So going farther than the hype & the bells and whistles that a lot of the called "trading gurus" like to invoke, the real "secrets" of the stock market game are enclosed within the trading set ups and market signals you rely on to decide how to CHOOSE stocks, as well as WHEN to BUY & when to SELL them, or even when to SHORT SELL those that are poised for a profitable fall.

So the clearer your set ups are, the faster you can spot a potentially profitable trading scenario and ACT ON IT reducing your risk.

Complicated technical systems and information overload can make you slow and confuse you right from the start, making you loose money instead of making your profits grow.

In essence, You can be sure that the trading method you employ to approach the stock market and pick stocks can make a big difference in your results as a trader. In order to succeed you will need to FOCUS on a set of simple trading strategies that you can implement without hesitation.

Stock trading doesn't have to be complicated as many people perceive. But you do need to follow a well organized set of rules and tactics, that once you master them, you can aspire to replicate profitable trades with consistency.

Some coins appreciate in value more than others and other coins depreciate in value. Here are some tips for those who wish to collect coins as a future investment and how to find those coins that are most likely to grow in value in the coming years.

First I should start by stating the benefits of investing in rare coins over other forms of collecting.

Rare coins can grow in value considerably over relatively short periods of time, by anything from 3 to 10 fold their original value. A sought after and rare coin that was valued at $1000 in the 1970s could be worth in the region of $10,000 today.

The supply of rare coins is diminishing daily which can mean any increase in demand results in increased prices. Unlike other markets like the stock market the supply of rare coins cannot be increased to meet new demand. This inevitably results in higher prices.

The liquidity of collectible coins is higher than other collectibles. Also pricing information is updated regularly so when the time comes to sell, you can expect immediate payment.

Coin collecting is affordable and there are coins to fit any budget. If you're collecting diamonds or rare paintings these can fetch prices that are out of reach of most investors and prices tend to be higher. With coin investing you can collect coins worth anywhere between $100 and $10,000.

Unlike other forms of investing you do not have to pay taxes on your profits until you sell.

Now what Coins are likely to appreciate in value the fastest in the coming years?

Coins of a High Grade
It is true that quality matters when it comes to coin collecting. Coins of a high grade tend to appreciate in value the fastest with those graded at over MS63 or PR63 doing particularly well. This is because high grade un-circulated coins tend to be more expensive because they are of higher quality and expensive coins have always tended to increase the fastest.

Rare coins
Rare coins almost always appreciate in value particularly if they are of a high grade. Coins minted prior to 1934 are good buys. The US stopped minting coins as legal tender in 1934 and only a small percentage minted before 1934 are available on the coin market today. As time goes by more of these will be lost or damaged making the coins of a higher grade even rarer and more valuable over time particularly as demand increases.

Gold coins minted before 1933 are also particularly rare as the US government recalled gold from its citizens in 1933 during the great depression. These coins should rise dramatically in value whether or not gold bullion prices go up.

Good Coins to Invest In
When demand goes up as it inevitably does some coins are certain to increase in value. These are popular and well known and documented coins that are no longer minted. For example the $20 Saint-Gaudens, Walking Liberty half's, Morgan silver dollars, and Buffalo nickels. While supply will continue to fall due to neglect, meltings etc demand will continue to rise for these rare and popular coins.

Coins Containing Precious Metals
Gold and silver coins have a proven track record going back 6,000 years and coins composed of precious metals possess intrinsic value. Precious metals such as gold and silver have been appreciating in value and provide a safe investment in troubled economic times. This is particularly true of silver which has many industrial and decorative uses and where the growing supply shortage of silver will only drive up prices further.

Investing money in 2011 through 2012 may require that most people change their thinking about the best investment strategy. Traditional investing strategy for average folks suggests an asset allocation of over 50% to stock funds, about 40% to bond funds, and the rest to perhaps a precious metals (gold) fund for added diversification. In the world of investing money, times are changing; especially for bonds and gold.

In putting together your investment strategy one of the best ways to focus is to consider the flow of money between asset classes over the recent months and years. In the investing world money always goes someplace, and it tends to concentrates in different areas at different times. When money floods an asset class like bonds or gold, prices can rise dramatically. When it makes a grand exit prices can tumble. Extremes in price movements should grab your attention when investing money for 2011 and beyond, especially when you hear mention of the word "bubble".

In the months leading up to 2011, investors both large and small were investing money heavily in bonds and in precious metals like gold. This investment strategy was among the best as prices in both asset classes climbed to record or near record highs. Millions of everyday folks threw money at bond funds and some discovered gold funds. The question going forward: are prices at extremes, and is either investment a bubble waiting to deflate or burst? Let's look at bonds first.

Investors have flooded bond funds with an additional net inflow of hundreds of billions of dollars while pulling money out of stock funds in recent times. The bond funds have then taken this money and bought more bonds, in the process sending bond prices up to extremes. This has pushed bond yields (interest income as a percentage) to near-record lows. Looking back to 1981, the 10-year Treasury note (intermediate-term government bonds) hit a high yield of 14%. Today they're paying less than 3%, near historical lows. The problem: investing money in bonds and bond funds carries a significant risk today. When interest rates go UP, bond prices (values) will FALL. If there is a bubble here it will deflate as investors rush to pull money out of bonds.

The best investment strategy for 2011 in the bond department is to avoid long-term bonds and funds that invest in them because they will get hit the hardest when rates go up. Who wants to get stuck at a low fixed interest rate for 20 or so years when rates are going up? Go with shorter-term funds holding average bond maturities of 7 years or less. DON'T chase bond funds; consider cutting back your holdings. Investing too much money here has too much downside risk associated with it... unless you're willing to speculate that interest rates and our economy will stay depressed well beyond 2011.

Now let's get a perspective on gold prices that recently glittered at an all-time high of over $1400 an ounce. In 1999 gold sold for as little as $253. Investing money in 2011 and beyond in gold or gold funds at these prices is as much speculation as it is hedging against disaster. The best investment strategy here is to take some profits if you have them. If you missed the boat in gold, wait for the next one. The price of gold has been unstable at best since the yellow metal resumed trading in the U.S. in the mid-1970s. Don't view gold as the best growth investment. View it more as a speculative bubble with risk outweighing future profit potential. The price would have to go up $1400 an ounce in order to double your money at recent prices. This is not a likely scenario.

Now that you've cut back on bonds and precious metals, what's the best investment strategy for the rest of your money? Unless you're over the age of 80 and/or extremely risk adverse, you need stocks in your investment portfolio. There hasn't been a real bubble in the stock market since 1999 when the Dow peaked and closed the year at 11,497. In late 2010 that ever-popular stock market barometer was fighting just to get back to its 1999 highs... after the shock delivered to it by the financial crisis of 2008.

In 2011 and beyond investing money in stock (equity) funds should focus on both those that invest in domestic (U.S.) stocks, and in international funds that invest money abroad as well. You need all of the diversification you can get. Go with funds that invest money in large well established companies with a good record for paying dividends. These are less risky and volatile than growth funds that pay little if any dividends. Plus, good reliable income from either dividends or interest is hard to come by these days.

For the rest of your money you need good safe investments that pay interest. Here we face another of today's extremes: historically low interest rates at the bank and in the money markets. Even though you're looking at less than 1% a year in interest, you've got to go with the flow and continue investing money here because these are truly the best safe investments. The best investment strategy for mutual fund investors: money market funds. When rates go back up your money market fund yields will automatically follow and go up accordingly.

The best investment strategy for 2011 and beyond will be to diversify broadly, leaning toward a defensive posture. Investing money across all of the investment classes mentioned is still the key to long term success as an investor. Sometimes... like now... it's better to be more conservative when investing, and live to chase opportunity another day.

A retired financial planner, James Leitz has an MBA (finance) and 35 years of investing experience. For 20 years he advised individual investors, working directly with them helping them to reach their financial goals.

When you decide to invest in your own business it's usually one of the biggest decisions of your life and it isn't one that most people can afford to make wrong. The decision to invest will be a huge point in your life. Most investment decisions come after people either lose their jobs or realize that the 9 to 5 life isn't really taking them anywhere.

The first step to starting up your own business is to find out how much money you have to invest followed by how much money you need and how big a gap there is between the two figures. Finances will play a huge role in your investment decision.

If you don't have a lot of liquid capital or you need to see returns coming in fast then starting up your business may not be the best way to go. An easier way to ease into the entrepreneurial role is to invest in a franchise where you can get an accurate estimate of how soon you'll see the profits coming in.

Once you've found your financial investment range look for something that will really help you achieve financial stability; it's imperative that the business concept you invest in is self sustaining. The advantage of investing in a franchise business is that you know what sells and you know if it's something you can do or not.

Franchise opportunities in USA like a fresh fruit franchise are an example of a workable business concept. The product; fresh fruit bouquets and fruit arrangements are consumer products and generating sales for them is likely to be easier than it would be for non-consumer goods.

Selecting a multifamily project investment for long term cash flow rather than value gains requires discipline. First, the investment needs to be careful selected to avoid to the extent possible market volatility. Second, the investment should offer cash flow at a reasonable return on investment at closing. Third, the investors security should offer a reasonable upside on value based on changes that can be brought to the property immediately. Fourth, the investor should take the time to assure that the market offers long term viability for the investment. Combining these items manages downside risk, offers solid consistent cash flow from closing and positions to strengthen returns over the course of the investment.

On the first item, due diligence should take a very close look at the sources of economic strength considering stability. The key to this is economic diversity. A property that is too dependent upon one source of residents should be viewed with some degree of reluctance.

Historical cash flow is the initial point for this process. Looking further into cash flow, due diligence should carefully review expenses for sustainability. If reserves need to be significantly increased and expense categories increased to support the property the net operating income (NOI), the cash flow must be restated and the property revalued. On the other side, occasions exist where current operating expenses can easily be decreased. In this case, the value given can be viewed more positively. Next, the investor should consider whether new management and marketing may increase the property's probable revenue. Another major factor impacting this is the lack of nearby property for competitive development. Finally and perhaps the best of all indicators is a property with excellent market traffic exposure. High traffic virtually assures revenue growth and high occupancy. In each case where adjustments are in the investors favor to the extent possible this should be considered a post closing advantage. In general, these type changes should not accrue to the seller.

Next, the investor should seek improvement options that for relatively minor investment result in improved cash flow. In these cases, these changes should not accrue to the seller. These items may include items like putting down units in service, new appliances, new fixtures, upgrading the painting, renovating exteriors, and adding minor amenities may increase revenue $35 to $200 per month.

Finally, the investor should analyze the market for long term viability. This should consider pre existing growth trend drivers and their sustainability, upcoming and recently completed infrastructure improvements, the addition of major new employers, the business tax environment, and the availability and vitality of local higher education. A combination of all or several of these items can predict a long term underlying growth condition that should create long term viability for the project.

Blake Ratcliff is a 25 year executive, US Naval Academy graduate, and former Marine officer, who owns and operates several hundred apartments in the Southeast and is actively acquiring more.

Advanced Allowable IRA Investments

Statistics have revealed that at the end of 2001, 42% of U.S. households had an IRA account. The total value of these accounts was $2.4 trillion. The wealth from these Traditional IRA accounts constituted almost half of all financial assets for the households involved. Due to the downfall of the economy and the poor results of the stock market over the past few years, $5 trillion has been lost. Much of this money was retirement money that was in Traditional IRA accounts. Now, IRA owners are desperately searching for other means of investing their IRA funds. By investing in other options besides typical stocks, bonds and mutual funds, these individuals have managed to begin building their retirement plans again because making money through any investment vehicle is the purpose of any Roth IRA.

Is Real Estate in your IRA the Solution?

Real estate is one of those possible investments. The Roth IRA rules and simple IRA rules regarding investments in real estate are complex, but the rewards from such investments can be huge. Many people have the wrong concept of their IRA retirement account. They believe these accounts must be offered by an insurance company, a bank or a brokerage house. This is not true. While the IRA does require a large institution to act as a trustee, it should be remembered that the IRA itself is merely a trust that is given tax benefits. These tax benefits are available as long as the trust contains provisions. So, basically, an IRA is nothing more than a trust that must conform to certain conditions.

IRA accounts must meet specific requirements. All contributions must be in cash. The only exception to this is if a contribution is a rollover of another account. Be sure you are aware of the IRA contribution limits. Presently, an individual under the age of 55 can contribute $5,000 per year. Over 55, the limit is $6,000. The trustee of the account must be a bank or another individual who has demonstrated they will administer the trust with all the requirements. In no way can any part of the trust funds be invested in a life insurance contract. All interest that is gained is non-forfeitable. All assets that are in the account must not be mixed with other property. The exception to this is when a common trust fund or common investment fund is involved. As long as there requirements are met, the IRA account can do anything that a trust can do.

Your IRA account can be invested in many ways. Aside from stocks and bonds, you may invest in the start-up of a business, real estate, tax lien certificates and investing in a limited partnership. These are only a few ways in which your funds can be invested. In short, the only things that you cannot invest in with the funds from the IRA account are life insurance and collectibles.

Now that you know what investments are not allowed, let's take a look at what is allowed. IRA account funds can be invested in trust deeds, the mortgage of the IRA owner, loans made to private corporations and real estate. There are many more, but before you take further steps to invest your IRA funds; it is advised that you consult with your CPA or contact Estate Street Partners to make sure the possible investments are not prohibited.

Best IRA Rescue provides services on your Roth IRA, IRA investments & traditional IRA and will help you reduce your inherited and beneficiary independent retirement account taxes in your estate assets. Roth on ROID™ is your advanced Roth IRA retirement planning strategy. It is Cash Value Life Insurance and one of the best IRA tax-savings strategies with benefits of a guaranteed death benefit, guaranteed principal, tax-free growth, and tax-free distributions from policy loans. Traditional IRAs and ROTH IRAs cannot invest in life insurance. Please contact us if you have any questions. Rocco Beatrice, CPA, MST, MBA