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

Invest less at the end of the month. Brokers tend to push stocks at the end of the month in an effort to match or surpass their previous month's sales.

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.

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.

Avoid greed and fear. These are the investor's Achilles heels. Keeping all your money in the bank earning 3% interest is just as foolish as dumping your entire savings into the market thinking you'll make a quick buck.