Part of investing is learning and not losing money is the hardest lesson to learn. Many people in the investing world are out to get your money and scams have not changed much in the past 100 years but the emphasis changes. If you look at interest rates, they are low – if someone comes up with an idea to increase it with no risk RUN Away or stretch the time you need to make a commitment. Remember someone trying to scam you wants you to do action today.

If it sounds too good to be true it is.  Trust your gut instinct. Always get advice. Buy the best stocks you can – this is time to trust the brands.

Commodity prices for minerals and oil have fallen to new lows. If you are going to buy, look at the best companies. ideally a dividend while you wait for the price recovery. The best stocks will go up first, then the juniors make moves when prices have already gone up to justify buying a possibility. The best stocks will actually own the resources and now will be getting paid a higher price for the resources

The big warning signs according to the Financial Consumer Agency are:

You are promised high returns with no risks. No such thing there is always risks.

You are contacted by someone you do not know. The people on the phone may be nice, but they are after your money. Ask yourself if you had less, would they still be nice?

You have to act fast – a once in a lifetime opportunity. Always act slow.

You are asked to keep the matter secret.   Tell people, they may have been contacted before and have a story to tell.

You have to pay fees in advance. You should never pay fees in advance.

You are told a regulatory agency approves the investment. Regulatory agencies do not approve or offer an opinion on the quality of the investment.

Linking to dividend paying stocks, we all want to make money and have enough for our needs and beyond. Many people have done the correct things all their lives, and financial fraud is designed to take away your money. Buying dividend stocks will not make you rich this year but if you hold them for years, adjusting them on a yearly basis, they will give you a good income and prices of the stocks will tend to rise over the years.  The turtle method of slow and steady is truly a good method to use.

There are more questions than answers, till the next time – to raising questions.