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Annuities are a contract between you and an insurance company in which you make a lump-sum payment or a series of fixed payments to the insurance company in return for a future stream of payments back to you. They ordinarily have an accumulation phase during which money accrues inside the instrument, and an annuitization phase during which money begins to be paid out.

Fixed rate and variable rate IRAs are ideal ways to save for your retirement. You can allow the money in these accounts to grow tax free and in some cases, you may even be able to deduct them on your taxes. But choosing between a variable rate and a fixed rate IRA may be a difficult decision since there is no right answer.

Variable rate IRAs are typically more attractive to the less conservative investor. People who don't mind taking risks often take out variable rate IRAs. There are other factors you should consider as well. For instance, if you have a diversified portfolio with fixed rate instruments, you could balance it out with a variable rate IRA.

If you listen to the talk about Social Security benefits and how they are dwindling down, you might start to get worried about how you are going to survive after retirement. Many people who are under the age of 40 may not even get to see any Social security benefits because the fund may be gone by the time they reach retirement age. That's why an IRA, or Individual Retirement Account, is so important to have these days.

Financial products like foreign currency Certificates of Deposit can diversify your portfolio with foreign currency, but bear certain risks.

Although most people think that you can only buy CDs from a bank, brokerages also sell CDs and they may offer you some advantages.

CD laddering is a way to dollar cost average your CD portfolio to smooth and hopefully maximize your CD return over a period of years. It isn't right for every investor or in every interest rate environment, but it is a strategy worth understanding and considering.

The internet can be a valuable resource for finding the right home equity loan. Whether you need to check rates, compare terms and fees, or apply for a loan, your entire search can easily be conducted from the privacy of your own home.

There are basically two types of home equity loans: a home equity loan (HEL) or a home equity line of credit (HELOC).

As a homeowner, you have probably received offers in the mail to apply for a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or a home equity loan (HEL). If handled properly, these types of loans can provide you with additional funds. To assure that you are getting the best deal, here are some tips you will want to consider before selecting the right loan program.

Most financial institutions will let you borrow as much as 70%-80% of the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio of your home less any outstanding mortgage debt on your property.

Several factors can come into play when trying to select the right home equity loan. Each lender can set their own terms and rates and the repayment plan can also vary from lender to lender. Make sure you choose a loan with a repayment schedule that works for your situation.

Before you rush to apply for a home equity loan, you will want to give serious consideration to how you intend to use the funds, since you are using your home as collateral.

A home equity loan is a loan in which the borrower uses the equity in their home as collateral. Your home's equity is equal to its market value minus any mortgages or other liens owed on it.