More than likely... ALOT!

I first started my IRA shortly after my first job after paying $500 to use an American Express financial advisor. I was informed of all the stuff that I could have learned on my own. Anytime a I asked a tough questions, I was greeted with this statement. You may want to seek a tax professional. Is it just me, but if I pay someone $500, to be my advisor, should they not be my tax professional as well?

Now that I am off my soapbox, you use your IRAs to make investments in things such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, annuities, money markets, real estate, US coins, and derivatives.

Real Estate. Yes you can make investments in real estate. As long as you do not use the property for personal or family use it is fine. You also cannot buy or purchase it from yourself or family. Read more about this in our FAQ section and in a future monthly newsletter . Also you can use other people's IRAs to buy real estate or they can use yours to do the same while you reap the gains. This will also be the topic of a future newsletter.

You got a business on the side? Depending on your earnings from the business you can contribute up to $25,500 to a SEP IRA. This topic will be discussed in another future newsletter.

Have a spouse that does not work? They can still have an IRA if you all file jointly. Of course the income limits for the different types of IRA still apply. Once again look for this as a future newsletter topic.

As always in a nutshell that is it. The monthly newsletters will provide in depth, detail information with examples and references. But if you cannot wait for a monthly newsletter dealing with your topic of interest, here's my advice. Do a Google search, go to the library or ask a professional.

Now if you do not already have an IRA I suggest you follow this link to the section on "Starting your IRA without wasting anytime."

If you were expecting something on which IRA is best for me Traditonal or Roth, we have a section for you too. This is/was the first newsletter.

If you still feel like you do not have enough information, I suggest you check out the Resources area or the FAQs. Also check the news section for any updates or IRA changes for the current year or upcoming years.