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Old 03-19-2008, 10:08 AM   #27
lookout123
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Right behind you. No, the other side.
Posts: 10,308
I don't know you or your specific situation so I cannot advise you on a specific course of action for your finances. That being said, CD's are the 3rd worst choice for long term money. (cash and money market go 1st and 2nd). Long term investors belong in equity mutual funds unless they have the risk tolerance and the assets to move into the individual equity markets. If you don't want to work with a trusted advisor and don't have the time to study your options carefully, look at some asset allocation plans offered by the major fund companies.
Look for:

-performance over 3,5,10 year time frames. Look for consistency, not stellar numbers.
-how long has the management team been there? Are they responsible for the performance?
-What was the best 12 month period the fund had? The worst?
-Cost? Sales load, annual expense, waivers, etc.

You're young. Pick quality investments and hold them until either YOU change fundamentally (retire, learn more, etc) or THEY change fundamentally (Management change, Prospectus change, Performance abruptly changes over 1-3 year periods.) Do not change investments based on the current state of the market.

Traders trade, investors buy and hold. Both work but they require different temperments and skill sets.
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