Presidents Day is a time when Americans of all ages can come together to reflect on the birth of George Washington, the recent historic election of Barack Obama and, of course, everything-must-go sales on major appliances.

Unfortunately that leaves precious little time to contemplate the records of our 44 presidents as investors. Investing is something we take very seriously here at SmartMoney.com, so we decided to look into it. Turns out it's a mixed picture, at best. If not all of your investments have worked out as you planned, take heart. Even the powerful leaders who have filled the Oval Office encountered varying degrees of success and failure as investors.

See How U.S. Presidents Have Fared as Investors

The great majority of presidents were lawyers by training, not financial planners, so it's no wonder some of them threw good money after bad. Theodore Roosevelt was a great polymath -- a successful naturalist, solider, author, journalist and outdoorsman -- but he wasn't much of a tycoon. (Teddy would feel right at home in today's economic crisis, having almost ruined himself in a failed ranching venture.) Herbert Hoover, on the other hand, presided over the Great Depression comforted by the fact he was personally minting money in mining ventures.

It s been said that behind every great fortune there is a great crime. Well, we're not saying these guys were crooks, but slavery and shady dealings were unquestionably a factor with some early presidents. Here, then, is our stab at Hail to the Investor-in-Chief -- a look at the investing skills of 10 presidents. Near as we can tell, there's not a single Ponzi scheme on the list.

George Washington: The Rich Get Richer

In Office: 1789-1797, Federalist
Investments: Land, Tobacco, Flax, Livestock, Slaves

The father of our country came from money and married money, but he was a canny investor, turning a good fortune into a great one (thanks in large part to land, tobacco and, ahem, slaves). By the time of his death Washington's estate was worth $500,000 and had 300 slaves, up from 18 when he first married.

Thomas Jefferson: Declaration of Bankruptcy

In Office: 1801-1809, Democratic-Republican
Investments: Land, Tobacco, Flax, Livestock, Slaves

The author of the Declaration of Independence was born rich but he didn t have Washington's acumen when it came to return on investment. Unlike our first president, Jefferson was a spendthrift whose plantation was rarely profitable. He died broke.

Andrew Jackson: Flip This Teepee

In Office: 1829-1837, Democrat
Investments: Land, Slaves, Racetrack

Known as "Old Hickory," the rough-and-tumble frontier fighter owned a racetrack and was a successful gambler, but the big money came when he was a general in the U.S. Army. Jackson was involved in "negotiating" the "cessation" of land by Native Americans -- to himself and his cronies.

Theodore Roosevelt: Speak Softly and Carry a Big Inheritance

In Office: 1901-1909, Republican
Investments: Land

The first modern president came from money and later earned considerable income as an author, but he wasn't much of an investor. Long before he was TR the Trustbuster, Roosevelt lost most of his fortune investing in a ranch in the Dakota Territories.

Warren Harding: From Publisher to President

In Office: 1921-1923, Republican
Investments: Media

It's hard to believe now, but newspapers were once a much bigger deal. As a recent college graduate, Harding and a couple partners put together $300 to buy the struggling Marion (Ohio) Daily Star. Turning the paper into a profitable and popular voice of the Republican Party is impressive enough. As editor and publisher, Harding used the paper to launch a political career, ultimately culminating in the White House.

Herbert Hoover: What's a Great Depression?

In Office: 1929-1933, Republican
Investments: Mining

The one-termer was excoriated in his time (and by many to this day) for his handling of the early years of the Great Depression. Given his considerable business talent, one would have expected more from the man whose name became synonymous with encampments of homeless people. Hoover, an engineer and geologist, made millions through a stake in a Burmese silver mine and other similar ventures.

Harry Truman: Give Your Creditors Hell, Harry!

In Office: 1945-1953, Democrat
Investments: Oil, Mining, Retail

When the sudden death of Franklin Roosevelt thrust him into office, Truman famously remarked that he felt like the sun, stars and planets fell on him. One can imagine Truman's creditors felt much the same way. Give 'Em Hell Harry might have been a great president, but he was a lousy investor, having failed in the mining, oil and men's clothing businesses.

Lyndon Johnson: Shadier Than the Texas State Tree

In Office: 1963-1969, Democrat
Investments: Land, Media

Lyndon Johnson liked to play up his hardscrabble Texas roots, but he amassed an impressive $14 million fortune -- all while serving in public office. Texas land deals were among LBJ's most lucrative investments, but the big money came from media. His wife owned the only TV station in Austin, Texas. Tongues wagged that then-Senator Johnson made sure it stayed that way.

George H.W. Bush: Go West Young Yalie

In Office: 1989-1993, Republican
Investments: Oil

True, Bush Senior was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and had little trouble raising capital from his wealthy family. But there's still something impressive about a prissy Yale graduate moving his family to West Texas in 1948 and striking it rich in the oil business. No doubt the man's enjoyed some advantages in his life, but give him at least a little credit for becoming a millionaire by age 40.

George W. Bush: Grand Slam

In Office: 2001-2009, Republican
Investments: Oil, Texas Rangers baseball team

It remains to be seen how history treats George W. Bush (not kindly, we imagine), but you have to acknowledge the absolute killing he made in Major League Baseball. W wasn't as successful as his father in the oil business, but he used his connections to great success with the Great American Pastime, parlaying a $600,000 stake in the Texas Rangers into $15 million when the team was sold. That's a return of more than 2,000%. Mission Accomplished, indeed.