[jonasdatum]

Subject: Investment Discussion – Advice – Concerns – Ideas – Etc.

Hello. I am young, but I won’t stay that way. Thus it is time to kick-start my investment strategy. I’ve been waiting until the end of the 2004 tax year (April 15 2005) for obvious reasons.

At this point in time my investment strategy is based on the following:

- Retire @ age 60-65, if not sooner.
- $50,000 a year income
- “Owning my house before death.”
- One or two vehicles.

My primary tool for researching this issue is www.investopedia.com and various online news sites. Such as www.nyse.com, www.abcnews.com, www.cbsnews.com, and www.cnn.com.

In the coming weeks I am going to go to the bank to open up one or two certificate of deposits. Based on my homework, one of the better CDs is Commerce Bank [http://www.commerceonline.com/]. So I figured open a CD or two with them w/ a 12 to 6 month term. Also, I would like to start at least one IRA.

Here are some of my links for federal financial institutions:
- http://www.publicdebt.treas.gov/sec/sectrdir.htm Bureau of the Public Debt Treasury Direct.
- http://www.savingsbonds.gov/ TreasuryDirect.

Some of my questions for all of you are:

- What are your investment strategies?
- What are the best performing IRAs and CDs?
- What the best types of investments?
- Have you succeeded with your investment strategies?
- What bank(s) should I set up accounts with?
- Anything else to contribute or comment on?

[smeegle]

I would suggest that you make an appointment with an investment counselor. Diversification is best for someone your age. Something with very little risk, something with a little risk, and something with a lot more risk is preferable. Personally, I would only pick CD's as my little risk choice. I wouldn't dump a lot of money into them. Pick a longer term one. You can always roll over your investment at maturity. As far as an IRA, most counselors turn their nose up at them. Don't sell drugs. When the feds catch you the IRS will assess a tax against any money that you made selling them. No fooling. By paying the tax you admit that you engaged in a illegal activity.

[coderitr]

The end of the 2004 tax year was 12/31/2004. April 15 is the filing deadline but the period relevant to taxation ends on December 31.

My $.02 is to invest in a mix of safe funds (like IRA's) but put some money into medium to high risk ventures. The greater the risk, the greater the potential return on investment. Obviously, you stand to lose whatever you put into a high risk venture. Like smeegle said, seek the advice of a competent investment counselor. Heed well their warning that "past performance is no guarantee of future earnings."

[jonasdatum]

Originally Posted by smeegle

I would suggest that you make an appointment with an investment counselor. Diversification is best for someone your age. Something with very little risk, something with a little risk, and something with a lot more risk is preferable. Personally, I would only pick CD's as my little risk choice. I wouldn't dump a lot of money into them. Pick a longer term one. You can always roll over your investment at maturity. As far as an IRA, most counselors turn their nose up at them. Don't sell drugs. When the feds catch you the IRS will assess a tax against any money that you made selling them. No fooling. By paying the tax you admit that you engaged in a illegal activity.

LOL, The selling drugs thing was meant as a joke sir. LOL like "Ebay, selling bootleg, etc." Just wanted to make the poll a little amusing is all! I wouldn't do any of those things.

[smeegle]

I thought that you might have been kidding about selling drugs. The main thing that I was pointing out is that the IRS would tax money received in an illegal activity.

[Stoner]

Seriously, if you're at the point of asking advice from a forum that has little to do with finances.....seek advice from an investment counselor.You don't have to follow his strategy, but you can get a better idea of how to achieve your goals.
Smeegle's correct about diversification.
As you accumulate, try to spread your investments so if one segment of the economy or one particular stock(for example) declines, your entire savings isn't in jepordy.
At your age (young) you can afford to take more risk, you have the time for corrections, but foolish risk is only that ......it's your decision as to how much risk you think you can live with


Expect that $50K retirement income goal to float upward with inflation and time.

Good luck

[jonasdatum]

Hello and good morning. I just wanted to say that I opened my first CD (certificate of deposit) last weekend. For a 6 month term. I might just throw it in there another one in there and not touch it for five years. For us younger folks, we need to start saving now. Because the investment world is chaning. I need to see a finanical planner too. I also have some small stocks that I haven't touch in almost a year.

I am about to invest another $100 right now in some partial stocks. You know playing with the market myself. Lost some of my inital investment, but as of late I've earned most of my money back.

Take a look at...
www.sharebuilder.com
Federal Websites:
http://www.publicdebt.treas.gov/sec/sectrdir.htm
http://www.savingsbonds.gov/

Your future is in your hands. "Be mindful of the future, but live in the present."

[jonasdatum]

Hello. We all must learn to invest. Social Security is nothing but a "social security." It isn't by definition a investment tool, but obviously it is contributes to a individual's retirement goals. So Invest wise, invest smart, and invest realisticlly.

Poor = weak = harder to advance!

[jonasdatum]

I am taking economics 101 this semester. Learning alot. Anybody got anything? I have put some money in a savings account that is at 3.25%. Above most banks.

[smeegle]

Are you taking any finance courses? Do you know what the phrase "M1" means?

[jonasdatum]

Originally Posted by smeegle

Are you taking any finance courses? Do you know what the phrase "M1" means?

LOL, that is a critical question on my first exam in a few weeks. M1 = the most liquidable assets you have i.e. cash and checking accounts! If you want at text book definition:

M1 (2003) : "Currency outside banks ($640 billion), plus demand deposits at banks ($306 billion), plus another cheable deposits at banks and at all thrift institutions ($287 billion), plus tavelers' checks ($8 billion) = $1,241 billion."

Demand Deposit Acc: Nonintrest bearing checking accounts.

NOW (Negotiable order of withdrawl) accounts: Intrest-bearing checking accounts.

I'd give you the title of the book, but security protocols prohibit me giving out that information online. Let's just say it's a book currently used in some major colleges.

I have mostly M1. Shows you how poor I am . I have a test on the first four chapters in a few weeks. Hopefully I won't fail.

[jonasdatum]

Originally Posted by jonasdatum

Subject: Investment Discussion – Advice – Concerns – Ideas – Etc.

Hello. I am young, but I won’t stay that way. Thus it is time to kick-start my investment strategy. I’ve been waiting until the end of the 2004 tax year (April 15 2005) for obvious reasons.

At this point in time my investment strategy is based on the following:

- Retire @ age 60-65, if not sooner.
- $50,000 a year income
- “Owning my house before death.”
- One or two vehicles.

My primary tool for researching this issue is www.investopedia.com and various online news sites. Such as www.nyse.com, www.abcnews.com, www.cbsnews.com, and www.cnn.com.

In the coming weeks I am going to go to the bank to open up one or two certificate of deposits. Based on my homework, one of the better CDs is Commerce Bank [http://www.commerceonline.com/]. So I figured open a CD or two with them w/ a 12 to 6 month term. Also, I would like to start at least one IRA.

Here are some of my links for federal financial institutions:
- http://www.publicdebt.treas.gov/sec/sectrdir.htm Bureau of the Public Debt Treasury Direct.
- http://www.savingsbonds.gov/ TreasuryDirect.

Some of my questions for all of you are:

- What are your investment strategies?
- What are the best performing IRAs and CDs?
- What the best types of investments?
- Have you succeeded with your investment strategies?
- What bank(s) should I set up accounts with?
- Anything else to contribute or comment on?

Sorry about this guys, but the poll question is "what are your investment tactics?"

[Fidelista]

I don't know what "best" is, but IRA'S and Mutual Funds are good and reasnably safe.
If you have questions about individual stocks--- you don't need to invest in them.
I will give you my plan---which has worked extremely well for me---even during downturn.
Invest in 401k when available---esp when employer match is available.
Invest in mutual funds, aggressive, and a mix of some "safer" ones including bonds. Keep in mind that mutuals with dividends helps.
Index funds are what most invest in---"growth" funds are more tricky {now days}.
I would suggest you contact Vanguard Group--they will be of help, although they will not reccomend.
They will however send you honest information that works---give a clear idea of risks ect.
I highly recommend them!.
I have used them for years and wouldnt change.
Another thing---cost of managing funds-- look for cost---over the years {you are young I take it} the cost can take away much from profit when re-invested. Cost of adminstrating funds is important in long run.
I would not put one thousand in one account--- but two types---or more.
I will not go to detail , but I have spread my money across the board so to speak. It has worked.
I would think a Professional would be an advantage, but be careful of cost, and consentrating too much in one adventure.
Vanguard mutuals has worked for me and they will send information designed to help >f

[jonasdatum]

Hello. I found a federal website that will help you research credit unions. Enjoy and get $$$$!

National Credit Union Administration
http://www.ncua.gov/index.html

[jonasdatum]

Thinking about buying some commerical-cds. Any suggestions?