Of course, you could simply transfer your business to family members through the use of a will. However, the value of your business could help contribute to a considerable estate tax burden for your heirs. (The future of estate taxes is unclear. In 2010, the estate tax is scheduled to disappear -for one year only. Unless Congress changes the laws before then, in 2011 the exemption amount - the amount you can pass to your heirs, free of estate taxes - will revert to $1 million, with a maximum estate tax rate of 55 percent.)

Actually, you can find a few similarities between successful gardening and effective investing. For starters, both gardeners and investors need to consider their individual circumstances. If, for example, your garden is in a shady part of your yard, you might be able to grow some nice geraniums, but you'll have tougher time with roses, which crave the sun. As an investor, you'll also find that some investments are more appropriate for your situation than others. So, before you purchase a stock, bond, certificate of deposit or government security, you'll need to determine if it's suitable for your risk tolerance, time horizon and long-term goals.