Manage a Regional Fund

If you have little capital, but still want a diverse international portfolio, a regional fund may be the answer for you. These funds are designed for the average investor who may not have enough capital to adequately diverse himself or herself without the benefit of a mutual fund. Before you invest in a regional fund, it's important to understand exactly what they are.

Understanding Your Regional Fund

Find out what it is. A regional fund is one that focuses on securities from an entire region, such as Europe or Latin America. There are some regional funds, however, that focus solely on one country.

Learn why regional funds are used. Buying stock in foreign countries can be a difficult, confusing and expensive process. Regional funds are designed to facilitate these transactions and give investors the opportunity to expand their portfolios to overseas interests.

Discover your investment options. Most regional funds strive to provide investors with a diverse range of stocks from companies based in or operating out of the area of interest. However, some regional funds are invested solely in a specific sector of the area's economy, like transportation.

Understand how they operate. Fund managers choose the securities included in a regional fund based on specific geographical criteria.

Decide on a Regional Fund

Explore the variety of regional funds currently available. A good place to begin your search is on a financial Web site (see resources).

Choose a few funds that sound interesting. You don't need to select one now, so feel free to be as liberal with your choices as you want.

Investigate each offered region. Is there something that draws you to the area? Are you impressed with the level of growth in the region? Knowing your reason for wanting to invest in a region will give you more incentive to manage it well later.

Narrow down the field to a few attractive possibilities. A great way to do this is by looking at all aspects of a given region, such as future potential, past performance and emerging industries.

Ask for a copy of the prospectus for each fund you're interested in. You can request one for free from the fund's manager.

Tips & Warnings

• Regional funds are considered to be very volatile. Although they can reap high rewards, there is always the risk of country-wide recessions and disasters.
• Expect to carefully manage your regional fund. This is definitely not the type of fund that can manage itself.

By ehow.com

Manage a Municipal Bond Fund

If you help satisfy debt obligations that local and state governments owe for projects, like new schools and hospitals, these governments are willing to pay you tax-free interest on your money. Municipal bond funds are very attractive to many investors because of their tax-free benefits. Although these bonds aren't taxable, they aren't exactly a cash cow either. Municipal bond funds are notorious for giving a lower yield than other comparable tax bonds.

Invest in a Municipal Bond Fund

Decide what your investment needs are. Planning ahead can help you better manage your portfolio. Situations that require rapid growth within a few years, such as upcoming college tuition fees for your children, may not work with municipal bonds.

Find municipal bonds with a solid rating. Remember that all ratings are based on the quality of the issuing government.

Ask how the fund prices its holdings. You'll find that municipal bonds are traded sporadically, giving investors little knowledge of current market pricing. As an alternative to contacting customer service directly, you can look at the fund's prospectus.

Investigate the fund thoroughly. If you're going to properly manage your portfolio, you'll want to know every aspect of how your fund operates, from pricing evaluations to how to get answers to essential questions.

Get to know the person who will manage your municipal fund. Investing your money is no joke, so you'll want to feel confident in the person you're entrusting your money to.

Determine the appropriate method for purchasing shares. Will you need to go through a broker? Can you buy the shares directly from the fund? You may find that one method is more expensive than the other, which may influence your decision.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're in a higher tax bracket, it is probably more sensible for you to invest in a tax-free municipal bond. Individuals in lower tax brackets, however, would more likely benefit from investments with a higher pre-tax yield.
• If the bond fund you've invested in covers certain private activity projects, then the interest dividends you receive from it may be subject to taxation under the federal alternative tax system.
• Be careful of over-inflated pricing. The fund manager has a great deal of control over the current net market value (NMV) of the fund. There have been instances of fund managers boosting their NMVs unrealistically through the help of independent fund evaluators.

By ehow.com

23. How to Trade Stochastics Like the Pro's Do

This is a video I found on YouTube by InformedTrades.com. Hopefully the information I provide will be useful to everyone.

A lesson on how to trade the stochastic oscillator for active day traders and investors using technical analysis in the stock market, forex market. and futures market...

Manage a Crossover Fund

Mutual funds are a great way to save for retirement, as there are a wide variety of options available to potential investors. Depending on your risk-tolerance level, you can invest aggressively or conservatively. If you're not too close to retirement and would like to maximize your potential profit, take a look at crossover funds. An innovative blend of public and private equity investing, crossover funds are among the fastest growing investment types in the United States.

Understanding Crossover Funds

Learn about crossover funds. These types of funds are a combination of both public and private equity holdings.

Find out about public equity. Chances are, if you've heard about a stock, it's public equity. These shares come from public companies and are traded on the open market.

Discover private equity. Investments that are considered private equity are not traded on a public stock exchange. There is a wide range of private equity categories, including venture capital, mezzanine capital, leveraged buyout and angel investing.

Determine your risk level. In order to properly manage your crossover funds, you'll have to accept the high level of risk involved. Crossover funds usually have a higher risk, but yield higher returns.

Discuss your investment plans with your financial adviser. You'll need an experienced financial guru to help you invest in crossover funds and manage your portfolio.

Buy and Manage Crossover Funds

Make a short list of potential crossover funds. You can find information about crossover funds on major financial Web sites. Alternatively, you can also look in the finance section of your local newspaper for mutual fund information.

Choose your fund by carefully studying the prospectus, performance and management policies of each one.

Resist the urge to sell your shares if your fund has a poor year. Most funds experience ups and downs throughout the year, but rebound over the long term.

Consider selling if your fund has been seriously underperforming for 2 consecutive years. There's no shame in admitting you've selected a bad fund, but make sure you get out in time.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't confuse crossover funds with crossover investors. The latter deals with investing in companies throughout their initial public offerings (IPOs) and has nothing to do with managing public and private equity funds.
• Keep in mind that all investments come with some level of risk. If you're not comfortable with the investments you've made, contact your financial adviser immediately.

By ehow.com

Manage a Closed Fund

Most of the mutual funds available to investors are known as "open funds." This means that investors can buy and sell shares on a continual basis. Once a fund becomes closed, however, buying and selling are usually not permitted. To get an idea of the big picture, you'll need to gather information about closed funds and learn how you can invest in them.

Understanding Closed End Mutual Funds

Find out what closed end mutual funds are. These mutual funds become closed to new investors once operations begin. In most cases, shares are traded on a public stock exchange.

Learn how closed end mutual funds work. When a closed end fund goes public, investors are permitted to buy into the fund's limited number of shares. Once all shares have been sold, the fund managers invest the profit and the fund moves to a secondary market.

Decide whether this investment fits your personal goals. Closed end funds aren't usually considered high-risk investments, but you may find that the time investment involved doesn't suit your needs. This is especially true if you are on a tight investment timeline.

Talk to your financial adviser. Not only will you learn more about closed end funds, but you'll also get valuable insight into why they may be the perfect complement to your portfolio.

Buy and Manage Closed End Mutual Funds

Browse through upcoming funds to find one you're interested in. You can find a great deal of mutual funds online at most major financial Web sites, like Forbes and Money (see resources). Newspapers also publish information about mutual funds in their finance section.

Find out when shares in the fund you want will be available for purchase. Your best option is to look in the fund prospectus or call the managers for more information.

Discover your buying options. You may be able to buy shares directly from the company. Alternatively, you can also invest through a broker or a fund supermarket.

Work with your financial adviser to manage your portfolio. Closed end funds usually take little or no management. Under certain circumstances, however, you may need to make buying and selling decisions.

Tips & Warnings

• Find out if it is possible to purchase additional shares in your closed fund. Some fund managers occasionally permit existing shareholders to purchase outstanding shares.
• Keep in mind that closed end funds are not without risk. Always analyze every fund before you invest your money, and consult with your financial adviser in depth to determine whether this style of investing is right for you.
• Most investors consider closed end funds to be highly complicated. Therefore, they are not recommended for beginning investors.

by ehow.com

22.How to Trade the Relative Strength Index (RSI) Like a Pro

This is a video I found on YouTube by InformedTrades.com. Hopefully the information I provide will be useful to everyone.

A lesson on how to trade the RSI for traders and investors using technical analysis in the stock market, futures market and forex market. In our last lesson we...

Manage a Blend Fund

Achieving a good mix of both growth and income is an attractive prospect to investors. In the past, it was often difficult to manage complicated portfolios with shares in separate growth and value funds. Blend funds are designed to ease complications and make it easier for the average investor to manage his or her portfolio. It's important to gather information about blend funds and get tips on how to choose the right one for you.

Understand Your Blend Fund

Learn what a blend fund is all about. A blend fund offers a mix of value and growth stocks. There are no fixed-income securities involved in a blend fund.

Find out the role of value stocks. The value stocks in a blend fund are believed to be undervalued by its investors and managers. The potential appreciation of these stocks (once their value becomes common knowledge) is part of the driving force behind blend funds.

Examine the potential of growth funds. The second part of the blend fund is growth stocks. These stocks have the potential for rapid growth, which can translate into large profits for investors.

Invest in Blend Funds

Find a financial adviser to help you establish concrete financial goals. This will help you determine the exact type of blend fund you'll need to reach your target.

Search for blend funds with good performance histories. You can find blend funds by looking in a financial newspaper or by searching the Internet.

Study the prospectus for each company you're interested in. You'll find a lot of valuable information about the fund's objectives and expenses, which should be used to help you make your decision.

Get to know the person who will manage your fund. It's important that you feel comfortable with your fund manager. After all, you'll be investing a good chunk of your money with this person.

Find out where you can buy shares in the fund. This might also affect your decision to buy, as there may be additional fees involved.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't be confused by multiple names--blend funds are also commonly referred to as hybrid funds.
• Although blend funds are considered less risky than stock mutual funds, their precise risk is difficult to calculate due to their varied composition. Many investors view blend funds as risky because of their lack of fixed-income securities.

Make Money in a Down-Turned Market: Temporarily Withdraw

This article is part of a series of articles aimed to educate some of the ways to be profitable in a bear market. With the current economic recession, it may seem bleak, but there are still ways to profit!

You can shield your money from further loss by withdrawing it for a variety of other uses. Even retirement money can be saved from loss without tax penalties or fees. You may not know it, but you can shelter your mutual fund or stock money at any time, for any reason.

For non-retirement accounts, you can withdraw the money and not have to worry about penalties, etc. Pulling some of all of your money out while continuing to make contributions allows you to take advantage of investing while the shares are low-priced, while shielding your current money from loss by selling those shares.

If you can remove your money from the account completely, you be well off putting it in a high-yield savings or money market account. These types of accounts are fully insured by the FDIC and may earn interest as much as 5-6% a year. That's never as good as stocks in a bull market, but right now that's not the case with people losing 50%+ of their portfolio's worth! A high-yield insured account is a great way to keep your money safe while watching it grow.

Another even better option is a certificate of deposit (CD) account. These accounts offer even higher interest rates that traditional savings and money market accounts because you choose a term from 6 months or less up to 5 years or more. The longer the term you choose, the higher the interest rate! You can always end a term early, buy may have to pay a penalty of some of the interest you would have earned.

If you are concered about retirement accounts, you often can't completely withdraw the money or interest without paying taxes and penalties. However, you can still sell the stock you own, which removes your money into the brokerage core account. Some of these accounts earn interest and more importantly will no longer lose value when stocks go down! You can easily buy back in by using those core funds to repurchase stocks when the market turns for the better.

You may qualify for a hardship withdrawl on your retirement account, which would allow you to withdraw completely for a better investment option, like those explained in setps 3 and 4. Check with your financial institution or specific plan documentation to see if you qualify to do this.

By ehow.com

Involve the Entire Family in Investing

When most people think of investing they think of one person. The fact is when it is a family why not work together to build a family portfolio.

Start by setting up the formula. Depending on the age of the children, each will be able to contribute certain amounts to any investment. Payout will be based on the percentage put into the account. Also, agree nobody will withdraw money for a certain extended period of time and set yearly limits on the amount to be taken out.

Seek out an internet broker. This way the transactions are in your hands. There are many to pick from including Sharebuilder.com, E Trade and many more.

Search out stocks that are safe. Perhaps even go after mutual funds and avoid the individual stocks. If investing in individual stocks, seek out those with dividend payments.

Keep the flow of money coming each month or week. Even if this means keeping a large amount in a money market fund, but it should pile up quickly and in the end all will be happy.

Tips & Warnings

• I am not a professional financial advisor, this article is intended to provide basic ideas. For specific financial advice on stocks or other issues, please seek out professional advice.

21. How to Trade the MACD Indicator Like a Pro Part 2

This is a video I found on YouTube by InformedTrades.com. Hopefully the information I provide will be useful to everyone.

The second lesson of two on how to trade the moving average convergence divergence (MACD) for day traders and investors using technical analysis in the stock market...

Invest on a shoestring and make a buck

You can prepare for retirement, your kid's college, a new home, or any number of things. Even if you have a limited income, you can save and prosper if you commit and stick with it.

You can start with any level of income. If you're working a part time job, identify your average weekly income and set a percentage. 10% is the recommended average. You can go for more or less. Your circumstances will dictate your amount. Even if you go to 1%, you are developing the habit. Save something. Put it into perspective. Give up a cup of coffee a day and save a few cents. Walk one day instead of drive and save a gallon of gas. You can find some amount to save. I once did an experiment by picking up every penny I found lying discarded at various places and putting them in an old coffee can. At the end of the year, I had over $7 in pennies. I gave up cigarettes and now save between $4 and $8 a day (I was a 1-2 pack a day smoker). A savings is there, only you can identify it.

Now that you have a dime, or a buck, or two, find a place to put it where you can not only save it but make a profit on the savings. You can open a Credit Union account for as little as $5. If you get paid by check in hand, never ever cash it at a check cashing stand. Establish an account and cash it for free. When you cash the check, put your planned percentage in a savings account. If you think you need the whole check, put the excess of a rounded amount into the account. For example, if you were paid $57.60, put $7.60 away. Too much? Put $2.60 away. Too much? Put $.60 away. Get the picture? Pick an amount, put it away.

If your job offers a 401 (k) or any other savings plan, take advantage of it and contribute at least the absolute minimum. The company gets a tax break by matching your contribution and you get a tremendous break by contributing and having it doubled at no extra cost. If you can, max it out. Keoghs are the most lucrative investment plans in the market, use at least the absolute minimum potential it offers. The younger you are, the better.

Observe the "rule of 72". Find an investment and identify the percentage of return on your money invested. Divide the interest into 72. The dividend is the number of years it will take your money to double. For example, you find an investment that will pay 10% on a $100 investment; divide 72 by 10. 10 into 72 equals 7.2. In 7.2 years, your $100 investment will double. This formula applies to any quantity of investment and percent return.

Identify an investment and make a regular investment, the same amount at the same time every month. This is called "Dollar cost averaging". This is usually used on mutual funds but there are other applications. The proven theory is, some months you will buy at a low price, other months you will buy a little higher. Over time, the average will be a price at your advantage. Stick with it and don't waver. You must be consistent and stay committed. I cannot guarantee any results, you have to stay engaged and watch your investments, but theoretically, this is a proven and widely practiced investment strategy.

Avoid brokers that charge a fee for investing your money. There are many mutual fund programs out there that allow you to invest directly with no commission called "no load" funds. You can find them on the internet and a good resource to study them is "Weisenberger's", a financial periodical you can look at for free at your local public library. My story briefly; I bought my first mutual fund by contacting 20th Century (now American Century) which I found by reviewing Weisenberger's at the library. That was many years ago and the numbers have changed, but I started with $25/month and a simple, low cost investment is now worth tens of thousands of dollars. I'm not pushing a product, I'm making a point. Many companies want your business and you can invest with them without paying a broker. Go on line and just start contacting them. I didn't have the internet years ago. If I had, WOW, I can only guess at what I may have done.

Once you've started and get an account started, spread the investments around and avoid putting all your eggs in one basket. If one goes down, another will probably go up. If you can get into mutual funds, do it. They are relatively safe, are professionally managed, and cost you little. They make money if you make money and they have to spread your investment around to several different funds so it is difficult to lose everything in a market hiccup. Even in today's market, there is money to be made. Some stocks are down, some are up. But even the ones that are down are generally going to go back up. I am not a professional investor. I only invest for myself. But I've been learning for over 25 years and only encourage you to take an interest and get started. If you only make 2% on a $10 investment next month, it's $.20 more than you started with.

Just get goin'.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't fall for "get rich quick" schemes. Only the guy making the offer gets rich.
• Watch the pennies and the Dollars will take care of themselves.
• If you don't have a lot to invest, invest a little.
• Credit Unions are generally very consumer oriented and safe.
• Go for the long haul, not the quick buck.
• Benefit from Compound Interest.
• Your money works for you best when you leave it alone.
• I am not an investment counselor. My advice comes from my personal experience.
• Never invest in unsolicited proposals.
• Find investment possibilities on the net, then contact thru snail mail. It will verify legitimacy.
• If it's too good to be true, it is.

Invest In William Blair Mutual Funds

Based in Chicago since 1935, William Blair & Company has grown to become a varied investment firm with managed assets of $12 billion in mutual funds alone. William Blair boasts fund managers with an average of 24 years' experience and a staff with part ownership, giving them even more of a stake in the company's success. For the basics on how to invest in William Blair mutual funds, read on.

How to Invest in William Blair Mutual Funds

Decide what kind of fund you need. This is based on your age, your goals, and your comfort level with risk.

Browse the various funds offered by William Blair & Company. Each offers different goals, and many have varying fees and charges.

Consult a financial advisor, either with William Blake or independently. If you make your situation and goals clear, then he or she can help you narrow down your choices.

Once you have a selection of two or three mutual funds from which to choose, order the prospectus for each.

Read each prospectus carefully.

Contact your broker to make your initial investment.

Tips & Warnings

• While the William Blair website lays out the basics of their different funds very clearly, it helps to understand all of the terms and meanings of these facts before researching specific funds.
• Invest-faq.com is a helpful objective website for learning the terminology of mutual funds.
• On the William Blair site, you can investigate the performance of each of their funds over the past 3, 5 and 10 years. This can help further your understanding of their offerings so you can make informed choices.
• This site also displays the Morningstar rating for each fund. This rating represents its overall quality. Morningstar is a company that offers unbiased recommendations about investment products.
• Like many financial institutions, William Blair & Company shows potential investors plenty of information up front, but does not invest any online space to explaining the basics.
• Be sure you have a good understanding of the basics before you start making decisions about your investment.
• If you don't yet have a financial advisor, ask those friends or family whom you trust to recommend someone competent. They need not be in your local area.

20. How to Trade the MACD Indicator Like a Pro Part 1

This is a video I found on YouTube by InformedTrades.com. Hopefully the information I provide will be useful to everyone.

A lesson on how to trade the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) in the stock, futures, and forex markets. The indicator, which was developed by Gerald A...

Invest in Westcore Mutual Funds

Investing in Westcore mutual funds is a way for you to get involved in the financial world without putting all of your eggs in one basket. The diversity offered by a mutual fund limits your risk and increases the probability of returns, making these funds a popular investment choice for beginners and experts alike.

Determine Your Financial Goals

Study all of the available options to find the mutual fund appropriate for your needs. Westcore Funds offers 12 different mutual funds that vary levels of risk and return.

Determine whether you are investing to meet short- or long-term goals. Use your financial calculator to determine how soon you need to invest in order to achieve your financial objectives.

Investigate the fees and tax implications associated with each mutual fund and consider how these extra costs will affect your rate of return. If the outcome doesn't mesh with your financial goals, consider a different fund.

Decide on the amount of money you can afford to invest. Although mutual funds are considered a low-risk investment, there is always some level of risk in investing.

Make the Investment

Visit the Westcore Funds homepage to research mutual funds and invest.

Register with the site. Signing up will make navigating easy and will be required once you are ready to invest.

Go to the "Mutual Funds" page and find the list of the different funds offered. Narrow down your choices based on your personal financial objectives.

Read the prospectus for each of your final fund choices. You should study all of the details in terms of fees and overall account information.

Pick the mutual fund that best matches up with your financial objectives.

Download and fill out the investment forms. Sign the forms and send them to Westcore to complete the transaction.

Tips & Warnings

• Stay current with the securities that make up your portfolio. If one security is under-performing, it should eventually be swapped out for a more lucrative company.
• When you investigate a fund's past performance, note its volatility. If you're trying to meet short-term goals, you may be better off with a more stable fund.
• Diversify your investments. Although mutual funds have proven to be one the safest forms of investments, nothing is ever certain. It's important that you have a balanced investment portfolio that doesn't rely exclusively on mutual funds.

Invest in Wells Fargo Mutual Funds

Wells Fargo is the oldest and largest financial institution in the West. With the highest possible credit rating (Moody's Investors Service) and the highest U.S. bank credit rating (Standard & Poor's Rating Services), Wells Fargo combines respectability with knowledgeable customer service, comprehensive portfolio management and a wide lineup of funds to help you reach your financial goals.

Research the basics. Before you invest, visit an unbiased Web site, such as The Investment FAQ, listed in Resources below, to learn the fundamental principles of investing in general and mutual funds in particular.

Calculate the amount you would like to invest. Because this is based on income, savings and many other factors, you may want to consult a financial planner. Remember, different mutual funds may require different initial investments.

Read a prospectus. A prospectus lists a fund's particulars, including the risks involved in investing in that fund. On the Wells Fargo site, prospectuses are found under Prices & Performance.

Visit the Wells Fargo Web site, listed in Resources below, and view their mutual fund opportunities. (To complete the next step, you must choose a fund.)

Request a mutual fund application from Wells Fargo's Web site. You can request either an electronic version or a hard copy, but you must choose one or more of their mutual funds at this time.

Complete the application carefully and completely. The online form takes less than 15 minutes to complete. You will need to supply online banking information if you are applying online.

Return your paper application with your investment, if you requested one.

Tips & Warnings

• The Wells Fargo Web site has many brief yet informative articles on the basic principles of investing, various types of investments and the differences between the markets.
• Polite and highly-trained customer service representatives are available 24/7.
• You can invest in Wells Fargo mutual funds directly, independently or with the assistance of an investment professional.
• Although a somewhat safe investment, mutual funds always involve risk, including the possible loss of the principal amount you've invested.
• The past performance of any mutual fund is never a guarantee of its future performance, so research your potential investments carefully.
• Wells Fargo mutual funds are not FDIC insured, do not have a bank guarantee and may lose value.

Forex Trading: Why does the Yen Strengthen on Risk Aversion

This is a video I found on YouTube by InformedTrades.com. Hopefully the information I provide will be useful to everyone.

My answer to a readers question on why the yen has strengthened as a result of the sub prime crisis. The yen has a very low interest rate so when times are good a...

Invest in Washington Mutual Funds

Washington Mutual, or WaMu, is a company that many people are familiar with through WaMu's customer-focused banking. The company created a customer-centered approach to help interested parties learn how to invest in Washington Mutual Funds. Washington Mutual offers several varied choices for mutual funds that are geared toward those just learning about mutual funds. Their educational component is well-developed and a good choice for those new to investing--particularly those new to mutual funds.

How to Invest in Washington Mutual Funds

Look over the Washington Mutual Financial Services website, taking note of the helpful links for further research on the general principles of mutual funds.

Contact a Washington Mutual representative through the site.

Talk to the Washington Mutual advisor about your investment goals.

Following this guidance, look up the mutual funds that he or she recommends.

Request the prospectus for each fund.

Read each prospectus, consulting the Washington Mutual advisor if you have any questions.

Make your investment directly with this advisor.

Tips & Warnings

• On the Washington Mutual website, visit the Mutual Funds page and click on 'Investment Strategies.' You'll learn about reducing risk, smart asset allocation, surviving a turbulent market, and making use of compounding interest.
• Washington Mutual offers free financial advice from their own consultants, so it doesn't hurt to take advantage of this service.
• The Washington Mutual Financial Services website also offers links to a Mutual Fund Expense Analyzer and a Mutual Fund Breakpoint Search page from NASD. Both can be helpful in determining your best bet for a Washington Mutual fund.
• It's important to devise specific goals before you invest. Examples of common goals include saving for a child's educational fund, purchasing a home, starting a business or achieving early retirement.
• You'll also want to determine your comfort level in terms of risk. The WaMu website provides a Risk Assessment tool. A general rule of thumb is that the younger you are, the more risk you can withstand.
• It's wise to remember that mutual funds, even when sponsored by a bank, are not insured by the FDIC or any government-related entity. They are not guaranteed by the bank and are also not considered a deposit.

Invest in Vontobel Mutual Funds

Getting involved in the investment world can seem like a difficult task if you know little or nothing about finance. Mutual funds have become one of the simplest ways to obtain a diversified portfolio that lessens your risk and offers comparatively high returns. The stability of these funds has made them a popular investment option with financial novices and veterans alike.

Determine Your Financial Goals

Decide on your personal financial goals. People invest in mutual funds for a variety of reasons. They may hope to use the gains for retirement or simply want to save for a down payment on a house.

Consider the implications of making a long-term investment. Your money will be tied-up and less accessible, so it's important for you to be certain that the financial gains are worth this loss of liquidity.

Weigh the pros and cons of a short-term investment. Mutual funds are typically a low-risk investment with a steady pay-out so if you are looking for a quick gain, mutual funds may not be your best short-term bet.

Make the Investment

Log on to a computer with Internet access and go to the Vontobel Asset Management homepage. Click on "Mutual Funds."

Follow the link to request information on the available mutual funds. The prospectus for each mutual fund will be mailed to you for your perusal.

Go over each prospectus in detail. Understand the tax and fee implications of each mutual fund, and calculate the potential rates of return.

Compare the data to determine which mutual fund is the best match for your financial objectives. Remember to take into consideration all of your initial reasons for investing.

Contact a broker to set up your deal. If you don't have a personal broker, speak with your bank or a trusted fellow investor for a recommendation.

Invest in the Vontobel mutual fund that's right for you.

Tips & Warnings

• Do your research before you invest. Getting to know the companies that make up the Vontobel mutual funds is an excellent way for you to raise your financial awareness without becoming overwhelmed by the choices available to you.
• Understand whether you are purchasing load or no-load mutual funds. A no-load fund means that you will not be charged the fees associated with a load fund.

Forex Trading: Execution Quality as Trade Size Increases

This is a video I found on YouTube by InformedTrades.com. Hopefully the information I provide will be useful to everyone.

My answer to a readers question about how fills are affected in the forex market when trade size increases specifically when trading news events. Today someone ask...

Invest In Vintage Mutual Funds

Building a financial portfolio can be a difficult task, but a lot of the work has already done for you when you invest in Vintage Mutual Funds. Financial experts have grouped together a portfolio of money-making investments that they believe will perform well, divided into several different categories to lower the risk. Your only job is to decide which mutual fund is right for you.

Get to Know Vintage Mutual Funds

Investigate the funds offered by Vintage, which include money market funds and bond funds. Each type of fund offers different rates and returns.

Use the resources provided by Victory to increase your knowledge prior to investing. The Vintage Mutual Funds Web site offers general information on investing, as well as more in-depth tutorials on topics such as load versus no-load funds.

Determine Your Financial Goals

Determine your reason for investing in Vintage Mutual Funds. Vintage provides options to help you meet both short- and long-term goals, so it's important to decide ahead of time what you hope to gain through your participation.

Know your limits. Although mutual funds are considered a low-risk investment, the economy is an ever-changing entity with no guarantees.

Make the Investment

Log on to the Vintage Funds homepage. Their Web site is an excellent resource to help you with your research and investment.

Register at the site to make it easier to navigate during your research phase and open an account.

Do your research. Narrow down your choices based on the information you've gathered on each individual mutual fund; then read the prospectus for your final choices.

Determine whether you are investing in a load or no-load fund. The associated fees will affect your rate of return.

Download the application form online. By completing this four-page document, you will provide all of the information necessary to invest in your chosen mutual fund.

Fill out the application form. Be certain to sign it before sending it in.

Tips & Warnings

• Decide what's best for you. Vintage Mutual Funds offers many different mutual funds and it's important to thoroughly research what's available to find the best match for your financial needs.
• Understand the tax implications behind your potential return. In order to get the most out of your mutual fund, you must calculate ahead of time how you will be taxed on your financial gains.

Invest in Victory Mutual Funds

Deciding how to invest your money can be a daunting task, but the recent popularity of mutual funds is not a coincidence. Portfolio diversification creates low-risk investments with returns that are frequently high, making mutual funds a wise choice for new investors.

Get to Know Victory

Know that Victory Capital Management has the experience to meet your investment needs. Victory has been in business for over 100 years.

Understand the available options. Victory offers over 20 different mutual funds that provide a variety of returns.

Determine whether or not Victory will charge you a fee to invest in a particular mutual fund. This information can be found in the prospectus or online at the company's Web site.

Determine Your Financial Goals

Decide on your personal financial objectives. A mutual fund designed for retirement savings is different than a fund that offers faster, higher returns with a greater risk.

Have realistic investment expectations. Although mutual funds are typically considered low-risk, no company can ever predict the actual return of the market.

Make the Investment

Log on to the homepage of Victory Capital Management. This site provides a wealth of information on the funds available as well as how you can invest.

Click on "Mutual Funds." This link will guide you to the page that provides information on the 20 funds offered by Victory.

Research the available funds by reading the each fund's overview. Once you have narrowed down your options, go on to read each prospectus. Compare fees and earning potential to decide which mutual fund matches with your financial objectives.

Decide which Victory Fund is right for you. Print out the necessary information and keep it for your records.

Download the available application to open a new account and fill it out. Include all of the necessary information and remember to sign it.

Tips & Warnings

• Determine whether the Victory mutual funds you are investing in are load or no-load. A no-load investment means that you will not acquire any fees that could take away from your performance potential.
• Do your research. It's easy to find information on mutual funds using the Internet. There are many available options available to help you determine which fund best matches your personal financial needs.

19. How toTrade Moving Averages Like a Pro Part 2

This is a video I found on YouTube by InformedTrades.com. Hopefully the information I provide will be useful to everyone.

In our last lesson we looked at the two main types of moving averages, the simple moving average and the exponential moving average. In this lesson we are going to...

Invest in Van Wagoner Mutual Funds

Mutual funds are traditionally seen as a low-risk investment with comparatively high returns. If you are considering investing in Van Wagoner mutual funds, you should know that the company's general philosophy is based around higher expectations for fund performance. Van Wagoner Funds are perfect for the investor willing to take risks in the hope of high returns.

Get to Know Van Wagoner

Determine if your financial goals correspond with Van Wagoner's philosophy. In business since 1995, Van Wagoner invests in companies that have the potential to emerge as industry leaders.

Read the research provided. Van Wagoner prides itself on having up-to-date information available on the companies your investment will support.

Trust that Van Wagoner is on your side. All of the company's employees invest in its product, making your success a shared goal.

Determine Your Financial Goals

Decide whether you are investing for the short term or the long term and determine the objective behind your investment.

Manage your expectations. Although this company has a high-growth objective, the outcome can ultimately go in either direction.

Invest money that you will not need to access immediately. Van Wagoner offers high returns, but clearly states that you should sometimes expect significant lows as well.

Make the Investment

Find the homepage for Van Wagoner on a computer with secure Internet access.

Click on "The Funds" link to see the breakdown of the 3 available funds.

Read and take notes on the information provided for each fund.

Decide which fund will best meet your financial objectives. Consider the rates of risk and return, the companies your investment will support and how any fees will affect your earning potential.

Click on the "Open an Account" link found at the top of the page and download an application.

Fill out the application, sign it and send it to the address provided.

Tips & Warnings

• Get to know your company. Mutual funds provide a diverse portfolio of stocks to help limit the volatility of your investment. Researching the companies included in your mutual fund is an excellent way to study individual stocks without making a high-risk commitment.
• Be certain that you have all the necessary information. Capital gains are taxable and there are typically fees associated with using a broker. Be certain that your investment expenses are balanced out with your return.

Invest in Van Kampen Mutual Funds

For more than eighty years, Van Kampen has been among the financial companies that offer a variety of investment opportunities to a wide range of investors. As a company, Van Kampen is focused on thorough research, which allows them to formulate their own conclusions without being too reliant on analyst information.

How to Invest in Van Kampen Mutual Funds

Think about your investment goals and what sort of mutual fund will help to meet that goal.

Investigate the many types of Van Kampen mutual funds in order to narrow your focus. These include growth, value, blend, tax-free, capital preservation, specialty funds, asset allocation, global, fixed income and international.

Take the time to find definitions for terms you don't understand.

Request the prospectus for each Van Kampen mutual fund within your category of interest.

Read each prospectus carefully.

Finalize your investment: either contact your broker or the Van Kamper financial team directly.

Tips & Warnings

• On the Van Kampen website, you have the opportunity to download not just the prospectus for each mutual fund, but also the most recent annual report.
• Keep an open mind as you peruse the Van Kampen mutual funds. An area that might not have been familiar to you might make more investment sense once you read about it.
• It's a good idea to fully investigate the different types of mutual funds Van Kampen offers. For example, a growth fund focuses on aggressive stocks but feature a higher level of risk. A value fund focuses on the 'underdog'--stocks that are performing above expectations. Full descriptions of each type of mutual fund is available on the Van Kampen website.
• Van Kampen's tax-free mutual funds, in particular, have many restrictions on them, particularly when it comes to the investor location. Many are state-specific.
• The Van Kampen website features the NAV and other pertinent information for each of their mutual funds. Remember not to make quick judgements based on these numbers. It's always best to talk with a financial advisor to get the proper perspective for each.
• Keep in mind that Van Kampen's mutual funds are not insured by the FDIC or any other agency.

18. How to Trade Moving Averages Like a Pro Part 1

This is a video I found on YouTube by InformedTrades.com. Hopefully the information I provide will be useful to everyone.

The basics of trading with moving averages in two lessons for active day traders and investors in the stock market, futures market, and forex markets.

Invest in Van Eck Mutual Funds

Van Eck Global features five different mutual funds from which investors may choose. How you invest in these mutual funds is based on your ultimate goal for investment. Van Eck Global offers a wide choice of investments within the five funds, from emerging markets to gold mining companies, mid-cap companies, global 'hard assets,' as well as a 'Money Fund' based on money-market instruments, which seeks current income as a priority.

How to Invest in Van Eck Mutual Funds

Decide upon the overall point of your investment. Is it for short-term income? Is it to establish growth for a long-term payoff such as retirement? Is it somewhere in between?

Explore your options. If you have decided to use Van Eck as your investment company, speak with your broker or a VanEck financial advisor to discuss your initial choices.

Get all of the necessary background information. Once you decide on a specific mutual fund, order the prospectus online from the Van Eck website.

Read the prospectus carefully.

Make your purchase. Assuming the mutual fund still appears to be a sound choice for your needs, contact your broker or Van Eck directly to make your investment.

Tips & Warnings

• The Van Eck website has a wealth of information for the investor. Use the site to order not only your prospectus for each fund, but also fact sheets, brochures, research reports and financial reports.
• Know your initial thoughts on which mutual fund you're interested in before chatting with a Van Eck representative.
• If you want to test drive some mutual funds before you buy, you may want to check out Van Eck Associates's FastTrack Momentum Model, also known as FT4Web. This downloadable program lets you choose five funds and uses a combination of the funds' histories and speculative futures to help you determine which funds are best suited to you and when you should trade them.
• Do your own homework before you put your money anywhere.
• Some Van Eck mutual funds, such as the gold mining industry-based mutual fund, are specific in their focus. It's a good idea to know about this industry before investing in its fund.
• Be prepared to then remain knowledgeable about the focus of your chosen mutual fund so that you may continue to make smart decisions with or without the help of your broker.

Invest in Value Line Mutual Funds

Whether you're investing in the market to reach short-term or long-term financial goals, mutual funds are one of the safest high-return investments. Choosing Value Line Mutual Funds will allow you to take control of your financial future without risking all of your savings.

Get to Know Your Company

Take advantage of the available information before you invest. Value Line prides itself on having up-to-the-minute financial information available, so be sure to read the prospectus carefully.

Know your options. Value Line offers 12 different mutual funds that vary from equity to fixed income to money market funds.

Determine Your Financial Goals

Decide what you hope to gain by investing in mutual funds. Some people invest to save for the short-term goals like paying for a wedding, while others invest for a long-term purpose like retirement.

Know how much you can afford to invest. Mutual funds are considered a low-risk investment, as the financial portfolio is carefully researched and maintained to ensure diversity. However, there is always some level of risk, so only invest what you can truly afford.

Enlist the advice of a trusted accountant. Although it's a good bet to invest in no-load mutual funds on your own, it's also important to understand whether the tax implications will affect your mutual fund's overall performance.

Make the Investment

Log on to a computer with Internet access and visit Value Line's mutual funds Web page.

Read the information provided. Note the companies involved in each fund and the level of risk compared with the level of return.

Narrow down the selection of funds to those that you are interested in. Remember, you are trying to find the mutual fund that best serves your personal financial objectives.

Contact Value Line and speak with a representative about opening an account.

Use your account to invest in the mutual fund that you've chosen.

Tips & Warnings

• Get to know the companies represented in your mutual fund. When investing in a fund with a diverse portfolio (the cornerstone of lowering an investment's risk), it's important for you to know which companies your mutual fund supports.
• Consider security when submitting personal information online. If the padlock icon does not appear in the lower right-hand corner of your screen, your personal information could be viewed by another party.

17. Learn to Trade with Technical Indicators

This is a video I found on YouTube by InformedTrades.com. Hopefully the information I provide will be useful to everyone.

The first lesson in a new series on technical indicators which gives an introduction to the concept so that we can move on to learning about specific indicators and...

Invest in U.S. Global Investors Mutual Funds

Mutual funds offer investors a way to pool their financial resources and lessen the risks associated with privately investing in stocks. U.S. Global Investors offers no-load mutual funds with potentially high returns.

Get to Know Your Company

Trust the security of U.S. Global Investors, as it is a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ exchange and deals with over $4.5 billion in funds.

Investigate your options. U.S. Global Investors offers 13 different no-load mutual funds.

Understand that "no-load" means you will not be charged the fees typically associated with a load fund.

Determine Your Financial Goals

Decide what you hope to gain through your investment. Saving for a down payment on a home will require a different form of commitment than planning for your retirement.

Know your financial limits. Although U.S. Global Investors mutual funds are considered a "safe" investment, the economy will always fluctuate. Only invest money you won't need to access immediately.

Make the Investment

Visit the online homepage for U.S. Global Investors.

Click on the "Forms and Prospectus" link, located at the top of the page, to research the different funds offered by U.S. Global Investors.

Scroll down to "Fund Guides" and click on the link. You will see the 13 available mutual funds.

Take notes on the funds that interest you. Remember to only choose funds that match up with your short- or long-term goals.

Decide which fund best suits your financial goals.

Download the application and complete the paperwork. Remember to sign the form and send it in.

Tips & Warnings

• Learn about the tax implications of short-term and long-term mutual fund investments. Capital gains are fair game for Uncle Sam and it's important to determine how much of your gain will be offset by taxes.
• When conducting transactions online, be certain that your computer is secure by checking for the padlock symbol in the lower right-hand corner of your computer screen. If you have any doubt, seek out a computer expert before entering your personal information.

Invest In TIAA-CREF Mutual Funds

Making an investment commitment with TIAA-CREF Mutual Funds is a breeze. A safe alternative to individual stocks, mutual funds typically provide more stability and diversity.

Get to Know Your Company

Do your research. TIAA-CREF offers 18 different types of mutual funds that are classified as "no-load," meaning that you will not be charged a fee unless you enlist the assistance of a broker.

Expect quality service. Whether or not you choose to invest with the help of a broker, you can have faith that TIAA-CREF will be there if you need help. TIAA-CREF has prided itself on quality service for over 85 years.

Know that your money is safe. Although mutual funds still carry a slight risk, TIAA-CREF handles over $380 billion dollars.

Determine Your Financial Goals

Examine your intentions before you invest. TIAA-CREF offers several mutual funds that are designed for both short-term and long-term goals, so it's important to understand what you're aiming for in order to find the right fund for you.

Understand the level of risk that you can afford to take in order to meet your goals. TIAA-CREF offers mutual funds in the more uncertain areas of international equity and real estate as well as traditional offerings, such as the stock market or fixed income.

Make the Investment

Log on to your computer and go TIAA-CREF's homepage.

Click on the "Products" bar, which will lead you the "Mutual Funds" option. On the right-hand side of the screen, click on "Get Started" under "Open an Account."

Read the prospectus offered for each mutual fund. The prospectus will give you all the information you need to determine which mutual fund will match with your financial goals.

Choose how you would like to apply: by mail or online. If by mail, print out the paper application, fill it out and send it in. To apply electronically, complete the forms provided online and hit "Submit."

Tips & Warnings

• Determine whether TIAA-CREF is taking on new clients. When their mutual funds go through changes, they sometimes limit participation to current investors. If this seems to be the case, contact them to resolve the issue.
• Use caution when entering personal information online. Be certain that your computer is secure before conducting such a transaction.

16. How to Trade Triangle Chart Patterns Like a Pro Part 2

This is a video I found on YouTube by InformedTrades.com. Hopefully the information I provide will be useful to everyone.

The second lesson on how to identify and trade triangle chart patterns in the stock market, forex market, and futures market using technical analysis.

Invest in Third Avenue Mutual Funds

Investing in Third Avenue Funds can seem like a difficult task if you've never done it before, but it's really quite easy. Third Avenue Management, which serves as the investment adviser to the funds, has been in operation for over 20 years and prides itself on a high rate of return over the long term.

Know Your Company

Get to know the company you have chosen to handle your investment. Third Avenue has been in business since 1986 and offers high-performing funds with relatively low risk.

Avoid paying broker fees when you invest. Third Avenue offers four main categories of no-load mutual funds. "No-load" basically means "no fee" if you make the investment on your own.

Define Personal Goals

Decide why you have chosen to invest. Are you saving for retirement, a house or simply putting your excess funds away until you decide what you really want to do with your money? Third Avenue mutual funds offer several different options depending on your investment needs.

Determine how much you can afford to invest. Now that you've outlined your financial goals, be certain that you're only investing an amount you can handle. Mutual funds are relatively low risk, but no financial strategy is 100% fool-proof.

Make the Investment

Visit the online homepage for Third Avenue Funds. Click on the "Mutual Funds" option.

Compare the different mutual funds available and note how they correspond with your financial goals. Look at the charts, percentages and risk factors.

Choose the fund that best fits with your financial timeline. Remember, you are also looking for a Third Avenue mutual fund with an affordable minimum investment and comfortable level of risk and rate of return.

Go to the "Invest" section on the upper right-hand corner of the homepage and click on it.

Download the new account application. This paperwork will have everything you need to request the Third Avenue Fund you've decided on.

Fill out the forms and send them to the listed address.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask for help. If the information offered by Third Avenue is too complicated for you to decipher, consult a financial adviser.
• Check on your funds every month to measure their performance.
• When submitting secure information online, double-check the lower right hand corner of your computer for the lock security symbol. Do not send your private data unless your computer is secure.

Invest in the Guardian Group of Funds

The Guardian Group of Funds (GGOF) is a collection of Canadian mutual funds. GGOF was established in 1962 and is a subsidiary of the Bank of Montreal. Currently, this mutual fund group has 33 different mutual funds. Follow these steps to invest in GGOF.

Learn About the Different Types of Mutual Funds

Uncover information about the income group of mutual funds in the Guardian Group of Funds on the company's Web site (see the Resources section below). You can choose investments from 10 mutual fund units and six classic units.

Look into the equity group of mutual funds in the Guardian Group of Funds. You'll find 26 different mutual funds in this category. Most of these mutual funds are world funds.

Discover the many diversified mutual funds are available in this family. This category includes mutual fund units, classic units, mutual fund units solutions and T-Class units solutions.

Investigate the Fees on Your Investment

Be aware that funds in the GGOF family are subject to sales charges. In addition to the commission you pay to a dealer's representative each time you purchase shares, you may also incur back-end sales charges (fees charged when you sell shares).

Learn about MER, which stands for management expense ratio. MER represents the portion of the fund's total net assets the company allocates to expenses, including management fees. Management fees for GGOF funds are typically near the industry average of 1.5 percent.

Calculate the effects of fees on your investment. GGOF deducts management fees from net asset value (NAV) or the listed price per share. They do not deduct sales charges from NAV, so calculate how much of the money you invest will actually be applied toward your account.

Invest in GGOF funds by contacting your financial adviser after you have done enough initial investigation to feel comfortable with this funds family. Your financial adviser can usually provide you with more information.

Tips & Warnings

• You must use a financial adviser to invest in GGOF mutual funds. This means you will likely pay a commission on your purchase.
• GGOF mutual funds are not insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, nor are they insured by any other governmental agency.