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(BPT) - After watching the stock market soar to record highs over the first four months of the year, many investors are wondering if they should make changes to their investment portfolios. Perhaps - but not because of what the stock market has done. Investment decisions based on short-term market moves are often short-sighted. A better approach is to stick to a long-term strategy built on proven investment fundamentals, and aligned with your goals and objectives. Here are six simple steps from Thrivent Financial that can help put your financial plan on the right track.

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(NAPSI)—There’s good news for seniors about to graduate from high school. Investing a little time and effort now can pay off when it comes to planning your future. Here are some tips.

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(BPT) - No matter where you are in your life, you have a lot of decisions to make. When to buy your first house? What school to attend? Is it the right time for a job change? As things change in life, those changes influence your financial decisions, too.

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(BPT) - What concerns Americans the most as they look ahead toward the retirement years? One of their biggest worries is outliving their money, according to a recent survey by Prudential Retirement. A substantial 71 percent of survey respondents fear they may not have enough retirement income to last a lifetime. Only one in five are highly confident they will have sufficient retirement income.

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(NAPSI)—There’s good news for those seeking a new career. No matter what jobs you may have held in the past, a career in sales can offer an opportunity to “go with what you know” in a new and rewarding way.

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(BPT) - From January 2010 to February 2013, the average unemployment rate was 8.8 percent, a stark contrast to the average of 5.3 percent from January 2003 to December 2006. Though the unemployment rate - currently at its lowest point since 2009 - has begun to improve, it is a slow recovery; the percentage of unemployed Americans out of work for more than one year has skyrocketed from 10 percent in 2007 to more than 30 percent today, according to The Pew Charitable Trusts.

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(NewsUSA) - Daily deal sites exploded following the success of sites like Groupon and Living Social, and the multitude of options for discounts has left many consumers overwhelmed.

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(BPT) - Many graduates in creative fields like graphic design, interior design or Web design are opting to start their own businesses. This is because recent figures show only a slight reduction in the unemployment rate, and job growth is at its lowest in six months. So, how can you make your business a success?

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(BPT) - From figuring out where to open up a new shop so that it gets great foot traffic to choosing the right employees, all a small-business owner’s decisions are important for the health of their business.

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(BPT) - College students interested in the Navy can focus on their academic careers while eliminating much of the financial burden of paying for school. With more than 160 colleges and universities across the United States offering Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) programs, students have many opportunities to finish a degree without going into overwhelming debt and have a career as a Navy Officer ready and waiting upon graduation.

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(BPT) - Warm weather heralds home improvement season. It’s also the season of high electric bills as air conditioners hum to life in response to rising temperatures across the country. When you’re making summer upgrades to your home, improvements that make your house more livable and attractive are even more rewarding when they also help put money back in your pocket.

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(BPT) - Do you have a child in your life who will be graduating this spring?

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(NAPSI)—When comparing college costs, one of a student’s first steps should be filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Then, students begin receiving back financial aid award letters from the colleges they’ve applied to. These letters outline the estimated cost to attend the school, expected family contribution and financial aid award package, which includes grants, scholarships, work-study, need-based and non-need-based loans.

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(NAPSI)—Investing a little time and effort with students can pay big dividends—particularly when it comes to their financial education.

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(NAPSI)—Failing to prepare for a natural disaster is not an option for businesses. That’s because 75 percent of companies without business continuity plans fail within three years of a disaster.

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(NAPSI)—Our economy is slowly rebounding from its collapse but it’s still far from healthy.

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(BPT) - Home-based businesses are booming.

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(BPT) - Need a bike to start getting into shape? Looking for a new job? Interested in renting a condo for that long-desired trip?

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(NAPSI)—Today, the average U.S. farmer feeds 155 people. Part of this success is due to a group of dedicated yet largely unheralded agricultural workers, the professional applicators who help ensure a safe and abundant food supply.

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(BPT) - Saving for retirement is an essential task, but one that can be complex and demand a lot of attention. With the arrival of April – Financial Literacy Month – focusing on your existing saving strategies should be a priority. It’s also an ideal time to talk to a financial professional who can help you shoulder the burden and explore other options to make your money work harder for your future.

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(BPT) - Spring is the perfect time for young Americans to take a look at their budgets and become financially fit. Not only is April Financial Literacy Month, complete with nonprofit organizations around the country offering free seminars and online resources, but millions of high school and college students are also preparing for graduation and the next phase of their lives.

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(BPT) - When it comes to making plans for retirement years, today’s younger workers are struggling to make heads or tails of all the resources and products available to them through work and personal investments. Younger professionals who fit into the Gen X and Gen Y categories also are not taking advantage of financial professionals, who can provide information and education on planning for a secure retirement, according to 2013 research by LIMRA, a research, consulting and professional development organization.

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(BPT) - It’s tax season and, as always, there are many new rules that can create traps for the unwary. But with a few tips and tricks, you can help minimize your taxes and maximize your overall long-term financial position.

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(BPT) - Everyone makes money mistakes. Some are harmless – like writing last year’s date on checks or buying a big-screen TV the day before they go on sale. Others can be downright harmful, especially when they could mean the difference between getting a good interest rate and paying thousands more in interest over the life of a loan.