Investing

An investment portfolio owes its comeback to diversification and time.

Saving on an installment plan.

Having had three job changes, my investments are in three locations, with a fourth about to start. I have a Roth and two 401(k)s. Is it a benefit to combine all investments into one account? I need to educate myself on my money. Most that I have invested is in aggressive funds. I am 47 and getting older each day!! Jeff, Tulsa, OK

Investors can't consistently beat the market. Neither can senior management.

A recent report from the Bureau of Economic Analysis about the health of the economy in the fourth quarter of 2011 shows a 20 percent spike in investment -- a sign that businesses are back to spending, not hoarding, their money.

I don't think investors should fear the march of time. The specter of a baby boomer-driven stock and bond market implosion seems implausible to me largely because of the move toward market economies around the world. By the time retiring boomers are selling in earnest, markets will be even more global than they are now. There are a lot of foreigners to buy U.S. assets.

Someone in my family plans to invest $300,000 in silver and gold (mostly silver) because he read it's the best place to make money in the next 5 years. Is that correct or is he going to ruin himself??? Please respond!!!! Jessi, Pembroke Pines, FL

We now want to invest some of our emergency fund that we believe is a little inflated, due to fears of the economy. I've looked around at fee-only advisers, but they all state that you should have at least $100,000 to start investing; otherwise, they don't feel like you are qualified to work with. What should we do with our money? We have about $15,000-20,000 that we want to invest, but we want to do the right thing. Could your staff help with some options? Thank you, Joshua, Riverside, CA

The Dow closed at 13,005 -- its highest finish since 2008. It's a milestone you might guess would make investors happy, but not everyone has made big money.