1. Recent Articles by Ana Gonzalez Ribeiro

2. Understanding Financial Statements

   by Ana Gonzalez Ribeiro on 6/30/2009

   When looking over your investments, do you ever wonder how the value of the companies you’ve put your money in is determined? What factors decide how well a company is really doing? What’s the source of the company’s financing? Will it meet or exceed this quarter’s projections? While some consider the stock market to be little more than a house of cards, subject to the whims of individual investors, there are, in fact, some very real and measurable things that can help you to diagnose the financial health of a company.
   

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3. Bonds Explained

   by Ana Gonzalez Ribeiro on 6/10/2009

   Investing in bonds, like the name implies, is all about establishing a relationship. So as with any relationship, you should make sure you understand the potential implications before you commit. In this case, you are entering into a financial relationship with an institution, loaning it money in exchange for locking in an interest rate. The borrower is either a company that issuing a bond in order to acquire capital to expand their business, or a government agency that is doing so in order to fund a public project such as the building of a school. When looking around for which bonds to invest in, it’s best to research all your options. Here is a quick look at what is available.
   

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4. The Greenest Stocks

   by Ana Gonzalez Ribeiro on 5/14/2009

   Money doesn’t grow on trees but that doesn’t mean that going green and making green are mutually exclusive. With the economy locked in a choke-hold due to its over dependence on gas and oil, there is a growing interest in alternative energy. For the past several years, more companies around the world have realized how important it is to protect and preserve our planet, spurred on in part by the possibility of a tax incentive. For you, the environmentally conscious and socially responsible investor, there are now plenty of options available.
   

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5. Savings, CDs and Money Market Funds Explained

   by Ana Gonzalez Ribeiro on 4/10/2009

   If you’ve been investing in the stock market for the last couple of years, you’re probably feeling like you’ve been taken for a dizzying roller coaster of a ride. Head still spinning? The more stable investment vehicles, Savings accounts, CDs, and Money Market funds can provide some relief. While they may not offer the highest interest rates available they do provide an appealing safety cushion in times of economic uncertainty. And when it comes to saving for retirement, sometimes slow and steady can win the race. Let’s start off by explaining the basics of some of the most popular investment vehicles available to you.

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6. Understanding Tax Forms

   by Ana Gonzalez Ribeiro on 4/2/2009

   If anxiety over doing your taxes has reached a fever pitch, you’re not alone. The vast majority of taxpayers wait until dangerously close to midnight on April 15 to file. And one of the biggest contributors to this procrastination is a lack of understanding around exactly which form to file. We can’t necessarily making filling out your tax forms any less boring but we can give you the information you need. Here is a summary of the forms you will most likely need and what each form reports.

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7. More on What Freelancers Need to Know About Their Finances

   by Ana Gonzalez Ribeiro on 2/10/2009

   Whether you’ve just been laid off or have finally decided to follow your bliss, there’s no question that you need to start thinking differently about your finances. When you had a job, your checks were deposited automatically in your bank account, your taxes were taken out each pay period, your health insurance was paid for, and your employer matched your automatic contributions to your 401k. In part one we took a look at the most important and potentially confusing change, your change in tax status. But freelancers also need to handle the cost of their healthcare, plan a bit more carefully for retirement, and may even need to be concerned about whether they will be paid for their services at all.

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8. What Freelancers Need to Know About Their Finances

   by Ana Gonzalez Ribeiro on 2/3/2009

   With unemployment rates at their highest in 15 years, there’s never been a better time to consider becoming a freelancer. Companies may not be hiring the way they once were but there’s still a huge demand for skilled workers. Programmers, web designers, writers and anyone else who can bill their services by the hour are bound to find a receptive audience. But if you’ve never freelanced before you may not be aware of what it takes to run a business. And while you may welcome the thought of setting your own hours, working in your pajamas, and playing your music as loud as you want, make no mistake about it. Freelancing is a business with very specific rules about how you should manage your finances. In this two part article, we’ll tell you what you need to know.

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9. Investing in Gold

   by Ana Gonzalez Ribeiro on 1/8/2009

   Gold is a standard form of investment that has proved its worth again and again, even in unstable markets. Historically, the price of gold has remained stable compared to other investment vehicles that tend to fluctuate more drastically. And its value has held up even as worldwide currencies have fluctuated, due to more consistent prices and returns. For centuries, the overall appeal of this precious metal has been based on its varied usage, durability and beauty. With the financial markets in flux, there’s never been a better time to go for the gold.
   

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