It's time you started investing!

	Learn Successful Investing
	Understanding Investment Types and Account Options Talking the Market Talk Trend-Based Trading Smart Growth Investing

We know it's scary. And you're probably wondering where you even begin. Don't worry, you're not alone. And we're here to help.  

Maybe you've even got a 401(k) or a plan you bought from a financial planner, or you're investigating one now. 

Trust us, that's just the beginning, and we have everything you need to get educated to make the right decisions and even manage your own investments.   

Problems investing in just a 401(k), IRA or Mutual Funds

Most Americans who have money in the market have it in the form of mutual funds in a 401(k) or an IRA. Or they've trusted a financial planner or money manager to handle their money. He then puts their money in mutual funds.  

Mutual funds have some advantages, but these days, even more disadvantages, which we'll discuss. There are simply much better alternatives these days. Mutual Fund fees can not only be staggering, but despite the way they are sold, they are rarely diversified properly to help you avoid major losses when the market plummets. You may have learned this the hard way.

And these investments are almost exclusively "buy and hold," (we call it "buy and hope"). There are smart steps you can take to make your long-term plan more consistent and less risky, and these are things your financial planner or investment advisor will not do for you unless you have millions in your portfolio.   

Educate yourself, and dedicate the time required

You can make money in the markets. But you can’t do it by just putting money in a 401(k) or IRA and hoping the market goes up.

First, you have to educate yourself on some investing principles beyond the basics. It’s not rocket science, but it takes time to fully understand these principles and put them into action.

Then, you have to take the time to manage your money. With proper understanding and application, you will manage your money more effectively than any broker, money manager or mutual fund. It doesn't take hours a day, but it does take commitment and some dedication.

Again, after getting through the material, if you decide not to invest on your own, at least you'll know enough to pick someone who can do it for you.

A Four-part Foundation for successful long-term investing

They aren’t magic. Just practical. And they take some time and effort to understand and master. But they can literally be the difference between retiring, or not retiring. Click on the "Learn More" links for each section dive in. Each section has multiple articles to read, all in bite-size chunks, all with video to demonstrate the principles.

Note: From here on out, we're assuming you have a basic understanding of the stock market. If you don't understand the stock market at a basic level, you can read Understanding the Markets first.

1. Understanding Different Investments and Account Types.  Learn more now...
   
2. Becoming Economically Literate.  Learn more now...
   
3. Trend-Trading: Find and Manage Investments and Market Trends.  Learn more now...
   
4. Smart Growth Investing: Building Your Personal Portfolio and Protecting It.  Learn more now...