Are timeshares really a good investment?
440650
It all depends on how the timeshare is offered.  Do you only get a specific week or can you get any week or combination of days that you want.  Also how much will you use it?  Will you actually spend your week their every year or can you go to other places.  I have a timeshare and mine is flexible. I can get any week I want or combinations of days and places depending on how big a place I need or I can trade my year in and get stays at a hotel instead but do have to do this before the year actually starts.  I am happy with mine but it depends on each individual plan and your usage.
1009186
If you don't know, then no.  Single-stock investment really works best with thorough due diligence and a match of that company to your investment strategy (are you a value investor, playing short-term cycles, etc.)  \n\nEvery person I know that makes money consistently in direct stock investment do so because of thorough understanding of their risks, companies they're working with, etc.
750700
Yes, I've heard of them. They appear solid.\nAny company that managed to exist for 25 years has to know what they're doing.  BTW, check out http://ibooyah.com for investment ideas.
1118908
Yup.  Keep the new 5%-discounted shares 12 months for a 5% more shares free dole-out to you, plus approx 4.5% dividend for the year (plus/minus the market change in that year - probably a big plus if the Abbey's flotation is anything to go by) adds up to a very attractive proposition indeed. Value could easily increase by 20% in the year, most building societies are paying less than \nabout 4.5% for instant access. Use your wife's money to buy if she isn't an income tax payer and you're even more quids-in. \nI got all this info from my missus, she's read the mailing before me..
892487
Frankly, if you are asking people for favourite stocks, then I think it is time you take a step back and improve on your financial literacy and investment education before you attempt to invest in anything. \n\nWho in today's dynamic society can guarantee that starbucks will last forever or at least until you retire? Who in today's dynamic society can guarantee the survivorship of any companies and hence their stock for 50 years until you retire? Who in today's dynamic society can guarantee that the stock market will not crash when or just before you retire? \n\nListening to free, off the street advice is an expressway to disaster and there is never one "God-Given-Sure-Shot-Highway-To-Freedom" Stock. \n\nRemember, just buying stocks and holding on does not make you an investor and does not guarantee you a nest egg... your nest could break faster than you expect and will hardly last your lifetime if you do not have any investing knowledge.\n\nIf you want to just invest monthly and forget about it hoping that someday in the future you will have enough to retire on, then you probably want to look at some investment linked endowment plans with a financial planner instead. The stock markets is no place for amateurs with completely no knowledge.\n\nRead more good books and articles on investments to expand your vision and horizon before you decide to go deeper into the subject. For some of the best investment books that I have ever read, please visit http://www.bestoptiontradingbooks.com and for some of the must-read investment articles that I wrote personally, please visit http://www.mastersoequity.com/articles.htm\n\n\nHope these information helps and good luck on your journey to financial excellence.\n\n\n\nhttp://www.mastersoequity.com\n\n\n\n\n.
147476
Watch out for some of these answers. 20% return (with no time frame mentioned...hmmm) with little risk is not realistic. A private equipment leasing investment is a huge risk, not only if construction slows and business drops off, but there is zero transparency, who are they?\n\nHigh yield (junk) bonds aren't a terrible idea, but only for a portion of your money, not all. What you have to ask yourself is:\n\nDo I already have a sufficient emergency fund (3 months worht of expenses, min) set aside NOT counting the 9Gs? If so, you can invest for the longer term. If not, find a good money market account (INGDirect or HSBC Direct) and plug enough of the $9,000 in there to make up the 3 months. Depending on your expenses you may need to add money to $9,000.\n\nOnce your emergency fund is taken care of, you can invest the rest. You now have to ask yourself (or have a financial planner ask you) what am I saving this money for? Is it ok to lock it up for retirement or do I expect to use these funds to buy a house in 5 years or send someone to school 16 years from now? Your time horizon(how long you have to stay invested) is the single largest determinant of how much risk can be built into your portfolio through asset allocation. Your attitudes towards risk will fine tune your allocations. A competent financial planner can help you through this process.\n\nALSO, AVOID these spammers talking about Daily12 or Swisscash or any other pyramid scheme. They're garbage.
451969
Investment advice - done properly - is more than just letting you know what a good investment is. I (or any other adviser) would need to know more about you and what it is you are trying to do. It's like asking a travel agent for a great holiday without giving them more info - for example: Great holiday - scuba diving in the great barrier reef in Australia - but the traveler is scared of the water OR XYZ is a great investment - has a 10yr+ hold time - but investor needs the money earlier for - new car, house, education, emergency, etc. etc.\n\nA good investment is the one the makes sense for you at this time in your life and accommodates any (or most possible) scenarios - just like any other choice one makes - what is good for the Jones' isn't always the best thing for you. Best Car - Honda Civic? - well not if you have 5 children and live in the snow belt!\n\nGood luck
790075
Rarely do prices in real estate drop.  Thats why they call it an investment.  The best time to buy is when interest rates are low.
570017
Maybe. It depends upon the local real estate market. It also depends upon your definition of Investment. Are you looking at paying cash for a home there in the hopes of seeing the price go up in order to make a profit? OR are you looking to pay cash for this home to Live in either full or part time? I would hesitate if you are looking at using it as an investment vehicle. Most of the time Real Estate is a Liability with Maintenance, insurance, utilities, Property Taxes, association dues etc... That exceed the annual appreciation of the value of the property. My question to you is Do YOU REALLY NEED 2 houses? If not, put your money elsewhere to grow. Unless you are looking to purchase property in one of the few areas that are involved in states of Hyper-Inflation of property values, your money is better invested elsewhere and you can use it at any time to buy property where you want to live. Examples of these are the Ridiculously overpriced Condominium market in Florida and the WAY overpriced houses in Southern California. I believe that these growth rates are unsustainable and many people are going to lose their shirts there eventually. \n  Point is I would need alot more information to make an educated answer to your question beyond Maybe.
1047746
Nothing personal BUT I dont agree with the comment to hold a property for a short term. A true investment in Real Estate is one that is held for profit in the long term.\n\nIF you are a speculator or flipper (which sounds like you are not) you might want to becareful. This is not the right market to be doing that.\n\nAll in all SFR are less hassle because you dont have to take care of multiple unit problems and problems between the tenants but of course you have the benefit of better cash flow in Multiunits. So it's really what you are trying to accomplish with your INVESTMENT!.\n\nGood luck
654122
If you want to EARN A 10-15% RETURN WITH A SECURED INVESTMENT, listen up. I am working with this company called ARTSTAR MANAGEMENT. They offer a 10-15% RETURN on your money. They can work with any money including IRA’s, and 401k’s, OR CD'S. They pay interest directly to you monthly and the investment is SECURED!!!! But they do have a minimum investment. Give this place a call it’s a great way to park money for safety and get a good return. Here is the address www.webuyhouses2.net Fill out a form and they will send you a no-obligation information package and you can compare their investment to the mutual funds and such. HAPPY INFORMED INVESTING!!!
890092
Kinda' depends on what you're investing in, but basically, I would look at rate of return over at least a 10 year period (absolute minimum 5 years).  Longer track records are better.  Ten percent or more is good.  Don't forget to factor in taxes, risk, and inflation.  For example, taxes will eat about 2.5% of your 12%.  Inflation will eat about 4% of your 12%.  And risk is dependent on the type and volatility of the investment.
69896
If you want to play it really safe invest in Series I Savings bonds which should do well, even under the the conditions described. If you are willing to take a little more risk in exchange for the possibility of higher returns, also consider International bonds, gold, silver, and timber REITS, which should also do well under these conditions. (For example, buy shares of American Century International bond fund, Central fund of Canada, and Rayonier, and Plum Creek.
382869
it is good, but depends on if you want to hold it longterm or short term.  There are many more winners you can invest in.  I do share trading too.. but sometimes you have to be very careful in these stretched markets... you have to make careful choices... Anyways all the best... Good luck....
802098
This is a great company to invest in.....They are gaining market share. As an employee - if you are skilled - it might be a great Future. \n\nUsually rewards follow performance.   :o )
156829
It depends on the equity later on down the road. Does the \n\nproperty hold value? Is this the only place you have \n\nlooked? It is your investment which you would need to think \n\nabout- it not just a yes or no answer.
1170634
I had a bad timeshare experience in Orlando, FL.  After we made the down payment with a credit card to purchase the timeshare, we found out that there were a bunch of fees and stuff to "exchange," making it not worth it.  We called the agent who sold it to us to cancel (we live in California), and he was always not available and would never return our calls.  Luckily, he gave us him home number.  I called him at 4:00 a.m. FL time, he picked up.  After I told him that I've been trying to get ahold of him and wanted to cancel, he said it's too early/late in the morning and hung up on me.  I called back again, and his wife picked up.  She said he's sleeping.  I told her that if they want any sleep, they better refund our money or talk to our lawyer.  We had a 10-day cancellation period.  We received a credit receipt to our credit card in about 3 days after that.\n\nThese guys can be crooked.  Be aggressive!