received several comments and phone calls regarding the Personal Mission Statement article of January 8. Thank you, readers, for those, it is gratifying to know that Moneywise content may motivate you into feeling more in control of your finances this year.

So, now that you have read about a mission statement, do you think setting up a plan makes sense for you?

If so, let's think about some aspects of self-education that may be fairly affordable, and will start you on the road to having investment wisdom.. If you can't afford to purchase one, see if you can get to the library and use one there or offer to bring a meal (or a bottle of wine) to a friend's house in exchange for being able to use the computer for an hour or so.

Your friend may even find it fun to teach you some of the basics. Courses in using computers are also available from-time-to-time through Community Education programs and the Bermuda College Senior Learning Centre.

Yes, I know using these machines is intimidating, but we are way into the technological age. If you don't try to learn, not only will you be left far behind, but you may find most of your access to the outside world almost completely cut off within the next ten years (or less).

By the way, Wal-Mart has announced they will soon offer a laptop soon for under $500. The price of learning is dropping rapidly.

Currently, Internet and wireless technology is going to make using regular phone lines obsolete.

You may end up paying bills, accessing your bank and investment accounts, talking to friends, listening to music, and watching TV, video etc, all via some type of cell phone or small stand-alone device.

Amazingly enough, I have had clients tell me that they have no intention of using email or any other computer linkup. If you are thinking that way, even in your seventies, wakeup.

What are you going to do to stay in contact with friends and family for the next twenty years? Not only that, but how are you going to keep up with even monitoring your finances.

Going to the bank and presenting a passbook to be updated will eventually take place electronically.

New things are a challenge, but so are they exciting!Pick one topic that you are interested in. For clarity's sake, perhaps you would like to know more about investments. Where to start? You can go to and type in under search, but the number of results to look at (a mere 28 million sites) are enough to stop even the brightest mind on the planet. The first full page on Google that comes up has at the top of the list one of our local exempt company banner heads, Fidelity, followed by Edward Jones, Putnam Investments, American Century, Scudder and so on. If you have read anything at all about how Google sorts and allows the sequencing of order in listing websites, it is very, very amazing that Fidelity is the first on the first of 28 million listings!

Since that number of website perusals is self-defeating, refine your search to

That's better, less than 10 millions sites and the groups listed on the first page are all non-profit organisations committed to providing un-biased investor education and assistance.

The first website listed, not surprisingly since they are the watchdog of US capital markets, is the United Securities and Exchange Commission.

This site is full of positive information, as well as listing all of legal actions against those brokers and other financial miscreants, who have stepped outside of securities law, while short changing their clients. It certainly makes for interesting reading!Find a website you feel comfortable with, that doesn't have too much investment jargon, that explains things clearly, that is easy to read, and that preferably has some sort of interaction to help you identify with these new concepts.

One of my very favourites is , a totally unbiased interactive website for the beginning investor produced and supported by the owners of the Wall Street Journal, the Dow Jones Company. Another was which is actually a very objective information website supported by .

Regrettably, after operating for more than five years of entertaining and motivating millions, this site has recently shut down. To the very end, they maintained their commitment to teaching global citizens how to manage their finances. I was quite sad to see it go.

They were so good; I often used it as a teaching site. When writing to them for permission to quote their work, they sent me 500 pencils with their logo on the side!

In their words, "Best wishes in your pursuit of financial understanding

A quick visit to , starts you out with the following titles. Investing 101; Why it works; Risk versus Reward; Stocks; Bonds and so on, Asset Allocation; Taking Action, and choosing a broker.

Why it works starts with a compounding calculator and an interactive historical look at stock performance, it moves on to titles we all love: Overcoming Inertia, The Power of Compounding, and The Odds Are in Your Favour.

This website is thorough, easy to read, full of little interactive calculators and simulations of market conditions and fund. So, in the words of our financial planning friends "

@EDITRULE:

Martha Harris Myron CPA CFP? is a Senior Sales Manager at The Investment Centre, Bank of Bermuda. She provides investment advisory services and financial planning, particularly for clients contemplating lifestyle / career changes and retirement.

She can be reached at 299-5578 Confidential email can be directed to marthamyronnorthrock.bm

@EDITRULE:

The article expresses the opinion of the author alone, and not necessarily that of Bank of Bermuda member HSBC Group. Under no circumstances is the content of this article to be taken as specific individual investment advice, nor as a recommendation to buy/ sell investment products or financial plans. The Editor of the Royal Gazette has final right of approval over headlines, content, and length/brevity of article.