Galen Weston

By now you've probably heard that actor Nicolas Cage, star of numerous Hollywood blockbusters, including Gone in Sixty Seconds and Leaving Las Vegas, has run into a spot of financial trouble lately, with his ex and baby mama Christina Fulton recently suing the actor for 13-mil and he reportedly has several homes facing foreclosure.

Now, nobody thinks Cage is a dummy, so how does a smart guy who's made millions end up with money trouble.

Across the United States with the down turn in the stock market annuities have become a major part of the retirement and investment planning for many Americans. However, annuities are designed to be long-term investments, to meet retirement and other long term goals. Annuities are not suitable for meeting short-term goals because substantial taxes and insurance company charges may apply if you withdraw your money early.