suggestions in investing $.best return to live off of monthly/yearly?Thank you!Bonds,mutual funds,stocks and?
95363
Capital Income Builder is a decent fund. You certainly wouldn't want it to be the only holding in your portfolio. Depending on the size of the portfolio you can do a couple things. If substantial, you will want to ladder a bond portfolio ( to mitigate the effects of rising rates while providing income), use municipals if the account is non-qualified. If your assets are not that large, bond funds will do.\n\nSupplement the bond holdings with some core equity mutual funds like Capital Income Builder, or even select ETF's.\n\nDepending on your age and risk tolerance, an immediate annuity is another option.\n\nSpeak with a financial planner in your area. You can ask freinds and relatives if they know a good planner and/or use the Planner Search feaure on the Financial Planning Association's website, www.fpanet.org\n\nGood Luck
1147141
At 23, time is your best friend (hooray compound interest).  Your best bet is to (if you haven't already,) open up and max out your Roth IRA.  This allows you to allow that compounding to work in a tax-free manner after you deposit. See what a difference that can make here: http://www.dinkytown.net/java/RothIRA.html\n\nIf you work for a company that provides matching funds for your 401(k) or similar retirement account, be sure to get the maximum match - it's free money! (that has to come from your income, but you can use your $10K to buffer your cost of living while you max your contributions).\n\nNote, it'll depend both on your capital gains, and the tax efficiency of your investments, but when I ran the numbers for myself, I found that I was much better off using my 401(k) for investment even though I plan on early withdrawal: http://randomfoo.net/blog/id/4087\n\n(Over a longer time-horizon, the tax efficiency is going to make a huge difference, plus you can also drastically rebalance with near impunity, tax free)\n\nRegardless of the type of account you put your money in, you still have to decide what you're going to invest in.  There aren't guaranteed returns, but for your goals (growth until eventual financial independence, yes?) you're best bet is probably a good index mutual fund. (You'll want to do your own research on this - although index funds are by definition 'average' they tend to provide total returns (after expenses) that beat the vast majority of mutual funds.  Here's one article to help you get started on why that's the case: http://www.fool.com/mutualfunds/indexfunds/indexfunds01.htm\n\nYour best course of action as you save towards financial independence is to continue investing (dollar cost averaging) and to diversify as your capital grows (bonds, international, REITs, metals) and to try to keep an eye towards what your goals are.  A good book on the subject matter is "You Money Or Your Life" by Domniguez and Robin, which talks less about investing (they suggest an extremely conservative approach), but more about a good basic mindset/framework for thinking about money.\n\nIf your goal is early retirement (reaching the point where you can live off your investments) you may also want to take a look at FIRECalc, an interesting early retirement calculator: http://fireseeker.com/ and the related Early Retirement forums (lurking and reading the archives is a good way to dip a toe in the water, so to speak): http://early-retirement.org/forums/
95304
As stated, it depends on your age and your tolerance for risk. Savings bonds are guaranteed by the US Government, but only return about 4-6% per year, depending on the bond type. There are very safe mutual funds that allow you to invest over time (like bonds), but that will return a better percentage than savings bonds, which are the most conservative. Even mature people should not be investing "large" amounts of money in savings bonds, because there is a holding period. If you take the money out too soon, you pay a penalty (lose interest). Plus the returns are not that great.\n\nLastly, expecting that savings bonds will create the money you WILL need in retirement is unrealistic. You need to fund a 401(k) where you work, buy some stocks and mutual funds, then you can add some bonds. Diversification is the secret.
816156
Depending on what you mean by "good returns," you might want to investigate dividend-yielding stocks such as utilities or real estate investment trusts (REITs), or look to the bond market.  Stocks normally pay dividends quarterly, bonds semi-annually.
1097246
invest it all, live off the returns
228452
Invest $500 a month in a diversified stock mutual fund (I like Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund). Wait ~30 years and you will have around a million dollars. Most people would hedge their bets by putting some money in bonds, in which case it will take longer. This assumes you have the stomach to handle the volatility of the stock market.
942670
You are brillant to be starting now.\nThere are all kinds of ways / vehicles to save for retirement, and all have different benefits. \n401(k) max to at least your company match...that free money. Then don't be conservative with the investment portion. You have 43 years to overcome fluxuations in the market.\nOther investments vehicles, like an IRA (tax free going out taxed on exit) or a  Roth IRA (taxed going in but tax free out), or an life insurance policy, or buying stocks directly ...depend on your circumstances. \nWhat income tax bracket are you in? How much can you set aside, are you interested in buying a home? Saving for that down payment? Going to school?\n\nIn general: you should have a nice mix of stocks and real estate investment, and eventually something conservative like bonds.  \nStocks can be via a fund, lots of stocks bundled together, but should include a spread of big and small companies, and domestic and international.\nReal estate you can buy and own, or have via real estate investment trusts (REIT).\nWhatever investment you choose, please do three things: Look at the costs associated. Look at the tax implications. DO YOUR OWN HOMEWORK. Don't trust someguy on YAHOO answers, or some guy in a nice office and a nice suit, with a smooth line--if something is to good to be true, it is.
517192
Buy a diversified series of mutual funds. Individual stocks are just way too risky in most cases, especially for novice investors, even if they look like a sure thing.  How are Enron and Worldcom doing right now?\n\nMake sure you hit all the assets classes, like Large cap stocks, small/mid cap stocks, international stocks, emerging markets stocks, government debt, corporate debt, hi-yield debt, foreign debt, emerging markets debt, real estate, commodities, and precious metals. That's 12 categories right there, so let's say you get started with with $1200, you're talking about $100 each. \n\nThen sit back and rebalance each year, back to your original percentages. This is called asset allocation. The thinking being, what's BEEN hot is more than likely not going to STAY hot. All markets, after all, are cyclical.  This is why people who invest their 401(k) by just putting in whatever's had the most recent best numbers never get anywhere--they're investig in something that DID will and IS probably NOT doing well.\n\nThis sort of portfolio should average 8-12% per year, so just split the difference and say 10%. Will it do 10% EVERY year? Of course not. I'd be surprised if it ever did EXACTLY 10%. That's an annual average. With that average, your money should double roughly every 7 years. \nSo, in 7 years you should have about $2,000\nin 14 years you should have about $4,000\nin 21 years you should have about $8,000\nin 28 years you should have about $16,000\nin 35 years you should have about $32,000\nin 42 years you should have about $64,000\nin 49 years you should have about $128,000\nin 56 years you should have about $256,000\nin 63 years you should have about $512,000\nin 70 years you should have about $1,024,000!\n\nOf course, if you keep adding money in, say $100 a month, you'll become a millionaire MUCH sooner. The key is discipline, and sticking in when markets are up OR down. Don't try to time the market--you'll NEVER get it right.\n\nHere's a handy formula:\n\n$100/month x 12% retutn x 20 years = $100,000.  \n\nSo if you invest $300 a month, you can expect to have $300,000 or so in 20 years, depending on what return you get.  And remember, even if you stop there, that money itself will double again in 7-10 years, depending.  Then double again.  Then double again.  You get the idea.\n\nIn short, you can make a HELL of a lot of money, with a small output on your part, if you do it right, and are patient.\n\nOh, and if you qualify, and do this all in a Roth IRA? Then every penny will be 100% TAX-FREE. That's a deal that's too good to pass up. That's why I tell all my under-30 clients--if you make under $90,000, and therefore qualify to do a Roth, you'd be a fool not to. Just having the power of youth (and therefore time) on your side is such an advantage, to squander it would be such a waste!\n\nHope this helps!\n--J.\n\nP.S. The previous answerer's advice about contacting Edward Jones is gold.  I would go to their website at www.edwardjones.com, enter your zip code, and find the closest office to you.  Chances are there's one within 10 miles.  They have 10,000 office in the US, UK, and Canada.  And they will take care of you right if you decide you don't want to go it alone.
622651
First, I would make sure you have at least 3 months salary saved up in the bank or in a money market fund for an emergency fund. Financial disasters like getting layed off or sick happen to all of us.\n\nSecond, I would pay off all high interest debt. Pay off everything you can except student loans, which are usually low interest.  Paying off debt is one of the best investments you can make. You will have more money in the future because you won't have credit card bills to pay.\n\nThird, if you have money left, start investing in stocks, bonds, and money market funds. You want to buy a diversified portfolio of stocks, as individual stocks are too risky. For most folks this means buying mutual funds. I like Vanguard.com, other people like Fidelity, TIAA-CREF, and DFA. Buy no-load, low cost funds. If you are like most people you will invest part of your money conservatively, in money market funds and bond funds, and part aggressively in stock funds. Vanguard.com has an on-line questionnaire which will give you an idea how aggressive you want to be. \n\nInvesting in a mutual fund IRA for retirement may give you an income tax break. Talk to your tax adviser. You may also be able to invest in a stock mutual fund via a 401K plan at work.\n\nBelieving someone you met over the Internet and know nothing about is risky. Read these websites for further information.
256128
Start by asking your bank what you can do to save $ for the long run. Maybe a IRA plan? Do you have a full time JOB...if so, ask your employer if they have a 401K plan or anything similar. Stocks too me is just like gambling your money. But whatever suits you
985987
I think the best way to invest is to first see what the best traders are buying and selling.  Then use that knowledge to hopefully improve your portfolio's return.  This is the idea behind the site http://www.top10traders.com - this is a free site that lets you create a portfolio of stocks with $100,000 in "play" money.  Each day the site ranks the best performing portfolios, so you can see how your picks perform compared to other investors.  You can also read posts on investing from the best traders, as well as share your own investing ideas.\n\nHere are this month's best traders:\n\nhttp://www.top10traders.com/Top10Standings.aspx\n\nGood luck.
39979
All have their good and bad points. Diversification is the key. Don't put all your eggs in one basket. If you want an opinion, I'd shy away from real estate for the moment. The investors appear to be running to the market. Bonds? No thanks.
260081
Honestly if you are looking at investments look at some mutual funds. They will be one of the best choices for you. They allow you to basically invest in mutiple companies without having to have lots of cash on hand. A lot about investing does deal with your risk tolerance so make sure it is something you are comfortable with and whatever you do just let it sit in your investment so it can grow. If it's in stocks, bonds, or mutual funds remember markets go up and down. But over time you are virtually guaranteed to make a return greater than that of a cd. By the way the thing with the CD is great, but it barely outpaces inflation. If it doesn't beat inflation in essence you are losing money.
877247
it depends on your age - if you are young and still working stock and bonds are very god but if you are older you ay want to keep a guaranteed return on investment such as CD's\nreal estate is up and down I dont recommend it
661299
Buy a diversified series of HIGH QUALITY, LOW EXPENSE mutual funds. One good piece of advice is that especially when just starting out, owning individual stocks is just way too risky. In many cases, it's more akin to gambling than investing. So go with mutual funds, which are much more diversified, and therefore spread the risk among many, many more holdings. The key, of course, is buying quality. So make sure you hit ALL the asset classes, like Large cap stocks, small/mid cap stocks, international stocks, emerging markets stocks, government debt, corporate debt, hi-yield debt, foreign debt, emerging markets debt, real estate, commodities, and precious metals. That's 12 categories right there, so with $1200, you're talking about $100 each. This is called asset allocation, and it's a step beyond simple "diversification", which most idiots think is buying a hardware tech stock AND a software tech stock.\n\nAdd systematically on a monthly basis. That means make sure you put the same amount of money in every month, no matter what. Soon you won't even care what any of the markets are doing. They're up? Great! Some of my investments are worth more. They're down? Great! Now I'm buying quality investments at an "on sale" price.\n\nThen sit back and re-balance each year, back to your original percentages. Again, this is called asset allocation. It's is very important, perhaps the most important thing you can do with your money. The thinking being, what's BEEN hot is more than likely not going to STAY hot. All markets are cyclical. There's hundreds of years of data to back this up. Yet some people still think they can ride the next hot wave. They usually wind up begging on the street for beer money.\n\nNow, this sort of portfolio should average 8-12% per year, so just split the difference and say 10% on average. Will it do 10% EVERY year? Of course not. I'd be surprised if it EVER did EXACTLY 10%. That's an annual average. With that average, your money should double roughly every 7 years.\nSo, if you're starting with $1200 or so like I said in my example, then in 7 years , even if you added no more money, you should have about $2,400\nin 14 years you should have about $4,800\nin 21 years you should have about $9,600\nin 28 years you should have about $19,200\nin 35 years you should have about $38,400\nin 42 years you should have about $76,800\nin 49 years you should have about $153,600\nin 56 years you should have about $307,200\nin 63 years you should have about $614,400\nin 70 years you should have about $1,228,800!\n\nOf course, if you keep adding money in that $100 a month, you'll become a millionaire MUCH sooner. The key is discipline, and sticking in when markets are up OR down. Don't try to time the market--you'll NEVER get it right.\n\nBy the way, here's a handy formula:\n\n$100/month x 12% x 20 years = $100,000.\n\nSo if you need $300,000 in 20 years and have no idea how to get it, just save $300 a month and you're there. If you don't get 12%, you'll wind up with less naturally. But IF you still wind up with $250,000, I'd call that one hell of a failure.\n\nOh, and if you qualify on income limits (generally, if you're a single filer and make under $90,000/yr), and do this all in a Roth IRA? Then every penny will be 100% TAX-FREE. That's a deal that's too good to pass up. That's why I tell anyone who's under 30--if you make under $90,000, and therefore qualify to do a Roth, you'd be a fool not to. Just having the power of youth (and therefore time) on your side is such an advantage, to squander it would be such a waste!\n\nHope this helps!\n--J.
792815
Hi, i suggest a great site with plenty of Issues related to your Investing and everything around it. it also provide clear and accurate answer to many common questions.\n\nhttp://investing.sitesled.com/\n\nI am sure that you can get your answers in this website.\n\nGood Luck and Best Wishes!
60838
With $200 dollars a month, you might want to sign up for a 401k plan from an online brokerage firm while picking one or two mutual funds.  As long as you consistently deposit the amount of $200 dollars, you should realize a relatively fair or modest return.  It will also reduce your taxable income, saving you money on taxes and increasing your future retirement funds.  \n\nHowever, if you're looking for a higher return investment, allocate it to a money market ING Direct account.  I believe their offering 4.75%, which is a modest return but it offers you greater liquidity.  After a year, you might then swap it into a brokerage account and then invest it in growth stocks that can generate a higher return.