Learn The Basics of Investing – Edition #197 of Carnival of Personal Finance

Learning about investing and money management is the key to handling your own money. Whether it’s buying mutual funds or individual stocks or just keeping track of your bank accounts. YOU have to know what is going on and YOU have to take responsibility for everything that happens to you financially.  This carnival’s theme is basic investment topics – each section will cover a different (almost random you might say) investment topic or product.

If you want to learn more about the basics of investment then check out my other blog ABCs of Investment – Learn the basics of investing with 2 short posts per week.

Asset allocation – One of the most important concepts when dealing with your money.  Do you roll the dice with all equities or play if safe with high interest bank accounts.

Here are the ‘asset allocation’ picks – otherwise known as the editor’s picks:

• Weakonomics points out that the AIG bonuses are a red herring. It’s the government you should be looking at!
• SquawkFox has 6 words that make your resume rock!
• Free From Broke wonders if the bailout money should help Madoff victims.
• J. Roc…errr J. Money from Budgets are Sexy has a couple of pf raps.
• Being Frugal has a post on asset allocation for beginners.
• My Money Minute does some good analysis and concludes that pet insurance is not worth it.
• The Happy Rock has grandparents that won’t stop buying gifts for the kids.

Stock market index – Do you really know what a stock market index is? It’s important.

• Two Wise Acres says you have to be tough when dealing with late paying tenants.
• Kelly from Almost Frugal has 4 unlikely books that made her more frugal.
• Nothing to do with personal finance but Ramit wrote a great post on how to make more money in your business. Basically he says to stop wasting time and concentrate on activities that add value.
• Gather Little by Little had a good story about ethics of keeping a check that was sent in error. Find out what he did!
• Green Panda Finances says that if your finances are a mess – then get started on just one thing. Great advice – better to concentrate and be successful.
• Growing Money analyses a business idea about penny blossoms. Don’t know what hell penny blossoms are? Read the post!
• Financial Highway talks about asset allocation.
• Prime Time Money has a good summary on life insurance
• M is for Money has a great post on first time home buying
• Sound Money Matters has found 13 lucky/frugal ways to celebrate spring.
• Richer by the Day explains how not to sell gold.
• No Credit Needed shows you how to break the credit card habit.
• Good Financial Cents has an interesting post on teaching your kids about money. Like Jeff, I wonder at what age should you start teaching them about money?
• The Wild Investor says that Microsoft might not be a great investment.
• Consumerism Commentary debates paying off debt or funding an emergency fund?
• Canadian Dream writes about selling out our dreams. I have to admit – I really don’t see what’s wrong with just working for a living and doing what you love on weekends…
• 401k Planning talks about a useful way to game Social Security.

Index funds – These investment products are the cornerstone of an successful investing strategy – find out what they are!

• Amateur Asset Allocator helps choose the best IRA for your needs.
• Finance Freelance Life says that there is no stimulus check. Good advice about not falling for scams regarding a possible check.
• Million Dollar Journey explains capital cost allowance.
• Military Finance Networks says that the stimulus plan helps military members who lost money due to PCS.
• Cash Money Life highlights the showdown between Cramer and Stewart.
• The Dividend Guy explains the tyranny of investment fees.
• Dough Roller says refinance your mortgage now!
• Intelligent Speculator thinks that Google should feel threatened by Twitter and Facebook.
• My Life ROI says that you should manage your vacation expectations.
• Bizzia has some passive income opportunities in your job.
• Mrs. Modern Tightwad shares some advice from her grandparents about living like it is 1939.
• David from MoneyNing has a diy haircut. Too bad there are no pics!
• Realm of Prosperity has a pretty good shopping tip.
• Suburban Dollar outlines your rights under the fair debt collection practices act.
• Steadfast Finances has some good suggestions for high interest rate chasers.
• The Strump says he hates buy now pay later plans.
• No Debt Plan say to use your $400 tax refund to pay down debt.
• Pecuniarities says you should help businesses keep costs down.

Exchange traded funds – A distant cousin to the index fund, they too are worthy of a look.

• My Findependance Day has some insider tips on saving on internet service.
• Bret Frohlich says that wealth is all in the mind.
• Switch to Riches says that the American dream is dead.
• Frugal Dad suggest that you simplify your personal finance life.
• Dividend Growth Investor wrote about master limited partnerships.
• Investing School explains index funds.
• Darwin’s finance wonders if removal of the secret ballot will kill US business?
• Once Chance to Live create a rap link post.
• Dividends Value writes about his investment in Intel Corp.
• Moolanomy has put together a great guide on how to find the best online high interest savings account.
• Christian Personal Finance has found a whole pile of freeware programs.
• Credit Card Assist explains the Fico score system.
• Studenomics has the college student’s guide to finding the perfect job.
• My Dollar Plan reflects on her decision to quit her corporate job 6 months ago.

Setting financial goals – It’s hard to get somewhere if you don’t know where “somewhere” is.

• Payday loans review talks about interest rate caps.
• Fiscal Fizz came up with 11 ways to stay positive in a bad economy.
• Bargaineering has the best student credit cards.
• The Digerati Life says you should start an online business – ebay store, blogs.
• The Smarter Wallet wants you to budget using a simple system.
• The Financial Blogger explains how to start investing.
• The Credit Toolbox explains what affects your credit score.
• Money Under 30 asks if joint credit cards are a good idea?
• Keep My Dollar wrote about asset allocation.
• The Paycheck Chronicles wants to know about the stimulus package.
• Art of the Coupon has some suggestions for saving money on dogs.
• Personal Finance Software Reviews does an extensive review on Mvelopes.
• Investo Blog explains stock options trading.
• Save a Few Bucks has 10 tips to reduce car expenses.
• Green Pastures found a ton of online quizzes.
• Funny About Money talks about the worst financial mistake you didn’t make.

Recession – Not that we are in one or anything but a bit of knowledge of economic events can go a long way.

• Bad Credit Advisor asks if you should pay your mortgage off early. Why is this such a hard question? The answer is yes!
• Happiness is Better updates us with his forex adventures
• Finance for Physicians writes about compound interest.
• The Coin Jar has a comparison of fitness and finance.
• Making Our Way suggest that making a meal for someone is a great way to help if they are sick.
• Financial Nut talks about America’s cheapest family.
• Counting My Pennies talks about direct debiting your bills.
• Searchlight Crusade writes about loan fallout.
• American Consumer News says to save money by comparing prices.
• Monroe on a Budget wants to know where is my bailout?
• Buy My Stock Picks has the best stock picks for 2009.
• Our Financial Planner talks about mutual fund returns.
• Do You Dave Ramsey says some answers are obvious.
• Living at Large says they are still stimulating the economy.
• Beyond Paycheck to Paycheck writes about government actions.
• Personal Finance Startup explains the effect of credit scores on mortgage rates.
• Discover Debt Freedom has some sources for consumer loans.
• Paying For Retirement has some good ideas on lowering bills.
• Stretchy Dollar says to pay yourself first.
• Uncommon Cents has some Costco coupons.
• A Modern Girl is investing for inflation.
• Think Your Way To Wealth says you should cut expenses in bad times.
• Ask Mr. Credit Card has some ideas about raising your credit score.
• Penny Jobs has 7 reasons to grow your savings.