It is wise to own certain frequently owned and some not so familiar insurance types. A well thought out insurance protection plan can prevent the derailment of a lifetime of planning. Years of savings can be wiped out in seconds if you haven't attended to this crucial aspect of prudent planning.

Few of us have enough disability insurance coverage or life insurance. An accident, a heart attack or a stroke can not only destroy our physical bodies but also devastate our finances.

From a dollars and cents perspective, a permanent disability hurts our families even more than death. You will still need to be fed clothed and housed. This can cause a big strain on a family's finances. Income replacement insurance protection can replace lost income and keep you on track to reach your family's goals.

Hospital and doctors insurance coverage is also important. Uninsured healthcare bills can cause financial ruin. This is a bigger factor than the job loss even during a recession.

Car insurance protection is fortunately very frequently owned. If your automobile is financed or leased your contract mandates that you have it. Even if you paid cash for your automobile, the law in your area probably mandates automobile insurance coverage.

A slick highway and a little speed speed could not only ruin a healthy body, but it may also destroy a otherwise well put together financial plan. Chances are you already have truck insurance but you may not have checked your liability limits recently. Make sure that your liability and medical payments limits are adequate to protect you.

Homeowners insurance coverage is also a very common type if insurance. If you have a mortgage, you probably have homeowners insurance coverage. Even if you don't have a mortgage, you probably have insurance coverage for your home because you want an asset as big as your house to be protected.

Homeowners insurance coverage offers more protection than most people realize. You probably know that it could pay to repair or replace your house if it burns and that it offers protection if your things are stolen by a burglar. You probably also know that your home insurance protection may pay the healthcare bills of someone who gets hurt on your property.

What most people don't know is that it may pay if your things are stolen when they are outside your home. It could also pay if your negligent actions injure someone far from your home. This money comes from the liability section of your policy. Make sure that your house owners liability limits are high enough to protect you.

If you rent, you can purchase apartment renters insurance coverage. Liability insurance is part of the standard renters insurance protection contract. This is crucial coverage to have.

If you are not able to raise your truck or house insurance's liability limits high enough to adequately protect you, consider purchasing a personal excess liability policy. This is also known as a PELP or an umbrella policy. A personal excess liability policy enhances the coverage for the liability portion of both your car insurance and your house insurance.

Having insurance that covers more doesn't have to be more expensive. With most types of insurance protection there are ways to reduce your premiums by letting the insurance company handle only the risks for the bigger things that you can't handle. For example, With auto insurance coverage you can request higher deductible limits on your collision and comprehensive coverage.

Having adequate insurance coverage will not assure that you will reach your financial goals. However like an football player who is injury prone because of risks taken on the court or field, you may not reach your full potential if you fail to protect yourself. A lifetime of savings may become like dust in a second if you haven't protected your family with the right type and amount of insurance protection.

Minnesota home owners insurance quotes.
https://lovetherates.com/homeowners/home-insurance/Minnesota-home-insurance-state-mn.htm

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alston_Balkcom
 

Ways to Protect Your Assets and Your Family

Estate planning and trusts is a step that is not just for the wealthy anymore. If you are an individual that has worked hard and saved for your retirement and plan to live out your days in your home and in your community, you are not alone. Baby boomers have spoken loud and clear. That is what they want.

They also plan to leave their hard earned money to their children. Think again, we are living longer and healthier than ever before. The care we are going to need is going to require finances and we are going to have to pay for it. Medicare and health insurance does not pay for the services that an aging elderly person needs. Most services are considered custodial or unskilled needs.

There are many family members that give up their jobs and provide care for an aging family member. Sometimes, moving their entire family from across the country and into what was once the family home. Many make this move to help an aging family member that absolutely refuses to move from the old neighborhood. In this economy today, it is not uncommon for the family to expect to inherit the family home in return for their care giving duties.

The problem is, that sometimes the stress and care of taking care of another takes its toll. Many caregivers health suffers from not paying attention to themselves and they end up ill and unable to care for their family member or in the hospital. Or the unthinkable happens and the family member they are providing care for becomes unmanageable.

So a time comes when money has to come from out of pocket or private pay. Often times, the aging family member ends up in assisted living or a nursing home. This brings us back to the home everyone is living in. Because the home is in the aging family member s name and there are rules, there is a strong possibility the house will be used to pay for those services. The family home, at some time will be lost.

More on is estate planning and trusts the definition for Medicaid asset protection information?

So it is important that the aging population take advantage of the laws that have been put in place to help them protect their assets, their home, and their savings, and, for some their business. Yes, there are laws that are on the books that are available to us that can save us lots of money and help us to pass those savings on to our children or use those savings for other purposes.

There are many different interpretations of the Medicaid laws, which is a federal program that is run by each state. So it is important that you develop an estate planning checklist and educate yourself on the inheritance tax laws in your area. The best way to do that is to do some simple research and learn some of the terms and understand what it is you want to accomplish before you get started. It is important to plan for your future care needs before you need them. Here are a few tips that may help to get you started on you way.

Understand the difference between Medicare, Medicaid and Medigap policies. If you are a Veteran, you really want to know what benefits may be available to you and your spouse. Part of estate planning and trusts is more than just having a will in place. It is so much more. It really is a planning process that includes a will and a trust and several other legal documents that could save you thousands of dollars.

Do not wait until it is too late to take action. Take a proactive approach and make sure that you take care of your spouse or children, if that is a concern for you. Do not take anything for granted. Estate planning and trusts are a form of Medicaid asset protection planning information in disguise.

Diane Carbo Registered Nurse has more than thirty five years in the nursing field. Her experience as a geriatric care manager, makes her uniquely qualified to help those who want to live out their lives in their own homes. That decision may be made when you are 20, 30, 40 or in fact at any age, with sooner rather than later being ideal. Diane has developed a web site to make people aware of issues and options. You will find extensive helpful information that will be continually updated. Please visit Diane's web site and learn more about estate planning and trusts. Sign up for "The Caring Advocate" her free newsletter and take advantage of a complimentary e-course Advocating For Yourself and Others

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If your business runs into serious difficulty, will
it bring you down too? For example, what if one of
your employees got involved in a serious car accident
while working for you? Will the resulting lawsuit
bankrupt you personally?

Here are just a few ways of protecting yourself
against catastrophic losses and lawsuits.

1. Obtain Adequate Insurance Coverage

If someone slips on the sidewalk of your home and
injures himself, he could sue you for damages. Your
tenant`s or homeowner`s policy may cover you for
liability in such an event.

However, what if it is your customer who falls on his
way to visiting your home-based business? You will
need an extra rider on your house insurance to cover
such incidental business use. The extra charge for
this additional coverage is well worth it.

If you use a car for business use, insure it for such.
Some people think that they are being clever writing
off automobile expenses for income tax purposes but
at the same time not informing the insurance company
that the car is being used for business.

This is false economy. If you ever get into an
accident, police and insurance investigators will
certainly find out that you used the vehicle for
business purposes. If you`re not paying for
business coverage, why would the insurance company
cover your claim?

As well, what do you think an income tax auditor would
think of your claimed business expenses on the vehicle
when your insurance policy indicates personal coverage
only? Avoid this additional exposure to tax liability.

Be sure to obtain required workers` compensation
coverage. Some have been held responsible for all the
medical and other expenses of an injured worker, as well
as fines for non-compliance to the law. These costs
can be quite substantial and even bankrupt you.

Consider obtaining product liability insurance. This
applies not just for any products you manufacture but
also for products you sell that are made by others.

2. Incorporate Your Business

Insurance may give you some protection against loss.
However, you may suffer business losses and lawsuits
that may not be covered by your insurance fully. What
then?

An extra level of protection can be obtained by forming
your own corporation. Even though incorporating
yourself will result in extra paperwork and costs, it
could be the best insurance you ever bought.

This is because the corporation is a seperate legal
entity or person. Even though you may own the
corporation, if the corporation operates the business,
it is the corporation that will be sued or suffer loss.

If, for example, the corporation had severe business
losses resulting in debts that could not be repaid,
the corporation would be insolvent. You, as a
shareholder, would lose your investment in the company
but would generally not be responsible for any of its
debts. Thus, you would not have to sell your home or
other personal assets to cover the corporation`s
liabilities.

On the other hand, there are cases where directors of
a corporation can be held responsible for liabilities
if they didn`t act responsibly. You can`t hide behind
a corporation, commit criminal acts and expect to
escape accountability.

For more information about incorporation, visit:
http://www.yenommarketinginc.com/incorporation.html

3. Protect Yourself With Legal Agreements

Properly drafted written agreements can protect you in
many ways. First of all, they can sometimes prevent
misunderstandings that can lead to legal problems.
Secondly, they may limit your exposure to lawsuits and
losses.

Contracts can limit your exposure to liability by
including provisions restricting the scope of your work
and responsibility, having disputes handled by arbitration
rather than through the Courts, and specifying that the
maximum damages payable shall not exceed the amount of
the contract.

A special area to watch out for is the Internet. There
are many laws that impact on websites including
matters affecting children, privacy, earnings claims,
and unsolicited e-mail ("spam"). Certain agreements
and notices on your website may help to protect you.

For more information about Internet law, visit:
http://www.yenommarketinginc.com/internet-law.html

Protect yourself from catastrophic losses and lawsuits.
Take steps today to protect your assets by limiting
your exposure to liability.

J. Stephen Pope, President of Pope Consulting Inc., http://www.popeconsultinginc.com/ has been helping clients to earn maximum business profits for over twenty-five years.

For valuable Work at Home Small Business Ideas, visit: http://www.yenommarketinginc.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J._Stephen_Pope
 

By the time people reach their forties, many have a growing family and responsibilities. Many already own a house and quite a few other valuable assets. This is the phase of life where they focus on their career in order to provide for their families, and to pay for the bills and mortgages etc. They also focus more on investments for better financial security for their family and a comfortable nest egg.

With your growing financial portfolio and asset, it is imperative that you take steps to protect your assets. A practical solution for creating an additional umbrella of security for your family is to take advantage of asset protection that minimize the risk of losing your assets or being taxed heavily.

The Three Vital Steps Toward Asset Protection Planning

To set up an effective asset protection, you have to:

* Be clear about your goals and objectives

* Plan early

* Plan safe

You are more than painfully aware that it took much effort to build up your assets. But you need to know that it takes even harder work to protect them. Beware that you do not start asset protection planning too late or you are only inviting trouble and headache for your family. Upon your death, there is nothing more gut wrenching than your family having to fend off greedy money suckers trying to lay claim on your family assets that should rightfully belong to your family. Even worse is fighting amongst your own family members for a bigger share of the family asset. If you do not want to put your loved ones through this, then for their sake, initiate the asset protection planning right now.

If you are a truly practical person, asset protection should be a part of your asset-building plan from day ONE.

Be Focused About Your Objectives

You must be sure of your goals and objectives in order to be able to draw up a well thought up asset protection strategy and plan. There can be no universal process to asset protection as every individual has different needs; you have to tailor it according to your future plans and objectives.

Follow The Law When Protecting Your Assets

Never ignore the legal aspects while dealing with asset protection. Of course you can divide your assets according to your own wish, but at the same time you have to abide by the restrictions put forward by law in this regard. A legalized deal will help you avoid all sorts of discrepancies later.

Whether you decide to set up offshore asset protection or asset protection trust, taking a little trouble to protecting your assets will benefit your family greatly, and they in turn will be grateful for your foresight and generosity.

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You've heard stories about people who never finished college becoming incredibly successful. Bill Gates dropped out of Harvard, and now he's considered the wealthiest man in the world. Simon Cowell from "American Idol" dropped out of school when he was sixteen. Hip-hop music pioneer Russell Simmons dropped out of City College of New York. Yes, some people can succeed without college.

But unless you have an amazing new invention or product idea, you're going to be applying for a job. Hopefully you'll enter a career field that you love, but you'll probably be starting at an entry level. As you begin your career search, you may wonder whether college-level training can make a difference in your earning power.

Fortunately, the U.S. government has asked the same question, and found some answers. Here are some statistics from a U.S. Census Bureau report that provides information about mean annual wages as a function of educational level for persons over the age of eighteen:*

- Master's degree = average earnings of $70,358 per year.

- Bachelor's degree = average earnings of $56,788 per year.

- Associate degree = average earnings of $39,724 per year.

- High school diploma or GED = average earnings of $31,071 per year.

- Some high school but not graduated = average earnings of $20,901 per year.

These are significant differences! Individual success varies (there are plenty of high school grads who make good money) but in general, the higher your education, the higher is your earning power.

Here's what U.S. Census Bureau Director Louis Kincannon said recently about the value of a college degree: "College seniors in this country should feel confident of their economic future. College graduates may expect to earn, on average, nearly $2.1 million in their lifetimes. That is nearly twice as much as those who have only high school diplomas."**

A lot of Americans have college degrees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2003 26.5 percent of adult Americans had completed a bachelor's degree. In the same year, 83.6 percent had completed high school or earned a GED.***

When you apply for that dream job, you know that you won't be the only applicant. In fact, for every job opening, there may be dozens or even hundreds of applicants. But think about this: someone has to get the job. That someone might as well be you! And you'll increase your chances of getting hired and starting on a rewarding new career if you have attained the appropriate educational level.

But how do you start looking for a college or career school? The fastest way to get started is to log onto a reputable college directory website. You can search for programs using keywords such as "motorcycle mechanics" or "California business colleges." You can read about the colleges that meet your criteria. Don't forget to check out online or blended (online and on-campus) programs. Then you can request free information from the schools that meet your criteria. Compare programs, schedules, financial aid, and job placement services. Then apply to the schools that are right for you. In less time than you think you could be training for a rewarding new career.

*U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2007 Annual Social and Economic Supplement. PINC-04. Educational Attainment--People 18 Years Old and Over, by Total Money Earnings in 2006, Age, Race, Hispanic Origin, and Sex.

**U.S. Census Bureau News, Monday, May 10, 2004.

***U.S. Census Bureau, 2003 American Community Survey

Thinking about going to college? To make the best decision, you need the right information. Log onto http://www.Education-For-Careers.com and compare colleges. Get information about career training programs, degrees, online education, financial aid opportunities, job placement services, and much more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Hauck
 

After secondary education, if you decide to pursue your education, you can choose between a bachelor's degree and an associate degree. Usually a bachelor's degree would take a minimum of 4 years to finish the course while the other degree would only take about 2 years or 60 semester credit hours to finish. If you choose to have an associate degree, you can now start to choose from the wide variety of schools which will be able to provide you with the training on the applications of different areas. To earn associates degree online will give you a lot of advantages.

First of all, you will experience the convenience that you need especially that you will just take your classes through the internet. You would not have to worry about getting late in school because of traffic and even you will not fear when it comes to missing school especially when you still have something to do with your current work. Through an associate degree online, you can learn and work at the same time, sit down conveniently on your favorite chair at your own home and listen and view your lessons through a few clicks of your mouse and by making it through an internet connection.

Another thing is that you can choose from the associate degree colleges of your choice which are accredited to provide the quality of education that you need. Through the different colleges, you will have a chance to really pick your best choice of school that will help you with the training, skills and knowledge that you paid the school for your learning. Through this experience, you will be able to guarantee yourself that you have invested your money on proper education.

Moreover, it will give you great opportunities when it comes to employment. You will have an edge on other job seekers because you have learned some skills which they haven't. You have earned a degree which can be a plus factor in your resume. The applied skills and knowledge that you have gained online will help you push through your dreams of having a better paying work in the society. It will open your doors to more opportunities that wait once you have completed your associate degree online course.

Lastly, it is a great fulfillment that you have pushed even more especially when it comes to learning. It will give you satisfaction in life that you have taken a notch higher than just settling on finishing a secondary education. The learning and skills that you have gained have made you even better on your chosen path in life.

Online learning is your great opportunity to benefit a lot of things. The advantages of getting an online associate degree will give you convenience, a chance to learn and be trained from the best schools, widens your doors for better job openings and lastly give you self satisfaction that you have done your part when it comes to learning. More knowledge and skills means more opportunities in life.

If you wish to earn an associate degree online, then it is not a problem at all because there are a lot of associate degree colleges available in the internet. These schools are accredited to provide the quality of education just like on campus learning. You can experience a lot of advantages from earning an associate degree and if you still don't have a personal choice on what course to take, then more can be read at http://www.AssociateDegreeOnline.org.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jaimie_Max
 

You want to earn your online degree but you aren't sure where to start. Will you be able to find a balance between your daily life, current employment, and your pursuit of higher education? No matter if you're a first-time student or returning to further your education, it will have a positive impact on your future. You want to find out more but the information online can be overwhelming. You need to narrow the focus. Pinpoint precisely what you're looking for.

What are your goals? How will earning a college degree online help you accomplish your plans? Are you looking to move up in your current career? Are you ready to start fresh with a totally new career? Perhaps your biggest concern is making sure that the convenience and flexibility of getting an online education doesn't affect the quality of that education. You don't want to waste your time on a degree that won't be respected in your chosen career field.

Five Tips For Success

1) Know Your Degree

What will the online degree give you as far as qualifications? Do you have credits that can be transferred? How long will your chosen degree program take you to complete? Two years? Four years? Is your chosen school accredited? What will you have to invest ultimately as far as time and money? Get these answers and more from a college academic advisor.

2) Count the Costs

Many employers offer tuition assistance (TAP) for their staff. Which scholarships, grants, and loans do you qualify for? Higher education is an investment in your future. Complete your FAFSA and you will have access to all kinds of financial aid.

Take advantage of what private and government options are out there to assist you with paying for your education.

3) Keep Your Day Job

In today's economy, you don't want to give up your job to go back to school. Even if you don't particularly like your position or your boss. With the flexibility of online education, you can find a balance to chug through the day-to-day and still pursue your dreams. Give yourself every chance to succeed.

4) Get and Stay Motivated

Whatever your degree choice or industry preference, the most important thing is to visualize you being where you want to be. See yourself getting that degree after all your hard work. Picture what your life will be like once you've accomplished your dream. Know what opportunities are out there in your chosen field. What are the typical conditions, benefits, and salary for the career you want? Do you know anyone already in the field you're interested in? What did it take for them to get there? Pick their brain and get the real scoop on the position or industry you want to enter. If you like what you hear, get moving! Make a follow a plan for you.

5) Manage Your Time

Do not over schedule your time. Be realistic. You want to give yourself the best tools for success. If you have a demanding day job, don't try to take on too many classes initially. The most damaging result of burning out is dropping out. You have to have time to sleep. You should make school a priority but you will still need down-time to watch the big game or go have your nails done. The key is balance.

Each evening, before turning in for the night, write down how you spent your day. Be honest with yourself! Pretending you didn't vegetate in front of the television for two hours isn't going to help you when you have course work to complete and you know your favorite shows are coming on. Know your strengths and recognize your weaknesses so you can fit your pursuit of higher education smoothly into your life. Do the research and get all the answers to your academic future. There is no time to waste...so many opportunities await you with a degree in hand!

Lillian Anderson is a career education expert she helps prospective degree seekers find the right career programs for their education needs and also blogs about careers and degree programs. Through education, you can not only realize a meaningful and well paid career, but also a fulfilling life.

The Free Online Degree Guide helps you by providing a clear how-to guide including the tools you'll need to determine if pursuing an online degree is right for your dreams. www.freeonlinedegreeguide.net will provide answers to the important questions involved in deciding whether to pursue your education goals online.

In the guide you will learn insights on how to avoid a degree farm and select an accredited university, how to balance work and pursuing your degree, and information on financial resources to help you find out about the ways you can pay for your education.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lillian_Anderson
 

As our economic outlook continues to be poor and as the stock market is in turmoil, stock investing has become increasingly difficult. Maintaining a solid investment portfolio can be hard work. One alternative to the difficult work of stock selection is to invest in mutual funds. With thousands of mutual funds to choose from, how can you tell which ones are the best?

That's why I have compiled a list of the 7 Best Mutual Funds for 2009. After researching the performance, stability, and income of hundreds of top-rated funds, I found the best mutual funds to invest in for 2009 and beyond.

Income-Dividends

One part of my selection process was to find mutual funds with cash flow, either through dividends or bond interest payments (in the form of dividends for mutual funds). This factor is becoming ever more important during a time when stocks continue to decline. Through dividends you can know that you will have an income of the yield percentage.

Future Trends

Another selection criteria was to find mutual funds that are going to perform well for years to come. As you will see, I have included a mutual fund that invests in stocks of alternative energy or "green" companies. The whole environmentally-friendly, green movement is just getting started and will be a boon to the economy for the next 10-20 years. One aspect that is somewhat more of a near-term strategy is the gold focused fund because of the predicted rise in the price of gold over the next year or two.

Long-Term Performance

The last and most important selection criteria was the long-term performance of the mutual fund. Any one stock or mutual fund can perform well over one or two years by luck, but it takes true skill to manage a portfolio that has good returns over a ten year period. A major failure of many investors that buy mutual funds is that they chase the fund that is currently performing the best or just recently had its best year. If the mutual fund is having an unbelievably great year, then either stay away from it because it's too late or sell it if you own it.

The 7 Best Mutual Funds for 2009:

1. American Century High-Yield Fund (AHYVX)

- With the current state of the economy, your best bet for making money is finding an investment with a stated income (i.e. dividends, bond interest payments). American Century's High Yield Fund has a dividend yield of 9.38%, which is much larger than most high yielding mutual funds or stocks.

2. The New Alternatives Fund (NALFX)

- this is the perfect mutual fund for times when people and companies are looking for environmentally-friendly ways of doing things. This mutual fund invests in companies that focus on renewable energy sources, as well as companies that are concerned with energy conservation and environmental protection. Over the next decade green and alternative energy stocks will most likely sky-rocket with gaining popularity and necessity.

3. Franklin Utilities Fund (FKUTX)

- A utilities fund is also a great way to get a flow of decent income during a time of poor stock performance. This mutual fund has a dividend yield of 4% and a 10-year annualized return of 5.17%, which is very impressive. Utility companies are a solid investment for having a stream of dividend income.

4. ING Corporate Leaders Trust Fund (LEXCX)

- Although its 10-year annualized return has been hurt by the recent stock market downturn putting it at 3.67% (which is better than all but two main value strategy mutual funds), ING's fund has performed 10% better than the S&P 500 over the past year. It also has a dividend yield of 2.46%.

5. Franklin Gold and Precious Metals (FKRCX)

- This mutual fund has been a top performer over the past decade with a 10-year annualized return of 14.42% and a current dividend yield of 8.34%. This mutual fund has performed amazingly, and it will continue to perform with gold becoming more of a flight-to-safety investment for investors.

6. Vanguard Energy Fund (VGENX)

- although the commodities boom of earlier this year has faded, oil prices will come back. It is only a matter of time. Vanguard's Energy Fund has had a 10-year annualized return of 14.81%, which is better than most mutual funds of any kind. It is positioned to perform well over the next few years.

7. Municipal Bond Fund (of your choice)

- municipal bond rates have gone up in recent months and continue to be a great source of extra income. For example, some bonds in Florida are paying 6% a year in interest. Remember with municipal bonds that interest payments are tax-exempt; just make sure you pick a bond that is within your state (otherwise interest payments become taxable). How does a tax-free income of 5% or 6% on your investment sound for 2009- with the U.S. still in recession?

Author: Jared Schneider

-Owner and Head Author of http://www.InvestorPitStop.com, a resource for stock market investing advice, market news, personal finance, and real estate investing advice.

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If you have a self-directed 401(k), you will be asked to decide how your money should be invested. You will receive a form, normally on a quarterly basis, and perhaps a prospectus, and will then need to select your options. Investing your 401(k) funds is no different from other investment decisions. You need to do your homework and evaluate your options before making commitments. Wise choices made when investing your 401(k) fund lead to growth, while poor choices can lead to disaster.

Many people barely glance at the investing information they receive. All too often, decisions are not made until they are actually filling out the form. Investing your 401(k) is worth more than a five minute evaluation. Retirement may seem a long way off, but the years have a way of passing quickly, and before you know it, you will need to be living off of the money you are investing today. Take the time to make the best decisions you can.

A self-directed 401(k) does not mean that you are investing in individual stocks. Instead, you are normally asked to designate a percentage of your money to be invested in specific categories. These vary, depending on your fund administrator, but usually include high growth stocks, mutual funds, blue chip stocks, money markets, overseas investments, and bonds. All of these have differing risks and potential returns, and when investing you should evaluate each category carefully.

Blue chip stocks are those that are established companies with a proven track record. Investing in these is one of the safest choices you can make. However, they seldom post dramatic returns. These are good choices if you are close to retirement or if you simply do not want to take risks when investing. Most blue chip companies are household names and have been in business for many decades. The likelihood of one of these going out of business is practically nil.

High growth stocks are typically newer companies. They are considered as having the potential to offer huge returns on investments, but there is more risk involved as well. Many of the companies that closed their doors during the "dot-com bust" were high growth. Certainly there is money to be made by investing in high growth stocks, but since the risk is also higher, you should monitor the companies and the overall market more carefully. These are usually best used by younger workers who have many years before retirement. That way, should investing in these stocks prove to be a mistake, your 401(k) has time to recover.

Mutual funds are a good investing choice for all. Typically, the returns will be a little better than blue chip stocks but less than high growth stocks. There is usually a low level of risk involved, but before investing, you should research the specific fund you are buying. Some of these have been around for fifty years or more, and their records are easy to evaluate. Generally speaking, the longer a mutual fund has been in existence, the safer it is. One that has only three or four years of history is therefore a higher risk than one that has existed for forty years. With the younger fund, there simply is not enough information on record to know how it is going to perform.

Investing your 401(k) is an important part of your financial security. You should take the time to make wise decisions and make sure you find answers to any questions you might have.

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Think that "cut back on lattes" and "bring your lunch to work" are the only ways to save money? Here are 25 tips that can help you find more money for that coffee and meal you crave.

Food

Create a win-win-win situation at the grocery store by trying their store brands. Win 1 - most stores will refund your money if you try the store brand but don't like it. Why not try something that has a satisfaction guarantee? Win 2 - if you do like the store brand, you can save money each time you shop. Win 3 - most store brands are so inexpensive that they are cheaper than name brands purchased with coupons. Save time and money by not clipping coupons.

Buy meat when it is on sale, then prep it before storing in the freezer. I cut chicken into bite-size pieces before freezing - this makes it easier to defrost on those nights when you need a quick meal. Brown hamburger meat so you always have frozen crumbles ready for use in tacos, spaghetti sauce, and chili.

Check out the dollar menu at fast food restaurants. With "value" meals costing $6 and up, try the $1 sandwich, fries, and drink - a complete meal for $3!

"Shop" your pantry. Go to allrecipes.com and click on "ingredients" at the top of the home page. Enter the food you have on hand to create a list of recipes that use those items.

Beauty and Fashion

Check out user reviews at viewpoints.com/beauty before you try a new product. See what other people have to say before you buy.

Ask your local consignment shop if their computer program can track merchandise requests. If so, create a list of "wants" for the store to enter into their system. The computer will flag your name and phone number if the item is received. Personal shopping at its best - what you want at a price you will love!

After you go clothes shopping, keep the tags on and tuck the clothes away. One week later, try the clothes on again to see if you still like them. Because the tags are still on, you can easily return anything that you decide not to keep.

Home Maintenance

Run, don't walk, to your nearest home improvement store and buy a programmable thermostat (I like the ones that allow you to program for different days of the week). The $40 you spend on the thermostat can save you hundreds in heating and cooling bills.

What are the odds that you and a neighbor will be doing the same home repair or maintenance at the same time? Timeshare your lawnmower, leaf blower, power washer, ladder, etc. with friends and neighbors. Decide on some ground rules regarding usage, storage, maintenance, and ending the timeshare. Doing this can save you money on the purchase price and ongoing maintenance - another win/win opportunity.

Paint is one of the least expensive ways to update your décor. Ask a friend to help paint a room in your house, then return the favor. One person can do the large spaces with a roller while the other does trim work with a brush. Enjoy the time together while you create a new look for the room.

Find two or three friends who can commit one day a month to home improvements. Create a calendar that specifies where and when you will work during the year, rotating among the houses. For example, with a group of three people, four days per year would be dedicated to a project at each house. The "host" for the day (i.e. the owner of the house) chooses the project, does any necessary preparation, and provides the supplies. The "helpers" arrive at 8 am ready for a day of work and leave at 5 pm. Some home improvements done by a group I know include insulating the attic, painting the kitchen cabinets, and landscaping the yard.

Travel

Use the "name your own price" feature on priceline.com to book your next rental car. Begin bidding 2 - 3 weeks before your trip. This is when car rental companies are more willing to discount their price and it gives you time to place multiple bids if necessary (you can only bid once every 48 hours). I usually begin bidding at $13 per day for an economy car and increase my price by $1 each time I bid. This usually saves me about 50% on car rental fees.

Before you book your hotel, check to see if they offer a complimentary continental breakfast. All things being equal, choosing a place that has a free on-site breakfast can save you time and money.

If you're traveling by car, pack some breakfast foods that don't need refrigeration. Peanut butter on a bagel, along with a juice box or fruit, can be a good start to the day. Buy an electric teakettle for less than $20 and you can enjoy oatmeal, hot chocolate, or hot tea.

Don't want to spend a lot for lunch? Stop by your local breakfast place before you leave home and ask to buy some jelly packets (usually 5 or 10 cents each). Use these to make PB&J sandwiches for lunch. Bring along some drinks, granola bars and fruit to round out the meal.

Stop by the area visitor center for a travel planner, which usually contains coupons and special deals. Ask the attendants to recommend places where the locals go for inexpensive fun.

Automobiles

An oil change can be your vehicles best friend. Change your oil every 3 months or 3,000 miles to keep your engine humming smoothly. A small investment in oil changes can prolong the life of your car and reduce future maintenance costs.

Have the urge for a new car even if yours is running fine? Overcome this desire by giving your car a good cleaning inside and out. Climb into the drivers seat, enjoy the feeling of a nice clean car, and let the new car craving subside.

Take a friend with you when you go car shopping. Let them know the total amount you can spend on a car - use the total cost (including taxes) instead of the monthly loan amount, which can vary based on interest rates and length of loan. Have them reel you in when you start looking at more car than you planned on buying.

Keep your car for one year longer than your car loan. If you have a 5-year loan, plan on keeping your car for 6 years. Bank the last year of payments to use as the down payment on your next car.

Avoiding Fees and other charges

Have kids in high school? Check to see if they can take classes at the local community college for free. Another win-win-win...your kids get an idea of what college is like college, the credits they earn could be transferred to a four-year college, and you don't have to pay for it!

Avoid late fees on your credit card by making an online payment each time you get paid. Not only does this help avoid fees, it also breaks your payment into smaller amounts. Sometimes two small payments are easier to make than one large one.

Shop your insurance. We recently reviewed our insurance needs with a few agents and ended up staying with the same company. However, we adjusted our plans to get better coverage at a lower price. Yes, it is a pain to do this, but the $50 we save each month was well worth the time spent on phone calls and agent visits.

Decide if you really watch the premium channels on your television enough to warrant the cost. Find out which channels you are paying extra for and track the number of times you watch these in a month (a simple check mark on a notepad will do the trick). This will give you an indication of whether the premium channels are really worth the extra expense each month. If they are, enjoy them! If not, lower your subscription and enjoy the extra money!

Appliances use electricity even when they are not turned on. Invest in a power strip for your entertainment and computer areas. Plug the electronics into the power strip and place it where you can easily reach the on/off switch. This is easier than unplugging everything when it is not in use, but you still get the benefit of reduced electric costs.

Alison Hinson has been educating audiences about personal and business financial topics for the last 20 years. A budget fanatic since she could count the pennies in her piggy bank, Alison believes that personal finance is not about denying yourself and your family - it is a way to get what you want out of life using the money you have right now. Alison's strong financial background also provides her with the expertise to advise small business owners on how to organize and interpret their financial data to make smart business decisions. In addition to advising businesses and individuals on their financial needs, she hosts an award-winning radio show and is a published author.

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