In Part 1 of this article, we looked at how to use the Morningstar Premium Fund Screener, and I showed you two screens I use to select top funds for my portfolio. This article will move on from the screening phase of the stock screening process to the analysis phase, where we actually choose the...

Check out NetworthIQ, a website to keep track of your personal net worth. Signing up is easy. Afterwards, you will be prompted to do you first net worth update. This involves filling out a form asking how much assets (many assets?) you have in cash, stocks, bonds, annuities, retirement accounts,...

Pro forma earnings (sometimes spelled "proforma" or "pro-forma") are included by some companies in their quarterly or annual reports as a way to discount "unusual and non-recurring transactions" to more accurately reflect their true financial health. But while actual earnings are calculated using...

Reading Ramit Sethi from www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com proposes a financial makeover for 2006. So far there he's laid out the first three steps. Step 1: Get Your Accounts in Order Step 2: Budgeting and Saving Step 3: Thinking About Investing Stock Update SIRI First some history. I had...

There's a very important topic that I'd like to discuss briefly here, and it's in regards to starting your own business. Fundamentally, a business is an investment. Any company's goal is to generate profits for its owners, and in the case of a small business, a salary as well. The problem with...

Last week, we introduced 401(k) retirement plans and focused on their main two benefits: 1. Tax Benefits 2. Employer Match This week we'll close out the discussion with a little talk on Roth 401(k)s and some tips for choosing Funds inside your 401(k). Roth 401(k) On January 1,...

Monday Reading Mark Cuban has written some interesting articles on investing. I think they're a good read; it's not the typical stuff you would hear from other investing pundits. - My Investment Advice for 2006 - The Stock Market is for Suckers - Long Tail of Investing Main takeaways: - When you...

So you've just landed that new job. And you've heard my Savings Speech and read Chris' article on Goal Setting and Wealth. You know how awesomely rich you could be one day and have set some goals to that effect. For most people, the 401(k) savings plan offered by their employer is the first...

Frank bought me The Only Investment Guide You’ll Ever Need by Andrew Tobias for Christmas, which finally arrived at my doorstep on Saturday. With the assistance of Tobias' great sense of humor, it’s a quick and enjoyable read. The book provides sound advice on when it’s appropriate for people to...

First, my apologies to those of you who are not geeks (and just wish you were). Because… it's a good time to be a geek. Tech stocks are performing well, and there is no one better to take advantage of this rally than fellow geek investors like you. Even the NASDAQ is back with a vengeance. There is...