by Tammy Stoner

Created on: January 13, 2009   Last Updated: January 23, 2009

In the current financial climate it can be challenging to choose stocks that are worth investing in. While the 1990's witnessed a rapid acceleration of the stock market, this decade has witnessed decllines not seen since the great depression.

Times are changing, and, stocks once viewed as high flyers should be avoided, in 2009. Some of these companies have been great investments in the past, but today just don't work as places to park money.

I recommend avoiding airline stocks. These are companies dependent on oil, and while oil saw price declines at the end of 2008, I suspect the price of oil will begin a rapid ascent upwards in 2009. Look around, as it's already beginning to happen.

The top stock to avoid in 2009 is Delta Airlines. (DAC) Delta nearly crashed when oil prices took off. It has managed to land safely, when it merged with Northwest Airlines. Not only is Delta a victim to oil prices, but the merging of two airlines, takes time for integration. Even in the midst of a joint venture, this airline faces turbulent winds this year. Stay grounded, and avoid Delta airline stock.

First it was the housing industry that collapsed, next will be the credit card defaults. Underwriting standards were non-existent, and plastic issued to nearly everybody who wanted credit, regardless of the ability to pay it back. At the top of my list of credit card companies to avoid is Capital one. (COF) Capital one is begging to go bad. Just this year, they offered me three different credit cards, just after the job I worked at closed its doors. Expect with the ease of credit offered to anybody and everybody, this company to witness many defaults. Stay away from credit cards as places to park money, as they are the next to default.

You would think a company that received a federal bailout not once, but twice would be prime with cash, but avoid Citigroup, (C), as it may need another to stay afloat.

There are some companies that should be avoided because the main product they create is going by the wayside. Remember the buggy whip? It was once a "hot" commodity, but do you know anybody that still needs one?

Think Eastman Kodak, (EK) and think buggy whip. Digital cameras are replacing the film once found in cameras, and Eastman Kodak, (EK) is primarily in the film business. Don't get tangled up in film, in this market. Develop a clear, investment picture, remember digital, and avoid Eastman Kodak. (EK)

What is black and white, and no longer read? It's the newspaper. The newspaper is becoming like the buggy whip, and the New York Times (NYT) may be the next to suffer the fate of the buggy whip. It's modeled business hasn't kept up with changing times, as more and more people are getting news online, and advertisers are spending less and less, leaving the NYT to increase its debt load. It's only a matter of time, before the newspaper is tossed into the trash.

Changing times need changing models, and these are changing, challenging times. Stay away from stocks poised to decline in 2009.

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