Here at Kingdom Trust, we are always looking for industry news and articles that would interest our customers. On December 29,2011, InvestmentNews published the article “The SEC’s Top 10 Tips for Investors,” and we wanted to share those tips with you.

10. Do your due diligence-Check the background of your investment professional. Many investors do not know that you can check the background of a broker or investment adviser. It’s free and easy — and a key step for avoiding investment fraud.

9. Do some homework-Research investments before handing over any money. Smart investors always check whether an investment is registered with the SEC by using the SEC’s EDGAR database or contacting the SEC’s toll-free investor assistance line at (800) 732-0330.

8. Talk to your kids-Teach your children about good financial habits. Recent research suggests that direct teaching by parents is an important predictor of a young person’s future financial success.

7. Root out the hidden charges-Understand the fees you pay to buy, own, and sell your investments. Investment costs shouldn’t take you by surprise. Fees and expenses vary from product to product and can take a huge bite out of your returns. Even small differences in investment costs can translate into large differences in returns over time.

6. Steer clear of sure things-Beware of promises of guaranteed returns. Promises of high returns, with little or no risk, are classic warning signs for fraud. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

5. Get your money for nothing-Take advantage of “free money” (if available). In many employer-sponsored retirement plans, the employer will match some or all of your contributions. If your employer offers a retirement plan and you do not contribute enough to get your employer’s match, you are passing up free money for your retirement savings.

4. Don’t go all in-Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Think twice before investing heavily in shares of your employer’s stock or any individual investment.

3. Make sure you have a cushion-Boost your “rainy day” fund. Many experts recommend keeping about six months of expenses in a federally insured account to cover sudden unemployment or other emergencies.

2. First, pay yourself-Regular automatic deductions from your paycheck or bank account into a savings or investment account will keep you on track toward your short and long-term financial goals.

1. Shed that debt-Paying off high-interest debt may be your best investment strategy. Few investments pay off as well as, or with less risk than, eliminating high-interest debt on credit card or other loans.

If you have any questions about these tips or if you would like to discuss opening a Self-Directed IRA with The Kingdom Trust Company please feel free to give us a call at 1-888-753-6972.