Podcasts

The first step to getting your finances under control is to know where your money is going. It's easy to track your spending if you focus on a short timeframe. Just follow these five steps.

Few relationships are as important as the one you cultivate with your investment professional. These tips can help ensure a productive relationship with him or her.

Compared to a traditional mutual fund, an alternative fund typically holds more non-traditional investments and employs more complex trading strategies. If you're considering an alternative fund, you should be aware of their unique characteristics and risks.

Fraudsters tend to go after people who are college-educated, optimistic and self-reliant. And once fraudsters make contact, they use high-pressure tactics to get people to respond quickly. Use these four tips to resist these tactics and help distinguish good investment offers from bad ones.

The FINRA Investor Education Foundation released a study that looks at the relationship between rainy-day funds and mortgage payments during the Great Recession. The study suggests that having a rainy-day fund can make the difference between staying in your house or facing foreclosure when faced with a large and unexpected drop in your income.

The economic uncertainty of recent years continues to make this a challenging time for many consumers and investors. The FINRA Investor Education Foundation put together 5 tips that can help you successfully navigate changing conditions and keep your finances under control.

Investors should always review their brokerage account statements and trade confirmations. These documents help you stay on top of your investment holdings, and they also provide valuable information that can alert you to errors, or even misconduct like unauthorized trading or excessive fees for handling transactions.

In the most serious cases, a compromised email account can lead not only to identity theft, but also to theft of your money. That’s why one of the most important first steps you should take if your email account has been hacked is to notify your brokerage firm and other financial institutions.

Tough economic times have taken a toll on many Americans over the last couple of years. But making sound financial decisions can help you weather financial storms. Follow these practical tips to help you keep your finances on course.

The retail market for structured notes with principal protection has been growing in recent years. Learn how they work and the risks that come with them.

Some stock-based loan programs may carry more risks, higher costs and tax consequences than investors realize. Learn what questions to ask to avoid surprises.

Whether you’re retiring or changing jobs, there will come a time when you need to move your retirement savings plan. Learn about the choices you will have to make.

Investment scams tout companies with products and services that capitalize on the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis.

Americans can do more to save money and prepare for the future, the FINRA Investor Education Foundation’s State-by-State Financial Capability Survey shows. Here are five things to consider.

Think twice about offers to buy shares in big name companies before they “go public.” Learn how to spot trouble and avoid getting taken.