Carla Lake

Carla Lake

InvestorPlace Staff

Carla Lake joined the Investorplace team in July 2012 right after graduating with a degree in English from the University of Maryland. She has since worked across almost all of the company’s publications, from buy-and-hold indexing newsletters to options trading services. In addition to editing and fact-checking content from the Investorplace advisors, she’s also been known to write the occasional article under her own byline when an investing topic piques her interest.

When she’s not writing or editing, Carla can be found at the barn, covered in horse hair as she prepares for the next dressage or eventing competition.

Recent Articles

Cash for Gift Cards and 5 Other Uses for Unwanted Gift Cards

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

Got a gift card you didn't want or can't use? Don't worry, there are options -- from getting cash for gift cards to donating to charity.

5 Ways to Get a Bigger Tax Return

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

Yes, taxes are boring and unnecessarily convoluted. But understanding your taxes is an important way you can take charge of your finances.

The Kickstarter Watch, and 3 Other Crowdfunding Fails

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

Crowdfunding might seem like a cheap way to invest in innovative ideas, but it comes with plenty of risk -- like one recent watch project that flopped.

Who’s to Blame for the Student Debt Problem?

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

A whopping 79% of Millennials say student debt is a problem. But is it because of rising college tuition, less aid, or student choices?

Top 5 Cities Attracting Millennials

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

Find out which cities 20- and 30-somethings are moving to -- and why.

The Switch from iPhone to Android is Complicated, Writes Google CEO

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

Google CEO Eric Schmidt probably didn't intend to make the iOS-to-Android switch seem onerous, but there are just enough steps to seem like a chore.

5 Ways to Find the Best Deals for Cyber Monday 2013

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

With these handy tips for Cyber Monday 2013, you'll have your shopping done fast -- and cheaply. Read on for how to get the best Cyber Monday deals.

Don’t Retire Like a Millennial

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

Despite what you may think, being jobless and debt-ridden is actually not that glamorous. Follow these 5 steps for a secure financial future.

Bearish on NFLX? Join the Club

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

Netflix has been running past its all-time high for about a month now. How long can it keep going?

Should I Buy NFLX Stock? 3 Pros, 3 Cons

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

Netflix is growing steadily, but the high cost of doing business could leave it vulnerable. Here are the pros and cons on NFLX stock.

5 Pet Stocks Fetching Big Returns

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

Pet stocks have been on a wild run this year, with some biotechs at least doubling in value. Here are the five hottest players in the space so far in 2013.

Even Long-Term Investors Need to Understand High-Frequency Trading

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

If you're a small-league investor, you'd do well to avoid tangling with the heavyweights. Find out why.

Crowdfunding Rule From SEC Means Anyone Can Be a VC

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

According to the new SEC crowdfunding rule, now startups can raise funds online from investors of any income level.

Why Millennials Won’t Retire Until Their 70s

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

Unfortunately for Millennials, outsized student loan debt could push back retirement by more than 10 years.

SSYS – Makerbot Campaign to Make 3D Printing More Accessible

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

Stratasys subsidiary Makerbot is partnering with blue-chip advertiser Droga5 to popularize 3D printing among novice users.

Wedbush ‘Grudgingly’ Raises NFLX Price Target

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

Wedbush Securities analysts maintained an "underperform" rating on Netflix stock, but raised their NFLX price target 75%.

NFLX Downgraded by Hudson Ahead of Netflix Earnings

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

NFLX has seen several upgrades in recent weeks, but Hudson Square Research has downgraded the stock a few days before the Netflix earnings report.

SSYS – Stratasys Stock Could Jump More than 30%

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

A Dougherty analyst upgraded Stratasys stock from "neutral" to "buy," citing the recent acquisitions of Makerbot and Objet as sources of growth for SSYS.

‘Invest in What You Know’ – Always a Good Idea?

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

Warren Buffett says you should "invest in what you know." But what should you do when researching a familiar company reveals more questions than answers?

SSYS and Makerbot Turn Up Heat on DDD

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

Makerbot's newly-released desktop 3D scanner means you don't need to know how to program to create 3D blueprints -- and it gives SSYS a leg up over DDD.

5 Things You Can Rent Rather Than Buy

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

From cars to power tools, it's easier than ever before to rent items with online services. Here are five that are becoming increasingly popular.

Netflix Plugs In Cable Partnerships – NFLX Stock Could Benefit

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

NFLX stock has been on a tear all year -- and CFO David Wells seeks additional growth with an "open invitation" to cable companies to partner with Netflix.

NFLX – Netflix Exec Says HBO Go Is Ineffective

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

Netflix (NFLX) CFO David Wells says HBO should look into a subscription pricing model.

Credit Cards: Do You Need Them?

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

If you spend less than you earn, why would you need credit cards? Here's a look at the long-term benefits of picking up some plastic.

FAA Eases Smartphone and Tablet Regulations

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

Soon, there will be no need to unplug, ever. And that's great news for airlines that make a lot of money from in-flight Wi-Fi.

Is Crowdfunding the New Investing?

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

Can you become a venture capitalist with just a couple bucks? Recent changes to the JOBS Act seem to point in that direction.

3 Companies With a Headstart on Healthcare Reform

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

Lowering healthcare costs is a huge theme as the insurance exchanges are about to open, and these 3 companies have taken innovation into their own hands.

Should You Flee Emerging ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ ETFs?

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

August saw huge emerging market ETF outflows. But following the crowd here could mean you're losing out on long-term growth -- even if it is high-risk.

5 Most Expensive Cats: Top Shelf Pets

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

While research shows most cat owners find their pets as strays or receive them as gifts, some people pay a lot for the most expensive cats in the world.

3 Stock Investing Strategies to Maximize Returns

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

Is it best to save up and buy a bunch of shares at once? Or buy a little each month? We dig into the numbers here.

To Disney Infinity and Beyond for NFC Technology

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

Disney Infinity connects real-life toys to an open-ended video game in another step toward connecting physical objects to the online world.

Could Makerbot Bring 3D Printing Mainstream?

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

Makerbot's new handheld 3D scanner looks like it'll be another big step in making 3D printing technology more accessible to everyday people.

Dick Bove Bullish on Bitcoin

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

The vice president of equity research at Rafferty Capital ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½s commented that bitcoins could be a good speculative play ... if the price comes way down.

Study Shows People Hate ‘Selfies’ — But Facebook Sure Should Love them

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

'Selfie'-takers annoy all on Facebook -- except advertisers, since these users unwittingly provide useful data.

Is Day Trading Really for Suckers?

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

Day trading is much harder than hucksters would have you believe, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't learn some of the baby steps to get there.

Why Follow GURU If You Don’t Know Where It’s Going?

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

PragCap is skeptical of this "smart-money" ETF that invests based on hedge funds' 13F filings, and you should be too.

Breaking Down the Basics: Growth vs. Value

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

As you start investing, one of the first things to decide is a long-term strategy. Here's how to get started with growth, value or a combination of the two.

‘ABC of Stock Speculation’ Is Surprisingly Sensible — Summer Reading

By Carla Lake, InvestorPlace Staff

Don't get turned off by the title -- this century-old trading primer has great advice for speculators and long-term investors alike.