As we begin to emerge from the great financial crisis, many investors are wondering how the experts missed seeing and heading off the meltdown. The answer is critical if we are to avoid another crisis, maybe sooner than you would expect. ... [ Full Story ]

In their new book, "Animal Spirits: How Human Psychology Drives the Economy, and Why It Matters for Global Capitalism," Robert Shiller and George Akerlof show how behavior and economic forces join to impact the markets. ... [ Full Story ]

Many leave the all-important task of company analysis to the so-called experts. But serious investors have been burned too often recently. They are now doing their own homework and seeking the most effective techniques for analyzing the companies they invest in. ... [ Full Story ]

James Paulsen of Wells Capital Management believes the end of the bear market is in sight. Here is how he and other top investment strategists from Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, Black Rock and Northern Trust assess the market outlook. ... [ Full Story ]

Some investors believe options are complex and risky. But they can play a strategic role in your portfolio especially in a bear market. ... [ Full Story ]

Investors expecting a conventional bear market/bull market cycle are likely to be sorely disappointed. Over the past several decades, U.S. stock market investors have been conditioned to believe that the market will bottom and then rebound. But the current environment is different. ... [ Full Story ]

If nothing else, most successful investors develop a consistent strategy that allows them to take advantage of short-term changes and the opportunities that they create in a somewhat unemotional manner. ... [ Full Story ]

Many investors believe their portfolios have exposure to gold and precious metals because they hold stocks in mining companies. But bullion and mining stocks should be viewed as two different investments. ... [ Full Story ]

Leaders around the world are demanding more regulation of financial services. Hedge funds top their list of targets. Here Wharton financial experts assess whether hedge funds can continue business as usual and the impact on investors. ... [ Full Story ]

Angel investing, with its historical high risk/high reward strategy, can provide an opportunity for significant returns for high net worth investors as part of an asset allocation strategy. ... [ Full Story ]

International real estate investment is still depressed. But those countries that had easy access to debt -- such as the U.S. and Japan -- are taking the biggest hit from the current financial crisis, while those countries without access to debt capital -- such as Brazil -- have been somewhat spared. ... [ Full Story ]

Choosing an executor is critical for your estate. Done right, it can ensure a smooth transition for your family, and relieve some of their stress. Done wrong, it can cause more than just hard feelings. ... [ Full Story ]

CRTs can be structured to increase an individual's income, avoid capital gains taxes, lower or eliminate estate taxes and serve as a bonus retirement plan. Now it can also be used to realize immediate liquidity, says the author. ... [ Full Story ]

Why would you amend your Living Trust? Actually the question should be why wouldn't you amend your Living Trust? ... [ Full Story ]

By no means do your problems disappear if the estate avoids probate. A living trust as well as other non-probate alternatives can be challenged in much the same manner as a will. ... [ Full Story ]

Madoff is going to make life harder for honest money managers too.  There will likely be a lot more pressure to regulate hedge funds and money managers, and there will be a lot more skepticism from clients and prospects. ... [ Full Story ]

Frankly, my financial advisor could do better, a lot better. I don't necessarily mean better returns, nice though that would be. I mean customer service, bedside manner, call it what you will. But basically it's adding value to the relationship. ... [ Full Story ]

The author is not alone in his dissatisfaction with advisors. A recent survey found that 86% of high net worth investors would recommend avoiding their advisors' firms and 81% would "take money away" from their advisors. ... [ Full Story ]

The more control you have over your portfolio, or at least certain parts of it, the better you can direct investments towards those with low fee structures and save substantially. ... [ Full Story ]

Like it or not, it appears that wealthy taxpayers should be prepared to face the consequences of higher taxes in the coming years. ... [ Full Story ]

To help broaden the perspective of potential market and financial scenarios, we sampled the opinions of some of the leading investment firms, economists and market observers. Here is their take on the year ahead.
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Despite turbulent market conditions, tax planning for year-end and preparing for the years ahead must go on. In fact, there are strategies that can be implemented prior to year-end that may increase future after-tax returns. ... [ Full Story ]

Private placement, variable life insurance is a vehicle which uses life insurance policies and annuities in a way to, in effect, wrap investments in a tax-free envelope. It is an effective way to have both insurance protection and defer or eliminate income taxes on the earnings of the portfolio. ... [ Full Story ]

Now is a good time to take a break from the stresses of recent days and focus on giving to those truly in need. Setting up a family foundation has numerous benefits including involving your children in meaningful charitable giving projects. ... [ Full Story ]

Approached sensitively, charitable giving can be a wonderfully unifying force. Children can be quite positive about funds designated for charities when they are allowed to have a role in the charitable decision-making. ... [ Full Story ]

Earthquakes in China; cyclones in Myanmar; killer tornadoes in the Midwest and Southeast U.S. The world has been rocked by a series of devastating natural disasters in the past week. If you want to help, here are some of the organizations you can contact. ... [ Full Story ]

Get a sense of which charitable vehicle or vehicles most suit your needs and interests. ... [ Full Story ]

What is successful investing? With the Applied Portfolio Management (APM) program at the University of Kansas, Kent McCarthy, the founder of the program, and I have had the opportunity to observe many types of investors and investment thinking. Just as there are many ways to define success in life, successful investing is also multi-dimensional. ... [ Full Story ]

The Thanksgiving holiday is an ideal time to pull back from the daily concerns that preoccupy us and focus on issues that truly matter - family and values. ... [ Full Story ]

You can help make investing an enjoyable and educational experience for your children ... [ Full Story ]