Mature Life Features

. . . when you invest.

Betting on the Super Bowl is easier than gambling on the stock market. There are only two teams and one of them is sure to be a winner.

Rather than toss the dice against the vagaries of the various markets that contain thousands of stocks, investigate before buying anything. You wouldn’t go out and buy a car and then bring it home to check out its performance.

Shy away from securities offered on the telephone or by e-mail. Deal only with a securities firm that you know or one recommended by a person who is familiar with the investment industry. You might ask your tax preparer, attorney, or accountant for a referral.

Beware of promises of quick and too-good-to-be-true profits as well as high-pressure tactics by the sales people.

Don’t be afraid of “asking a stupid question.” You’re only being stupid if you don’t ask questions about something you don’t understand and still go ahead and invest your money on it.