Should I Take Lump Sum From Life Insurance?

Life insurance can serve multiple purposes besides simply providing your heirs with money if you die. Certain types of policies can provide benefits while you're still alive in the form of tax-free investment growth.

However, if you own one of those types of policies and are considering a lump sum withdrawal, several factors must be evaluated, as that distribution can affect your family's future financial well-being.

How to Use an Annuity for a Down Payment

Article originally published on The Nest
05/20/2012

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Can I Analyze My Own Investments or Should I Pay an Advisor?

Hiring an investment advisor may be the wisest decision.

The debate over whether average consumers should analyze their own investments and manage portfolios has raged on for years. Growing armies of do-it-yourself investors present compelling arguments illustrating that it is indeed possible to create and maintain a profitable investment portfolio without any involvement from licensed professionals.

While advisors don't dismiss this possibility altogether, they stress that those cases are not the norm and there are countless other reasons that hiring a professional is the wisest choice.

Insurance Business Growth: Direct vs. Independent Agents

Article originally published on Chron.com
05/13/2012

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How I Became My Own Wireless Hot Spot

The Problem

Having purchased a wifi-only Android tablet last year, I quickly realized the challenges of carrying a device whose full potential was only realized with an Internet connection. While still capable of performing impressive tasks and entertaining my family with countless games and other apps, the tablet was limited in its functionality when not online. Many of the applications installed on the device were also hindered by a lack of connectivity.

This situation made what should have been a powerful and efficient mobile device little more than a fancy toy. I found myself unacceptably excited every time I drove past a restaurant that advertised Free Wi-Fi, or even worse, a Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX). The presence of free Wi-Fi slowly became a relevant factor in my travel destination choices as my use of the tablet grew more involved.

The Basics: How To Buy Stocks

Article originally published on NYSE Euronext
01/06/2012

Buying stocks is a simple process that can be completed with or without the assistance of a licensed stockbroker. Once you have money in a brokerage account, buying shares of stock is as simple as making a phone call or clicking a button on your computer. However, actually choosing suitable stocks — those with the highest potential for an increase in value — is an extremely challenging task, one that requires extensive time and research.

Open an Online Brokerage Account

Article originally published on NYSE Euronext
12/29/2011

Modern technology has created an opportunity for consumers to try their hand at investing in the stock market without the need for industry representative involvement. Internet-based brokerage accounts are available from a number of reputable investment firms, allowing the do-it-yourselfers to buy and sell stocks, bonds and other securities at will, often for a fraction of the cost usually associated with traditional investment accounts. Opening an online brokerage account takes minutes, and the process is streamlined to be efficient and easy enough for even the most unsophisticated consumers.