What the hell is: CDSC? »
I love acronyms. They make everything seem so much fancier than it really is. I feel more important when I use acronyms. Then, when I see the look of fear and confusion in the eyes of the person I’m speaking to, I feel so powerful. I roll my eyes and sigh, and then go on [...]
Your questions answered: What’s the Difference Between Exchanges? »
I have a question! What’s the different between S&P, NASDAQ and all those other exchanges?
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer,
Your question is a great one, possibly for more reasons than you know.
First, exchanges are places where stocks get traded–like the New York stock exchange, London exchange, etc. Now, the Nasdaq is an exchange, but the S&P is not. I [...]
What’s the Diff Between: A Corporate Bond & a Muni Bond? »
I should preface this with letting you know that bonds are debt instruments. When you buy a bond–both corporate and muni, you are lending the company or government entity money in return for interest (also called coupon or yield) and repayment of the purchase price upon maturity.
When you buy a corporate bond, you are loaning [...]
Your Questions, Answered »
Hey Yo,
This question has been eating at me for over a year. I got laid off in February 2008 and ended up with a 403(b) with approximately $2500 in it. The money is sitting in some account managed by people called ————. It’s just sitting there and when I get my statements I see that [...]
Fear Based Investing »
There is a joke in the industry about the small investor. They have a tendency to buy high and sell low–exactly the opposite of what they should be doing.
Why would they do such a thing? In one word: Fear.
The small investor (yeah, that’s you and me) is often afraid that they are missing out on [...]
What the hell is: Selling Short? »
I read an article yesterday about how now–yes, right now–is a great time for short selling. Now, I’m not a real big stock market analyst or timing advisor, so I’m not going to say whether or not I’m bearish about the market. What I’m going to do is explain the long and short of short [...]
What the hell is: Buying Bonds at a Premium? »
After an extended break, I am back to tell you what it means to buy a bond at a premium. Hope you weren’t here waiting that entire time….
Bonds have a par value/price–one bond is usually $1,000. On top of that, you have a coupon rate (which is the interest rate you earn on the bond [...]
How to: Understand Losses in Your Statement »
I looked at my husband’s IRA today. I shouldn’t have because the site of his balance lately fills me with panic. You see…I decided to stuff his IRA chalk full of AIG. Oh, please stop laughing. That’s not very nice.
I bought AIG at a couple of different times and prices, so my cost basis is [...]
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6 Sure Signs Your New Year’s Budget Will Fail
What the hell is: CDSC?
What’s the Diff Between: A Corporate Bond & a Muni Bond?
Fear Based Investing
What the hell is: Selling Short?
