Have the courage of your own convictions and don't be swayed by friends who boast about their financial home runs. Last year's winners are often this year's losers.

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.

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

Have the courage of your own convictions and don't be swayed by friends who boast about their financial home runs. Last year's winners are often this year's losers.

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

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

When a corporation goes into the marketplace to buy back its own stock, it means management thinks the stock is undervalued. This is a smart time to buy.