Investing Resources

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You can count on Provident's Financial Consultants* to help you with your investment and insurance needs. But for some general advice and tips to help you with your investing and retirement planning, please check out the links on this page. If you have any questions, your initial consultation with a professional, experienced Financial Consultant is free. Just call (800) 632-4600, ext. 2487.

Reference

• IRA Comparison Chart [pdf] Compare and contrast the three main types of IRAs (Individual Retirement Accounts) and ESAs (Education Savings Accounts).
• Glossary of Investment Terms Definitions to all the possibly unfamiliar words you might hear or read about financial planning and related products.
• IRA and ESA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Frequently Asked Questions about the three main types of IRAs (Individual Retirement Accounts) and Coverdell ESAs (Education Savings Accounts).

Learning Library

• Year-End Tax Planning Tips You may not be able to avoid Uncle Sam, but with careful planning, you may be able to minimize the tax bite. Here are a few year-end tax planning strategies.
• 10 Money Saving Ideas These days its more important than ever to save money for your future and for that of your family. Here are ten ideas to help you along.
• Are You Saving Enough? Most individuals understand that in order to achieve significant financial goals, they must learn to make saving a significant part of their lives. As a nation, however, how successful are we at saving?
• Five Tips For Folks Over 50 As you get older, your investment strategy changes. Here are 5 tips for those entering their silver years.
• Choosing Your Retirement Benefit Distribution Consider carefully how you want your benefits on your pension funds to be paid out during retirement. The distribution methods you select may impact your family for years to come.
• Retirement Reminder When figuring out how much money you'll need to live on during retirement, remember to budget for "wants" as well as needs. Such as...
• Withdrawing Money without Penalty Consider carefully how you want your benefits on your pension funds to be paid out during retirement. The distribution methods you select may impact your family for years to come.
• Plan Now, and Retire in Comfort The best way to ensure a comfortable retirement is with early planning. Here are some general guidelines to get you started.
• Building Wealth: It's Never Too Late Tips on how to improve your prospects for a comfortable retirement, if you didn't start saving early enough.
• Increase Your Savings to Achieve Your Financial Goals It is important to make saving a habit. We'll show you ways to jump start your savings program.
• What Makes Your Portfolio "Tick"? Market trends aren't the only things that affect how well your investments perform. Here are six more factors that make a difference.
• Five Steps to a Healthier 401(k) Don't let the investments in your 401(k) get out of whack. Follow these 5 steps to keep your 401(k) "in the pink."
• Protect Your Retirement When Leaving Your Job Changing jobs? Wondering what to do with the money in your existing employer-sponsored retirement plan? We'll help you out with some tips.
• Five Key Aspects of Family Financial Management Focus on these 5 areas to help preserve the financial security of your family, send your children to college, prepare for a comfortable retirement, and more.
• 529 Plans Offer Tax Benefits When Saving for College 529 Plans are a great, tax-smart way to save for your child's future education. Read more to find out why.
• The Financial Rewards of Aging Learn what the key ages of your life are, in relation to retirement accounts and Social Security.

Other Sites

• Help You Thrive A wealth of resources to make your journey and navigation through the financial world a bit easier, with calculators, worksheets, educational resources and the financial basics. Brought to you by the California Credit Union League and the Nevada Credit Union League.

Media Resources on the Web

The following links are to resources outside of the Provident Credit Union Web site that may also help you with your investing and money management. Provident does not control the content on any of the following links:

SFGate: Net Worth

• AT&T class-action suit means $1,000 for lucky few Almost 7,000 California consumers have just hit the class-action jackpot. All are getting a check for $1,000 or more to compensate them for overcharges on their phone bills that in most cases amounted to a fraction of that. The money is going to folks who...
• IRS has trouble with e-file system For the second time this year, the Internal Revenue Service is having problems telling taxpayers who file their federal returns electronically when to expect their refunds. Seventy-two hours after filing online, taxpayers can use the IRS' Where's My Refund...
• Deadline for federal jobless benefits looms Once again, people receiving federal unemployment benefits will start losing them unless Congress can agree on some way to extend them past the end of this month. Unable to agree on a full-year extension at the end of 2011, lawmakers instead extended federal...
• A look at the big mortgage settlement provisions The Obama administration is always talking about helping "responsible homeowners," but only a small fraction of the big mortgage settlement announced last week will go to conscientious borrowers who have continued making payments despite being underwater or...
• Will Facebook list its shares on NYSE or Nasdaq? One of the biggest questions surrounding Facebook's initial public offering is whether it will list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq. "Traditionally, the NYSE has been where the blue-chip, larger, more traditional companies have listed. The...

Personal finance news - CNNMoney.com

• Community banks team up to fight the megabanks Faced with growing competition from the likes of Chase, Bank of America and Wells Fargo, more than 100 community banks have joined forces to take on the megabanks.
• How I'm easing into retirement
• IRS: Beware of 'dirty dozen' tax scams As the tax season kicks off this year, the IRS is keeping an eye out for scam artists who steal identities, lie about charitable donations and hide income in offshore accounts, among other abuses.
• Jumping into stocks? Have a plan first With the stock market up almost 4.5% last month, the best January since 1997, I'm becoming more confident about the stock market and thinking of cashing out CDs and putting about $100,000 into stocks. Is now a good time to do that? -- Nick
• Business tax breaks booted from payroll deal The last legislative freight train is about to leave the station, and a set of expired business tax breaks that regularly get extended are being left on the platform.
• New York apartment sells for a record $88 million The most expensive apartment ever sold in Manhattan went for a cool $88 million this week.
• Home buying: Most affordable in decades Buying a home is now more affordable than it has been in the last twenty years.
• Mortgage delinquencies decline The mortgage meltdown that began five years ago appears to be reversing course as the percentage of loans that fell into delinquency slowly returned to normal rates and fewer loans fell into foreclosure.
• 2012's hottest toy trend: Nostalgia It may be 2012, but the toy industry is starting to look a lot like it did a generation or two ago.
• 9 smart moves in a tough economy
• Wanted: Americans for factory jobs U.S. factories are creating many new jobs. But owners are hard pressed to find skilled American workers to fill them.
• Foreclosures climbed in January Foreclosures picked up in January, yet another sign that the nation's huge glut of delinquent homes may soon start making their way onto the market.
• Lamest consumer settlements Even in some of the biggest legal settlements, consumers often walk away with pocket change after the attorneys take their share. Here are five recent cases -- and what the little guys got.
• $34,000 in debt, wants to start a business We spoke to five families who face challenges that could keep them from meeting their financial goals. With a few tweaks to their game plan, they can get back on course. Here, Heyward's story -- and the recommended financial fixes.
• Nonprofit founders put passions ahead of planning Scott Pankratz and Julie Osborn are phenomenal planners and money managers -- except when it comes to their own investments.

BusinessWeek.com -- Finance

• China's Yuan Won't Dethrone Dollar Anytime Soon Xi Jinping's visit to the U.S. is a reminder of China's economic might, but the yuan poses no immediate threat to the dollar
• Another Black Eye for UBS UBS again appears to be at the heart of a banking scandal, this time for rigging a benchmark interest rate
• The Questionable Economics of the Keystone XL Pipeline Supporters of the Keystone pipeline claim it will create thousands of jobs and reduce the price of gas. That may be wishful thinking
• U.S. Stocks Advance as S&P 500 Nears Highest Level Since 2008 U.S. stocks rallied this week, putting the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index 0.2 percent away from erasing its losses since April, amid optimism Greece will get another bailout and better-than-estimated economic data.
• Dubai Shares Head for 7-Month High as Oil Rises on U.S. Outlook Dubai shares headed for the highest close in seven months, leading gains in Persian Gulf markets, after oil rose amid signs the U.S. economy is improving and as European leaders made progress on a second Greece bailout.
• Swift Says Ready to Implement Sanctions on Iran Institutions Swift, the global bank-transfer messaging service, said it is prepared to impose sanctions against Iranian financial institutions once the European Union presents implementing rules on its restrictions.
• Lehman Crisis Veterans Say EU Shouldn’t Push Greece Too Far Neel Kashkari, who was on the policy frontlines when Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. crumpled in 2008, warns European governments against pushing Greece too far as they impose conditions for aid.
• Inflation Is Still Too Low The consumer price index rose less than expected in January
• Bank of America: Back from the Dead or Still a Zombie? The troubled banking behemoth's stock has surged 50 percent this year
• Why Credit Ratings Matter Now that Moody's has puts banks on warning, a look at the effects of a downgrade
• Is Capital Fleeing China? There are plenty of reasons—and ways—to move money out of China
• America's Blue Collar Nostalgia Masks Future Challenges The U.S. manufacturing sector needs more skilled workers and can't support middle class living standards as it once did
• U.S. Payroll Tax Holiday, Money Market Funds Rules Feb. 17 (Bloomberg) -- Henley Smith, chief investment officer at Commonwealth Asset Management, and Bloomberg Government's Jeanne Cummings talk about today's congressional passage of an extension of a payroll tax cut through the rest of the year and new capital rules for money-market mutual funds being drafted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. They speak with Pimm Fox on Bloomberg Television's "Taking Stock." (Source: Bloomberg)

SmartMoney.com: Homepage

• 10 Things Baristas Won't Tell You For starters, don't call them slackers or hipsters -- unless you want to get "decaffed."
• The Cost of Living Longer -- Much Longer Number crunchers are dead set on figuring out how long you will live. For those saving for retirement, it's the $27 trillion question.
• 4 Ways to Be Invisible Online Real Time Advice: In light of Google's latest user-tracking snafu, a guide to leaving behind fewer digital breadcrumbs and fingerprints.
• Retire Here, Not There: Mississippi Four bargain retirement havens in the Magnolia State.
• 5 Housing Markets Where the Action Is Real-Time Advice: New data released today shows demand for new homes is beginning to build. These areas are growing the fastest.
• You May Never Wait on Hold Again Kadet: New apps offer to wait on hold for callers -- and the end of phone rage may be near.
• Retirement Survival Kit Video: Retirement planning can be complex and overwhelming. Here are some tips for investors and advisers to consider.
• The New Death Calculus Video: SmartMoney Magazine editor Jonathan Dahl explains the 21st-century equation for determining human longevity. For future retirees, it's the $27 trillion question.
• Experts Explain: Protecting Your Identity Online Video: There are a few simple precautions you can take to keep your ID and your money safe from hackers.
• Experts Explain: How to Choose a Tax Preparer Video: Some tips to get the most for your money when picking a tax pro.
• Why the Rich Are Really Moving Cash to the Caymans Arends: Mitt Romney has been criticized for having some of his fortune in offshore accounts, but it's not really to save on taxes.
• Perfect Portfolios: Your Next Move in This Market After a strong start to the year, stocks slumped Friday on renewed worries over the Greek bailout. Here's what the pros are recommending to do next.
• Turning Home Equity Into 401(k) Money Powell: There are big risks and big reward to leveraging strategy.
• Should Married Taxpayers File Separately? Bischoff: Conventional wisdom says no, but for some couples filing separately is actually the best move.
• To Beat the S&P 500, Try the Other S&P 500 Hough: For equal-weight indexing fans, "the market" is doing just fine -- and closing in on an all-time high.
• Is the 4% Rule Still Viable? Ruffenach: A fresh look at the 4% retirement-withdrawal rule.

Fool.com Headlines

• Apple Lets Its Next Big Cat Out of the Bag The Mac maker quietly details the next major version of Mac OS X.
• Did Sirius XM Rock This Earnings Season?
• The Uncertain Future of American Shale Gas America has a 100-year supply of natural gas! Well, maybe.
• How $2,250 Gold Comes Into Clearer View A conservative perspective on the gold price outlook from inside the mining industry.
• Another Big Move for the King of Tablets
• This Natural Gas Play May Be Overheated Westport Innovations has soared in recent months, but enthusiastic investors may be getting ahead of themselves.
• Just When You Thought Apple Ruled Mobile ... Gartner releases fourth-quarter 2011 smartphone figures.
• Now at a 4-Year High, Here's How You Can Invest in the Dow An overview of the various ways to invest in the popular index.
• 2 Incredible Ways to Play Cloud Computing
• PepsiCo: Dividend Dynamo, or the Next Blowup? What the numbers tell us.
• Why Don't These Dow Stocks Make More Money? Bad return on equity gives you a warning sign.
• Is United Continental a Buffett Stock? Let's find out.
• 2 International Stocks With Huge Potential
• Let's Check Nike's Growth These two metrics can tell you a lot.
• Jim Cramer’s Favorite Energy Stocks: 2 to Buy, 3 to Avoid Jim Cramer’s Favorite Energy Stocks: 2 to Buy, 3 to Avoid
• Why These Were the 3 Worst Dow Stocks This Week Because of more fun economic news.
• Is Monsanto's Growth for Real? These two metrics can tell you a lot.
• Are Banks Out of the Woods Yet?
• Is Hewlett-Packard a Buffett Stock? Let's find out.
• It's Game On for This Playmaker
• Another Growth Story Bites the Dust
• Amazon's Still Facing an Identity Crisis Amazon's Still Facing an Identity Crisis
• Is Caterpillar a Buffett Stock? Let's find out.
• 1 Dividend to Buy, 1 Dividend to Sell
• Is Citigroup a Buffett Stock? Let's find out.
• Dow: The March to 13,000? Breaking down the market.
• This Week in Solar Earnings season has begun.
• The Week's Top Stock Gainers The stock market continued its upward march, and some stocks had some major gains.
• The Motley Fool's Weekly Editors' Picks Three of the week's most educating, amusing, and enriching articles.
• The Fool Looks Ahead Let's take a peek at some of the news that's bound to break next week.
• A Fool Looks Back It was an eventful week if you knew where to look.
• 3 Stocks on Our Radar
• 1 Tech Giant With Room to Run
• 2 Natural Gas Stocks Burning Shareholder Cash
• 1 Change at the Top Apple Needs to Make
• These 2 Stocks Are Undervalued
• 2 Dividend Stocks We Like Right Now
• Here Comes Yelp Here Comes Yelp
• Google's Next Big Move: Storefront Retail? Logical or not, here's what it might look like.
• Finally, Some Numbers For Amazon's Kindle Fire Not directly from the online giant, but what choice do we have?
• CEO Gaffe of the Week: Energy Conversion Devices Some days, CEOs would be better off just staying in bed.
• What Drove the Dow's Highest Close in 4 Years Breaking down the market.
• This Tech Stock Is Making a Comeback
• Can DaVita Live Up to Berkshire Hathaway's High Standard? The healthcare provider delivers solid earnings.
• After a Market Trouncing, This Stock Remains Worth Buying Ultra Petroleum got killed for making a smart move -- maybe making now a great time to buy in.
• 1 Biotech Punished by Hep-C Overreaction Gilead slips, but hasn't fallen yet.
• The Dow's 3 Biggest Losers Today, and What to Look for Next Week
• High-Priced Stocks Worth Every Penny Despite their high prices, these stocks might be worth even more.
• Kodiak Oil & Gas: Is Its Stock Growing Too Fast? Undervalued, overheated, or just right?
• These 3 Dow Stocks Closed the Week With a Bang This trio led the market higher on Friday.
• Why the Dow Rose Today Because of more fun economic news!
• Whoa! What Just Happened to My Stock? These stocks just took off, but are they about to make a return trip to Earth?
• Why Investors Should Worry About Facebook
• 2 Stocks for the Next 10 Years
• 2 More Ways to Play the Mobile Revolution
• Charles Davidson’s Wexford Capital Is Bullish on these Stocks Charles Davidson’s Wexford Capital Is Bullish on these Stocks
• Top Consumer Stocks on This Hedge Fund's Radar Top Consumer Stocks on This Hedge Fund's Radar
• The World's Best Dividend Portfolio The latest news on these dividend dynamos.
• Dr. Pepper Will Grow Its Dividend In 2012 Dr. Pepper Will Grow Its Dividend In 2012
• Three Mergers You Could Bet On Three Mergers You Could Bet On
• 5 Stocks Seeing Heavy Volume Trading On Big News 5 Stocks Seeing Heavy Volume Trading On Big News
• Should Google Finally Be in the Dow?
• 4 Stocks To Buy, 1 To Avoid In 2012 4 Stocks To Buy, 1 To Avoid In 2012
• Why This Education Company May Disappoint in 2012 Why This Education Company May Disappoint in 2012
• 2012: High Growth For Illinois Tool Works 2012: High Growth For Illinois Tool Works
• Disney Will Increase Dividend In 2012 Disney Will Increase Dividend In 2012
• GFI Group Shares Plunged: What You Need to Know Is this meaningful? Or just another movement?
• Four Stocks Bloggers Can’t Write Poorly About Four Stocks Bloggers Can’t Write Poorly About
• Corning: Get In Now Corning: Get In Now
• Moody’s Warning: Not a Big Deal for Financials Moody’s Warning: Not a Big Deal for Financials
• A Look at Who's Buying These Stocks A Look at Who's Buying These Stocks
• The American Way to Natural Gas Vehicles -- and Investor Profits Heckmann Corp. is leading the charge to turn America's trucks from black smoke-belchers to clean, natural gas-powered machines. Good for investors, good for the country.
• Contrarian Capital's High Conviction Picks Contrarian Capital's High Conviction Picks
• Big Pharma's Newest Interest Big Pharma's Newest Interest
• Are These Buybacks Wasting Your Money? These stocks recently announced new or expanded buyback programs. Are you buying?
• Fusion-io Shares Jumped: What You Need to Know Is this meaningful or just another movement?
• How Pepsi Is Trying to Win the War Against Coke
• 3 Stocks to Play a Natural Gas Rebound
• Unemployment: Getting Better, but Still Awful A dose of reality amid the good news.
• No Way? Obesity Drugs Have Side Effects FDA still worried about side effects of VIVUS' Qnexa
• Solar Suppliers Shares Jumped Again: What You Need to Know Is this meaningful or just another movement?
• Beverage Makers Give Coconuts a Try Beverage producers look to coconuts to cure U.S. soda sales.
• RealPage Shares Got Crushed: What You Need to Know Is this meaningful or just another movement?
• The First Coin to Stash in Your Pot of Gold Why Goldcorp remains the must-own standout of the gold miners.
• Utilities as an Alternative to Bonds Utilities as an Alternative to Bonds
• SunPower Knocks It Out of the Park SunPower is showing signs of a strong year in 2012.
• Housing Recovery Comes Too Late for Private Builders Smaller homebuilders are being squeezed out of existence by financing woes.
• Tobacco: Why Sin Is Winning Tobacco: Why Sin Is Winning
• The Promise of Progress for General Motors Tough talk on Europe could finally lead to a fix. Do you buy it? Investors sure did.
• Top-Tier Solar Stocks Popped: What You Need to Know Is this meaningful or just another movement?
• Railroads: Who's the Better Buy? Railroads: Who's the Better Buy?
• Did Vonage Deserve This Flogging? Why pummel a stock when management is doing exactly the right thing?
• Heinz and a Lesson in Strategic Acquisition Heinz and a Lesson in Strategic Acquisition
• Why Did My Stock Just Die? These stocks just rolled over. Can they come back?
• NetSpend Holdings Shares Popped: What You Need to Know Is this meaningful? Or just another movement?
• Fossil's Year-End Results: A Big Tease? Fossil's Year-End Results: A Big Tease?
• Why You Can't Afford to Ignore Luxury Stocks Designers cashing in on the promise of foreign operations.
• Tesla – Is There Steak To This Sizzle? Tesla – Is There Steak To This Sizzle?
• What McGraw-Hill Does With Its Cash Cash is king. What a company does with it matters.
• Investing in the Growing Organic Movement Investing in the Growing Organic Movement