar lists current and future economic statistics, corresponding release dates and background information including a description of the importance of the statistic. To learn more about economic indicators and statistics visit the Moneysmartz Economic Indicators and Statistics Page.

Retirees Beware of Scam Artists

By Moneysmartz on Sat, October 18, 2008, 8:05 AM | Link

Archived Under: Investing , Retirement Planning , The Moneysherpa Pages
Tags: Investing, Retirement Planning, The Moneysherpa Pages

During this time of economic fear and uncertainty, many retirees have seen their hard-earned nest eggs shrink. A natural reaction to this decline is to look for ways to increase the value of one's nest egg. Marketwatch's Robert Powell warns retirees and pre-retirees to beware of scams. Potential scams include "free lunch" seminars where presenters use unscrupulous tactics to get attendees to sign-up for unneeded services. AARP has begun monitoring seminars to help distinguish between the good and the bad. In addition to scams, Powell notes that individuals should look out for sales tactics that don't provide all the details behind products like annuities with a guaranteed living withdrawal benefit. The old adage that if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is too good to be true applies. Especially now, when it is easier to prey on unsettled investors desperately seeking ways to make up lost ground.

Buffett Says Buy American

By Moneysmartz on Fri, October 17, 2008, 3:47 PM | Link

Archived Under: Investing , The Moneysherpa Pages
Tags: Investing, The Moneysherpa Pages, Warren Buffett

When the Oracle of Omaha talks, it pays to listen. Today, in an op-ed contribution to The New York Times, Warren Buffett said he is buying American stocks. In the midst of financial market turmoil, how could the world's richest man be thinking of jumping into the stock market? First, he has a long-term outlook and thinks stocks will increase in value over the next 10 to 20 years. Next, he has experience being greedy when others are fearful and fearful when others are greedy. Does anyone doubt that fear permeates our economy and markets? Finally, Buffett says cash loses value every day and history indicates that the market recovery will occur before the economic recovery. Before you jump into the market like Buffett, give some thought to your financial situation and your near-term and long-term financial needs. Also, heed Buffett's caution that he has no idea what the market will do in the near-term. To learn more about Warren Buffett, visit the Moneysmartz Warren Buffett page.

24 Hour Stock Market Obsession

By Moneysmartz on Thu, October 16, 2008, 6:30 PM | Link

Archived Under: Investing , Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews
Tags: After Hours, Investing, Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews

Today's financial climate requires vigilance. With wild and seemingly irrational swings in the stock market, it pays to know what is happening 24/7. To track after hours US Futures and Market indicators, visit CNNMoney's After Hours Stock Market and Forex page. This page includes futures quotes for the S&P 500, NASDAQ, and Dow Jones. You can also find after hours quotes on your favorite stock. Check out Goog today.To learn more about CNNMoney, visit the CNNMoney.com Moneysmartz Profile.

Mad Money

By Moneysmartz on Wed, October 15, 2008, 8:01 PM | Link

Archived Under: Investing , Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews
Tags: Investing, Mad Money, Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews

Who is not a little made these days? Jim Cramer, the host of CNBC's Mad Money, is screaming mad. Love him or hate him, Jim Cramer is not afraid to make bold predictions about the stock market. Lately, he's been right more often than not. Mad Money is for anyone who buys or sells individual stocks and is interested in learning more about how the market works. To learn more about Mad Money, including tips for navigating the CNBC site, or to post your review and comments, visit the CNBC Moneysmartz Profile.

CNNMoney

By Moneysmartz on Sat, July 26, 2008, 9:42 AM | Link

Archived Under: Investing , Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews , Personal Finance
Tags: CNNMoney, Investing, Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews, Personal Finance

CNNMoney.com is CNN.com's exclusive business site and the online home of several magazines including FORTUNE and MONEY. CNNMoney.com makes the Moneysmartz short-list for one-stop shop for personal finance information, advice, tools, and news. Best of all, the site is easy to navigate so in a few minutes you will know if this site is right for you. To learn more or post your review and comments, visit the CNNMoney.com Moneysmartz Profile.

New Ratings

By Moneysmartz on Tue, July 8, 2008, 5:11 PM | Link

Archived Under: Investing , Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews
Tags: Investing, Investing Research, Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews

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

By Moneysmartz on Wed, July 2, 2008, 12:10 PM | Link

Archived Under: Financial Blogs , Investing , Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews
Tags: Abnormal Returns, Financial Blogs, Investing, Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews

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

By Moneysmartz on Sun, June 29, 2008, 11:15 AM | Link

Archived Under: Economics , Financial Blogs , Investing , Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews
Tags: Economics, Financial Blogs, Investing, Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews, The Big Picture

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

By Moneysmartz on Tue, June 24, 2008, 9:58 AM | Link

Archived Under: Investing , Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews , Personal Finance
Tags: Investing, Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews, Personal Finance, Yahoo! Finance

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

By Moneysmartz on Mon, June 16, 2008, 8:36 AM | Link

Archived Under: Economics , Investing , Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews
Tags: Economics, Economist, Investing, Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews

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

By Moneysmartz on Sun, June 8, 2008, 6:38 PM | Link

Archived Under: Directory Updates , Investing
Tags: Directory Updates, Investing, Investing Education

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

By Moneysmartz on Sun, June 1, 2008, 12:33 PM | Link

Archived Under: Financial Planning , Investing , The Moneysherpa Pages
Tags: CFP, Financial Planning, FINRA, Investing, SEC, The Moneysherpa Pages

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

FINVIZ

By Moneysmartz on Wed, May 14, 2008, 3:36 PM | Link

Archived Under: Investing , New and Notable
Tags: Investing, Investing Research, New and Notable

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

By Moneysmartz on Tue, May 13, 2008, 3:50 PM | Link

Archived Under: Directory Updates , Investing
Tags: Day Trading, Directory Updates, Investing

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.

Tips From The Woodstock of Capitalism 08

By Moneysmartz on Sun, May 4, 2008, 8:53 AM | Link

Archived Under: Investing , The Moneysherpa Pages
Tags: Investing, The Moneysherpa Pages, Warren Buffett

"The most important investment you can make is in yourself." Like much of the Q&A during yesterday's Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting of shareholders at Omaha's Qwest Center, Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger offered plenty of common sense wisdom and investing advice, including tips on a variety of topics:

• Self-Improvement: Invest in your mind and body. Your best asset is yourself.
• Investing: For smaller portfolios, invest in a low cost index fund like Vanguard.
• Business Ownership: If you have a great business, then don't sell. Your business is worth more every year. If you are looking to monetize your investment, sell to someone who will be a good steward of what you have created.
• Reading Suggestions for Kids: Start with your local newspaper. The more you learn, the more you will want to learn.
• Recommended Book About Investing: The Intelligent Investor, by Benjamin Graham, especially chapters 8 and 20.
• Fish of the Day Investment Ideas: Avoid them, as most are a way to sell more. For example, the 130/30 Long-Short Equity Fund.
• Business School: Most important concepts that should be learned are "how to value a business" and "how to assess market fluctuations."

For more wit and financial wisdom from Warren Buffett, visit the Moneysmartz Warren Buffett page.

Warren Buffett

By Moneysmartz on Fri, May 2, 2008, 5:47 AM | Link

Archived Under: Directory Updates , Investing
Tags: Directory Updates, Investing, Warren Buffett

Staid, steady, and low-key, not the ingredients to attract over 30,000 admirers to Nebraska on a blustery May weekend. However, for many, Berkshire Hathaway's annual meeting, and its star attraction, Warren Buffett, have enough sparks to sizzle an Omaha steak without a grill.

The newly created Moneysmartz Warren Buffett category includes quotes, letters, and insight into the wit and undeniable wisdom of Warren Buffett.

For entertaining and useful investment insight, be sure to visit the link to Berkshire Hathaway Inc. shareholder letters. To learn about how the "Oracle of Omaha" does it, visit the Investopedia Editor Best Bet.

Even if you won't be making a pilgrimage to the "Woodstock of capitalism" this weekend, don't miss the chance to learn from the master by visiting a link or two at the Moneysmartz Warren Buffett page.

Major Company Information Update

By Moneysmartz on Mon, April 28, 2008, 6:11 AM | Link

Archived Under: Directory Updates , Investing
Tags: Directory Updates, Investing, Investing Research

Information is power, but too much information can be overwhelming. The secret to do-it-yourself company investment research is to find the most reliable and relevant sources of free information.

The recently updated Moneysmartz Major Company Information category provides links to market research leaders offering both free and for-fee resources to help you get under the hood of potential equity investments.

A great place to start and meet most of your research needs is Yahoo! Finance. Once on the site, enter the ticker symbol of your target company or do a search to find their ticker symbol, and click "get quotes." For example, here's what you will find after entering GE. The Yahoo! Finance GE page includes charts, quotes, news and information, company information, analyst coverage, ownership, and financial information.

Visit the Securities Exchange Commission Edgar database for free access to financial and related filings by public companies. Stock pickers can roll up their sleeves and dig into the SEC information.

Finally, if you prefer a short and sweet synopsis of your favorite company, then visit the Portfolio.com link.

Once you browse through the Moneysmartz Major Company Information category, you will be prepared to turn your information into power and better investment returns.

Commodities and Futures Investing Update

By Moneysmartz on Sun, April 27, 2008, 5:43 AM | Link

Archived Under: Directory Updates , Investing
Tags: Commodities and Futures Investing, Directory Updates, Investing

Commodity volatility is on the rise. Visit your local gas station or try buying rice in bulk and you will see evidence of soaring commodity prices. Should you add commodity futures trading to your investment arsenal?

The answer for most investors is a strong and simple no, but for a select few, those with the means, perspective, and training, trading commodity futures is a risky, but viable, investment alternative.

The updated Moneysmartz Commodities and Futures Investing category offers an introduction to commodity futures, including general information, news and market information, and places to start trading.

The Moneysmartz Editor recommends visiting Lind Waldock, an online trading brokerage with everything you need to learn, practice trading risk-free, and trade with your own money. If you are looking for more information, then visit the CNNMoney commodity markets page and Reality Based Trading for a commodity futures primer.

Since the rising and falling cost of commodities should continue to dominate the news, it is a great time to at least learn more about commodity futures and the potential of futures trading in your investment strategy.

Brokerages Update

By Moneysmartz on Sat, April 26, 2008, 5:49 AM | Link

Archived Under: Directory Updates , Investing
Tags: Brokerages, Directory Updates, Investing

Brokerages, and the brokers who work for them, bring buyers and sellers of securities together, and receive a commission for facilitating the sale. Unlike the old days, a trade, or sale, does not require person-to-person interaction. So, not surprisingly, technology is becoming increasingly important, and the distinctions between brokerage firms are blurring.

The updated Moneysmartz Brokerages category includes the major classes of brokerage firms, including "Premium," "Full-Service," and "Discount Brokers." To help differentiate between brokerage firms, visit the SmartMoney Editor Best Best for brokerage rankings. If you need more information about your personal broker, visit FINRA's BrokerCheck to learn more about the background of your investment professional.

If you are averse to technology, or just feel more comfortable working with an individual instead of a computer, most brokerages offer hands-on trading assistance, both on the phone or in person with a local investment professional.

One final note, to get the best per trade rates, embrace technology and learn how to make your trades online, without human assistance.

Bonds Update

By Moneysmartz on Fri, April 25, 2008, 6:00 AM | Link

Archived Under: Directory Updates , Financial Planning , Investing
Tags: Bonds, Directory Updates, Financial Planning, Investing

Boring, vanilla, and without sex appeal, bonds are an important weapon in your personal investment arsenal. Bonds come in many forms with the most basic representing a loan from the investor to an issuer in exchange for a stream of payments and repayment of the loan. Bonds offer inflation protection and help diversity a portfolio, particularly if you are seeking income over a fixed period. As experienced bond investors know, the variety of bonds, including issuers and denominations, is vast.

The updated Moneysmartz Bonds category offers primers, market news, rates, and insight to help you understand bonds and incorporate them into your personal investment strategy. For a thorough introduction to bonds, visit the Investopedia Bond Basics Editor Best Bet. The SmartMoney and Motley Fool Editor Best Bets link to bond investing tools and strategies. Finally, TreasuryDirect, another Editor Best Bet, offers information and a way to buy bonds directly from the U.S. Treasury

While not flashy, bonds can play a substantial role in your investment portfolio.

Asset Allocation Update

By Moneysmartz on Thu, April 24, 2008, 5:56 AM | Link

Archived Under: Directory Updates , Financial Planning , Investing
Tags: Asset Allocation, Directory Updates, Financial Planning, Investing

The experts say that asset allocation, defined as how you distribute your investments among asset classes like stocks and bonds, is the single most important factor in determining investing returns. According to Investopedia, the experts also say, "your selection of individual securities is secondary to the way you allocate your investment in stocks, bonds, and cash and equivalents, which will be the principal determinants of your investment results." Given this sage advice, asset allocation deserves at least a portion of your financial planning attention.

The newly created Moneysmartz Asset Allocation category offers calculators, tools, and strategies to help you understand and exploit the power of asset allocation. For a brief and easy to understand introduction to asset allocation, visit the Securities and Exchange Commission beginners' guide to asset allocation Editor Best Bet. Use the Financial Planning Toolkit asset allocator Editor Best Bet to determine your personal asset allocation strategy. Before implementing this strategy, consider talking with a professional for additional guidance and perspective.

Understanding and implementing asset allocation won't guarantee stellar investment performance, but you will improve your odds for better returns from your investments.

Assessing Your Financial Situation

By Moneysmartz on Mon, April 21, 2008, 8:37 AM | Link

Archived Under: Directory Updates , Financial Planning , Investing
Tags: Directory Updates, Financial Planning, Financial Situation, Investing

You cannot determine where you will be tomorrow if you don't know where you are today. These are simple words, but powerful advice if you want to begin saving and preparing for your future. The newly created Moneysmartz Financial Situation category will help you determine where you are financially today. Assessing your financial situation comes in many colors and flavors, but essentially boils down to determining your cash flow, income coming in less expenses going out, and your net worth, your assets, including investments less you liabilities, like credit card bills. The great news is that the Web offers do-it-yourself calculators and tools to make your job a lot easier. Be sure to visit the category Best Bets, including Mint.com, to create a budget, and NetWorthIQ, to track your net worth. If you prefer pencil and paper, then visit the About.com Financial Planning picks for worksheets. Once you determine where you are today, it won't take long to start achieving your long-term goals.

Investment Objectives Update

By Moneysmartz on Fri, April 18, 2008, 6:11 AM | Link

Archived Under: Directory Updates , Investing
Tags: Directory Updates, Investing, Investment Objectives

Risk tolerance and investment objectives go hand-in-hand and determine where you invest your money. InvestorWords.com defines an investment objective as "the result desired by an investor or mutual fund, such as current income or capital appreciation." Wachovia identifies four broad investment objectives including income, growth and income, growth, and speculation. The recently created Moneysmartz Investment Objectives category elaborates on these concepts and provides guidance to help you determine your personal investment strategy. For an understanding of the link between investment objectives and risk tolerance, visit the Wachovia listing. The About.com Stocks listing explains how investment objectives define investment strategy. The category is short on listings, only four, but long on insight.

Stagflation Update

By Moneysmartz on Thu, April 17, 2008, 5:56 AM | Link

Archived Under: Directory Updates , Economics , Investing
Tags: Directory Updates, Economics, Investing, Stagflation

Investopedia defines Stagflation as "a condition of slow economic growth and relatively high unemployment - a time of stagnation - accompanied by a rise in prices, or inflation." Given the recent drumbeat of negative economic news, it is not a surprise that 'stagflation' has suddenly become a hot topic with depressing implications for your economic well-being.

The newly created Moneysmartz Stagflation category will help you understand the meaning of stagflation and find new ways to manage your investments during turbulent economic times. Be sure to visit the National Public Radio listing with a link to a thirty-minute podcast on the meaning of 'stagflation' to you. The Morningstar and Seeking Alpha listings offer 'stagflation' investing tips.

A final word as you prepare for the worst. Media references to impending 'stagflation' have been frequent since 2003. So, as you evaluate your investment strategy through the prism of stagflation, seek professional advice and use caution.

Risk Tolerance Update

By Moneysmartz on Tue, April 15, 2008, 7:02 AM | Link

Archived Under: Directory Updates , Investing
Tags: Directory Updates, Investing, Risk Tolerance

The market is crashing. What will you do with your investments? Your risk tolerance, defined by Investopedia as "the degree of uncertainty that an investor can handle in regard to a negative change in the value of his or her portfolio," largely determines your reaction. Equally important, risk tolerance, in addition to your investment objectives and experience, time horizon, and financial situation, should play a critical role in how you allocate your investment assets. The newly created Moneysmartz Risk Tolerance category includes links to online tests to help you determine your risk tolerance and articles to help you understand how risk tolerance relates to asset allocation. Be sure to visit the Wikipedia Stock Market Crash listing to learn about situations that are sure to test even the most risk tolerant.

Wallstrip

By Moneysmartz on Mon, April 14, 2008, 7:00 AM | Link

Archived Under: Financial Videos , Investing , New and Notable
Tags: Financial Videos, Investing, New and Notable, Wallstrip

"It's 'Squawk Box' meets 'Saturday Night Live'," says The New York Times. At the cutting edge of online financial video, Wallstrip, with the tagline, "where pop culture meets stock culture," features one high-flying stock every day.

Launched in 2006 and later acquired by CBS, Wallstrip has an extensive archive of humorous, yet informative videos about your favorite stocks with related commentary from financial bloggers. Julie Alexandria, an actress who has paved the way for other online hosts, including Barely Political's Obama Girl, hosts this daily show.

For a fresh take on the daily stock pick, Wallstrip is an entertaining way to learn about hot stocks.

Zecco

By Moneysmartz on Wed, April 9, 2008, 7:23 AM | Link

Archived Under: Investing , New and Notable
Tags: Investing, New and Notable, Online Brokers

Do zero dollar trade commissions catch your attention? Zecco.com, a new entrant into the crowded and competitive world of online brokers hopes you find real value in free trading.

The free lunch ends after the first 10 trades each month, then you pay $4.50 per trade.

In addition to low cost trading, Zecco has created an online community with a social networking feel, including a blog section, forums, Activity Feed, where you get "an instant snapshot of your friends' and groups' latest activities and trades, right on your profile page," and Performance Scanner where you can find top performers in the Zecco community.

Zecco.com is not a securities broker/dealer. All securities and investments are offered through Zecco Trading, Inc., member FINRA / SIPC.

For a complete list of Zecco's competitors, visit the Moneysmartz Online Brokers page.

The Best Mutual Funds

By Moneysmartz on Tue, April 8, 2008, 4:43 AM | Link

Archived Under: Investing , The Moneysherpa Pages
Tags: Investing, Money Magazine, Mutual Funds, The Moneysherpa Pages

During market tumult, investors seek investments that help them look toward the future with confidence. The recent Money Magazine 70 recommends mutual funds that should be of comfort during good and bad times. The Money Magazine selection criteria includes mutual funds with "low expenses, a strong record for putting share-holder interests first, a consistent investment strategy and experienced managers." The result is above average performance, with over 70% of the selected mutual funds outperforming their category average. Leading fund families Vanguard, T. Rowe Price, and Fidelity are well represented with 23, 8, and 4 funds on the list respectively.

Best of Class Financial Services Customer Service

By Moneysmartz on Sun, April 6, 2008, 7:25 AM | Link

Archived Under: Banking Services , Financial Services , Insurance , Investing , The Moneysherpa Pages
Tags: Banking Services, BusinessWeek, Financial Services, Insurance, Investing, The Moneysherpa Pages

If you have ever been at the receiving end of a surly customer service agent, then you know the value of great customer service. The following insurance, banking, and brokerage firms are included in the top 50 of The BusinessWeek 2008 Customer Service Elite:

1. USAA (Insurance)

8. Edward Jones (Brokerage)

13. Amica (Insurance)

18. Wachovia (Banking)

19. Smith Barney (Brokerage)

28. Vanguard (Brokerage)

29. Erie Insurance (Insurance)

30. National City (Banking)

Saving Your Tax Rebate

By Moneysmartz on Sat, April 5, 2008, 7:32 AM | Link

Archived Under: Investing , Net Worth , The Moneysherpa Pages
Tags: Investing, Net Worth, Tax Rebate, The Moneysherpa Pages

A recent CNN/Opinion Research poll of American taxpayers found that 32% of respondents will save their tax rebate, 41% will use the windfall to pay bills, 3% will contribute the money to charity, and only 21% of those polled plan to spend the money.

Checks should range from $300 to $1,200 and even more if you have kids under age 17. For the full details of the tax rebate, visit the Kiplinger Tax Rebate page.

Whether you plan to spend or save, consider the value of a $1,000 investment today, earning 8% annually over 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 years. Your $1,000 investment would be worth $2,200, $4,927, $10,936, $24,273, and $53,878 respectively.

Looking at how the numbers grow, it is easy to understand how saving early and often makes sense and is perhaps the only sure route to building a sufficient nest egg for your golden years.

John Mauldin's Investment Newsletters

By Moneysmartz on Fri, April 4, 2008, 12:16 AM | Link

Archived Under: Investing , The Moneysherpa Pages
Tags: Investing, John Maudlin, Newsletters, The Moneysherpa Pages

With an eye popping 1.5 million subscribers, John Mauldin provides investors an insightful view into the economy and Wall Street through his three newsletters:

• Thoughts from the Frontline is a weekly economic and investment newsletter with over 1 million readers. Ahead of the pack in predicting the mortgage and credit crisis, this popular newsletter gave readers a unique glimpse into the future and an opportunity to take profits before the crisis became a bloodbath.
• Outside the Box, published weekly, highlights one essay from another analyst.
• The Accredited Investor, published quarterly, focuses on the world of hedge funds and private investors. This letter is for accredited investors who generally have a net worth of $1,000,000 or more, or made $200,000 or more per year in the immediate preceding two years.

Each of Mauldin's newsletters are free, so for an investment of your email and a little time, you will join a large and growing global audience.

Tech Ticker

By Moneysmartz on Mon, March 31, 2008, 8:36 AM | Link

Archived Under: Financial Blogs , Investing , New and Notable
Tags: Investing, Investing Blogs, New and Notable, Tech Ticker

What's better than the smell of coffee in the morning? For technology and investing aficionados, the smell of profits is the only way to start the day.

Yahoo's recently launched video-centric blog, Tech Ticker, with its tagline, "I Love the Smell of Profits in the Morning," aims to "bring stocks and and the stories to life - and to reveal the culture of an ecosystem often understood only by those who inhabit it."

That's a mouthful in the morning, but a visit to the site reveals investment insights like today's lead about Google's new mobile operating system, Android.

Contributors to the site include many well-known Wall Street and Silicon Valley journalists.

If you can't forsake your coffee, try caffeine with profits, a powerful combination any day.

All Eyes on the Federal Reserve Bank

By Moneysmartz on Mon, March 17, 2008, 8:56 AM | Link

Archived Under: Government Resources , Investing , The Moneysherpa Pages
Tags: Government Resources, Investing, The Federal Reserve Bank, The Moneysherpa Pages

Much maligned and frequently misunderstood, the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank is in the spotlight, with all eyes on Ben Bernanke's every move. Since the Fed is playing an increasingly important role in our financial lives, particularly as it struggles to conduct monetary policy in a way that contributes to the health of the economy, it is probably in your best interest to learn a little more about the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank. We will spare you the nitty gritty details, but instead offer a convenient bookmark to the Moneysmartz U.S. Federal Reserve page, with links to the Fed, its member banks, and more information on the inner workings of the Fed. After visiting this page, you will be better prepared to translate your Fed watching into smarter financial decisions.

The Sound of the Other Shoe

By Moneysmartz on Fri, March 14, 2008, 1:35 PM | Link

Archived Under: Investing , The Moneysherpa Pages
Tags: Investing, Investor Psychology, The Moneysherpa Pages

In case you were not listening, there was a very loud boom from Wall Street today as Bear Stearns reached out for help from The Federal Reserve and JPMorgan. We won't bore you with the details, but we will pose the question, "what do you do when the other shoe drops and panic begins to take over?" Run. Stay put. Pray? The short answer is to try to keep your cool. However, since we are already jittery from a very rocky 2008, keeping cool is much easier said than done.

As you attempt to stay calm, some insight into investor psychology may help soothe your nerves and clear your mind. A recent MSN article by Richard Conniff about how fear can make you lose millions, speaks to how a little fear is healthy, but too much fear can be disastrous in the end. Another similar article from Investopedia on fear and greed offers cautionary advice based on previous bubbles and crashes.

After gaining a little perspective your feelings of fear may subside and be replaced with thoughts of the future and what you can do to prepare yourself, and your portfolio, for the long haul. This is possibly the best advice in both up and down markets.

Gold Websites

By Moneysmartz on Mon, March 10, 2008, 6:02 PM | Link

Archived Under: Best of the Personal Finance Web , Investing
Tags: Best of the Personal Finance Web, Gold, Investing

With gold near $1,000 an ounce it may be a great time to consider buying gold, or if history is a guide, an even better time to consider selling and moving on to the next bubble. For a quick introduction to gold and gold as an investment, visit Wikipedia's Gold and Gold as an investment. For a broad mix of information and links, visit the World Gold Council's website, which includes the science and technology of gold and investing information. For spot prices, visit Kitco's 24-hour gold spot chart. If you really have an itch to buy gold, then visit Bankrate.com for a primer on ways to invest in gold. Before rushing in, be sure to do some home work and remember that commodity prices can swing wildly.

Best Brokerages for Stock Advice

By Moneysmartz on Wed, December 13, 2006, 8:38 AM | Link

Archived Under: Investing , Moneysmartz Editor , The Moneysherpa Pages
Tags: Investing, Moneysmartz Editor, The Moneysherpa Pages

Sometimes the best financial advice is to be still and listen to your own counsel. However, for even the most skilled and self-reliant stock-pickers, an occasional dose of outside perspective can be helpful.

If you are looking for a brokerage for advice, then StarMine's recent ranking of big brokerage performance is a good place to start.

Wachovia Securities is at the top of the list, in part because of a strong buy on Comcast, with a 46% gain over the rating period.

The remaining top ten includes Citigroup, Merrill Lynch, RBC Capital Markets, JPMorgan, Bear Stearns, Stifel Nicolaus, Deutsche Bank, UBS, and CIBC World Markets.

Investing Games Update

By Moneysmartz on Mon, October 23, 2006, 9:05 AM | Link

Archived Under: Directory Updates , Investing
Tags: Investing, Investing Games

Category: Investing > Games
Recent Update: October 23, 2006.
Category Overview: If you are looking for some fun while improving your investment skills, then investing games sites may be your answer, with features like a fantasy sports pool. For free and sometimes a fee, investing game sites simulate the experience of investing in the real stock market. For neophyte investors or those looking to test their mettle against others, investing game sites provide the adrenaline rush of a fantasy sports site with the added benefit of investing knowledge and experience to improve the bottom line.
Featured Site: An introduction to prediction markets from Wikipedia.
Editor Picks: Investopedia's Stock Simulator, Marketwatch's Virtual Stock Exchange, and PredictWallStreet, where you can predict a stock or index and see what others think.

The Curious Capitalist

By Moneysmartz on Tue, September 26, 2006, 10:23 AM | Link

Archived Under: Economics , Financial Blogs , Investing , New and Notable
Tags: Financial Blogs, Investing Blogs, New and Notable

Site Name: The Curious Capitalist
Blog Description: A new blog from Fortune.com with economic reflections, stock market insights, and a new view of the unusual workings of the corporate world from Fortune editor at large Justin Fox.
Personal Finance Category: Economic Blogs
Born on Date: September 20, 2006
Blog Author Profile: Fortune Editor-at-large Justin Fox covers economic, international business, and finance topics, including leading the magazine's economic coverage. Prior to his current position, Justin was Fortune's European editor and worked in the trenches as a staff writer for the American Banker and the Birmingham News.
Bottom Line: The Curious Capitalist offers the big picture on the economy and a unique take on corporate trends helping stock pickers and market observers get an edge.

Peer-to-Peer Stock Picking

By Moneysmartz on Wed, September 20, 2006, 10:33 AM | Link

Archived Under: Investing , Moneysmartz Editor , The Moneysherpa Pages
Tags: Clearstation, Forbes, Investing, Marketocracy, Moneysmartz Editor, SocialPicks, Stock Picking Communities, The Moneysherpa Pages, Value Forum, Value Investors Club

The October 2, 2006 issue of Forbes offers a list of peer-to-peer stock picking websites. These sites provide tips, insights, and virtual portfolios. A site on the list, Marketocracy, even pays stellar performers asset management fees. Online investment communities offer a forum to exchange ideas, an additional venue to conduct research, and even a way to compare your stock picking ability with others.

• ClearStation - Free online investment community powered by Etrade.

• Marketocracy - Stock picking community, mutual fund, and research. Free basic membership and fee to access leading performer picks.

• SocialPicks - Called the MySpace for investors by Forbes. Community for stock market investors to share investment ideas, exchange market research, and track peers' investment performance.

• ValueForum.com - Investment discussion community for value investors focusing on more exotic investments including REITs and commodities. Membership fee required to access most services.

• Value Investors Club - An exclusive online investment club where top investors share their best ideas. Must complete an application to join.

Goog Swoon and Portfolio Rebalancing

By Moneysmartz on Tue, September 19, 2006, 11:13 AM | Link

Archived Under: Investing , Moneysmartz Editor , The Moneysherpa Pages
Tags: Investing, Moneysmartz Editor, Portfolio Rebalancing, The Moneysherpa Pages

This morning's sharp drop in shares of Google (GOOG) provides a reminder to pay attention to regular portfolio rebalancing. The experts say regular portfolio rebalancing aligns investment portfolio mix (stocks, bonds, and cash) with investment plans. When things get out of whack, like when an investment appreciates or declines rapidly, then the mix should be revisited. For a primer on portfolio rebalancing, visit About Stocks or Efficient Frontier.

Kiplinger's Must-Read Investing Bloggers

By Moneysmartz on Wed, September 13, 2006, 9:26 AM | Link

Archived Under: Financial Blogs , Investing , Moneysmartz Editor , The Moneysherpa Pages
Tags: Financial Blogs, Investing, Investing Blogs, Kiplinger's, Kiplingers, Moneysmartz Editor, The Moneysherpa Pages

The October 2006 issue of Kiplinger's offers a list of must-read investing blogs, including nine blogs featured in Moneysmartz. Investing blogs appear to have some staying power as most of the blogs in previous Moneysmartz Directory updates, including Investing Blogs, Economics Blogs, Financial Podcasts, and Personal Finance Blogs are still actively posting. The Kiplinger list offers blogs for the hard-core number cruncher, including the 10Q Detective and one of our favorites, Footnoted.org, and a wide-range of blogs covering economics, personal finance, and mutual funds. Blogs continue to move toward the mainstream, as a blog in the Kiplinger list, Seeking Alpha, now provides content to Yahoo! Finance. From the perspective of financial decision-making, many investment blogs provide fresh insights directly from investment professionals. However, anyone can start a blog and begin offering advice, so as always, it's important to consider the source before devoting a lot of time to a blog.

• The Buffett Blog - Dedicated to studying the Oracle of Omaha while celebrating the Muse from Margaritaville. Maintained by the Buffett Group at the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.

• Consumerism Commentary - A blog about personal finance.

• Controlled Greed - Undervalued stock investing.

• Cramerwatch.org - Dedicated to holding Jim Cramer accountable.

• Dear Economist - Answers Financial Times reader problems with the tools of Adam Smith.

• Footnoted.org - Uncovering the story behind financial statements.

• Freeakonomics - A rogue economist explores the hidden side of everything.

• Fund Alarm - Helping investors decide when to sell mutual funds.

• The Kirk Report - Independent and award-winning stock picks and investment advice.

• Mad Money Machine - Podcast that reviews the Mad Money recommendations of Jim Cramer.

• PFBlogs.com - Aggregates feeds from many of the top personal financial webloggers.

• Random Roger's Big Picture - Stock market blog about portfolio management, navigating the current market environment, how to analyze and choose foreign stocks, exchange traded funds, and options.

• Seeking Alpha - Dashboard for network of stock market and personal finance blogs.

• Stockblogs.com - Stock market blog directory.

• 10Q Detective - Investors often overlook SEC filings, and it is the job of the 10Q Detective to dig through businesses 8-K and 10-Q SEC filings, looking for financial statement soft spots, such as depreciation policies, warranty reserves, and restructuring charges.

• Thoughts From The Frontline - Investment insight and commentary.

Investing Websites

By Moneysmartz on Thu, April 13, 2006, 2:51 PM | Link

Archived Under: Directory Updates , Investing
Tags: Investing

A good tonic for potentially detrimental market exuberance can sometimes be a nip of knowledge. The recently updated Moneysmartz Investing category includes a wealth of knowledge to keep you steady at all times. The investing category includes sites for newcomers, including About Investing for Beginners; all-purpose sites like Yahoo! Finance; global sites such as FT.com; and many more sites to satiate your need for knowledge. You'll find this category most helpful if you are looking for general investing and market information. If you are looking for more specific information, then visit directory categories such as Mutual Funds, Savings Bonds, and many more investing categories in the Moneysmartz Directory.

Real Estate Investing Blogs

By Moneysmartz on Mon, April 10, 2006, 10:51 AM | Link

Archived Under: Best of the Personal Finance Web , Financial Blogs , Investing , Real Estate
Tags: Best of the Personal Finance Web, Financial Blogs, Investing, ProHabber, Real Estate, Real Estate Investing

Nothing can take the place of experience. In real estate investing, perhaps the best experience comes from walking away from the security of a 9 to 5 paycheck and giving it all to real estate investing. If you are looking to begin real estate investing, then you should consider spending some time with ProHabber.com, the Moneysmartz choice for Best of the Web real estate investing blog. Started by a full-time real estate investor, ProHabber.com offers guidance on every aspect of real estate investing. If you are new to the game, then be sure to read ProHabber's Investing Rules. For inspiration on getting started as a full-time real estate investor, read more about ProHabber's author, Bryan Casteel.

Real Estate Investing Blogs

By Moneysmartz on Sun, April 2, 2006, 8:45 AM | Link

Archived Under: Directory Updates , Financial Blogs , Investing , Real Estate
Tags: Financial Blogs, Investing, Real Estate, Real Estate Investing, Real Estate Investing Blogs

"Well, real estate is always good, as far as I'm concerned." Donald Trump

Woven into the American dream is the idea, opportunity, and reality of making money through real estate. Most recently, real estate investing has been a boon for many.

With gurus like Guy Kiyosaki espousing the virtues of real estate investing, low interest rates, and a stable economy, real estate investing appears to be at near-term apex (see Real Estate Bubble Blogs to see what the future may hold for real estate).

Moneysmartz identified a small but growing cohort of real estate bloggers, bravely chronicling the risks and opportunities of real estate investing. Given the inherently local nature of real estate, most real estate investment blogs focus on narrow, regional slices of the real estate market.

If you are a real estate investor or interested in getting started investing, then the list should provide ideas, encouragement, and helpful insights.

With storm clouds brewing, we'll be watching to see if this list grows.

• ProHabber - Real estate investing resources.

• Arizona Real Estate Blog - Anything and everything to do with real estate–Buying it, selling it, investing in it, making a living at it.

• Changing Directions - Real estate investing following the principles taught in "Rich Dad, Poor Dad".

• Shaun's Real Estate Adventures - Offering encouragement for new real estate investors.

• Adventures in Money Making - Follow a 31 yr old Real Estate Investor seeking freedom from the shackles of the 9-5 job and meanders through real estate investing, stock and commodity trading and looking for businesses.

• After reading Rich Dad Poor Dad: Real Estate Investing Blog - Real estate investing inspired by "Rich Dad, Poor Dad".

• Experiences of a REI (NY style) - Real estate investing New York style.

• Atlanta REI - Atlanta real estate investing.

• Building An Empire - Insights from a full-time real estate investor.

• Creative Real Estate - Creative real estate investments.

• My Real Estate Investing Venture - A daily diary of real estate investing insights.

• Real Estate Investing For Real Blog - Real estate investing.

• Tales of a Seattle Real Estate Investor - The game of monopoly set in the Puget Sound real estate market.

Investing Blogs

By Moneysmartz on Sun, March 26, 2006, 3:32 PM | Link

Archived Under: Directory Updates , Financial Blogs , Investing
Tags: Investing, Investing Blogs

"Good advice is always certain to be ignored, but that's no reason not to give it." Agatha Christie

"Beware of the young doctor and the old barber." Benjamin Franklin

The world of investment blogging is blossoming, with a lot of good advice, and even more bad advice, some of it coming from individuals who probably couldn't tell the difference between a 401k and mutual fund.

With the always-present disclaimer of "buyer beware", we offer the recently updated Moneysmartz Investing Blog directory, full of advice and commentary.

In compiling the new investing blog directory, we found several award-winning sites and a few notable newcomers.

• Bill Cara - Discussion and perspectives on capital markets and social equity.

• Fallond Picks - Market commentary and stock selections using technical analysis.

• footnoted.org - Uncovering the story behind financial statements.

• MaoXian - Market analysis and commentary.

• Paul Kedrosky's Infectious Greed - Musing about technology, finance, venture capital, and the money culture with Paul Kedrosky.

• Random Roger's Big Picture - Stock market blog about portfolio management, navigating the current market environment, how to analyze and choose foreign stocks, exchange traded funds, and options.

• Seeking Alpha - Dashboard for network of stock market and personal finance blogs.

• SelfInvestors - Online Stock trading/investing of small/mid cap growth, technical analysis, stock charts, commentary, insider buying for the self investor.

• The Kirk Report - Independent and award-winning stock picks and investment advice.

• Trader Mike - A stock trader's daily market commentary and observations including trading ideas and stocks to watch.

• Ugly Chart - Beauty is in the eye of the shareholder.

• Under The Counter - It's all about the people, stupid. Who's getting paid, laid, hired and fired on The Street.

Google Finance

By Moneysmartz on Tue, March 21, 2006, 2:20 PM | Link

Archived Under: Investing , New and Notable
Tags: Google Finance, Investing, New and Notable

If you like Yahoo! Finance, then you may want to spend a few minutes at the recently launched Google Finance. Site FAQs explain that the site is in early beta and will offer information about "North American stocks, mutual funds and public and private companies along with charts, news and fundamental financial data. Google says the new site "offers an easier way to search for stocks, mutual funds, public and private companies. Further, Google Finance also offers a broad range of company news and information in order to deliver more relevant, unbiased results in a clean, uncluttered user interface." Site features include company search, interactive charts, news and more news, blogs, company management teams, discussion groups, and portfolios.

Investing Chats and Forums

By Moneysmartz on Sun, March 12, 2006, 4:18 PM | Link

Archived Under: Directory Updates , Investing
Tags: Investing, Investing Chats and Forums

When entering online chats and forums, particularly in the general investing arena, Publilius Syrus offers a timeless disclaimer: "Many receive advice, few profit by it."

With these sage words in mind, Moneysmartz identified the most active general investment forums covering topics such as penny stocks, multi level marketing, trading, and business development companies.

Investing Chats and Forums

BDC Investor: Discussion community and investor resource, focusing on business development companies (BDCs).

BestCalls.com: A free directory of investor conference calls and webcasts. CallTracker service provides advanced notice of conference calls by email.

Club for Value Investing: An investment club for value investors to share their best stock ideas. Admission is free, but selective and limited to only 250 savvy investors.

Daytraders.org: Professional live free chat room for day traders. Running since 1996.

eInvesting.com: Investing forum and stock market game.

Free Financial Advice Forum: Moderated personal finance forum specializing in financial help.

Golden Talk: Mainly about High Yield Investment Programs, games and general investment issues.

Investing Pub Money Forums: Investing money forums.

Investors Hub: Large, dynamic community of investors sharing market insights.

Millennium-traders.com: A subscription based chat room for daytraders.

MSN Money Forums: Investment boards and competitions from MSN Money.

Penny Stock Plays: Discussion forums, market analysis, stock trading tips, penny stock plays, including market commentary and corporate interviews.

PureChat: Discussion of investing and trading of all instruments.

Raging Bull: Investment message boards.

StockHideout.com: Stock forum and trading community.

T2W Trading Community: Community website for active traders (short-term and daytraders) with live trading rooms, trading discussion boards, trading book store, infomation about trading/brokers/software/technial analysis.

Tactical Trader: News, reviews and discussions from the world of financial trading.

Talk Gold: Forum for discussion of high yield investment programs, foreign exchange, and general investing.

The Critical Mass Discussion Forums: Discussion forums for aggressive investors.

Web Life Forum: High yield investment program discussion.

Random Roger's Big Picture

By Moneysmartz on Tue, February 21, 2006, 12:00 AM | Link

Archived Under: Financial Blogs , Investing , New and Notable
Tags: Investing, Investing Blogs, New and Notable, Random Roger's Big Picture

Site Name: Random Roger's Big Picture Blog
Description: A stock market blog about portfolio management, navigating the current market environment, how to analyze and choose foreign stocks, exchange traded funds, options and the occasional musing about blog author Roger Nusbaum's wildland firefighting experiences.
Personal Finance Category: Investing
Born on Date: September 2004
Content: Original and news commentary
Unique Features: A lot of posting activity and a list of select investing resources.
Distinctions: Winter 2004 Forbes Favorite and “Best Financial Blog� by CNN/Money.
Profile of Blog Author: Roger Nusbaum is a portfolio manager for Your Source Financial in Phoenix. With over 20 years of financial services experience, Roger appears frequently on CNBC Asia as a market commentator.
Bottom Line: If you are looking to diversify your portfolio with foreign holdings, get a handle on option intricacies, ongoing market commentary, or learn about exchange traded funds, then Roger's Big Picture offers plain talking, straightforward insight.

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