Mortgage payments:

Can be completely deducted from income for tax purposes.
Vary from month to month on a fixed rate loan.
Represent high principal payments early in the term of the loan.
Are typically tax deductible to the extent that they represent payment of interest.

The number of stocks that make up the Dow Jones Industrial Average is:

5,000.
500.
30.
10.

Investments in CDs:

Are riskier than investments in stocks.
Are inferior to investments in 8-tracks and vinyl records.
Are always tax deferred.
Are insured by the FDIC, but have generally underperformed stock investments over the long run.

Beta is commonly used as a relative measure of risk. It measures:

Standard deviation of a stock’s price.
The expected total returns of a diversified portfolio.
The unsystematic risk component of an investment.
The risk of a security or portfolio relative to the overall market.

A benchmark asset, commonly considered by investors to be risk-free:

Treasury Bill (T-Bill).
Share of preferred stock.
A Eurobond
A junk bond.

Disability income insurance:

Can cover part of your lost income while you are disabled.
Pays medical expenses associated with a disability.
Should only be purchased by star athletes.
Is primarily for the unemployed.

Credit cards:

Are a cost effective way of financing investment purchases.
Have interest payments that are not tax deductible.
Typically have lower interest rates than home equity loans.
Often have 3 month grace periods on new purchases.

Long-term care insurance:

Is only for the very elderly.
Can help protect assets from the cost of a nursing home stay.
Is not necessary since Medicare always covers long-term care.
Is always available regardless of your past health history.