QUESTION: Life Insurance as an Investment?
I have two life insurance policies - one that my parents bought when I was born and one I started purchasing about 10 years ago to lower a car insurance policy. I believe they're whole life policies. My financial advisor recommends combining the two and using them as an investment for the future. I'm in my mid-30s, unmarried, have no children, no debt and plenty of cash reserves. I know that you have recommended never using life insurance as an investment. Have your views on that changed?

QUESTION: Lump-Sum Investing vs. Dollar Cost Averaging
After reading your books, I know that you advocate lump-sum investing, but in a volatile market is it possible that dollar cost averaging trumps lump-sum investing? And how does my age factor into this decision? I'm 55 and expect to work until
I'm 63.

QUESTION: CDARS
I am seeking advice on the benefits and risks involved in investing with the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service. I have $500,000 to invest and am contemplating buying two CDs for $250,000 - each through CDARS - to get FDIC insurance. Could you give me some advice?

FDR's Words Still Ring True
When it comes to math and investing, the only thing you have to fear is
fear itself.

The Dow's High: What Does It Mean?
The following message was emailed to our clients on Tuesday, March 12, 2013.

We're Fed Up That Financial Advisors Ignore Most Americans
It's just not right. And we're doing something about it ? something that no other financial planning or investment management firm has ever done.

We Warned You - and Now So Has FINRA
... about non-traded REITs and gold investments.

Introducing Edelman Online
Get ready to enjoy access to your advisor and account like never before!

Dollar Cost Averaging
I don't think I fully understand the concept of dollar cost averaging. Can you explain?

'Challenging Economic Environment'
FINRA's current 'watch list' can help you avoid investment pitfalls.

Avoid These Top Investment Traps
Fraudsters are using some new tricks to part you from your money.

Q: I have a $100,000 CD that's nearing maturity, and I've heard about an instrument called an MLP that yields very high interest - 7% or more. I'm not sure what MLP stands for but would like to know if I should put the money from the CD into it.

Question: I am waiting to sell my Boeing stock. It seems to be doing quite well right now, so I am waiting until I think it has peaked.

Q&A: Stable Value Funds

Less Filling, Tastes Great
Why we usually recommend foreign securities for our clients.

'Challenging Economic Environment' Creates New Risks for Investors
FINRA's current 'watch list' can help you avoid investment pitfalls.

We just paid an independent financial advisor (CFP) $575. This person spoke at a retirement transition planning meeting sponsored by my husband's employer...Please give me your opinion: Should I be feeling as ripped off as I do?

Question: If the plan isn't broken, why fix it? We don't need the money for another 10 years, so with that horizon, what's wrong with staying fully in stocks?

Should I take a percentage from my IRA each month or a fixed amount? I also want to ask about setting up a trust, whether it should be revocable or irrevocable. What's the difference?

Question: My banker tells me it's time to get out of the stock market. What's your take on that?

Q&A: Back in 2008, I bought some Citigroup stock when it was down to $2 a share. It doubled, and now they are going to give me one share for every 10 or something like that. What's the reason for this? Will I lose money?

Don't Fill Up on CARBS or MINTS
Catchy acronyms help sell investments, but there's a danger of indigestion.

Child's Play
'Follow the Leader' should have nothing to do with your investments.

Question - Our bank advisor recommended a four-year contingent annual interest CD with 10 commodities. Is this a good place for our money?

The 'In' Crowd
When you invest in ETFs, you're in elite company.

Could You Borrow from Your IRA to Start a Business?
Could does not mean should.

Can You Spell D-I-V-E-R-S-I-F-I-E-D?
Today's economic news can distort your sense of fiscal reality. Here are three errors many people are making - and how you can avoid them.

Question- I have enough confidence in the market to invest, but I worry about fraud...

We Warned You - and Now So Has FINRA
... about non-traded REITs and gold investments.

Beware of These Top 10 Investment Scams
Follow your nose. If an offer smells fishy, it's probably bad.

Q: Scams - My son-in-law is exploring the idea of futures trading...Any advice you could provide would be most appreciated.

Does Wall Street Provide a Service or a Product?
Make sure you understand how Wall Street really works

Q&A Fixed Income

After Record Profits, the Stock Price... Falls?

Q: Can you help me understand the Statement of Additional Information for owning a mutual fund?

Follow the Yellow Brick Road?

Question: Wouldn't compounding suggest that the Roth is the better choice?

Question and Answer with Ric - Investing in Gold Today

When dealing with a specific advisor from your firm, does it really matter if I go to an associate in Virginia, New York or Chicago?

Question: We don't know what to do with that money. It's our cash reserves. But we need somewhere really safe because we are afraid of the stock market.

Question: I'm 74 years old. In the past year, I have done much better than the market, investing in master limited partnerships. What is your view of that type of investment into the future? I love the high dividends and growth.

Four Warning Signs You Could Be Dealing With a Ponzi Scheme or Other Investment Fraud

DOW 38,820?
It could easily happen in 15 years

Tempted to Invest in a Non-Traded REIT?
The facts may change your mind

Investors Flock to Bonds
I'm not lovin' it

I see that advisors have very different styles. Yours is based on diversification and there are many others. So you've got a whole bunch of advisor styles, and how does one who is looking at just the investment component make a comparison?

Ric Discovers the Best Stock-Picking Strategy Ever!

Still Thinking About Converting to a Roth?
Think twice if you're paying for college

Question- I'm thinking about retirement. I'd like to work at least another five years. I've been looking at my portfolio; I'm overweighted in stocks...

Question- I'm 58, I don't have any family and I have saved money for a long time. I didn't know what to do with it, so in 2007, I invested it with a firm. But I just keep losing money, with all the volatility in the market...

Question: My mother is 71 and has an IRA invested in bank CDs. She's already started taking out the minimum amount. The bank told her to roll the CDs into a lifetime income annuity. What should she do?

Charlie Brown Got It Wrong
Grief is never good

Brokers vs. Advisors
Testimony by Goldman Sachs executives really did say it all

Are You Getting the Full Return Offered by the Markets?
If you're not, it's your fault

Question: You recently said that the past 10 years are called the "lost decade" because the Dow is lower today than it was 10 years ago. I wish to have another such lost decade.

Question: How do exchange-traded funds pay out dividends?

SEC Enacts New Rules to Increase Safety of Money Market Funds
But you still need to be careful when you invest

Question: I have two 401(k)s from previous employers that are worth about $160,000. I'm considering rolling them into a managed portfolio...What kind of feedback you might give me on that?

You Might Want to Rethink What You Think - Economists Don't Share Consumer Pessimism

What "Lost Decade"? 401(k) balances rose 150% in past 10 years

Volatility Has Returned to the Stock Market
Four important messages from Ric Edelman that are vital to your investments

The Stock Picking Folly
Even with the benefit of hindsight, most can't pick the right stocks

The Lost Decade - The decade has been awarded a cute name, but it's not very accurate

Did I say "the bulk" of our clients ended the decade wealthier? Why not all of them?

The Risk Is Becoming Reality - Credit Downgrades Already Affecting Some Muni Bonds
Credit Downgrades Already Affecting Some Muni Bonds

2000-2009: Worst Decade for Investments Ever
The headlines scream it, and the numbers back them up.

It's Not FDIC, and It's Not Here to Help You
Beware fraudsters posing as FDIC officials

Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities - Need a Tip on TIPS?

The Truth about Gold

Don't Become a Fraud Victim
In one of the most shocking scandals to hit Wall Street in recent years investors have lost $50 billion or more in what has been dubbed "one giant Ponzi scheme."

Giving Thanks for Good News. You're Just Not Hearing It.

How Long Will it Take for My Account to Recover?
After watching the stock market fall 45% in the last 12 months, it's easy to wonder if you'll ever get your money back.

Stock Market Returns by Presidential Party

Update Regarding the Financial Markets

Don't Just Do Something, Stand There!
Ric Edelman's Guide to the Bear Market

Do You Really Know the True Cost of Your Advisor?
Read Ric's article and find out why many advisors fail to reveal the total costs to clients.

Are You Earning the Total Returns Your Mutual Fund Offers?
You may not be earning the full profits your funds generate.

Is Your Portfolio Properly Structured?
Do you know what the terms asset allocation, portfolio rebalancing, and diversification mean, and how to apply these concepts to your portfolio?

Couldn't Say It Better Myself: CFA Institute Reveals Investors' Most Common Mistakes

Does Buy-and-Hold Beat Market Timing?
I've been wrong all these years. Okay. Fine. I admit it. For years I've been telling you that the buy-and-hold strategy always beats market timing. For years I've been telling you that you're doomed to failure if you try to engage in "market timing," a strategy where you try to buy stocks before they rise and try to sell them before they fall. For years, I've said that buy-and-hold always beats market timing. I'm wrong...

The Secret to Buying and Owning Bonds ... Profitably
When it comes to earning interest on your money, nothing is as safe as your bank account. But banks don't pay very much interest, and your purchasing power is likely to diminish if you keep your money there.