Archive for March 12th, 2008

Don't give in. Pros have all sorts of clever computer models for assessing risk. But even those brilliant machines misjudge risk from time to time (like in the subprime meltdown).

The point of diversification is to provide shelter from market storms, but suddenly all of the bunkers seem to have been blown away at once. In January, U.S. stocks lost 6%, foreign markets fell 10%, and emerging markets dropped a shocking 13%.

The time to make money in the stock market is not when things are going gangbusters, but when things look as if they're going bust. Just ask anyone who invested in beaten-down U.S. stocks after the market sank in the immediate aftermath of 9/11.

With home values tumbling and the mortgage market still in crisis, you'd think that Billie and Rodney Wylde would shelve their plans to build their North Carolina dream home - at least until the market stabilizes.

At the risk of tipping my hand (real estate agents, stop reading now), I'm thinking of buying a second home. Like most of you, I own my primary residence, have no intention of moving soon and am locked into a fixed mortgage at a decent rate.

At the risk of tipping my hand (real estate agents, stop reading now), I'm thinking of buying a second home. Like most of you, I own my primary residence, have no intention of moving soon and am locked into a fixed mortgage at a decent rate.

More and more people are raiding their 401(k) to save their homes. But if you're a struggling homeowner, there are other options outside of foreclosure.

Dear FSB: I'd like to turn my coaching business, a sole proprietorship, into an LLC. How do I do it? Lawyers are costly. Is there another way?