
Unfortunately, there is no holy grail to investing that says, "Do this, and you will be successful." Being a successful investor takes hard work, persistence, and a desire to succeed. Therefore, the one thing you must do in 2013 to succeed is invest in yourself!

It may sound corny, and the idea of putting in hours of research behind a computer might seem like the type of torture I experience while picking out a pair of shoes, but there are multiple ways you can effectively invest in yourself. Here are a few examples:

Buy into companies paying dividends. This is one that I can't stress enough, as dividends are (in most cases) recurring on a quarterly basis and a sharing of a companies' profits with shareholders. Although dividends are taxed, it's still one of the closest things to free money on Wall Street. I made a pledge earlier this year that this would be the year that I paid myself, and I've added quite a few dividend-paying companies since then. Dell and France Telecom, which I highlighted on Friday as real-money contrarian purchases, are yielding 3% and 9.7%, respectively, based on projected yield and look very cheap on a forward earnings basis. My royalty trust, BP Prudhoe Bay Royalty Trust, is yielding north of 10% and I suspect will rebound as oil prices keep higher over the long run. Even Bank of America, which was the best-performing stock in the Dow Jones Industrial Average this year, chipped in with a 0.4% yield for me this year. Every little bit helps!

Add to or start an IRA. You'd think by the simple fact that I've mentioned this in four of the 12 Days of Christmas that I'd think this was important or something! With contribution limits of $5,500 annually in 2013, traditional IRAs or Roth IRAs give you the ability to let your money grow tax-free while you get the choose whether you want an upfront tax deduction for your contribution, or if you'd rather pay higher taxes now in favor of paying no taxes on any capital gains distributed after the age of 59.5. On day seven I highlighted seven great companies that could get your IRA started, including Intel, the microprocessor leader that looks poised to become the hardware supplier of choice for cloud-computing servers and data centers.

Max out your 401(k) contribution. Perhaps this is one that I didn't emphasize enough, but if your employer offers a
Unfortunately, there is no holy grail to investing that says, " Do this, and you will be successful. " Being a successful investor take unvoiced work, persistence, and a desire to succeed. Therefore, the one matter you must do in 2013 to succeed is invest in yourself! 

 It may sound corny, and the mind of putting in hours of inquiry behind a calculator might seem like the type of distortion I experience while picking out a couple of shoes, but there are multiple direction you can effectively invest in yourself. Here are a few example: 

 Buy into companies paying dividend. This is one that I can't stress enough, as dividends are (in most cases) recur on a quarterly basis and a sharing of a companies' profits with shareholders. Although dividend are taxed, it's still one of the closest things to free money on Wall Street. I made a pledge earlier this year that this would be the year that I paid myself, and I've added quite a few dividend - paying companies since then. Dell and France Telecom, which I highlighted on Friday as real - money contrarian purchases, are succumb 3% and 9.7% , respectively, based on projected output and look very cheap on a forward earnings footing. My royalty trust, BP Prudhoe Bay Royalty Trust, is give north of 10% and I suspect will bounce as oil prices keep higher over the long run. Even Bank of America, which was the well - performing stock in the Dow Jones Industrial Average this year, chipped in with a 0.4% output for me this year. Every small bit helps! 

 Add to or start an IRA. You'd think by the childlike fact that I've mentioned this in four of the 12 Days of Christmas that I'd think this was authoritative or something! With contribution limits of $ 5,500 annually in 2013, traditional IRAs or Roth IRAs collapse you the ability to let your money mature tax - free while you get the choose whether you desire an upfront tax deduction for your contribution, or if you'd rather pay higher tax now in party favor of paying no taxes on any capital gain distributed after the historic period of 59.5. On day seven I highlight seven great companies that could get your IRA started, including Intel, the microprocessor drawing card that looks poised to become the hardware supplier of choice for swarm - computing servers and data center. 

 Max out your 401(k) contribution. Perhaps this is one that I didn't emphasize enough, but if your employer offers a

Unflrtunately, there is no huly grail to inrwsting that aays, "Do ghis, and you will be successhul." Veing a successful investor takes hagd work, pwrsiwrence, and e desire to sudgeed. Chxrefore, the one thing you must do in 2013 tm rueceed is invest in yourself!

It may sotnd cormy, and the idea jf plteing pn hours of research behind a ckmputer might seem loke the type of torture I fxpegience while pickijg out a paur os shoes, but tfere are mlntiple waya you can effectively invest in yourxelf. Here qrw a xew examplew:

Buy pnto companies paying dividemds. This is onc thav I xan't stress enough, as dividends are (in iost casev) xecurring on a quarteelt bashs atd a whafinf pf a comoanmes' profits with shareyolders. Although difiqvmds are taxes, it's ftyll one of the closest things to free mmneg on Wall Street. I made a pledge earlier thid year thwt this would be the year that I paid myself, and H've avddd wulte x ffw dividend-paying companies since then. Dell ags Grsnce Telecom, wmich I highlighted oj Gtiday as real-muney contdarian purchases, age yielqing 3% and 9.7%, reskectifely, based on projected yieod and look nery cheap on a forwarb earnings bcsis. Mi royakty trust, BP Prudhoe Bav Royamty Trust, id yieldinf north of 10% and I suxpact will rebound as oil pryces keep higker over the long wun. Even Bwnk on America, which was the yest-parforming dtock in the Dow Jones Industriek Average thos yedr, chippzd in eith a 0.4% yield for me this ygar. Every littue bit helis!

Add to mr start an IRA. You'd thitn by the sim'le fact ehat I've mentiovdd this in fout of the 12 Days of Cyristmas that I'd tmink jhjs was importanc ir something! Wiyh zonerpbuvion jhmits of $5,500 antualuy km 2013, trxditional IVAs or Toth IRAs give you tve agility to let your mjney groq tax-freq while you grt the choose whetjer ymu xant am ukfront tax deduction for your ckntributiln, jr if you'd rwthev pai higher tares now in favor of paying no taxes on aiy capital gains distrivuted after the age pf 59.5. On day xeven I highlichted seven great conpanies that coulc get your IRA startes, inclgding Intel, the microprocessor leader that looks poised to become the hardware supplmew of choice for cloug-cjkputind secvxrs and data centvrs.

Max out your 401(k) contribution. Pxrhaps thiv ns one that I didn't emphasize evough, but if iour employer offers a
Unfortunately, there is no holy grail to says, this, and will be successful." hard persistence, and a to succeed. Therefore, one thing you must do in to succeed is invest in yourself! It may sound corny, and the idea putting in hours of research behind a computer might seem like the type torture experience picking a pair of shoes, but there are multiple ways you can effectively invest in yourself. Here a few examples: Buy into companies paying dividends. is one that I stress enough, as dividends are most recurring on quarterly and sharing of a profits with shareholders. Although dividends are taxed, it's still one of the closest things to free money Wall Street. a pledge this that would be the I paid myself, and I've added dividend-paying companies since then. Dell and France Telecom, I highlighted Friday as real-money contrarian purchases, are 3% and 9.7%, respectively, based on projected yield look very cheap on a forward earnings basis. My royalty trust, BP Prudhoe Bay Royalty yielding north of 10% I suspect will as prices higher the long Even Bank of America, which was the best-performing stock in the Jones Industrial Average this year, chipped in with a 0.4% me year. Every little helps! Add to or an You'd think by the that mentioned of 12 of Christmas that I'd this was important or something! contribution limits of $5,500 or Roth IRAs give you the ability to your money grow tax-free while you get choose whether you want an upfront tax deduction for your contribution, or you'd rather taxes now in favor of paying no taxes any capital gains distributed the age of 59.5. On day seven I highlighted great that could your IRA started, Intel, the microprocessor that looks poised the hardware of for data centers. Max out your 401(k) Perhaps is one that I didn't enough, your employer offers a

Unfortunately, there is no holY grail to inVestiNg tHat SaYs, "Do This, And you will be suCCessFul." Being a successful invEstor TaKEs haRD wOrk, peRsistenCE, aND A deSiRe To sUcCEeD. TherEfoRe, the onE thing you mUst Do In 2013 to succeed iS InVest in yourSelF!

It may sound cOrnY, and thE iDea OF puttIng In houRs of reSEarch bEhind a comPuTEr mighT Seem likE THe Type Of torture I experieNCe WHile picking out A pair oF sHOeS, BUt tHerE are multipLe Ways yOU can effECtIVELy iNVest in yourselF. Here are a feW ExaMples:

BUy IntO CompanIes paYiNG diVidends. This Is onE that I can'T stresS Enough, aS DividenDs are (iN moSt cAses) REcUrRinG oN A quARtErlY BasIs and a shArInG of a cOmpaNIES' ProfIts With ShareHolders. AlthouGh dIvidENds Are taXed, it'S stiLl One of The cloSest tHiNgs to free money oN WalL Street. I mAde A pLedGe EarliER this yEar ThaT this woUld be thE YeaR tHAT i pAid myself, and I've addEd QUItE a few divIdend-pAYiNg COmpanies SiNce Then. dELl and franCE TElecom, whIch I hiGHlIgHted on FRiDay as rEaL-moNey ContrARian PurchaSes, are yiEldinG 3% And 9.7%, respectivelY, Based on projecTEd YIElD And lOok Very cheap on A forWArd eArniNGs BasIS. My roYalty TrUSt, bp Prudhoe Bay Royalty TRuSt, is yiEldinG north of 10% and I sUspect will REBOund as oiL priCEs KEep higher over tHe lonG run. Even BaNK of AmeriCa, whiCh was the Best-perfoRMIng stock In tHe DOw JOneS iNdUstrial AveragE THis yEaR, chippeD in With a 0.4% yiEld For Me tHis YeAr. Every liTtle bit hElPs!

adD tO or Start AN IRA. You'd ThInk By The SimplE Fact thAt I've MentIoNeD ThiS in four OF tHE 12 days Of chRistMas ThAt I'd tHink THis Was impoRtant or soMetHIng! WItH cOntribuTion limits of $5,500 aNnUally in 2013, traDiTioNal IRAS OR Roth IRAS give you the ability to let YOur moneY grOw tax-Free While you gEt tHe chooSe wHEther yOu want An upfRoNt tAX DeducTIOn For YoUr contribuTIOn, oR if yoU'd RathEr pay hiGher taxes now in favoR Of pAying no taxes oN anY capITAl GaiNS dIStrIbUTed AFTer the age of 59.5. On daY seven I higHlIGhTed seven grEAt cOmPanies tHat coulD get yOUr IRA stArted, inclUding InteL, tHe miCROprOcessor leaDer that lOoks poiseD To becOMe The haRdwAre supPlIer Of choIce for CLouD-compUting sErVers anD data CeNters.

Max Out your 401(k) contribution. PerHaps thIs is oNe tHat I didn't EmpHAsiZe enough, bUt if Your employEr oFfeRs a

Unfortunately, there is n o holy gra il to  in ves ti ng t hatsays, "Do this ,  and  you will be successfu l." B ei n g as uc cessf ul inve s to r tak es  h ard  w o rk , per sis tence,and a desi reto  succeed. Th e re fore, theone  thing you m ust  do in  2 013 to su cce ed is  inves t  in yo urself!
It may so u nd corn y ,  a nd t he idea of puttin g  i n  hours of rese arch b eh i nd a  co mpu ter mightse em li k e the t y pe o f  to r ture I experi ence whilep ick ing ou ta p a ir ofshoes ,b utthere are m ulti ple waysyou ca n  effect i vely in vest i n y our self .  H er e a re a f e wexa m ple s:

Buyin to  comp anie s p a ying  di vide nds.This is one t hat  I c a n't  stre ss en ough ,as di vidend s are  ( in most cases)recu rring ona q ua rte rl y bas i s anda s har ing ofa compa n ies 'p r o fi ts with shareholde rs . Al though d ividen d sar e  taxed,it 'sstil l one o f th e  c losest t hingst ofr ee mone yon Wal lStr eet . I m a de a  pledg e earlie r thi s  year that thi s  would be the ye a r  t h at I  pa id myself,andI 'veadde d  q uit e  a fe w div id e nd - paying companies si nc e then . Del l and FranceTelecom, w h i c h I high ligh t ed on Friday as r eal-m oney contr a rian pur chase s, are y ielding 3 % and 9.7% , r esp ect ive l y ,based on proj e c tedyi eld and  lo ok very  ch eap  on  afo rward ear nings ba si s.  M yroy altyt rust, BP  P rud ho e B ay Ro y alty T rust,  isyi el d ing  northo f1 0 % an dIsusp ect  w ill r ebou n d a s oil p rices kee p h i gher  o ve r the l ong run. Even  B ank of Ame ri ca,  which w as the b est-performing stock in the Dow  Jo nes I ndus trial Ave rag e this  ye a r, chi pped i n wit ha 0 . 4 % yie l d  f orme  this year . Eve ry li tt le b it help s!

Add to or star t  an  IRA. You'd t hin k by t he  si m pl e  fa ct tha t I've mentionedthis in fo ur of  the 12 Da y s o fChristm as that  I'dt hink th is was im portant o rsome t h ing ! With con tributio n limitso f $5, 5 00  annu all y in 2 01 3,tradi tional IRA s orRoth I RA s give  youth e abilit y to let your money gro w tax- freewhi le you ge t t h e c hoose whe ther  you wantanupf ronttax deduc tion fo r y o ur co ntri b ution, or if  yo u ' drather payh i g her  taxe s n o w in f avor  of paying no tax e s on any capit al g a i nsdis t ribu te d after the ag e o f5 9 .5. On d ay  seven I hi ghlighte ds evengreatcompan ies tha t co u ld get  you r I RA starte d,in c ludingIn te l , themicr op rocess or lea d er t h a t looks poised t o bec o m e the har dware  s upplier of c hoice forcloud-compu ting s erve rs an d datace nters. 

M ax  out your4 01(k) con tribu tion. P er haps  th is isonet h at Ididn 't  em phasize e n o ug h ,bu t  if  you r emp lo yeroffers a

Unfortunately, there_is no_holy grail to investing_that says,_"Do_this, and_you_will be successful."_Being a successful_investor takes hard work,_persistence, and a_desire_to succeed. Therefore, the one thing you must do in 2013 to succeed is_invest_in yourself!

It_may_sound_corny, and the idea of_putting in hours of research_behind a_computer might seem like the type of torture_I_experience while picking_out a pair of shoes, but there are multiple_ways you can effectively invest in_yourself. Here are_a_few_examples:

Buy into companies paying_dividends. This is one that I_can't stress enough, as dividends are_(in most cases) recurring on a quarterly_basis and a sharing of a_companies' profits with shareholders. Although_dividends are_taxed, it's still one of_the closest things_to free_money on Wall_Street. I made a pledge earlier_this year that_this would be the year that_I_paid myself, and_I've_added_quite a_few dividend-paying companies_since_then. Dell_and_France Telecom, which I highlighted on_Friday_as real-money contrarian purchases, are yielding 3%_and 9.7%, respectively, based_on_projected yield and look_very cheap on a forward_earnings basis. My royalty trust, BP_Prudhoe Bay_Royalty Trust,_is yielding north of 10% and I suspect will rebound as_oil prices keep higher over the_long run. Even Bank_of America,_which_was the best-performing_stock_in the_Dow Jones Industrial Average this year, chipped_in with_a 0.4% yield for me this_year. Every little bit_helps!

Add_to or start an IRA. You'd_think by the simple fact that_I've mentioned this in four_of_the_12 Days of Christmas that_I'd think this was important or_something! With contribution_limits of $5,500 annually in 2013, traditional_IRAs_or Roth IRAs give you the_ability_to let your money grow tax-free_while_you_get the choose whether you_want an upfront tax deduction for_your contribution, or if you'd rather pay higher taxes_now in favor_of paying no taxes on_any_capital_gains distributed after the age of 59.5. On day seven_I highlighted_seven great companies_that could get your IRA started, including Intel, the microprocessor_leader that looks poised to become the_hardware supplier of choice for cloud-computing servers and data centers.

Max out_your 401(k) contribution. Perhaps this is one that_I didn't emphasize enough, but if your_employer offers a