When it comes to fund managers and market strategists, this year's hero usually turns into next year's zero.

There are two kinds of investors, be thay large or small: those who don't know where the market is headed, and those who don't know that they don't know.

Mutual fund manager performance does not persist and the return of stock picking is zero.

It's human nature to find patterns where there are none and to find skill where luck is a more likely explanation (particularly if you're the lucky manager).

If your broker or investment advisor is not familiar with the concept of standard deviation of returns, get a new one.

You have to ask yourself, what are the things that matter to you most in your life? If you have to have a latte every day that'snice to have right now, but if you take that latte every day right now, you may wind up eating cat food when you are 70. And you have to decide which is worse.

A fast food job, for most people, should be an entry level position. If you see no path for advancement beyond that, it's time to take a real fast look at your human capital and learn a skill that will make you more money.