Future

Whether you're a beginning investor or a near-retiree, the importance of purchasing stocks that pay dividends cannot be overstated. Not only do companies that have quarterly or annual payouts provide you with a steady stream of income, they also have the potential for capital appreciation. Simply put, dividend stocks can give your portfolio what almost no other investment can -- both income and growth.

 With all the turmoil that the world's financial system has gone through over the past several years, more investors than ever are turning to precious metals in order to guard against a catastrophic loss of confidence in paper money. But until recently, investing in precious metals was difficult and burdensome. Now, though, you'll find a diverse set of exchange-traded funds designed to make owning precious metals a lot easier than it used to be.