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The best investment out there is (IMHO)stock-based index funds. If you are closer to retirement age, then you need to research bonds, but otherwise stock Index Funds are the place to start. I invest in funds that are linked to indexes (or if you prefer, Indices... I can roll that way too, dog!) What's an index? An example of index is the S and P 500...basically it is a system of tracking 500 stocks and their performance as a benchmark of overall market performance. Ok, now that you know all about indexes [indices], I will say I like index-based funds because: * Fund Managers attempt to beat an index (generally the S and P 500) and most of them fail to do so. So if you do as well as the index, you are getting a better return than most managed funds. * The manager of a fund has to get paid. An index fund does not have a manager, so the expenses on managed funds are generally higher than on index funds. Ok, so now you have a clue about what you want to buy, namely: Stock-based index funds. So, you might be thinking, Which funds should I buy? That's why I like you so much, reader, because you ask such wonderful questions! This brings up the wonderful topic of Where to put your money, which is otherwise known as: (Drum roll, please) Stock Index Funds: Asset Allocation! Stock Index Funds: Scenario #1: Stock Index Funds Question: I'm busy, so I only have time to invest in ONE fund, any help? A: If you only get one fund, then I suggest you get a fund based on the S&P 500 Index. Most 401k plans will offer such a fund. These get you build-in diversity of 500 companies. Some fund ideas are: * SPY: ETF called Spiders. * VFINX: Vanguard's S and P 500 Fund. Stock Index Funds: Scenario #2:
Stock Index Funds Question: I have a little bit more time to devote to investing; do you have any more ideas? A: Sure! If you do a little research, you will find these categories of options that are labeled Asset Classes and funds within each class. Here's a break down of how I do my Asset Allocation: US based funds (Domestic) US Large Company Funds: 20% US Large Value Funds: 20% US Small Company Funds: 10% US Small Value Funds: 10% Foreign Funds (Overseas) Foreign Large Funds: 15% Foreign Large Value Funds: 10% Foreign Small Company Funds: 10% Emerging Market Funds: 5% Stock Index Funds Question: How do I find good funds of each class? A: I'm glad you asked. You should do the research and find funds that have a low expense ratio...lower is better, because it is the money you pay to own the fund. I did a little research (not using my broker, so you can too) and found out that Vanguard has a good link that shows the different funds (ONLY that they sell, of course). Stock Index Funds Question: I don't have enough money to invest in all of these funds. Which funds should put my in money first? A: My method is invest in U.S.-based funds first, and from top to bottom. It took me several years to purchases funds in all of these classes. Stock Index Funds Question: Ok, but what happens when the value of a fund within a class exceeds its target allocation? A: Well, first...THAT'S GREAT!!! It means that you are making money!!! Don't worry about it. You re-balance once per year. I keep a spreadsheet in which I enter the total amount of money invested and then calculate the target percentage and compare that to the actual amount of money I have in the fund.
If I have too much money in a class, I sell shares of that fund class. If I don't have enough in a class, I buy more shares of that fund class. I only do this once per year in order to keep my transaction fees minimized. Some people re-balance every three years...try it both ways...but I recommend at least this checking once every year. Stock Index Funds Question: What is a transaction fee? A: Every time you buy, sell, or exchange funds, you are charged a fee (these vary by broker and fund). Stock Index Funds Question: Do I have to pay taxes when I sell? A: In a taxable account, YES! That is why tax-advantaged accounts are so cool. And another reason to only re-balance once per year. You really want to hold onto a fund for at least one year, plus one day, in order to ensure your capital gains taxes are at the lower "longterm" rate. (If you make a profit, of course, that's what capital gains taxes are all about. If you lose money, that's a whole other proposition, and maybe a topic for another post!, but you don't pay tax on a loss.) Stock Index Funds Question: How much money do I need to start? A: Good question!! Every fund has a minimum opening investment, generally in the range of $2000 - $3000 dollars. This is an added wrinkle when trying to establish an opening position in a new fund. You might have left over money, but not enough to open up a new fund. In that case, the only thing you can do is spread out that extra money in the funds you already own and wait for them to grow. You see, once you have a position in a fund, you can add to it in any amount, small or large. For example, if I already made my initial investment in VFINX for $3000, and I want to add $1000 the next year, I can do that. But, I can't take that $1000 and invest it in a new fund if the new fund has an initial investment of more than $1000. If you don't have any funds at all, and you are looking to get your first one, but you don't have the minimum amount to open that position, you'll have to either find a fund with a smaller opening investment, or just hold on to that extra money until you do have enough to get into to the larger ones. THAT's it...I used this method to built my core of investments...now I am doing the explore...where I buy stock in great companies...but that is another article for another day!
Jeff "Yooper" Smith Click below for more Articles by YooperSmith http://www.shift-your-consciousness.com http://www.twitter.com/yoopersmith
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