| Bill Gates probably doesn't invest in mutual funds | | | | account to a couple of mutual funds within a fund |
| (funds), maybe because most of his money is | | | | family. |
| tied up in Microsoft stock. Warren Buffet made | | | | If you want to invest in stocks and/or bonds, but |
| his billions by managing investments, so he does | | | | don't know how to invest in them, join the crowd |
| not need their help, either. But, if you have | | | | and do it the sensible and easy way with funds. |
| money to invest and don't really know how to | | | | If you have a lump sum of money to invest |
| invest and manage an investment portfolio, you | | | | from a retirement plan, a CD that matured or |
| should consider investing in mutual funds. Millions of | | | | from an inheritance, look no further. For example, |
| average investors do. | | | | if you leave your job where you had money in a |
| Keep in mind that mutual funds are designed for | | | | 401k, you can move it and avoid taxes and |
| folks who want professional investment | | | | penalties with a direct rollover to a mutual fund |
| management at a moderate cost. These are not | | | | family. |
| short-term investments, but rather are for people | | | | If you are retired and want to earn a higher |
| with longer-term investment horizons. Once you | | | | return with relative safety, try bond funds in |
| have cash reserves in the bank for short term | | | | addition to money market funds. When you want |
| needs like emergencies, you are ready to invest. | | | | to receive a monthly income, they will send you |
| Should you invest in mutual funds? If one or more | | | | the amount you specify. |
| of the following apply to you, you probably should. | | | | If you want an investment in real estate, oil |
| If you want to accumulate a nest egg for | | | | & gas, or gold the easy way, invest in |
| retirement, give these investment packages | | | | mutual funds and let them deal with the details. |
| consideration. For example, if you have a typical | | | | It doesn't matter if you are young or old, rich or |
| 401k plan at work, most of the investment | | | | of modest means, conservative or aggressive as |
| options available to you are mutual funds. | | | | an investor. You need an investment portfolio that |
| If you decide to open a traditional IRA or Roth | | | | contains a variety of investment types. Unless |
| IRA, consider going with a major mutual fund | | | | you really know how to invest and can manage |
| family. This will give you a wide array of | | | | your own stocks, bonds, and money market |
| investment options, from safe and conservative | | | | securities...you should invest in mutual funds. |
| to aggressive and growth oriented. | | | | Finally, if you don't know much about |
| If you want to start slow and learn how to invest | | | | investing...you're probably a red-blooded American. |
| as you go, you should invest in mutual funds. For | | | | As a financial planner I worked with folks from all |
| example, you can set things up so that $100 a | | | | walks of life. Few knew how to invest on their |
| month automatically flows from your checking | | | | own, so I often recommended mutual funds. |