A 2.15% expense ratio? On the Prudential Jennison EQUITY INCOME fund? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! And 1.37% for Valley Forge? That's the Swap-Quant Bernake Commemorative Gold Coin Fund, right? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I think someone just swapped me in the quant! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! The last time I saw expense ratios that high I almost fell off my dinosaur. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Not to be rude, but those funds must have paid you a bazillion buckos for product placement.
Suze's Tube ofof KY1:44AM March 27, 2011
Im new to this, The Morning Star Risk Rating... you want that to be "above average" right? or does that mean its at high risk?
Cody Ray Rosenbalmof TX12:10AM March 25, 2011
I have $2,500 to invest. Nothing else and I live month to month with 3 kids at my charge. Any suggestions. Risky or not. I want to get rid of some credit card debts (I can pay, but you know the interests...)Thank you!
CHRISTINEof CA7:26PM March 23, 2011
Some state that you have to make stock picking a near 24/7 strategy. In my experience, that isn't true. However, you do have to have an instinct for it. Buffett says 'buy when others are fearful, sell when they are greedy'.
Peter Lynch has a couple of excellent books on an investor buying his own stocks, and he contends that an individual can do better than average. It does take research, reading. I would suggest for anyone who wants to invest on their own, only do so after setting up a 'paper trade', where you don't spend any money, so for a year or so. Stock quotes are everywhere but Yahoo and the New York Times are have some excellent resources, for free.
You do have to keep an eye on things, perhaps review your holdings every week or two. If you do invest, start out with minimal funds and it does take patience. Avoid any stock which others state is 'risky' and don't invest in companies which carry a lot of debt.
Hope this helps.
Tim Bof WA6:36PM February 14, 2011
Brian,
Thanks for your service, I have family in the military. I am a C level exec in a public firm. I have been investing for 30 years, unless you can devote time every day to watch the market or stocks, and only a few people can... best advice you will ever get -
go to www.scottburns.com and research the couch potato portfolios with vanguard or other similar index funds.
secondly, for asset allocation, there are only two real choices at a young age -
1. stay fully invested over the long haul, do not try to time the market, have nerves of steel. or
2. be 80% invested and 20% in cash, every 3-5 years or so the markets will go south, and when they do, then you buy in and make a great return in a few more years. The trick is , after that, you also have to know when to cash out and get the next 20% cash hoard for the next big drop.
Stay safe, God bless!
-mpr
mprof TX10:26AM February 04, 2011
brian of IL Like your lineup of funds. Solid picks. Nice job.
rayboof TN12:31PM February 03, 2011
While load is a problem if one is holding a fund for a couple of years or less (amortizing the front or back end load), I don't believe yearly fees should be a major concern if the fund has outperformed even with relatively higher fees. The net return to the buyer is what counts....choosing one fund over another should be based up expected performance net of fees.
robert sof NY8:18PM January 09, 2011
Hello All, Im currently stationed in Afghanistan in the Navy seabees and if anyone knows what its like here then u know theres alot of time for things like investing. Im currently looking inot some mutual funds to start my roth with but there are so many and some of it get confusing at times. If anyone can offer some advice to get me started in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated.
Brian Mcnewof OH6:33AM January 04, 2011
Here is a great portfolio of funds: buy and hold until the managers retire.
sgenx or ivwax - 30% world allocation (both are worth paying the load)
fairx - 25% manager is a genius
prwcx - 10% great long term track record
oakbx - 10% great balance
yackx - 10% yackman is a believer in the us
prpfx - 10% good allocation of metals, bonds, and stocks
dbltx - 10% Split from TCW - the best bond manager in the business
brianof IL10:00PM January 02, 2011
Checked out your picks. I own a number of these but others are a bit pricey either with higher exp. ratios or load fees. Careful.
Reader Comments
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Suze's Tube of of KY 1:44AM March 27, 2011
Cody Ray Rosenbalm of TX 12:10AM March 25, 2011
CHRISTINE of CA 7:26PM March 23, 2011
Tim B of WA 6:36PM February 14, 2011
mpr of TX 10:26AM February 04, 2011
raybo of TN 12:31PM February 03, 2011
robert s of NY 8:18PM January 09, 2011
Brian Mcnew of OH 6:33AM January 04, 2011
brian of IL 10:00PM January 02, 2011
CherieBD of CA 4:08PM December 15, 2010