[!Xoible]

okay time to pick your brains BMW owners. im pretty damn sure a big %age of you guys are into mutual funds. I'm interested in trying, but I want more info on risks, what's involved, how it works, what i should expect, etc.

im looking at this link, but this is marketing material, i want real experience
http://www.wamu.com/investments/inve...s/article4.asp

[Neurorad]

You put IRA money into mutual funds.

Might be good for some extra cash you want to save, for retirement.

Most of the time mutual funds are for long-term investing, but there are plenty of exceptions.

The funds with low fees are not 'aggressively managed'; they generally follow the ups and downs of the market.

If you want quick turn-arounds and big returns, go to Vegas. Bet big, win big.

[!Xoible]

thanks for your post. vegas bet big like gamble u mean?

[jdink]

hahaha nabil, u sure u want to open this can of worms? if you really want info i can help answer any questions you have about mutual funds.

[!Xoible]

Originally Posted by jdink

hahaha nabil, u sure u want to open this can of worms? if you really want info i can help answer any questions you have about mutual funds.

i posted a thread because i really want info. why's this a can of worms, why arent u typing up answers/info right now?

i want to know what's the smartest way to invest, where i can find the portfolio manager, what the cost of that is, what are the risks im looking at, if it's worth it, etc.

if you have info please post away, unless it's a buy-a-kia comment

[iatacs19]

Pick any Vanguard Index fund.

Or another popular recommendation is SPY.

[jdink]

just wasn't sure if you want ME answering your questions.

i work for a financial advisory frim and much of my time is doing portfolio analysis, much of which is on mutual funds. i am capable of running long term financial projections and can get indepth research on basically any mutual fund under the sun.

im not typing answers right now because basically there really is no "one" answer. it all depends on what your situation is and what your goals/risk tolerance is.

if you want, hop on aim and we can discuss specific questions that you might have.

[txusa03]

Originally Posted by jdink

just wasn't sure if you want ME answering your questions.

i work for a financial advisory frim and much of my time is doing portfolio analysis, much of which is on mutual funds. i am capable of running long term financial projections and can get indepth research on basically any mutual fund under the sun.

im not typing answers right now because basically there really is no "one" answer. it all depends on what your situation is and what your goals/risk tolerance is.

if you want, hop on aim and we can discuss specific questions that you might have.

any mutual funds on fidelity should I look into? I know this is long term retirement fund but I have been loosing thousands on fidelity.

[BMW!]

Are there any good forums/blogs/discussion/review..etc. about mutual funds? I am a beginner too!

[Neurorad]

Bogleheads.org is a website for mutual fund 'enthusiasts'. Bogleheads emphasize regular saving, broad diversification, and sticking to one's investment plan regardless of market conditions. Information relevant to the group's core beliefs is available in The Twelve Pillars of Wisdom and Vanguard's Investment Philosophy.

The forum's regular posters discuss financial news and theory, while also helping less experienced investors develop their portfolios.

Wiki:

http://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/index.php/The_Bogleheads

Forum:

http://www.bogleheads.org/forum/index.php

[Neurorad]

jdink wants you to stay clear of the bogleheads!

[742]

[IMO—

Step 1: Settle on an asset allocation. Large cap/small cap/International/bonds

Step 2: Buy index funds or exchange traded funds to meet that allocation.

Avoid any foreign investments that involve countries with poor regulatory oversight. That means sticking to places like Europe, Japan, Australia. You might consider something that tracks the EAFE index.

Avoid bond funds with high yields. Stick to simple funds that use quality bonds.

Bears make money, bulls make money. Pigs get slaughtered. So don't chase hot investments.

Let cook. Rebalance once a year.

I have been much more aggressive and active than this, but in retrospect little guys beating the market is a matter of luck. Remember that winners brag, losers keep their mouths shut. So just because that blabbering idiot at the water cooler thinks he is brilliant does not make it so. Odds are that he was lucky. For now.

And I suggest a book called Fooled By Randomness.

[txusa03]

Originally Posted by 742

[IMO—

Step 1: Settle on an asset allocation. Large cap/small cap/International/bonds

Step 2: Buy index funds or exchange traded funds to meet that allocation.

Avoid any foreign investments that involve countries with poor regulatory oversight. That means sticking to places like Europe, Japan, Australia. You might consider something that tracks the EAFE index.

Avoid bond funds with high yields. Stick to simple funds that use quality bonds.

Bears make money, bulls make money. Pigs get slaughtered. So don't chase hot investments.

Let cook. Rebalance once a year.

I have been much more aggressive and active than this, but in retrospect little guys beating the market is a matter of luck. Remember that winners brag, losers keep their mouths shut. So just because that blabbering idiot at the water cooler thinks he is brilliant does not make it so. Odds are that he was lucky. For now.

And I suggest a book called Fooled By Randomness.

could someone translate what he wrote into poorman language

[!Xoible]

yes, read a book called "Fooled" by Randomness

trying to tell me to research which asset allocation im interested in mainly, once that happens i can design a portfolio. telling me to avoid investment in foreign markets untless it's euro, jp, or au.

also trying to tell me there's risk, so i should take too much risk coz i might lose everything. trying to tell me to be conservative

[jdink]

Originally Posted by 742

[IMO—

Step 1: Settle on an asset allocation. Large cap/small cap/International/bonds

Step 2: Buy index funds or exchange traded funds to meet that allocation.

Avoid any foreign investments that involve countries with poor regulatory oversight. That means sticking to places like Europe, Japan, Australia. You might consider something that tracks the EAFE index.

Avoid bond funds with high yields. Stick to simple funds that use quality bonds.

Bears make money, bulls make money. Pigs get slaughtered. So don't chase hot investments.

Let cook. Rebalance once a year.

I have been much more aggressive and active than this, but in retrospect little guys beating the market is a matter of luck. Remember that winners brag, losers keep their mouths shut. So just because that blabbering idiot at the water cooler thinks he is brilliant does not make it so. Odds are that he was lucky. For now.

And I suggest a book called Fooled By Randomness.

+10. good book btw.

[jdink]

Originally Posted by Neurorad

jdink wants you to stay clear of the bogleheads!

why is that? never even heard of it?

[jdink]

A quick look at bogle heads looks like its good information. obviously with so many people you are going to get bad information also. kind of like any forum

Anyways, i also recommenda book called "winning the losers game" by charles ellis

[txusa03]

i did not read any investment books, did not design a porfolio from the begin, so now I am paying for it and won't have much in the tank when I retire (well if this trend continue, i wont be retiring any time). should have just spend the moies on an m3 while still alive and kicking.

[Neurorad]

Originally Posted by jdink

A quick look at bogle heads looks like its good information. obviously with so many people you are going to get bad information also. kind of like any forum

Anyways, i also recommenda book called "winning the losers game" by charles ellis

Don't listen to him! He's trying to get you to pay commissions!

He knows exactly what Bogleheads are.

[jdink]

Originally Posted by Neurorad

Don't listen to him! He's trying to get you to pay commissions!

He knows exactly what Bogleheads are.

I am not a broker, nor am i paid off of commissions. Suitability vs. Fiduciary my friend. I fall on the Fidicuary side.

[mpimping]

stock market flt

[jaiman]

Nassim Taleb wrote a good book, once. It wasn't Fooled by Randomness.

As for the mutual fund question, how do you have an M3 and not understand a little about investing?

Its not so easy to build a decent portfolio. Each piece needs to contribute to the whole. Do it right and you'll minimize your risk and maximize the return. Do it wrong and you'll have a big mess. Its too complex to get into on a forum. You may want to talk with a good financial advisor. someone who can go over your investment goals, current financial state and tax situation.


After all that, I would say you probably want ETFs rather than mutual funds. Very few mutual fund managers consistently beat the market after fees. Its not because they aren't smart enough, but the constraints of their product limits their ability to fully use their research capabilities. ETFs will give you exposure to a number of underlying indices. You can build a porfolio that is relatively low cost (in terms of the fees you'll pay), and can be well diversified with 7 or 8 different ETFs.