How to Invest Today

There are a lot of fat people on Wall Street (literally and figuratively). Don't make them fatter. Proper investing these days will require discipline on your part. You can be a smart investor.

Instructions

1. Pursue three savings options from your local bank.
   - Long term
   - Short term
   - Short term maintenance

   Investigate the bank to ensure it is solvent.

2. The long term investment should be a contributory Roth IRA (Individual Retirement Account). You will be able to add money to this account as you like.

3. The short term investment should be a six month CD (Certificate of Deposit). Do not go longer than six months so that you can have open dialog with your banker about options such as another six month CD.

4. The short term maintenance account should be a regular bank savings account with no more than $1,000.00 in it. This account should be used to back-up your checking account and to deposit large sums that you will use in your checking account within the short term.

5. Do not fall for the matching 401k plans these days. Do you ever wonder why your company is pushing it on you so hard? Its because they benefit tremendously. The fact of the matter is that, even with the matching funds from the company, 401k plans are not safe these days and are not worth you risking your hard earned money with some greedy person on Wall Street.

6. Once your investments reach $100,000.00 at your bank, open these same accounts at a new bank. The FDIC insures your money up to $100,000.00 at your bank. Legislation was recently passed to insure your money up to $250,000.00. I'm not sure this will last.