Sometimes, though, selling stock acquired via options before the end of the year can get you out of AMT-land.

In the case of an option, the seller or writer has a short position if he has sold the option short. If you're luck enough to get a year-end bonus, you can steer part of it to your 401k, if you haven't already maxed out. An investor is said to be short if he has sold stock that he does not own, that is, he has sold stock he borrowed from his broker. It's purchased at a deep discount from the face value. When the yield on long-term bonds is less than that on shorter maturities, the yield curve is said to be inverted.

The point at which premiums on a cash value life insurance policy will end. The required minimum distributions apply to traditional IRAs. The purchase of insurance is one example of transferring risk.