Managing your assets is an important step towards creating your own personal wealth. You can research and figure out on your own which investment products can work for you. Hiring a professional financial advisor can be very beneficial as well. Money market funds are great for short-term investments that need to remain liquid. They earn an average of three times more than traditional savings accounts. If you are looking for long-term investments, consider mutual funds.
There are thousands of mutual funds to choose from, but don’t be discouraged. First find a company that you like. Their policies should be congruent with your needs and your lifestyle. Some charge fees and offer financial advice. Some are fee-free and can offer you education over the phone to help you make your own choices. Just about every company will help you assess your risk tolerance and guide you in the right direction. When choosing mutual funds, you should consider diversifying your portfolio. Use your best judgment and try not to put all of your eggs in one basket, so to speak. There are a few basic categories of mutual funds you should know about before investing in the funds that will best suit your needs.
Some mutual funds are made up of investments in mostly bonds and other fairly stable instruments. These can be great for conservative investors that don’t want to see their balance fluctuating wildly. They concentrate on slow growth and are fairly stable, although you should never count on any investment making money. If you have a few years to wait before you’ll need your money, then investing conservatively may be an appropriate choice for you. You can spread out your money over a few different bond funds to diversify. If you believe that you may need your money sooner, then you may want to stick to very conservative bond funds or money market accounts. They are more liquid and rarely have negative years. Keep in mind that any mutual fund can experience negative years, so consider the length of your investment and what it will be used for before investing.
Moderate funds are made up of some bonds and some stocks. Stocks are more risky and can create a higher or lower return than bond funds alone. Moderate funds can range from being heavy with bonds to being comprised mostly of stocks with a few bonds to stabilize them a little. You may consider moderate funds for longer term investments, as long as you can stomach watching your balance go up and down on a daily basis. Your initial investment isn’t totally safe in any mutual fund, but growth is generally higher in moderate funds if you have many years to invest. Keep in mind that as time goes on, you’ll approach the time when you need your investment. As retirement or your other goals get closer, you may consider moving to a more conservative investment. Any time that you move your money from one fund to another, it is a taxable event. In the year that you move it, any growth above and beyond your initial investment is taxable.
Stock funds are the most aggressive types of mutual funds. They can fluctuate a lot more than other types of funds, either making great profits, or experiencing great losses. These types of funds may look enticing to investors seeking high returns, but keep in mind that the percentages you see are long-term results and can vary greatly from year to year. You should only invest in stock funds for very long-term investments, and only if you can withstand the major fluctuations of the stock market.
When diversifying, keep your goals and risk tolerance in mind. You may choose to spread your investment over many types of funds. Keep track of your investment portfolio and seek professional advice whenever possible.
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