In this guide on put vs. call options, we will explain the differences between them as well as why and when you might use options trading.
Investing Strategies
A Guide to Portfolio Income: Interest, Dividends, and Beyond
Portfolio income can come from a variety of sources. We’ll explain how you can earn money from your investments and why to diversify.
Are You A Believer?
It’s amazing how many childhood lessons apply in today’s complicated world. In grade school, the older boys told us only babies believe in Santa Claus. I told them my mother said, “As long as you believe, there is a Santa Claus.” They made fun of me. I sought the counsel of our neighbor, Sherwin. He […]
12 Safe Retirement Investments Beyond Savings Accounts
Retirement planning starts with goals. Once you understand the cash flow you will need when you retire, you can start looking for investments that can provide it. In this article, we’ll go over 12 safe retirement investments, reviewing potential returns and risks. We’ll start with the most conservative investments that have safe, yet low returns […]
Does Inflation Really Help Debtors?
I recently interviewed Chuck Butler about winners and losers during inflationary times. I began with: “Historically inflation hurt creditors and helped debtors as they are paying back their obligations in much-depreciated dollars. I’ve had readers ask about borrowing money to invest. Chuck, that concerns me. Many of our readers are baby boomers or retired. …. Are you […]
What Are Stock Options? A Guide to Puts and Calls
Stock options can be confusing, partly because there are many types of contracts: exchange-traded options, OTC options, and employee stock options that are part of compensation packages. As such, you might be asking, “What are stock options?” In this article, we’ll review all the types of stock options and examine how to include options in […]
When Not to Sell Call Options
I’m often asked, “what are stock options?” by some of my newer readers. Stock options are derivatives based on the value of the stock and offer the trader the opportunity to buy or sell the stock at a stated price within a specific time. The most common option trades, especially for beginners, are covered calls. […]
One-Stock Retirement vs. Diversification
One-stock retirement. Those three words can stop you in your tracks, right? Is it a scam? A gimmick? Is it just click-bait? Well, not exactly. Over the years, several financial advisors floated this idea and once in a while it gets some traction. The concept suggests that investing modestly in just one stock could be […]
What’s a Dividend Investor to Do With Transitory Inflation?
I am in the mood to ramble. (By that, I mean I’d like to share some thoughts about current broader themes affecting investing and the economy.) We have not seen this much uncertainty in the financial world since the Global Financial Crisis nearly 15 years ago. My work lets me follow the current financial news, […]
What the Income Investor’s Perfect Market Looks Like
With the major U.S. stock indexes hovering around record highs, I often am asked about selling to lock in gains, and then waiting for the next downturn to reinvest. While I do not think a wholesale move into cash is the right move, I spend a lot of time considering what to tell my subscribers […]
