Getting to Higher Ground Financially

After years of saving and investing in money-market accounts, you may have noticed that your balance is just not growing like you wish it would. Experts advise that you look at investing in stocks and bonds. Recent years have offered enticing performance, up to five times what you earn on savings,
but not guaranteed.

So, how do you take the plunge, when your every dollar is important, and you cannot afford to risk what you have to grow?

One answer might be a stock mutual fund. It’s a form of saving in which your money will be pooled with others, and a professional manager will purchase a diversified portfolio of stocks. Each investor owns a share of the whole fund, so you get diversification you couldn’t buy with your own small investment capital.

Because the fund is managed by a professional, you should benefit from constant attention. Trading of stocks in the account is done so as to minimize the impact of commissions and other trading costs

Container Gardens

Not a lot of space for a garden, but looking for some of the fun of planting and enjoying the beauty of a garden? Try something on a small scale by using a container to plant your bright blooms.

Anyone can grow plants in a container, as it is simple to design and plant, and a snap to maintain. Even apartment dwellers can have pots on a balcony or deck to brighten up the view. Containers have the distinct advantage of being moveable to change the look outside your home. They can also be a handy solution for a yard with poor drainage and soil.

The key to successful container gardening is to use a rich soil with manure and peat added, or use a bag of ready made peat-based growing mixture. Make sure there is plenty of good drainage in any container you use, so the plants don’t become water logged after a plentiful rain or watering.






Try using a 16 inch terra-cotta pot and add larger plants for an immediate flower show. Start in the center by setting the plants that work well together in shade or sun. Don’t forget some vinca vines, or ferns to hang over the edge to add some green. Some good choices for container gardens are the ever popular geraniums and impatients. Add some variety by including some dusty miller, salvia, and verbena. Or start with a geranium and add some ivy geranium and several Dahlberg daisies.

A combination of color can make the planter really fabulous, such as several shades of pink with some purple, or plants that carry out a theme of blue and white.

Use your imagination when selecting pots, making sure all have adequate drainage. Different size pots and crocks or strawberry planters and wooden planters can all be used together. Vary the height for interest.

One more tip, don’t forget to water frequently and pinch back the spent flower. Starting a planter garden is a sure fire way to add some color to your life! Have fun with it.