Besides saving money, how can you build up enough assets and wealth to take care of yourself and family in the future? Researching different investment opportunities will help you organize your wealth-building plan so that you can get the most profit out of the money you spend now. Below are five key investments and tips that build wealth over the long-term.

• Home and property: For most Americans, buying a home is the most popular way to build wealth and create assets. Paying a mortgage isn’t like paying rent: you’re not just throwing money at the bank so that you have a roof over your head. When you shop around for a property that you plan to resell in a few years, you should look at qualities beyond the house itself: the location, neighborhood, resale prices of the homes on the same street, school district, and other factors that make the home attractive or unattractive. The more updates, maintenance, and renovations you make to the house will also add to your investment’s value.

• 401(k) (RRSP for Canadians): 401(k)s are designed for retirement, not for short-term saving or paying off debt. Ideally, you will always work for an employer who contributes to your 401(k), although the reality is that not all businesses offer these kinds of benefits. There are also ways to pad your 401(k) like depositing your year-end bonus into the account, and adding what you used to pay in social security taxes if you’ve passed the levy rate.

• Non-trendy investments: FORTUNE recommends sticking with non-trendy investments that have proven to be stable even in shaky economic times. Don’t jump on the stock market bandwagon just because a new company has buzz: do your research and invest in stocks that have a solid track record.

• Stocks: Another tip that FORTUNE suggests for building wealth is to “go heavy on stocks.” According to their proposed formula, you should subtract your age from 120 and put that percentage of your budgeted investments in stocks. The logic is that the younger you are and the more time you have to build wealth, the more likely you’re in the position to withstand risks. [Mutual funds, as opposed to individual stocks, are generally the way to go for the average investor]

• Your credit: While not everyone regards credit as something you actively pursue, it does play a role in your investments. Take care while using your credit cards and always make your monthly and, as much as possible, stay out of debt so that you can establish yourself as a responsible candidate for loans and investments.

The event was a lot of fun, we met a lot of great people, saw what the competition is doing and what our real strengths are. Surprisingly, there are only a few companies who allow for planning future finances. Most only focus on reporting on whats happened in the past. Planning for the future is clearly one of CalendarBudget`s strengths. Also, our calendar format is a clear winner when compared to the other interfaces, most of which just show transactions and planned events in a list. We did glean some ideas for future development, however, we`ll have you the users vote on what we should be doing next.

We have a little bit of clean up surrounding our subcription code to complete this week, then we`ll start posting more `whats next` ideas for you to vote on.

Embedded in the BACD web site as the BACD Money Manager, CalendarBudget will enhance the breadth of offerings the BACD makes available to help entrepreneurs succeed.? From the BACD website, click Helpful Links from the top menu and then click the BACD MOney Manager image to access it.

CalendarBudget is an online personal finance management tool that helps you organize your money and plan for your future.

I read part of the introduction. Then found it interesting enough that I read part of the story aloud to my wife. 3 hours later, we had read the first 2 chapters and begun following the advice in the chapters, making plans for our future.

One of the most interesting points the book makes early on is, if you have in intense desire for something, you make it happen, when you are ready for it. We become ready for our desires when we believe we can acquire it. Until then, its just wishing.

He then explains how we can believe in mediocre things, as most people do, and obtain them. Or we can believe in great things and obtain them. The mental effort is no more difficult and the fulfillment of that belief is no more difficult. But, we tend to limit ourselves by what we believe.

A poet described this in the following lines:

“I bargained with Life for a penny,
And Life would pay no more,
However I begged at evening
When I counted my scanty store.

“For life is a just employer,
He gives you what you ask,
But once you have set the wages,
Why, you must bear the task.

“I worked for a menial’s hire,
Only to learn, dismayed,
That any wage I had asked of Life
Life would have willingly paid.”

by Jessie B. Rittenhouse

Under that poem are the words, “DESIRE OUTWITS MOTHER NATURE”, meaning that what we believe and resolutely desire can overcome what we consider barriers. We can make wealth materialize from nothingness with desire and associated planning and action.

So far I recommend this book to all – its a great read. But don’t just read it. Believe it, follow the advice and reap the rewards. Its only when great risk is taken that great reward is reaped.

With participants announced just yesterday, we are excited to be included in the line up. See the announcement at NetBanker.

We are very much hoping to get a chance to demo CalendarBudget to the captive audience. Stay tuned for more news on this front.