Better Sales Article:

Top Ten Investment Mistakes

1. Lacking an investment plan a/k/a/ "Don't take a trip without packing the map". A pre-planned asset allocation generates positive results and eliminates emotional panic selling.

2. Buying cheap stocks a/k/a "Road crews erect "Dead End" signs for a reason". Most stocks with low share prices also arrive at the bottom for a reason. There must be institutional interest to influence price, and many won't even glance at stocks below $8 or $10.

3. Purchasing story stocks a/k/a "A good fable lulls a child to sleep". Don't get taken by compelling "story" stocks. The plots include a cure for cancer, a big oil strike or a revolutionary invention. Such promising stories rarely prove true. If the "story" materializes, the company will still be a buy.

4. Selling your winners a/k/a "You gotta know when to hold 'em'". Don't sell your winners. These companies combine outstanding management, product and cash flow, creating steady growth for years. Holding these companies for the long run will compensate for other investing mistakes. In fact, one or two big winners can create real wealth.

5. Holding onto a peaked stock a/k/a "Trees don't reach to the heavens, and companies don't continue growth beyond reason". Top companies peak for reasons such as attrition of top management or competition. Systematic pruning will help you avoid a rotting, unhealthy investment.

6. Under diversification a/k/a "Ideas are good, but a mind full of them is better". Resist the urge to rely on a few stocks that you know. Lack of portfolio diversification leads to erratic and volatile returns, and owning several companies in the same industry also isn't diversification. The best investment results happen by investing in leading companies across various industries.

7. Over diversification a/k/a "A portfolio stretched like an old T-shirt won't help an investor benefit from their insight". You don't create diversification by spreading yourself too thin. Although a mind full of ideas is good, ideas acted upon on a whim waste good thoughts.

8. Over trading a/k/a "Replanting a garden every week won't produce high-quality tomatoes". Don't follow market "noise" and bounce from sector to sector or theme to theme. This prevents investors from enjoying the rewards of a long-term winner. Give stocks enough time to mature and compound.

9. Too much margin a/k/a "Living on borrowed time brings a rush of excitement, but it's a quick trip when time expires". Don't underestimate the damage margin can create. The relatively low cost and ease of obtaining leverage takes investors down a dangerous path. When a portfolio on margin declines rapidly, it can catch even experienced investors off guard.

10. Too many options a/k/a "In life there's always options, (but timing makes the difference"). When you buy options, you must be right and use impeccable timing. Options allow an investor to use leverage and control more shares but there are relatively high spreads involved in trading them. Many times investors lose money on their transaction even after they followed correct assumptions.

Mr. Kimmel is a private money manager and the author of "Magnet Investing, build a portfolio and pick winning stocks using your home computer". His methodology was the subject of a Forbes Magazine article (June, 2004).

Barbara Kimmel is an award winning publisher and publicist at Next Decade, Inc. (http://www.nextdecade.com).

Safe Investments For a Rough Economy

If you have been following the news then you probably know that we are in an economic crisis of global proportions. Banks are collapsing, the housing market is in a bad way, and the economy is in a bad state.

How to Invest $1 Million - Making an Index Fund Work

You have $1 million that you want to invest, but you're not quite sure how you're going to do that. You don't want to lose everything, but you really want that money to grow. You want that $1 million to turn into $2 million and so on.

Compound Money - The Key is Not Spending Your Profits

When attempting to compound money, the key is not spending your profits. This is a problem that occurs when individuals are trying to make their money grow for them. They simply cannot seem to hang onto their profits.

Fast Cycle Investments - Buy and Repair Antiques and Sell Them Online

Are you worried about making the next house payment? Afraid the car is going to be repossessed? You are home with the kids, how can you possible get a job, a baby sitter along with the expense of going to work will take more money than you could possibly make.

Where to Invest Money - Focus on Returns

Do you want to know where to invest money? If you do, what is something that is important to you? What is your reason for investing? You see, everyone has a reason to invest. They either want to make an income or they want to save for retirement. It is entirely up to you. Unfortunately, not everyone is aware of what they want.