Posted on 08/12/2009 1:15:30 AM PDT by Slings and Arrows
I would very much like to learn how to invest my money in an informed manner - stocks, bonds, commodities, money markets, etc. The problem is that I don't know where to start.
Can any Freepers please recommend any books, websites, etc., that could help me get started? Assume that I'm starting from zero (not Zer0): I need to learn the language, the definitions, the data investors use in picking their investments, everything. I'm not looking to get rich overnight (although I wouldn't object); what I'm looking for is how to create a stable, long-term personal investment strategy.
Any help is appreciated.
I *knew* a BAHOG pic would show up!
When it comes to being predictable, I rarely dissappoint!
Added to the list, with gratitude.
It really depends on the kind of money you have to invest. Send it all to me so I can take a closer look at it and make my evaluation, after which I’ll advise you appropriately ;-)
Who knew Bernie Maddoff was Nigerian?
Interesting, but what about inflation? If we get Carteresque inflation rates, wouldn’t an annuity be a money-loser?
BAHOG for the win.
$10,000 in gold or silver
$50,000 in a fixed annuity
$20,000 in an indexed annuity
$10,000 in some sort of security stocks etc...
$10,000 in cash on hand for an emergency if you don't have cash on hand already. If you already got cash somewhere then divide that last 10k in the other places listed above.
TheArizona
Go to a news stand, buy a Forbes and read it from cover to cover. If you like it subscribe. Steve Forbes knows how to deliver financial info. Unlike the WSJ with more info than many can handle all at once, Forbes comes every two weeks and can be enjoyed at leisure.
Learning is not an event, it is a process
A good place to start is Fidelity or Vanguard funds. You can put money there while the process unfolds
I appreciate the advice. I’ll add annuities to my list of things to research.
If you have $50K+ to invest http://www.mutualfundstore.com/ is a great place to start. We have one of our funds through them and we’ve done surprisingly well with it.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Investing+for+Dummies&aq=f&oq=&aqi=g10
- - - - -
Check out IBD’s CANSLIM method of investing, too!
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=CANSLIM&btnG=Google+Search&aq=f&oq=&aqi=g10
William O’Neil is a genius and made many $$ millions using
the CANSLIM method.
He made plenty of $$’s selling his books as well.
Not suitable for all investors, however.
The important thing is to pick the right company. I would stay away from the following.
Aviva Not on stable ground
New York Life
The Hartford
Genworth
The Prudential
Principal Financial
Lincoln National
Allstate
All but Aviva have taken or were considering accepting TARP funds. Aviva has some shadey practices and they had to stop issuing annuities temporarily a while back because they had depleted assets below the minimum levels.
Also, don't use A.M. Best as a basis for ratings. the street dot com. They are the only truly unbiased rater out there. A.M. had listed AIG as an A rated company before they fell apart. The street had them as a C+. Google “the street.com ratings screener.”
TheArizona
/mark
My husband just read “The Gone Fishing Investment Guide.” I may have to read it, just to find out what they mean by the title!
You’re welcome; glad to help.
Jim said they are *denial of service* attacks similar to what Facebook and Twitter had last week.”
I’m not surprised.
“I couldnt get on FR yesterday afternoon.”
Ditto.
That’s a good thing :)
Not that I know of. I saw this on FR’s Yahoo group page.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/freerepublic2/
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