If you own mutual funds that are not in a tax-free account, you should know about a number of ways to make your mutual funds investing tax-efficient.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Mutual Funds, Housing Market, Oil Stocks, CVX - Chevron Corp., CWCO - Consolidated Water Co. Inc., Buying Stocks, CAT - Caterpillar Inc., SKX - Skechers USA Inc. Cl A, FB - Facebook Inc. Cl A, Alternative Minimum Tax.

A sparkling record accounts for part of the recent popularity of index funds, as investors love to chase past returns. But look closer.

Today's Stocks & Topics: 401k Roll to Roth I-R-A?, Federal Reserve, World and U.S. GDPs, Housing Market, Mutual Funds, Muni-Bonds, Return on Investment, NFLX - Netflix Inc., Brokers Jobs, PNRA - Panera Bread Co. Cl A.

The good news is that you have more control over your retirement money. And for some, that’s the bad news too.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Forward P.E., Bond Yields, 1 Million Dollars at 65, Economic Information, MDVN - Medivation Inc., AOS - A.O. Smith Corp., Exchange Traded Funds, AXLL - Axiall Corp.

Why own an investment that can lose double-digit returns while having the potential to gain very little?

Today's Stocks & Topics: Dividends, HON - Honeywell International Inc., DE - Deere & Co., FB - Facebook Inc. Cl A, Commodities, Interest Rates, Reverse Mortgage, ETFs, Independent Research, STJ - St. Jude Medical Inc., Mutual Funds.

The chairwoman of the Federal Reserve repeated again recently that the Fed is on track to raise short-term interest rates later this year.

Today's Stocks & Topics: U.S. Economy, China, New Home Sales Report, Commodities Prices & Stocks, BP - BP PLC ADR, AFOP - Alliance Fiber Optic Products Inc., QCOM - Qualcomm Inc., ARMH - ARM Holdings PLC ADR, Gold, Junk Bonds.

When it comes to building college funds, planning for retirement, and creating estate plans, there is plenty for opportunities for serious mis-steps.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Stock Certificates, Consumers Are Spending, Jobless Claims Lowest Since 1973, China's Stock Collapse, Consumers Credit Cars vs. Business Credit Cards, Investing Strategies, SH - ProShares Short S&P500, CYBR - CyberArk Software Ltd., CPLP - Capital Product Partners L.P., TGA - TransGlobe Energy Corp., Real Estate, XCO - EXCO Resources Inc.

Stocks are close to their most expensive in years. It has to be frustrating to be a value investor, right?

Today's Stocks & Topics: Share Split, Finances & Mortgage, Car Insurance, Risk vs. Reward, VZ - Verizon Communications Inc., T - AT&T Inc., SU - Suncor Energy Inc., Real Estate, AGCO - AGCO Corp., FIT - Fitbit Inc.

Investors comfortable with stock funds may have a hard time adjusting to the notion that a mix of securities might better achieve their income goals.

Today's Stocks & Topics: 401k to I-R-A, Mutual Funds, New Investor, Life Insurance, After Hours Trading, AAPL - Apple Inc., AGN - Allergan PLC, Oil Index Fund, USO - United States Oil Fund LP, XLE - Select Sector SPDR-Energy, Commodities, PIMIX - PIMCO Income Fund.

Think about the current environment of record highs on the major market indices, above-average valuations and a Federal Reserve Board ready to start raising interest rates.

Today's Stocks & Topics: I-R-A, Habits of the World’s Richest People, Save 1 Million Dollars for Retirement, The Shadow Banking System, Share Holder, INTC - Intel Corp., GILD - Gilead Sciences Inc., Support & Resistance, Oil, Gold.

The difference between IRAs is when and how money is contributed to the retirement account.

Today's Stocks & Topics: To Sell or Not To Sell Real Estate, Buy Backs, Earnings Season, Veg-Out Restaurants, KMI - Kinder Morgan Inc., ETFs, I-R-As, BIDU - Baidu Inc., Can You Hold Gold in your I-R-A?, EZPW - Ezcorp Inc., Investing in Natural Gas, MET - MetLife Inc.

Making the transition to investing in your 60s and beyond requires a new way of thinking about investments.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Interest Rates, Summer Time Snooze in the Market, Degrees, Tax-Friendly States, Credit Cards, UNP - Union Pacific Corp., IYT - iShares Transportation Average ETF, NFLX - Netflix Inc., Interview with Laurence J. Kotlikoff – Author of “Get What's Yours: The Secrets to Maxing Out Your Social Security”.

Keep your goals clear, build wealth, maintain a steady income and preserve their assets.

Today's Stocks & Topics: 401k, FIT - Fitbit Inc., Greece and the IMF, Rates, Stock Evaluation, CSCO - Cisco Systems Inc., X - United States Steel Corp., The DOW, EZPW - Ezcorp Inc.

When the market takes a steep dive, don't sell everything and run for the hills.  

Today's Stocks & Topics: Stock Values, Dividends, XOM - Exxon Mobil Corp., CVX - Chevron Corp., Mutual Funds & Health Care, Future Earnings, I-R-A, Millioner Next Door.

The age old wisdom points you toward less in stocks as you age.  But is it still as wise today?

Today's Stocks & Topics: Investing, Greece, Municipal Bonds, Shark Tank, MU - Micron Technology Inc., KHC - Kraft Heinz Co., JDSU - JDS Uniphase Corp., AMD - Advanced Micro Devices Inc., YHOO - Yahoo! Inc., Dividends.

These funds invest in a mix of stocks and bonds.  Is their popularity warrented?

Today's Stocks & Topics: EEM - iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF, Retirement Dream Home, Worst Drivers, Bad Financial Advise, AAPL - Apple Inc., SCTY - SolarCity Corp., XOM - Exxon Mobil Corp., DDD - 3D Systems Corp., LL - Lumber Liquidators Holdings Inc., China.

The High Cost of Investing Like a Daredevil.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Real Estate, China Stock Market, Airlines, ASHR - Deutsche X-trackers Harvest CSI 300 Index ETF, Oil Stocks, X - United States Steel Corp., After Hours Trading, FIT - Fitbit Inc., Commodities, Precious Metals.

The feeling of nervousness can stem from the fact that your retirement portfolio is growing too slowly. So what do you do?  One thing NOT to do.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Index Funds, The Chinese Market, Economic Cycles, Early Social Security, AAPL - Apple Inc., Insurance, CEO - CNOOC Ltd. ADS, QIHU - Qihoo 360 Technology Co. Ltd., NLY - Annaly Capital Management Inc., I-R-A, EBAY - eBay Inc.

Your highly concentrated portfolio may not provide enough cushion if the market turns south.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Researching Stocks, Economic Numbers, 3 Issues the Markets has to Deal With, China’s Stock Market, Earnings Season, HACK - FactorShares Trust PureFunds ISE Cyber Security ETF, JUNO - Juno Therapeutics Inc., FIT - Fitbit Inc., HSY - Hershey Co., The Greek Crisis, The Stock Market.

It is the worst economic downturn faced by any developed nation since World War II. But how will it play in Mainstreet USA?

Today's Stocks & Topics: Jobs Report, Labor Participation Rate, Greece, Puerto Rico, startengine.com, WMT - Wal-Mart Stores Inc., HPQ - Hewlett-Packard Co., VLO - Valero Energy Corp., Municipal Bonds, CCA - MFS California Municipal Fund, KO - Coca-Cola Co.

A simple step to help you retire earlier, with more money in the bank and more money to spend.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Bond Prices, Housing, Retirement & Cash, Discount Brokers, 401k, New Investor, Day Trader, Dividends, Exchange Traded Funds, Retirement Needs, 529 Plan, Financial Advisors vs. Planners, Income Production Vehicles, Bonds, Trust Deeds.

There are many ways.  It all depends on your objectives.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Best Part-Time Jobs For Retirees, Roth I-R-A, Investment Predictions, Strange Ways To Celebrate The 4th of July, CSIQ - Canadian Solar Inc., Gold, TKMR - Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corp., GPRO - GoPro Inc., SB - Safe Bulkers Inc., ETFs vs. Mutual Funds.

Investors comfortable with stock funds may have a hard time adjusting to the notion that a mix of securities might better achieve their income goals.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Roth I-R-A, Economic Calendar, China Stock Market, Greece, After-Market, Inter-Market, Bases Points, Stop Order vs. Stop Limit Order, AAPL - Apple Inc., I-R-A.

This college savings plan allows you to use all the money it's accumulated for college without sharing it with Uncle Sam.

Today's Stocks & Topics: Health Care Industry, HCP - HCP Inc., Retirement Investments, Ignoring the Noise, Most Expensive Hotel Cities in the World, Limit Orders, ETFs, QLD - ProShares Ultra QQQ, TRU – TransUnion, ELLI - ELLIE MAE Inc., Muni-Bonds.