“This is weak man.”
That’s how the hilarious E*Trade Baby would undoubtedly describe this offering from the online broker’s banking operation:
1.00% APY on certificates of deposit ranging from 12- to 24-months.
Just drop $1,000 into your E*Trade CD, watch compound interest work its magic for a year, and take your hard earned $10 to Taco Bell. [...]

Let’s face it. Rates really suck right now.
It’s hard to get excited about building a nest egg when even the most lucrative CDs, savings and money market accounts are only offering 2% or 3%.
But maybe you’ll be able to whip up a little more enthusiasm after seeing our pick for the worst rate of the [...]

… To convert your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA.

This is one of the few, small advantages we can think of to the big decline in stock and mutual fund prices.

Since you contributed pre-tax dollars to a traditional IRA, you must pay ordinary income taxes on your contributions and any earnings when you convert to [...]

Lots of banks, especially smaller banks, are trying to woo customers with “step-up” certificates of deposit.
They promise buyers that they can “step up” to a higher interest rate if the bank raises the advertised rate on that type of CD any time during the term of the loan.
Most banks will let you step up once. [...]

Every year, millions of Americans file their 1040s and end up having to pay taxes, even after all possible deductions have been taken. Many are able to itemize, while others are eligible for dependent care credits or above-the-line deductions for their retirement plan contributions. But those who have enjoyed short-term market gains or other investment [...]

While you would probably love to be able to reap the gains of the stock market, you may not be willing to endure the risk and volatility that comes with that territory. At this point, you may be too close to retirement to be willing to subject your portfolio to a possible market downturn. However, [...]

Millions of Americans are more than willing to purchase life insurance on themselves and their loved ones in case of death, disability insurance in case of disability and long-term care coverage to cover assisted living expenses. However, many of them are not aware of simple legal document that can greatly aid their families in the [...]

Millions of Americans that save money in their IRAs or qualified plans have no intention of withdrawing that money until after they reach age 59 ½. Unfortunately, there are times when circumstances dictate that this is absolutely necessary. Any number of of misfortunes, such as medical expenses from an uninsured accident or an extended period [...]

Hedge fund activity currently constitutes approximately 30 percent of all equity trade volume. So if you have any experience with equity trading, or even a slight interest in this type of venture, then you’ve probably been tempted to get involved with one of these notorious private investments funds. And make no mistake, [...]

For millions of Americans, fixed annuities provide safety of principal, tax deferral and higher rates than those offered by banks and other traditional savings institutions. However, one disadvantage inherent in most fixed annuity products is their inability to keep up with inflation over the long term.
For example, assume that you invest $100,000 into a single [...]

While many older Americans are afraid of the stock market with its risk and volatility, their perception of bonds and other fixed-income securities are often very different. Even though the values of many fixed-income investments fluctuate in the secondary market, the interest that they pay remains constant. Furthermore, the rates on many of these instruments [...]

The last several years have seen an explosion in the equity-indexed annuity arena, with a growing number of companies offering more and more products in this category. But while these hybrid annuities can provide many benefits to investors for whom they are suitable, they can also pose some risks to those that do not understand [...]

For millions of Americans, the choice between term and permanent insurance can be a confusing one. A number of variables factor in to whether one is more appropriate than the other for most consumers, such as debt level, health and longevity, and the size of one’s estate. There are a number of arguments on both [...]

Many investors are constantly looking for ways to increase their investment returns, particulary in their IRA accounts. Those who have stock in their IRAs can use a simple option trading strategy to increase the returns they are getting from their stock holdings. This strategy, known as covered call writing, is a conservative way to generate [...]

If you count yourself as one of the masses that is sick and tired of the daily grind of your mindless job, then getting out and starting your own business is a real possibility. It may seem like a daunting task; but you can get into business on your own with as [...]

Like most other Americans that are saving for retirement, you probably need to make adjustments in your investment or retirement portfolio from time to time. Of course, making these changes will have tax consequences, unless they happen inside a tax-deferred account or plan.
However, if you own any type of life insurance or annuity, then you [...]

If you are like most other Americans that are saving for retirement, then at least a portion of your portfolio is invested in mutual funds. In most cases, this means that you are probably paying some sort of sales charge for your investment. This fee can range anywhere from 2 or 3 percent up to [...]

For many investors looking for higher returns and portfolio diversification, mutual funds are ideal investments. They offer a combination of professional management, liquidity and reduced volatility that makes them excellent vehicles for both growth and income investors. However, some investors follow simpler investment strategies that do not require active portfolio management, and therefore do not [...]

Although the IRS has allowed for tax-free rollovers from one IRA to another or from a qualified plan to an IRA for years, the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 added a new provision: a direct rollover from a self-directed IRA into a qualified plan. This new directive has created several opportunities [...]

Have you watched the prices of real estate climb each year in your community and thought about how it might be a great idea to have a rental or commercial property in your IRA? Although real estate can be a good addition for your portfolio, owning it within an IRA can be packed with problems.

When markets are down or sluggish, it’s easy to feel that your mutual fund is under-performing. Before assigning a term like “under-performing” to a fund, you should take many factors into account. If your fund is down enough to worry you, it’s a good idea to call your financial advisor with some key questions.