To any of you that invest(per the subject) just out of curiosity, what do you invest in. example: Large\Mid\Small Cap Funds, International stock, Bonds, etc. If so, how do you have your Portfolio set up percentage wise? I was just reading the Financial Section of my local paper and it brought up some interesting facts, which fortunately I was already doing. I just readjusted my wife’s investments to hopefully get a better return this year. So, again, any advice on what you do?

 

I got every thing in Hi-risk on the international market.

It kept me from losing my *** a few years ago when all the stocks were going down, but I have been thinking of moving it back to American investments.


Quite frankly, The international Markets arent really moving all that well for me. My last year in American Corporations I got an 11% return.

My last 2 years in the foreign markets got me a whopping 3%....

Both years together....

 

Actually, before you move your money from Overseas, check it out first. The article I was reading was saying this should be a really good year for Large Cap and International Markets. Maybe you can finally make some money from overseas....

 

mid cap growth.

-fatz

edit: If you get tired of doing it yourself, I recommend fidelity at www.fidelity.com. If you've got enough for the minimum opening balance, they've got a PAS (Portfolio Advisory Services) account that is unreal. Basically you're hiring a money manager for 1% per year. I'm averaging 15%. They do all the work. The only thing I see are tons of prospectii every time they shift money around to different areas.

 

Right now I am investing in Foreign Market mutual funds. I am still young, so I am not worried about potential risks. The upside looks to be tremendous right now. Hopefully my retirement will be here before I know it. Not that I want to get old, but it would be nice to retire early.

 

It's all a gamble. Read Money or Kiplingers. I did when I started out. You can also subscribe to investment news letters which aren't cheap. I did about 25 years ago. I've had years of 40% returns and years of 20% losses.

 

I went there and the only feature I could find with PAS required $50k. Is there one a little...lower?

Im just getting into the whole investing thing, so I have no idea what I am doing. Maybe Ill go buy 'Investing for Dummies' or something like that.

31C

 

Im a roth Ira kinda guy,,, The fact That i can draw it out After 59 1/2 tax free just suites me fine. It is not going to net me huge returns. but it seems pretty safe for now.

 

I have a Growth and Income Fund (I think mid-cap mutual fund) from Janus. I have been investing since I was 16 (23 now) and plan on retiring off of it when I am around 55.

 

I dont know, maybe im confused???


I thought you could take it out at 59 1/2 but it was still taxable, you just didnt have to pay as much since you were retired when you took it out.


Plus I think it builds faster because you collect intrest on the money the IRS hasnt taken yet.???

Can any one straighten this out???? Am I right, or just clueless.

 

I'm about equally split between, large, mid, small, income and a small portion in high risk...dont have the nerve for much high risk...

right now I'm averaging about 8 % a year...I dont move it around much either...in fact I open my statement check it and file it....if there are ( ) dont matter much to me...I"m in for the long haul and dumping when it is down means I cant buy when its cheap

 

He is talking about a Roth IRA which you put after tax dollars in up to a limit of $4000. There are other income limits that apply, but only if you make quite a bit of money.

The money that is in the IRA grows over the years and when you retire you can take it out tax free.

A traditional IRA or 401k involves putting money in before it is taxed, but it will be taxed as income when it is withdrawn in retirement.

 

Vader, from what I have studied over the past few(2-3) years people should(depending on their age) keep a higher % in more agressive areas and decrease that as you get older. Me for example I have about 90% stock and 10% in other crap like Bonds that are more stable. Now as the years pass, I will slowly decrease my % in high risk and move it to a lower risk area. Also experts suggest to "rebalance" your money at least once a year to help in areas that are doing well. But for me, I keep a check on my stuff at least every couple of weeks and see if there is any concern or any reason I should move my money else where to keep from having a major loss.

by the way, I am in no way, shape or form an expert in this....

 

I know I've heard the same and they are probably right but I like have a little more than 10% in income...I'm not much of a risk taker with this stuff...

 

I would say to set up two different types of investments.


1) A constant, fairly safe investment into value funds, core stocks, CD's.

2) A higher risk strategy. Use this portion of your investments as pure speculative growth. Have it be something that if a loss were to occur, it would not hinder your retirment plans. More or less as a passive activity for the fun of it. However, if you have nice returns, it will only help you in the long run.


Consistanly invest into the stable funds you know will grow. With extra money, place into individual stock and take a chance.

If you want to simply play around, try to play in the options market. Now that looks like fun.