Sell before the holidays. Stock prices tend to rise on the last trading day before major holidays.

Invest in vanity. Buy stocks in high-profile companies whose products are designed to make you feel good and look good.

Never call your broker on Monday. Out of courtesy and common sense, wait until Tuesday. A good broker is focused on the opening of the market - at home and around the world - and on getting back into a business frame of mind after the weekend.

Bulls make money and bears make money, but pigs seldom do. When a stock or mutual fund is up 30%, sell one-quarter of your position.

The higher the yield, the higher the risk. A high yield is designed to attract investors. An outrageously high yield attracts fools.

Always leave a sinking ship. There's no virtue in hanging on to losers. And stocks don't have feelings.

Give a cold shoulder to cold callers. Never invest in anything based on a phone call from someone you don't know or whose office is a post office box.