If you’re trying to follow the bear and bull markets in coming up with an investment strategy, Ed Stern of Piper Jaffray has a word of advice: There are two different barnyard animals that will be much more helpful, chicken and pigs.

“It’s important to bring perspective into the market…People tend to be motivated by fear and greed, it can overtake them and cloud their objective judgment,” said Stern, the hands down winner of the Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal’s Stock Watch competition two years ago. read more »

Are you one of the almost 100 million taxpayers who will receive a refund when you file your federal tax return? The IRS says that requesting direct deposit and filing your tax return electronically will put that money in your pocket faster and easier.
Every year, more taxpayers find out how safe and easy it is to have their tax refund deposited directly into their checking or savings account. This option is available for both e-filers and paper return filers. read more »

The investment markets have gone through another wild year — fortunately, this time, the volatility was generally in a positive direction. But the dramatic swing in stock returns after three bear years, along with dramatic swings in some other types of assets, again raises a question all investors should answer every year: Do I need to rebalance my portfolio?

Rebalancing a portfolio involved periodically readjusting its mix of assets. read more »

During this past election season, you probably heard very little about recent tax legislation signed into law amidst the presidential debates, negative campaign ads, and the conflict in Iraq. On October 4, 2004, the Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2004 was signed into law. This Act essentially extended reductions in tax breaks for individuals. read more »

The holiday shopping season is in full swing. In a country where spending is already a national past time, this is the time of year when many people significantly increase their debt and overextend their already overextended finances. Many people will be starting the New Year faced with a pile of credit card bills, wondering where all their money went.

Corrie J. Moore, a financial advisor with Waddell and Reed, Inc., of Silverdale, gave five reasons why people end up in financial dire straits, both during the holidays and throughout the year. read more »