Dollar Matters: Find the Best Investments

Posted: 31 Aug 2011 09:00 AM PDT

There’s been a lot about investing lately. This has to do with the volatility of the markets — and the opportunities it brings. While all this craziness can be a little unsettling, that is no reason to abandon your investing plan. Maybe you should tweak it a little. Here are a few good posts from around the blogosphere about investing:

How Do You Analyze Potential Investments?

The Boomer half of Boomer & Echo takes a look at analyzing investments. There are different types of analysis, and you can learn about how to use each type — and when.

The Best Online Discount Brokerages for Cheap Trades

Glen at Free From Broke takes a look at where you can get cheap trades. A good rundown of your online brokerage options, and what you can do to to maximize your earnings by avoiding steep transaction fees.

Are you taking care of your investment portfolio?

Jim at Canadian Finance Blog takes a look at how many Canadians are neglecting their investment portfolios. Take the time to figure out your own portfolio, and don’t rely so much on someone else.

Managing Your Dividend Expecations

I take a look at realistic expectations for your dividend portfolio over at Dividend Stocks Online. Make sure you understand what is likely to happen before you get too pumped about riches through dividends.

You Call This an Efficient Market?

Mike at the Oblivious Investor takes a look at market efficiency. What is market efficiency? And is the market always efficient? As usual, Mike lays it out there in straightforward and easy to understand terms.

This Is the Best Time in History to Be a Stock Investor

Rob over at Out Of Your Rut takes a look at today’s stock market, and explains why now is a good time to be a stock investor. Take advantage of the opportunities that are out there!

Is A Reverse Mortgage Annuity A Good Deal?

Neal at Wealth Pilgrim takes a look at this interesting investment option. Before you jump on the latest bandwagon, read this post for some good insight on reverse mortgage annuities.

Baby Boomers Retiring May Depress Stock Market

Jim at Bargaineering looks at some of the realities of today’s stock market. Will Baby Boomers depress the market for the rest of us? We’ll have to wait and see.

More Financial Posts

Check out a few more helpful posts from around the interwebs:

Tax Brackets Explained at Stupid Cents.
Your home is a focal point in retirement at Retire Happy Blog.
Kick Your Retirement Savings Into Gear at Bible Money Matters.
Home Inspection: Don’t Buy a House without One at Quizzle.
How Sunnil Started and Sold His ECommerce Business for $250,000 at My Wife Quit Her Job.
Student Computer Safety Tip at THE Canadian Personal Finance Blog.
Will You Be in Debt Longer Than You Think? at Credit, Eh.
Income Tax Planning for Savings Bonds at My Journey to Millions.

Use These 4 Cheap Produce Items to Make the Most of Your Grocery Budget

Posted: 31 Aug 2011 04:17 AM PDT

When your pennies need pinching, including a few key produce items on your grocery list will go a long way towards stretching your food dollars. All available for less than a buck per pound, these cheap food items can be used in a number of international cuisines and traditional family favorites. Ready to get cooking?

photo credit: kt.ries

Potatoes

Available for as low as ten cents per pound in the autumn, potatoes are one of the cheapest food items on the market. That's great news for people looking for flexible produce. Mashing them for a holiday side, making homemade potato skins, cutting them up as a money-saving soup ingredient and preparing samosa stuffed potatoes for an Indian-inspired supper are all ways I've put potatoes to affordable use.

You can also feed a crowd quite cheaply by serving a baked potato topping bar along with green salad ingredients. Choose a few inexpensive topping options like sour cream and chives, broccoli and cheese, vegetarian chili and cream-style corn with vegan bacon bits. You'll have an affordable menu plan for teenage sleepovers, family reunions or friendly neighborhood get-togethers.

Cabbage

This anti-cancer powerhouse drops in price to as little as seventeen cents per pound in early March, and can go the distance in your refrigerator's produce drawer if you have a busy week and need to let your produce sit for a few days. Great in stir fry dishes, coleslaw recipes and homemade sauerkraut, cabbage is a healthy affordable vegetable to keep on hand. Red cabbage also looks and tastes great as an accent ingredient to spinach salad.

Carrots

Carrots are one of those vegetables that make buying organic food on a budget a total breeze. Affordable in both the organic and conventional forms, carrots can be shredded in soups and baked goods, used instead of potato chips for a healthy snack, or steamed and sauced as a stylish dinner side. They can also be pureed for nutritional homemade baby food, sliced diagonally for vegetable lo mein or diced for use in a number of Indian recipes.

Bananas

My local bargain grocery store routinely sells bananas for thirty-three cents per pound. At this rate, they are an item we lean on heavily every week and have gone out of our way to collect as many banana recipes as possible. They are great for morning smoothies, sweetbreads, cutting up in a curry or frying up in a fritter for a savory party snack. On mornings when creativity simply doesn't strike, you can always cut them up in your oatmeal or cold cereal. They pack fiber and potassium, and are available around the world for an affordable price.

While not all produce items are as inexpensive as these ones, many of them are. Searching out which fruits and vegetables are the cheapest in your area will lead you in the direction you need to go for developing fresh money-saving menu plans to suit the current economy.

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