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The article emphasizes the appropriateness of stabilizing one's portfolio and converting money into bonds, real estate and gold in 2008. Based on the article, 2008 is the perfect time to perform an annual portfolio checkup to determine if any adjustments should be made. Newlyweds Lisa and Terence Dillard are working with a financial planner to build their individual retirement accounts. David Braverman of Standard & Poor's says investors know that allocation of assets outside of stocks is as important a strategy as putting money into equity markets.

This article offers tips that can help investors screen their financial advisers and avoid being victims of scams. It explains that high returns almost always means high risk. Investors should not mistake a smart appearance, smooth sales pitch or flawless manners for integrity. Before hiring an adviser, ask what licenses he or she has and double-check that information with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority's broker database at www.finra.org/brokercheck. Investors should monitor your investments and ask probing questions.

The article offers tips from Maryland attorney general's office commissioner Melanie Senter Lubin on how to determine a deceptive financial adviser. A financial adviser executes the investment plans. An adviser trades investments and track portfolio and finances. A deceptive financial adviser promises unrealistic above-market rate of return. He says that the investment is guaranteed and cannot result to loss for the investor. He also says that the investor should have faith in the promoter.