Invest in Founders Mutual Funds

Founders is a financial company that manages eight Dreyfus Founders Funds. The company specializes in growth-oriented mutual funds. Follow these steps to invest in mutual funds at Founders.

Invest in Founders Mutual Funds

Download a prospectus from the Founders Web site (see the Resources section below). You can also call (800) 525-2440 to request a prospectus.

Call (800) 896-8283 to reach a financial professional who can help you invest in Founders mutual funds. Only grandfathered shareholders (including institutional shareholders) can purchase shares. Find out more about eligibility requirements by calling this number.

Understand the Investment Policies of Founders

Read the prospectus, which reveals the investment objectives and strategies of the funds. Study the "Fund Summaries" section of the prospectus for information on specific funds.

Assess the potential risks of investing in Founders mutual funds. Read the prospectus to find information on the potential risks of the investment strategies pursued by a fund.

Remember to study the charges and fees associated with Founders funds. The prospectus lists the fees associated with each fund. Grandfathered shareholders do not pay transaction fees (on buying, selling or exchanging shares), but they may pay wire-transfer fees.

Manage Your Account

Use the "Shareholders" section of the Founders Web site to manage your account online.

Check the current prices of your shares online. Visit the Founders Web site, or look up the ticker symbols associated with the funds on various financial Web sites.

Tips & Warnings

• Sign up on the Founders Web site for a daily e-mail service that sends you the current net asset value (NAV) of Founders funds.
• The company's one prospectus provides information on all of the firm's mutual funds.
• Class F shares of Dreyfus Founders Funds are available only on a "grandfathered" basis. That is, only individuals and institutions that have had fund accounts continuously since December 30, 1999, may purchase shares. The exception is that individuals can receive shares as gifts from grandfathered shareholders.
• Dreyfus Founders Funds are not available to investors outside the United States.

Invest in Forester Mutual Funds

The Forester Value Fund is a large value fund managed by Thomas H. Forester. Twice during the years from 2000 to 2005, Morningstar has ranked it as the top-performing large-cap value fund. The fund looks for undervalued stocks with significant appreciation potential.

Invest in Forester Mutual Funds

Download a prospectus and application from the Forester Funds Web site (see Resources below). You can also call the company's toll-free number--(800) 388-0365--to request an application and prospectus.

Download forms from the Forester Funds Web site to open an IRA account. You can open a traditional IRA, a Roth IRA or a Coverdell IRA, which lets you save money to cover educational expenses.

Transfer funds from an existing IRA into the Forester mutual fund. The company offers a downloadable form on its Web site for this purpose.

Purchase shares in the Forester Fund through a brokerage firm, such as Charles Schwab, Ameritrade or Fidelity. You can also buy into the fund through your current brokerage firm.

Use the forms you download or receive in the mail to purchase shares of the fund directly from the company.

Understand the Investment Strategy of Forester Mutual Funds

Understand that the Forester Value Fund purchases a selection of bargain stocks. The fund invests in a variety of sectors and looks for bargains across the market in the stocks of large-cap companies.

The Forester Value Fund uses hedging and diversification to reduce risk and maximize performance relative to the S&P 500.

The fund's managers choose stocks by concentrating on underlying stock fundamentals (for example, earnings, assets or dividends) rather than the market's assessment of whether a stock is poised for rapid future growth.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have questions about Forester mutual funds, e-mail the company at invest@forestervalue.com.
• Most brokerage firms allow you to invest online. You can also invest via postal mail.
• Investment experts advise new investors to carefully read the prospectus of a mutual fund before investing in it.
• Forester mutual funds are not insured by the FDIC, nor are they guaranteed to perform as they have in the past.

3.Technical Analysis Lesson 3: Second 3 Tenets of Dow Theory

This is another video i found on youtube by InformedTrades.com. Hopefully the information i provide will be useful to everyone.

The third lesson in a series on technical analysis for forex, futures, and stock traders which introduces the last 3 tenets of down theory.

Invest in Fixed Income Mutual Funds

For regular income, diversification and liquidity, fixed-income funds fit the bill. These mutual funds typically invest in mortgages, bonds or both. Primary investment targets for funds in this category include companies of various sizes, government entities and municipalities. Fixed income mutual funds are available through a number of investment firms and offer a way to earn current income while simultaneously managing investment risks.

Understand Fixed Income Fund Categories

Think of fixed income mutual funds as falling into three different categories. With your investment objectives in mind, determine the categories that are best suited to your investment needs.

Know that the first category consists of investments that are considered liquid. Such investments may include, but are not limited to, municipal and taxable money-market funds.

Realize that the second category includes investments that are fairly stable and capable of offering moderate income and some capital preservation. These investments may include higher-quality municipal or corporate bonds and long-term Treasury securities.

Understand that the last category consists of higher-yield investments. These funds have a higher level of volatility, as well as the potential for higher returns. Assets are invested for two or more years.

Determine the amount you want to invest. With some funds, you must make a sizeable lump-sum investment; others will allow you to invest smaller amounts on a monthly basis.

Choosing a Fund

Understand how fixed income funds work. Essentially, the bond or debt instrument issuer agrees to repay the principal on a particular date. The issuer then goes on to make interest payments over the life of the security.

Understand that bonds are generally less risky and volatile, over the short term, than stocks. However, by choosing to invest in bond funds, you do incur interest rate and default risks.

Research and compare fixed income mutual funds using online investment research sites, like MorningStar.com and LipperWeb.com. Pay attention to fund ratings and rankings.

Request prospectuses for the fixed income funds that fit well with your objectives. Review them, paying special attention to objectives, investment strategies and fees.

Contact your broker or financial adviser and review the fixed income funds you are considering. Purchase shares of the income funds of your choice.

Tips & Warnings

• As you begin to invest in fixed income mutual funds, keep in mind that diversification doesn't guarantee profit or provide ironclad protection from loss. However, less diversified funds are typically more volatile than others.

Invest in Dynamic Mutual Funds

A leading Canadian investment company, Dynamic offers a range of investments products, including mutual funds. Dynamic traces its financial endeavors back to 1957, when it began as a 50-member investment club. Today, the company offers mutual funds managed with commitment to innovation, discipline, talent and teamwork. Goodman & Company manages the majority of Dynamic mutual funds, embracing a worldwide philosophy.

Understand Dynamic's investment disciplines. They fall primarily under the categories of value, power and focus.

Recognize that Dynamic Value Funds are invested in companies that are basically solid, but are currently undervalued. These funds seek to realize long-term potential.

Know that Dynamic Power Funds use corporate profitability trends as markers for investment potential. These funds invest for maximum gains while keeping risk to a minimum.

Realize that Dynamic Focus Funds utilize a long-term investment approach, concentrating on exceptional businesses in industries with a great deal of longevity. These funds seek outstanding returns, the minimization of capital risk, and the reduction of tax impact.

Review and compare mutual funds available at the company's Web site (link can be found in the Resources section below). Request prospectuses of the funds that interest you and review them.

Visit the Morningstar Research Inc. Web site (link can be found in the Resources section below) and research similar mutual funds. Compare Dynamic mutual funds to other funds in the same classes.

Speak with a financial professional to solidify your investment strategy and outline the steps necessary to meet your goals. Determine the funds that will allow you to move forward in accomplishing your goals.

Contact a registered securities dealer, financial advisor or broker to make your Dynamic funds purchase.

Tips & Warnings

• A financial advisor can be helpful in establishing investment objectives and strategizing ways to reach your goals. If you do not have a financial advisor, you may request a referral from Dynamic.
• Dynamic provides a wide range of mutual fund information on its website, including annual reports and prospectuses.
• It is wise to establish timeframes for your investment goals. By doing so, you make it easy to invest in the funds that are best suited to your needs.
• Remember that all investments carry some level of risk. With mutual funds, you could lose money or purchasing power. You could also fail to reach your goal. By making careful mutual fund selections and diversifying your investments, you may be able to reduce these risks and increase your chances of obtaining satisfactory results.

Forex, Futures, and Stock Market Daily Report

This is another video i found on youtube by InformedTrades.com. Hopefully the information i provide will be useful to everyone.

A daily report entitled all the data that matters for the stock market, futures market, and forex market. Lots of information for active traders of all kinds.

Invest in Dreyfus Mutual Funds

Headquartered in New York City, the Dreyfus Corporation was established in 1951. Dreyfus, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mellon Financial Corporation, is a leading mutual fund company, managing nationwide assets in excess of $190 billion. Dreyfus offers a number of mutual funds, making diversification simple.

Dreyfus Bond Funds

Know that Dreyfus bond funds include index, short-term, intermediate and long-term bond funds.

Understand that index bond funds emulate a bond market index.

Recognize that short-term funds invest in bonds with average maturities of three years or less; intermediate funds focus on bonds with average maturities of 10 years or less.

Realize that long-term bond funds are not limited to bonds of certain maturities, but typically include those with maturities of more than 10 years.

Dreyfus Equity Funds

Know that the primary investment of Dreyfus premier equity funds is common stocks. Depending on the fund in question, a growth, value or blend investment style may be employed and small, mid-cap or large-cap companies may be targeted for investment.

Realize that small-cap equity funds invest in securities issued by smaller companies. These companies may have high potential for growth, but are generally more of a risk than companies that are larger with longer track records.

Understand that mid-cap equity funds focus on medium-sized companies. Securities from such companies may offer more balanced risks versus rewards.

Recognize that large-cap mutual funds focus on investing in the largest, most stable companies. Often, these business are referred to as blue-chip companies.

Understand that growth equity funds typically invest in companies with proven profitability and established finances. These companies have great potential for earnings.

Know that value equity funds focus on stocks that are undervalued, often due to developments that are expected to be short-term in nature.

Realize that blend equity funds include both value and growth stocks, allowing a wide range of investment options.

Understand that Dreyfus index equity funds focus on matching returns from particular market indexes. Changes are made in an index fund in accordance with changes in the specific index. This method is aimed at taking advantage of the stock market's potential.

International equity funds invest in securities issued by companies in foreign markets. A fund may focus on a particular region, a specific market or several markets.

Tips & Warnings

• Dreyfus Premier Funds are sold through investment professionals while the Dreyfus Funds are not. Both Dreyfus fund families include equity and bond funds.

Invest in Dodge Cox Mutual Funds

Dodge & Cox has been providing investment management services since 1930. Based in San Francisco, Dodge & Cox serves individuals and tax-exempt institutional clients, offering mutual funds and other investment accounts. Dodge & Cox offers a selection of equity, balanced and fixed income portfolios, managed with a concentration on longevity, discipline and an independent philosophy.

Visit the Dodge & Cox official Web site (a link to which can be found in the Resources section below) and review the available mutual funds.

Know that Dodge & Cox offers four different mutual funds, each with no load. This means you can invest in these funds without incurring sales charges.

Read about the Dodge & Cox International Stock Fund, stock symbol DODFX, online. This fund focuses on long-term capital appreciation and the growth of income. Its primary investments are diversified equity securities from foreign companies.

Note that both the Dodge & Cox Stock Fund and the Balanced Fund are closed to new investors.

Learn about the Dodge & Cox Income Fund, symbol DODIX, on the Dodge & Cox Web site. This fund targets high income while maintaining stability, as well as capital preservation, over time. Primary investments include quality bonds and fixed-income securities.

Compare Dodge & Cox with other funds in the same class at the Morningstar or Lipper Web sites (both sites can be found in the Resources section below). Read reports or articles concerning these funds online.

Download prospectuses from the Dodge & Cox Web site. Review each prospectus carefully.

Choose a fund or funds in which to invest and determine the amount of your initial investment.

Print, complete, and mail an account application, as well as your initial investment. You'll find an application at the end of the fund's prospectus.

Tips & Warnings

• Be aware that no-load funds are not completely cost-free. Carefully review the prospectuses of any no-load funds you are considering to determine the actual costs of investing.
• Some funds allow you to reinvest distributions, redeem shares and shift money to another fund in the same family, after a time, without incurring costs. This can help keep your investment costs to a minimum.
• Independent investment Web sites can help you to learn about particular mutual funds at a glance. These sites often provide rating information, giving funds rankings in comparison to simlar funds. Such sites typically provide performance, management and purchasing information for the funds they list. Some also provide daily net asset values (NAVs).

2.Technical Analysis Lesson 2: An Introduction to Dow Theory

This is another video i found on youtube by InformedTrades.com. Hopefully the information i provide will be useful to everyone.

An overview of the first three tenets of Dow Theory. The second in a series on technical analysis for active traders of the stock, futures and forex

Invest in Brazil's Stock Market

With US stock market underperforming the global markets over the last few years, it is a good idea to diversify your investment internationally. Emerging markets have been turning in impressive returns over the recent past, especially the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, Indian and China). While they are not immune to US economic woes, their fundamentals remain strong into the foreseeable future. Brazil’s economy is booming and here is how you can easily take advantage.

Buy Brazil stock market tracking ETFs.
For instance, iShares MSCI Brazil (EWZ) offers an easy way to participate. You can buy and sell them just like you would any other stock.

Buy mutual funds focused on Brazil companies.
For instance Fidelity’s Latin American Fund (FLATX).

Buy Brazil stocks.
If you are able to research companies listed in other markets, you have couple of ways to buy their stocks. You can either open trading account in the market of your choice (your broker might support this already (Tip: pay attention to transaction fees) or you can look for ADRs of foreign companies which are listed in NYSE (such as PBR, BTM).

Buy US stocks that are diversified internationally.
There is nothing wrong with sticking with the US companies that you know and trust but keep in mind that companies that have business abroad would likely give you better return on investment due to better growth prospects and favorable currency exchange rates. Think of Coke, Pepsi, Procter & Gamble, Phillip Morris etc.

Tips & Warnings

• Evaluate risks vs. rewards. Any investment has an element of risk. Emerging markets have greater returns and hence greater risks but the fundamentals continue to be in their favor.

Invest in AIM (Formerly INVESCO) Mutual Funds

INVESCO is a brand name for a larger company known as AMVESCAP PLC. Mutual funds previously identified under the name INVESCO now sell under the AIM brand. Follow these steps to investigate the AIM family of mutual funds.

Invest in AIM Mutual Funds (Formerly INVESCO)

Contact a financial adviser or investment professional to purchase AIM/INVESCO mutual funds.

Be aware that an investment adviser may charge you additional fees to purchase mutual funds on top of those charged by the mutual fund itself.

Choose a Financial Adviser

Visit the AIM Web site (see the Resources section below) to request the name of a financial adviser by email.

Evaluate the investment adviser by gauging how well he or she understands your particular investment goals and needs. Tell the adviser exactly what your financial goals are (for example, to save for retirement, a down payment on a home or a child's college expenses) and estimate when you plan to meet those goals.

Ask for complete information on the adviser's compensation. If the adviser receives commissions or fees from AIM, make sure you understand whether this will have any effect on the adviser's recommendations.

Research on Your Own

Go to the AIM Web site and download a prospectus for a fund.

Investigate the relative performance of the fund you are considering. Visit a financial Web site to learn about the fund's performance or visit the AIM Web site.

Study the effect of fees on your investment. Read the prospectus to understand the fees you will pay for a particular fund.

Tips & Warnings

• Assess your risk tolerance before you invest in any mutual fund. There is always the possibility of losing your principal (the money you originally invested) when you invest in a mutual fund.
• Be aware that INVESCO and AIM settled a market-timing lawsuit in the mid-2000s. The suit alleged that the companies allowed certain privileged investors to engage in market timing that enriched these investors at the expense of other legitimate shareholders in the fund. The companies agreed to certain policy reforms as a result.

1. Technical Analysis Lesson 1: Intro to Technical Analysis

This is another video i found on youtube by InformedTrades.com. Hopefully the information i provide will be useful to everyone.

Lesson 1 of a series introducing technical analysis for traders of the stock futures and forex markets.

Invest in a West End Theatre Production

Investing in theatre is a lot like putting your money on a horse. It's a high risk venture that will not (or should not!) appeal to most sensible investors. Investors are usually fairly rich with strong ties to the theatre or a passion for a certain playwright or performing group. In most cases, investors will not see a return on their initial capital. If they do, returns are likely to be small and probably non-existent for the first year! There is however the small element of chance that you may pick a winner but to do this, you will need an awful lot of luck!

The best way to begin investing in theatre is to write to the producers of a play you admire and ask about their forthcoming projects.

You could also try contacting the Society of London Producers who circulate a list that matches investors with producers.

A minimum investment is typically £2,500 in a play or £10,000-£20,000 in a West End musical. Plays cost between £200,000 and £500,000 to get off the ground, a big musical anything up to £5m.

Picking your investment is key. A 12-week West End smash hit with stars could double your money in a very short period, for example Equus, with Daniel Radcliffe.

Most producers give their investor 60% of the profit of the production. Make sure you work this out before investing, to avoid problems later.

If a production is a great success it might tour, even head to the States, perhaps get made into a movie. Then the big money will start to roll. Check the rights before you sign up, otherwise you might find you're only entitled to profits made in the UK as your new play heads off to money-spinning Broadway and then Hollywood.

Out of 10 productions four will make some profit, three will see the investor get some but not all of their money back, and three will probably lose everything.

Big shows by big name producers won't be looking for small investors because they don't need to. Approach small up coming producers who you think are about to strike it lucky!

Tips & Warnings

• If you are serious about investing in the theatre, make sure you are fully aware of the industry and are able to keep abreast of new developments.
• Further information on theatrical investment may be obtained from the Society of London Theatre (The Society of London Theatre, 32 Rose Street, London WC2E 9ET)telephone: 020 7557 6700.
• Although there are tales of investors putting all their money into shows like Cats and doing very well out of it, the likelihood of success for this kind of investment is small. Never invest more than you are prepared to lose.

Invest in a Triple Tax-Exempt Fund

Investing is a tricky business. You never know whether your investment is going to go up or down. Even with a triple tax-exempt fund, you're still going to be taking some kind of risk, so it's better to be informed.

How to Invest in a Triple Tax-Exempt Fund

Know what a triple tax-exempt fund is. A triple tax-exempt fund is an investment that is exempt from taxes on all three levels. Those levels are federal, state and city taxes.

Know what kinds of investments are triple tax-exempt. Usually, these are municipal bonds, which the government issues to raise money for improvements.

Understand municipal bonds. Sometimes called munis, these bonds promise to pay interest for a fixed amount of time. When that time is up, the principal gets repaid to you.

Learn that people like munis because they aren't taxed on the interest they earn. The interest is lower than you could get on other securities, though, because of the tax break.

Determine whether munis are a good choice for you. Do you want to reduce your taxes? Figure out whether the tax break is big enough to offset the low interest rate.

Buy municipal bonds through a broker or as a money market account from your local bank.

Tips & Warnings

• The interest rate stays the same through the life of the bond, so if interest rates rise, you're stuck with it.

Introducing InformedTrades.com for Stock, Futures, and Forex

This is another video i found on youtube by InformedTrades.com. Hopefully the information i provide will be useful to public.

How to get a HIGH INTEREST 4 year C/D (Certificate of Deposit)

If savings accounts interest rates are not high enough for you, you may be interested in another safe investment option insured by the FDIC (FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORP.) Read on to find out how to get high interest C/D's.

Read the this article for a list of the 5 banks with the highest interest yields in the Nation for a 4 year C/D accounts.

Starting from the Bank with the Highest yield:

M&T Bank - Oakfield, NY with an Annual Percentage Yield of 4.91%

2nd Place:

Discover Bank - New Castle, DE with an Annual Percentage Yield of 4.81%

3rd Place:

E-Loan - Pleasanton, CA with an Annual Percentage Yield of 4.80%

4th Place (TIED):

Transportation Alliance Bank - Ogden, UT with an Annual Percentage Yield of 4.75%

4th Place (TIED):

Security Savings Bank - Henderson, NV with an Annual Percentage Yield of 4.75%

Tips & Warnings

• Ask the bank regarding the terms and conditions of the C/D.
• Note that there are sometimes minimum deposits that are required to get the interest rates, which can be anywhere from $1 to $10,000.
• Only invest in a C/D with a term you are comfortable with as you will have to keep your money in the C/D for the period that you and the bank agree to. Ask the bank about penalties for early withdrawal.

Find the Best Biotech Mutual Funds

Biotechnology is any technological application that uses living organisms and/or biological processes. Biotech companies handle recombinant DNA, tissue culture, stem cell research or genetic manipulation. Here are some guidelines for finding the best biotech mutual funds.

Consider the Advantages of Biotech Investments

Recognize that biotech industries have been performing well for several years. Both public (NIH) and private (venture capital) biotech investments are increasing. The number of biotech drugs in development increased from 81 in 1988 to 369 in 2000, and will likely increase as aging baby boomers create more demand.

Understand the profit margin on biotech drugs--it's huge once it is complete. Companies have a virtual monopoly until their patent expires. Drugs are cheap to produce, require repeated use, and are recession-proof. The profit margin generally ranges from 20 to 30 percent for a successful drug.

Familiarize Yourself with the Risks

Note that the biggest risk for biotech companies is the question of FDA approval. Testing can take ten to fifteen years and cost approximately $500M. Most drugs are not approved, and of those that are, only three out of ten drugs prove profitable.

Be aware that once a patent expires, the drug will lose most of its market to generics. Drug patents last for 20 years, mostly taken up with R&D and FDA testing.

Learn How to Choose Companies with the Best Chance for High Performance

Consider that a drug must earn about $150M per year for a reasonable return on investment. Ask yourself the following questions:
-Does it treat a disease in a new way or treat a disease that previously had no treatment?
-How much time remains on the patent?
-How large is the market? Look for a huge market (weight loss), a major disease (diabetes), or a smaller noncompetitive market. Search online for the number of patients and the yearly amount spent on the drug. The greater the amount, the less market share needed to meet the $150M return.
-Are there possibilities for label expansion (i.e., does the drug have other uses)? This is very profitable, since the safety testing is already complete.
-How many drugs does the company have in the development pipeline? Since only three out of ten approved drugs are considered successful, you'll want a company with diversity.

How to Become an Investor

Learn which mutual funds comprise those companies you want to invest in. Request prospectuses from several mutual funds and compare them.

Purchase your mutual funds from a financial advisor or online.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to investigate any broker fees and take them into consideration when buying your mutual funds.

Find Mutual Fund Quotes

Mutual fund quotes are an indispensable part of the investment process. No matter which stage you're at, there's no doubt mutual fund quotes are a consistent part of your life. Investors turn to quotes to establish essential information about a fund prior to purchase. Once an investment has been made, quotes can be used to stay up-to-date with current market value and performance. When you're ready to sell your shares, you'll turn once again to mutual fund quotes to find out the net asset value (NAV) of your fund.

Visit a financial Web site you feel comfortable using (see resources). You can forgo using the Internet by checking for funds in the finance section of your local newspaper.

Find the mutual fund you're interested in by using its ticker symbol. Alternatively, you can type in the fund name.

Examine the opening price, closing price, day ratio and 52-week range for your mutual fund. This will help you get a better idea of how a given fund has performed over a range of dates.

Compare several different mutual funds to determine which would best satisfy your investment goals. For comparisons on the Internet, some Web sites will allow you to select several mutual funds for a side-by-side comparison.

Determine the process for buying shares in the mutual fund. Information is usually provided about the minimum capital needed, as well as which brokers manage the fund.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're having difficulty locating a specific fund, try searching for a fund family. This way, you'll be presented with a list of all the funds available within that family.
• When you're not searching for a specific fund, try using an advanced search feature to narrow down the list of mutual funds based on your investment criteria.
• If you already own shares in a mutual fund, getting a quote won't tell you the value of your shares. Due to options like reinvestment privileges, you may own more shares than you are aware of. The best way to determine the value of your shares is by examining your most current statement. Alternatively, if you know the amount of shares you have, you can multiply this number by the net asset value (NAV) found on the quote page.

Stock Market Tutorial No.5

This is a video I found at YouTube from "Featureman" about stock market tutorial for beginner.

Find Mutual Fund News

Whether you're new to investing or consider yourself a seasoned pro, there's no doubt you'll want to stay up-to-date with all of the news in the world of mutual funds. With the speed and convenience of the Internet, it's now easier than ever to get the latest reports on your mutual funds. And, if you're looking for up-to-the-minute coverage, you'll be glad to know there are several ways of keeping in touch with your funds throughout the day.

Finding Mutual Fund News

Check the finance section of your local newspaper for information about mutual funds.

Subscribe to a newspaper or magazine known for emphasis on finance, such as The Wall Street Journal or Forbes. These financial publications usually have an entire section devoted to mutual fund news and tips.

Visit well-known financial Web sites (see resources). Some of these Web sites provide extensive commentaries in addition to mutual fund news.

Search for mutual fund news on the Internet by using a search engine.

Use your search results to find interesting, informative financial news Web sites that are up-to-date with stock market performances. Many financial Web sites will even have live feeds while the market is open.

Sign up for e-mail alerts about important mutual funds. This will allow you to access pertinent information about your shares quickly and easily.

Tips & Warnings

• Most major newspapers have a dedicated financial section every day. Some, however, only run this feature once a week. If you're unsure what day the financial section appears in your newspaper, contact a newspaper customer service representative to find out.
• If you're searching the Internet for a specific mutual fund, consider using its ticker symbol or fund name as part of your search. You'll receive more pertinent results, which will save you time.
• If you have a mobile phone, you may be interested in signing up for text message alerts about your mutual funds. Several sites, such as Google, Merrill Lynch and Yahoo!, offer this service.
• Keep in mind that some news sources will not make the distinction between opinions and objective reporting. Try not to base your investment decisions solely on a single news account. If you're in doubt about the performance of your mutual funds, it may be wise to consult with your financial adviser before making any decisions about buying or selling shares.

Find Mutual Fund Analyst Reports

In an ever-changing financial world, the analyst is often the voice of reason. We live in a competitive era of hyperbole, so to have a neutral voice standing out from the noise is imperative for the investor, whether investing with an advisor or on one's own. If you're looking at investing in mutual funds, in particular, reading analyst reports can be extremely helpful.

Understand fully what the role of an analyst is. In theory, an analyst takes information from records that are fully public and asks pointed questions of a mutual fund manager in a public conference call. The mutual fund analyst then uses his or her financial and statistical background to rate the performance and to make predictions or forecasts about a particular fund.

Get online and head to Morningstar (a link to which can be found in the Resources section below) for some of the best mutual fund analyst reports in the business.

Search the Internet for mutual fund analyst reports. You will find more opportunities for analyst reports.

Head to your local library if you prefer searching through printed copies of analyst reports. Most larger libraries carry these in the public interest.

Tips & Warnings

• Some Web sites offer a premium service when you pay an annual fee. Morningstar is a highly respected barometer of the financial world with just such an offer. You may consider making this small investment upfront to have quality information at your fingertips.
• Morningstar and other services often offer a free trial period, so look out for these offers.
• If you've signed up for a free trial with one of the analyst Web sites but don't intend to continue the service after the trial period, be very aware of the steps to cancel it. If you don't act, you will be billed for the annual fee.
• Remember that an analyst is not a fortune-teller or your own personal advisor. Bring your own best judgment to the table, as well.
• A big controversy within the analyst world is the potential conflict of interest that some analysts have when their company also provides brokerage services. For this reason, it helps to compare and contrast the thoughts of several analyst reports before deciding on one mutual fund.

Stock Market Tutorial No.4

This is a video I found at YouTube from "Featureman" about stock market tutorial for beginner.

Find High Paying Dividend Stocks

There are many ways to profit from stocks if you pick or get hints on which stocks will bring more profits for you and when to buy them.

Look for consistent dividend paying stocks because The higher the dividend yield, the better for you.

Try to know the valuations this will help you determine the value of the company's stock.Also try to check the previous monthly and yearly prices of the stocks before considering if you should pick that stock.

If you think that you cannot predict well which stocks to pick that will give you good profits then you can follow the link in my resource area,the guys behind it are the best stock experts i have come across and they allow you to join their newsletter and you will be receiving stock picks,This newsletter is sent out weekly via email (usually on a Sunday evening)and it includes a stock the robot has picked for the week.Now These stocks often rise over 100% within a matter of days making you more money.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't rush into picking any stocks without good clarification on the stock and knowing what will happen to it.

How to Find Free Mutual Funds Advice

You hear it constantly: one must start investing in mutual funds to have money to send the kids to college, retire at a reasonable age and achieve other financial goals. But what if you have no idea how to even begin? Getting good advice is the key, and getting it free is even better.

Define your financial goals first. Before you even seek advice, it's a good thing to know what your major objectives are. Saving for retirement and amassing capital for a business require different strategies—and probably different mutual funds.

Take a trip to the library. Once you've found out wy you want to invest, it's time to head to your local branch for books that will show you exactly how to invest in mutual funds.

Read and understand as much of these books as you can. They are terrific step-by-step sources that were designed with people like you as their target audience. Don't just rush through to finish them; you'll need to understand the concepts or the process can become frustrating.

Surf the Web for more detailed information. Once you know the basics, try the Motley Fool Web site, The Investment FAQ and the Web sites for industry magazines and newspapers for more particular information. Some of these Web sites are listed in Resources below. Don't forget to take notes or bookmark the sites.

Query your social circle. Chances are there are others who have recently researched or invested in mutual funds. By comparing and contrasting their views, you'll get a better idea of what direction makes sense for you.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep an eye on your local paper for investment seminars held at your local library, for instance.
• You may also find mutual fund advice from your workplace. Some businesses ask their fund managers to speak to employees to better inform them of the funds they offer.
• Be aware of Web sites that may appear objective, but are actually backed by a certain financial institution. They will always have their best interests at heart.
• In a similar vein, be aware of public seminars held by specific mutual fund companies. If you go, just know that you will be steered toward whatever funds they themselves offer.

Stock Market Tutorial No.3

This is a video I found at YouTube from "Featureman" about stock market tutorial for beginner.

Find a List of Growth Index Funds

Index funds were first conceived of, at least theoretically, back in the 1600s. This was when early movers and shakers tried to figure out how to predict the future while gambling. This early work on the strategy of risk and risk management later came to fruition in index funds. Index funds are investment tools that seek to follow the market—not to beat it and not to perform under it.

Make sure you know the meaning of the term growth index fund before you look for a list of them. Index funds are what you'll find listed primarily, while you'll see the term growth index fund less often. In general, a growth index fund is an index fund that tries to follow the movement of a specific index or indices, such as large-cap stocks that are growth oriented.

Head to the library or a good bookstore once you're sure that index funds are right for you. One book, in particular, in the All About series, can be helpful for finding background as well as a list of growth index funds: "All About Index Funds: The Easy Way to Get Started" by Richard A. Ferri.

Search for growth index funds on the Internet (a few helpful links are provided in the Resources section below) if you still seek more information on a list of these funds. Again, you're more likely to find information and lists simply searching under index funds. Among these, you can then pinpoint which funds are focused on indices that track growth-oriented companies.

Consult a good investment advisor if you think you still may not be seeing the whole picture. It's helpful to ask trusted associates and friends for recommendations. It can also be helpful to let this group know you're looking specifically for index fund advice.

Tips & Warnings

• Index funds are popular with many investors because, by nature, they require very little management. This means they are relatively low-cost to the investor.
• Because index funds follow the major market indices, you know something of what to expect. There are plenty of riskier directions in which to invest your money.
• Index funds do track the stock market, which is a volatile entity. Just because you're thinking of index funds doesn't mean you won't experience a fair degree of risk.

How to Figure Out Where to Invest

Investing can be a way to reach your long-term goals. One of the first investment steps is determining where to invest. There are several good choices in where to begin investing. You may already know your goal.Investing can get you there.

Mutual Funds - A mutual fund is a relatively inexpensive way for a small investor to get a full-time financial professional to make and manage your investments. Diversification is an advantage of mutual funds. You would own shares in a mutual fund instead of owning individual stocks or bonds, so that your risk is diversified or spread out. Any loss in any particular investment is minimized by gains in other investments. Large mutual funds usually own hundreds of different stocks in many different businesses and industries.

Stocks - Stocks are investments that help you reach your long-term goals.You will need a plan that's based on your goals, how long you have to achieve them, how much money you can comfortably set aside, and how much you can handle risk.

Your strategy will be stronger if you invest a set amount of money you can afford to invest each month, month in and month out. This is a better strategy than simply trying to buy low and sell high.

Check into companies that sell shares directly to investors, thereby bypassing commissions to brokers. While you are at it, look at their dividend reinvestment plan.
Another way to invest a set amount on a steady basis is by purchasing no-load, mutual funds. With no sales commissions to pay and by investing a small amount on an established schedule, you can get moving safely in the world of investments.

Check into companies that sell shares directly to investors, thereby bypassing commissions to brokers. While you are at it, look at their dividend reinvestment plan.
Another way to invest a set amount on a steady basis is by purchasing no-load, mutual funds. With no sales commissions to pay and by investing a small amount on an established schedule, you can get moving safely in the world of investments.

Stocks are investments that help you reach your long-term goals.You will need a plan that's based on your goals, how long you have to achieve them, how much money you can comfortably set aside, and how much you can handle risk.
Develop your set plan and schedule and follow it, but then be sure to reassess your situation, especially at the time of a job change, a move, retirement, etc. You can change your blend of investments, but avoid sudden major changes to your strategy.

Other Choices -Determine your expectations, but be realistic. Stay with a program you can stick with through good years and not-as-good years. Settle on an expected return of from 9-13%. This is on average.Before investing, start with a base of having enough insurance coverage and at least six months of income set aside in a money-market fund or interest-bearing Certificate of Deposit. From this comfortable base, you can begin investing.

Investing can be a way to reach your long-term goals. There are several good choices in where to begin investing. Determine your goals. Work on your investments to get you there.

Tips & Warnings

• Here are some important tips about investing:
• Work only with established firms with well-know, favorable reputations.
• Make every effort to understand your investments so you can be an informed buyer and seller.
• Investigate the companies you are thinking about dealing with.
• Stocks and mutual funds- The National Association of Securities Dealers (800-289-9999; www.nasd.com); ask for the Central Registration Depository Report on the broker or contact securities regulation office in the state where your prospective broker is doing business.
• Remember that when an investment looks like it could have a large return, it is accompanied by a large risk. Worrying and feeling off-kilter is usually not worth it because of the impact worry will have on your personal life. You may not even realize initially how much this uncertainty may affect your health and well-being as well as your relationships.
• If you are intrigued by such an investment and you feel compelled to invest, put in a comparatively small amount of your overall investment dollars, but do not invest a substantial amount of money on a high-stakes investment.

Stock Market Tutorial No.2

This is a video I found at YouTube from "Featureman" about stock market tutorial for beginner.

Evaluate the Performance of Variable Annuity Subaccounts

Simply looking at the historical performance of mutual fund subaccounts within a variable annuity contract will not necessarily give you an accurate picture of their true performance. It is often necessary to look at the actual mutual fund performance outside the contract.

If you are trying to decide whether to invest money in a variable annuity, one of the key factors you should consider is the historical performance of the mutual fund subaccounts. However, these numbers can be misleading.

When you look through the performance history of many mutual fund subaccounts that are offered in variable annuity contracts, it is easy to become confused. For example, an investor looking at the performance history of the Franklin Income fund within a variable contract offered by U.S. Allianz, will not see the same data that appears for the fund on the Franklin Funds website.

A comparison is necessary in order to obtain an accurate picture of a fund's performance. The SEC has mandated that when a mutual fund company offers one of its funds through a variable annuity contract, the resulting subaccount must be registered as a separate security, with a separate name, ticker symbol and a separate performance history.

This, of course, leads to tremendous confusion among novice investors, who may have a favorite fund that a variable carrier claims to offer within their contract. But when the investor looks for the fund within the contract's list of offerings, it is seemingly not there, because its name and ticker symbol have been changed.

Call the annuity carrier and find out the name of the subaccount that corresponds to your chosen fund. For example, say you want to invest in a variable annuity that offers the Franklin Templeton Founding Funds Allocation fund (ticker symbol FFALX). First, you will find a carrier with a variable annuity that offers this fund, such as the U.S. Allianz Alterity variable annuity.

If you look through the subaccount selections hoping to find this fund, you will discover that it is not there; instead, there is a fund called the Franklin Templeton VIP Founding Funds Allocation fund that is actually your fund in disguise. Sometimes the fund names will be very similar with just a word or two added or subtracted, and other times they will be much harder to match.

Look at the subaccount's inception date. The Franklin Templeton VIP Allocation fund subaccount within the Alterity annuity, for example, lists the inception date as 07/02/07, and the total return through 09/30/07 as 4.8 percent.

Go to Franklin Templeton's website and look at the original fund upon which the subaccount is based and you will discover that on the contrary, this fund was incepted on 08/15/2003, and has an average annual total return of over 12 percent. The subaccount history can only tell you what the fund has done since it was added to the annuity as a subaccount, not what it has done since it truly began. This disparity can be very misleading for those who are not familiar with the differences between mutual funds and variable annuity subaccounts.

Tips & Warnings

• Always check variable annuity subaccount performance against the performance of the underlying fund.

Easily compare the different trading companies online

There are many trading services online that you can search over the Internet and if you have time to compare their quotes or prices then start it here. Stock brokers also differ from their share price and also maintenance fee or membership fees. But there are many cheap trading services that you can get after searching all of them or just go directly in one place and gets all the comparison in one page.

Point your browser to match point website. This is a free website that you can get different prices from several trading services online.

Fill up the simple form with your zip code and your email address to get the results of many trading companies online.

You can also get a free On-line broker comparison by just searching in any search engine online. Or go to Yahoo page and visit the finance category to find all investing tips and guides.

Or ask your co-workers or employer the best on-line brokers or trading services online. Friends and family's referrals are the best you can get so ask them about the good deals in trading companies.

Stock Market Tutorial No.1 - Financial Basics

This is a video I found at YouTube from "Featureman" about stock market tutorial for beginner.

Download and Use the Yahoo Finance Stock Market Tools

Yahoo Finance offers a premium subscription service that allows users to download and use stock market tools that offer real-time information, such as streaming stock quotes.

Start at the Yahoo home page (see Resources below).

Click on the 'Finance' link.

Find the 'My Portfolios' tab and choose 'MarketTracker' from the pull-down menu. This is where you will download the service.

Look for buttons that allow you to choose between being billed annually or monthly. Click on the button that corresponds to your preference. You may be offered the chance to sign up for a free trial period.

Complete the data form on the following page. You will need to provide your name and address. Enter the information into the provided boxes and use the pull-down menus. Click 'Continue.'

Read the agreement terms that appear on the following page. You will need to indicate whether you are a professional or non-professional by clicking on the correct circle on the page. Type your name into the Signature box, and click 'Signature Confirmed' to continue.

Read the agreement that appears on the following page. Click on the 'I Agree' box if you agree to the terms. If you are a non-professional, you will need to provide additional information about your employer.

Click the 'I Agree' box, and then type in 'I Agree.' Then click the button that says 'I Agree.' Verify your password to continue if requested to.

Provide a credit card number. If you have a promotional code, click the 'Click Here To Redeem' link. Otherwise, click 'Continue.'

Review the confirmation information that appears on the next page, and then click 'I Agree, Place Order.'

Use Yahoo Finance Stock Market Tools

Use the tools to see real-time quotes from the Yahoo Finance home page (see Resources below).

Use MarketTracker to keep track of your personal portfolio. Click on the 'My Portfolio' link on the Yahoo Finance home page, and then choose 'MarketTracker' from the pull-down menu. Click 'Yes' when prompted to install a desktop shortcut.

Click on the desktop shortcut to launch a window that displays real-time stock quotes.

Sign in at the Yahoo Finance home page at any time to access your MarketTracker tools.

Go to the Yahoo Finance Help section on premium services at any time to get additional assistance using your tools (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• Change your password periodically to ensure account security.

Diversify a Mutual Fund Portfolio

Investing in mutual funds is an excellent vehicle to fund a person's retirement. If the mutual funds are not properly diversified, however, that retirement could be put on hold. Protecting a portfolio against fluctuations in certain markets is essential to long-term financial health.

Identify the investment objectives of the portfolio. What is the time horizon? In other words, when are the funds in the portfolio going to be needed (10, 20, 30 or more years)? What is the amount to invest in the portfolio? What are the return objectives? Finally, what are the risk tolerances of the investor? All these factors relate directly to the construction of a diversified portfolio.

Formulate an investment strategy. The strategy is based on the information obtained in the previous step. With a portfolio that has a high-risk tolerance and a long time horizon, the strategy will include more mutual funds with higher risk but higher returns as well. It is also very important to remember that even in portfolios that possess a high-risk tolerance; they must contain some lower risk funds to balance the portfolio.

Ascertain which type of mutual funds to invest in. The investment strategy determines which type of mutual fund and how much to invest. The types of mutual funds include money market, bond, stock and index funds. Each type carries its own risk factors. Some are less risky, like money market funds.

Categorize potential mutual fund sectors to invest. Obtain a candidate list of mutual funds sectors that fit the established investment strategy. Investigate each sector performance over a number of years. Compare and contrast the performance of each. Then use the investments strategy to identify the best funds to invest in. Examples of sectors include but are not limited to retailing, technology, industrials, communication, energy, commodities and pharmaceuticals.

Invest in the mutual fund, now that the fund is targeted. One important note before investing in a fund is to determine the cost of the fund and the minimum investment required for the fund. Sometimes the mutual fund fees can outweigh the benefits of investing in the fund. In addition, if a fund has a minimum investment that is too high it can cause imbalance in the portfolio. So be sure to check the fine print before investing in any fund.

How to Define 12B-1 Fees

Running a mutual fund is a business like any other, and entails expenses that must be covered for the fund to make a profit for itself as well as for its clients. For this reason, mutual funds impose a variety of fees, which can be difficult for clients to understand.

Recognize that 12b-1 fees, also known as Distribution Fees or Service Fees, are taken from general fund assets to cover various costs of doing business.

Understand distribution fees. These funds pay for marketing costs, such as advertising and the printing and mailing of prospectuses and other sales instruments. They also cover share sale costs, such as paying the fees of brokers.

Know that service fees are those expenses incurred by help lines, persons to answer customer queries, and other personnel involved in client services

Tips & Warnings

• The SEC imposes a limit on 12b-1 fees of 1 percent annually with a maximum of 0.25 percent being used to compensate brokers. The avowed purpose of the 12b-1 fee is to increase the sales of the fund, thereby benefiting all clients.
• You will find 12B-1 fees listed with all other fees in a Table of Fees near the front of the company's prospectus. There will also be a projection of how the fees would impact a hypothetical $10,000 investment over 10 years. The purpose of this projection is to allow you to compare the cumulative effects of fees and expenses among several mutual funds.
• A fund with an upfront load but no 12b-1 fees may in fact be a better option than a 'no-load' fund that charges 12b-1 fees, especially if you plan to keep the fund for a long-term investment. This is because the load is a one-time expense, whereas 12b-1 fees recur. Use the projections of hypothetical effects to balance loads and 12b-1 fees.
• Some funds use the 12b-1 allowance as a way to pay brokers to do business with them, or as a hidden load fee.

Choose Socially Responsible Mutual Funds

If you care about certain causes you may not want to invest a significant portion of your retirement savings in businesses that directly contradict those causes.

You may make every effort possible to choose products that are in keeping with your personal philosophies. You buy organic, look for fair trade labels and try to buy clothes made without child labor. When it comes to your retirement investing you may not have considered that you could be investing in companies that are directly at odds with your beliefs.

When you invest in a company you are becoming a part owner. A vegetarian, for example, may invest hundreds of dollars a year in a mutual fund that owns meat processing plants without realizing it.
For many years now there have been mutual funds such as Pax World Funds and Calvert that screen companies for certain criteria such as use of fair trade practices, non tobacco and weapons investment, etc.

Your own requirements for a socially responsible fund may differ from that of another person. There are sites such as The Social Investment Forum, listed below, that have lists of funds with different investment goals as well as different social goals. One fund may be Christian related and not invest in pornography, stem cell research, etc and another fund may be aimed at green energy and companies that use green practices.
Check the forum and also consult with your investment adviser before making any choices.

Calculate an Annuity Withdrawal Considering Inflation

If you purchase an annuity with a minimum withdrawal guarantee, it seems like you have all basis covered. But wait--there's one tiny flaw in the overall picture. That flaw is inflation. Inflation changes the buying power of the dollar and in turn actually lowers the value of your money.

Find a comfortable rate of inflation that you believe exists. Usually the number is 1 to 2 per cent, but you can use 3 percent to be more comfortable that you're correct.

Calculate the number of years that you need to wait until you draw the money. If you're getting the payment immediately, calculate the number of years you need the money.

Use 3 percent as the inflation rate. To find the buying power of the rate, multiply it by .97. That is the effect of one year of 3 percent inflation on the dollars you recieve. Multiply the answer again by .97 to get two years. If you want the answer for 10 years, you can multiply the number first by .97 and the multiply each answer by .97 nine more times.

Add a guaranteed minimum return to the contract. If you've purchased a guaranteed minimum return and want to see what amount you can withdraw at retirement in terms of buying power, subtract the inflation rate from the guaranteed rate. An example would be 5 percent minus 3 percent inflation is a 2 percent return each year.

Multiply the amount you invested by 1.02 to get the true buying power for the next year. To do more years, continue to multiply each answer times 1.02 for the number of years of growth until you use the money.

Withdraw only 2 percent of the annuity if you have a guarantee of 5 percent and the buying power for that amount remains level since it grows as fast as the hypothetical inflation. If you withdraw the full 5 percent, the buying power drops by 3 percent each year and you need to multiply the amount each year by .97.

Tips & Warnings

• You can review charts that show the future value of a dollar and don't require you to do extensive calculations. Hand calculating, however, is a great tool you can use no matter where you are, as long as you have a simple calculator.

How to Buy Fannie Mae's stocks share

How do you like to earn money in this giant mortgage company? You might wonder if you can still earn when this company is buried in debt. But if you want and interested to see if you can get return with your investment then you might like to try investing in this company. But remember it's all up to you if you are willing to take a risk.

The first thing you need to do is ask yourself if how much you are willing to risk for investment. And also how much you can afford to lose if in case your investment is going to take a wrong turn.

If you have your money then look for stock broker online like Scot trade. This broker seems so cheap to buy and sell your share if in case you do not like the investing thing in the future. Fidelity is another stock broker that you can get an account with and then start buying your favorite stocks or mutual funds or bonds online.

I used stock broker that does not charge me much in buying or trading my share like share builder but you choose what fits to your needs.

Once you have your account set up in any broker you like then deposit your fund so that you can buy your Fannie Mae share and then you will be called a stock shareholder. You do not need to invest too much money if you cannot afford to lose it someday just give it a try and see.

Now search in the box inside your portfolio and see what available stocks that your chosen broker has to offer for you. The symbol for Fannie Mae company is FNM so that's what you are trying to buy. Right now is really cheap to buy and if someday that price will go up then you will make money for sure. Just try it and wish you will get some return in the future.

Bank Online With ING Direct

If you're tired of traditional banking and wish to make the switch to online only banking, ING Direct is the website for you. This popular Internet phenomena conducts its business and your accounts entirely on the Web. It is operated by the ING Group and has locations across the globe. If you are interested in opening an account, you can do so via postal service or by phone if the Internet gives you any reservations.

If you're looking for a place to save your money, ING Direct is a great bank for you. They have a very good interest rate on the Orange Savings Account and don't require you to pay a service charge. You don't have to keep a minimum balance, either.

If you wish to sign up for an Orange Savings Account, ING Direct only requires an account and routing number, as well as some basic personal information to complete the electronic check process.

If you already have a savings account, but wish to open an Electric Orange Checking Account, just click on "Open Account" from the main page. A huge perk associated with ING Direct's checking accounts is their ability to earn interest on account balances.

When you sign up for an Electric Orange account, check out the tiers for interest payments. Depending on how much you have in your account, your percent rate will differ. You don't have to pay monthly maintenance fees and there aren't any direct deposit requirements.

Take advantage of all that ING Direct has to offer their customers. They provide Orange CDs, Orange Mortgages, Orange Home Equity, ING Direct Mutual Funds, a ShareBuilder, and Business Banking. Though they may not be a household name as some of their counterparts, they're growing and have a solid service.

When you sign up for an account, you'll be given a Customer Number or Saver ID. Write this down in a secure place, as well as your PIN number and answers to your security questions. ING Direct is very thorough with their sign-in process, assigning you an image recognition page and "mouseclick" PIN keypad to avoid any keylogging attempts.

Tips & Warnings

• You can link up to three checking accounts to your savings account.
• Refer a friend and you can earn some cash.

Research Pioneer Mutual Funds

Pioneer was created in 1928 by Philip Carret with the launch of the first Pioneer fund, but the company now manages over $300 billion in assets as PGAM (Pioneer Global Asset Management). The company takes pride in its long-time global approach to investing with mutual funds: it was the first company to invest mutual fund assets in Italy, Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic. However, the majority of its assets are invested in domestic stocks and taxable bond funds.

Research the Pioneer Mutual Funds

Take into consideration Pioneer's focus on international investment. The company runs global investment offices in Boston, Dublin, Milan and Singapore.

Research the third oldest mutual fund in existence, the Pioneer Fund (PIODX), which is managed by John A. Carey. This large-blend fund allocates up to 20 percent of its assets to non-U.S. investments (such as equity and debt securities from both government and corporate issuers) in order to create income and capital appreciation. However, the fund limits the investment of assets in emerging market securities to 5 percent.

Make note of the Pioneer fund's performance. It has a 3-star rating from Morningstar and the annual returns from 2004 to 2006 have all been positive: the annual return was 16.39 percent in 2006, 6.39 percent in 2005 and 11.63 percent in 2004. The last negative annual return occurred in 2002: 20.26 percent.

Make sure you have at least $1,000, the minimum investment amount associated with this fund. Later investments must be at least $100.

Research one of Pioneer's top-performing mutual funds, the Pioneer High Yield Fund A (TAHYX), which is helmed by Andrew Feltus. This medium-growth high yield bond places 80 percent of its assets in fixed-income securities from companies that it considers undervalued. The goal is a combination of income and capital appreciation, and the inception date of this fund is 1998.

Take a moment to review the Morningstar 3-star rating as well as the fund's historic performance. The annual return for the Pioneer High Yield Fund A was 10.60 percent in 2006, 2.35 percent in 2005 and 6.75 percent in 2004. As usual, the last negative annual return (2.70 percent) was posted in 2002.

Arrange your finances so you have $1,000 for the minimum investment and $100 for subsequent investments in this particular Pioneer fund.

Look at any of Pioneer's 160 or so mutual funds for more info on this company, its products and services. They offer everything from large-growth funds to medium-value funds to small-blend funds.

Tips & Warnings

• When you research potential funds for your investment portfolio, make sure to diversify between those funds that focus on national and international opportunities. Most experts suggest allocating approximately 30 to 50 percent of your money in funds that focus on overseas investment options.

Read Your Mutual Funds Style

Your mutual funds style means how your fund works with assets. This covers whether it's large, mid- or small-sized, and what kinds of assets it has--growth, value or blended. Style drift is a term that refers to a fund manager changing the fund's style over time for various reasons. The best way to avoid style drift and stay in the same style as you began is to invest in index funds. Such funds try to match the market and therefore have no reason to wander.

Learn to Read a Mutual Funds Style Box

Take a look at the style box for your mutual fund on the Morningstar site.

Look at the vertical (up and down) axis of the style box. These boxes refer to the size of the market cap. The top box is large, the middle box is medium and the bottom box is small.

Read the horizontal axis of the style box. The three categories here are, from left to right, value, blend and growth. These refer to the type of fund.

Understand that value funds are those that are considered currently under-appreciated on the market. Growth funds are funds that are considered to have a high potential for earnings, or growth. Blend funds are a combination of value and growth funds.

Find the category that best fits your investment needs, and look for funds in that category.

Use the horizontal and vertical axes together to classify your fund into one of the nine available categories.

Tips & Warnings

• Learn to use the Morningstar Style Box. It is simple to use and makes choosing your mutual funds style much easier by breaking up the numerous possibilities into 9 different sections.
• Listen to the manager. Fund managers typically issue quarterly or yearly updates, explaining their investing philosophy for the prior and upcoming quarters. Read these updates to make sure the fund manager's philosophy still reflects your investing goals.
• Read the prospectus. Before investing in any mutual fund, read the prospectus to determine the fund's objectives, performance history and fees.
• After you have invested, continue to watch your mutual fund over time for style drift. If a fund gets too far from the style you feel most comfortable with, sell it and begin again with another.

Manage Specialty Funds

Specialty, or specialized, funds are mutual funds that limit investments to a particular industry, sector or region, like technology, health care or Asia. Since they are less diversified than other types of mutual funds, they tend to be very aggressive and fluctuate a lot. To successfully manage specialty funds, you should have a long time-frame within which to work. If you don't know how to manage this type of fund or your fund doesn't have a manager, an investment advisor will be especially helpful.

How to Manage Specialty Funds

Decide how much money you want to invest in the fund. Remember not to invest more than you can afford to lose.

Research funds and find the specialty that most suits you in terms of risk, payoff and personal mentality.

Look into different fund managers and financial advisors to find one who will work well with you.

Check Out the background of the fund manager or financial advisor you've selected to learn more about her successes and failures.

Follow the advice of your financial advisor or fund manager. Remember that specialty funds are long-term investments.

Stay on top of your quarterly reports and make any changes necessary to further diversify your investments.

Tips & Warnings

• Know what your mutual funds invest in to make sure you are meeting your diversification goals. Quarterly and annual reports will tell you in what sectors and companies a fund is currently holding stocks.
• Specialty funds are more volatile than balanced or blended funds, so only invest in them if you have a long-term investment strategy. To limit your risk of losses, specialty funds should also be just one part of your overall investment portfolio.
• Read the prospectus. Before investing in any mutual fund, read the prospectus to determine the fund's objectives, performance history and fees.
• Check for minimum investment amounts. Most funds have them.
• Know that fund expenses affect your bottom line. Fund expenses dilute your returns in ways that can add up significantly over time. Calculate the effect of expenses to get a true picture of a mutual fund's performance.
• Heavy investment in just one area can mean disaster if that area should falter. Don't sink all your savings into specialty funds; instead, choose one specialty fund to invest in and diversify the rest of your portfolio.

Invest in Triple Tax-Exempt Mutual Funds

Making the choice to invest in triple tax-exempt mutual funds is a clever way to invest your money without paying taxes on the returned interest. If you're looking to invest in mutual funds that offer lower return rates and tax benefits, triple tax-exempt funds are your best bet.

Understand Your Investment

Get to know your mutual fund. Triple tax-exempt mutual funds are often composed of municipal bonds that are exempt from city, state and federal taxes.

Know whether or not this unique option is truly right for you. The tax-exempt quality is perfect for investors in upper or middle tax brackets who need tax breaks on their investments.

Understand that although storing your money in these funds might make sense in the short term because of the immediate tax advantages, the yields provided by committing to long-term investments are much greater.

Make the Investment

Log on and go to the homepage of the company you have selected to handle your investment.

Read the prospectus for each mutual fund you are interested in. Note any fees associated with your investment that could take away from your gains.

Determine whether you can open an account online or whether it has to be done by mail or through a broker. Again, note that you will typically incur additional fees when working with a broker.

Fill out the proper applications to purchase your mutual fund and submit the forms. Keep a duplicate copy for your records.

Narrow Your Search

Determine the type of mutual fund that you want to invest in. Several companies offer triple-tax exempt options, so start by determining if you want a fund that will let you invest on your own or if you will enlist the assistance of a broker.

Check with friends and fellow investors to obtain referrals regarding triple-tax exempt funds.

Tips & Warnings

• Do your research. Triple tax-exempt mutual funds are a unique form of investment and don't provide a substantial rate of return. Only invest in this type of mutual fund if you're certain it's right for your financial situation.
• Keep excellent records. Gains from mutual funds are usually taxable so be certain your accountant is aware of the special status of your funds.

Invest in Tax-free Mutual Funds

One of the down sides of investing in mutual funds can be the federal and state taxes associated with them. While regular taxable mutual funds invest primarily in government agency securities, CDs, U.S. Treasury securities, bankers' acceptances and the like, tax-free mutual funds are more commonly money market funds that put their money in shorter-term debt obligations issued by entities that are exempt from federal taxes.

Decide on your investment goals and be sure that tax-free mutual funds are the best way to meet those goals. Tax-free mutual funds help you avoid paying taxes on your principal's interest; however, there are often early withdrawal penalties that can hit you hard. Tax-free mutual funds work best if you have a sum of money you are sure you will not need access to for some time.

Find out whether your state permits tax-free mutual funds as an investment choice. The issue of state tax exemptions varies from state to state.

Ask your financial advisor for his or her advice on the most reputable tax-free mutual funds.

Request the prospectus for the tax-free mutual funds that most interest you.

Read each prospectus carefully.

Check the risk rating of each fund you are considering on the Morningstar website.

Choose the best tax-free mutual fund for your needs and make your investment through your financial advisor, or directly through the fund, if allowed.

Tips & Warnings

• Start at the source: if you like the idea of investing with a specific financial company, ask if they offer tax-free mutual funds.
• Look for tax-free mutual funds that are exempt from both federal and state income tax.
• Be aware that tax-free mutual funds are, in general, designed for high net worth individuals.
• Be aware that the trade-off for tax-free mutual funds is that most have a lower yield than regular mutual funds.
• The tax-free component of these mutual funds does not necessarily apply to the issue of capital gains. Check with your financial advisor before you invest.
• Don't expect to find tax-free mutual funds available within your IRA or pension fund. They are not offered for these types of investments.

Invest in T. Rowe Price Mutual Funds

Investing in T. Rowe Price Mutual Funds doesn't have to be a daunting task. A relatively low-risk investment, mutual funds are one of the easiest ways to participate in the stock market without throwing all of your eggs in one basket. Follow these steps to invest in T. Rowe Price Mutual Funds.

Get to Know Your Company

Feel safe with the stability of T. Rowe Price, as this company handles over 8 million clients. When you're partnered with that many investors, the odds of your mutual fund company disappearing are next to none.

Be aware of your options. T. Rowe price offers seven different mutual fund categories, with sub-categories ranging from international funds to local common stocks or money market funds.

Feel confident investing without a broker. T. Rowe Price is a no-load company, meaning that they don't charge a commission fee.

Define Personal Goals

Decide what you are trying to achieve by investing. Do you need a retirement plan, a down payment on a house or simply a place to stash your cash until your next vacation?

Search T. Rowe Price's Web site and find the "Online Personal Guide." This guide will ask you a series of important questions and guide you to the mutual fund that's right for your investment needs.

Choose from a series of mutual funds that will be listed with side-by-side comparisons, including an estimated percentage of returns. Select the one that is right for you.

Read the prospectus and understand the level of risk around the potential return. If this is acceptable to you, you're ready to move on to the next section.

Make the Investment

Register with T. Rowe Price's site once you have decided which mutual fund to invest in. Registration is free and is easily completed by supplying your email, choosing a password and answering two security questions.

Go to the "Open a New Account" section and select the "Mutual Funds" option, located towards the top of the page.

Enter your personal information to invest in the mutual fund of your choice.

Rest easy knowing that you've done your research, found the right fund for you and are on your way to a satisfying investment future.

Tips & Warnings

• 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.

Invest in Morgan Stanley Mutual Funds

Morgan Stanley has been providing financial services since 1935. For decades, Morgan Stanley has helped to lead the way in expanding global markets, providing an array of services to investors on both the individual and institutional level. Today, Morgan Stanley offers a full range of investment products and services, including mutual funds. In fact, the company offers in excess of 2,000 mutual fund options from over 100 different companies.

Morgan Stanley Mutual Fund Categories

Understand that Morgan Stanley offers mutual funds in equity, global/international, income, tax-free, asset allocation, and specialty investment categories. Liquidity funds are available as well.

Know that under the equity heading, Morgan Stanley offers growth, value, core and index mutual funds.

Understand that under the global/international category, Morgan Stanley offers a variety of global funds that invest in both American and foreign markets. International funds typically invest solely in foreign markets.

Know that Morgan Stanley offers a range of income funds dedicated to the generation of current income.

Get to know Morgan Stanley tax-free mutual funds. These funds seek high levels of current tax-free income.

Understand that asset allocation funds may use strategic or tactical strategies. These funds are typically highly diversified, featuring stocks, bonds, commodities and real estate.

Get to know Morgan Stanley specialty mutual funds. These funds typically concentrate on a single industry category.

Understand that funds in Morgan Stanley's liquidity fund focus on generating high income while keeping principal protected. These funds can offer you easy access to your money.

Choosing Mutual Funds

Visit MorganStanleyIndividual.com and review the categories in which mutual funds are available.

Choose mutual funds that meet your objectives and review the information provided.

View information regarding the funds that interest you. You'll find a fund overview, facts, prices and performance and distribution data for each available fund. You'll also find growth charts, holding details and risk information.

Request prospectuses for the funds that interest you.

Determine the amount you want to invest and contact Morgan Stanley to open an investment account. Alternatively, you may purchase shares through your broker.

Tips & Warnings

• No matter how well a mutual fund is managed, there is no assurance of success. Keep this mind as you consider the level of risk you can afford to take.
• Before you invest, consider the amount you will pay in taxes and fees. Subtract these expenses from the money you have to invest to determine the amount of your actual investment.

Invest in Goldman Sachs Mutual Funds

Goldman Sachs offers various mutual funds, including money market accounts. Investors in Goldman Sachs mutual funds have the comfort of knowing that their investments are backed by the considerable resources of a global company, one of the largest financial services companies in the world. But even that does not guarantee returns. Follow these steps to invest in one of over 30 Goldman Sachs mutual funds.

Invest in Goldman Sachs Mutual Funds

Visit the Goldman Sachs mutual funds Web site (see Resources below). The Web site provides information on funds in the Goldman Sachs family as well as guidance on purchasing shares.

Choose a fund category. Goldman Sachs offers funds in several categories, including growth, income, and international. Before choosing one, determine your investment objectives and the type of financial instruments you want to invest in.

Acquire a prospectus. Call Goldman Sachs at (800) 526-7384 or contact an investment adviser or service to obtain a prospectus for a particular fund.

Study the prospectus for details that will help you understand the mutual fund. Investigate items such as fees, the minimum investment required, the fund's risk level and its primary and secondary investing goals.

Purchase funds through authorized dealers, from Goldman Sachs or directly from a particular fund. In all cases, you must fill out an application, which you can download at the Goldman Sachs Web site.

Tips & Warnings

• Goldman Sachs offers mutual funds to U.S. and non-U.S. investors. Visit the Goldman Sachs Web site for a list of funds open to non-U.S. investors if you are investing from outside the United States.
• Before investing in Goldman Sachs mutual funds, either consult a financial adviser to help clarify your investment goals or do some homework to learn what types of investments best suit your situation. Because Goldman Sachs offers such a multitude of different funds, preparation can make choosing a fund easier.

Invest in Global Mutual Funds

A global mutual fund may invest in stocks and bonds from around the world. Usually, these funds invest a portion of their assets in domestic markets, investing in European, Asian and developing regions as well. With global mutual funds, the primary advantage is the ability of fund managers to invest anywhere they see fit, seeking out the markets offering the highest returns.

Understand that global mutual funds may take advantage of markets throughout the world. If one market performs poorly, global mutual funds can choose to move assets, investing in markets with more potential.

Recognize the difference between a global fund and an international fund. International funds do not invest in markets within the United States; global funds invest in both American and foreign markets.

Realize that by choosing to invest in a global fund, you may be overlapping some of the investments in your domestic mutual funds. Decide whether or not such overlapping is in keeping with your investment goals.

Understand the risks involved when you invest in global mutual funds. Besides the risks involved with any mutual fund, global funds encounter the risk associated with changing politics and fluctuating foreign markets.

Be aware that different parts of the world may have varied accounting processes and trading regulations. These factors may affect a fund manager's ability to trade in certain investment instruments.

Take a look at the global funds listed on MorningStar.com or LipperWeb.com. Select the funds with acceptable ratings or rankings to review and compare.

Request and review prospectuses for the global funds you find attractive. Review any available holding data, financial reports or fact sheets as well.

With the help of a broker of financial adviser, select the most attractive global funds and purchase shares. You may also invest by contacting some global funds directly.

Tips & Warnings

• Companies are required to update their prospectuses on a yearly basis. This ensures that you are able to obtain current information with ease.
• Consider your time horizon in determining your investment objectives. If you are investing for a retirement that is 30 years away, your time horizon is longer than an individual who is planning to retire in five years. Usually, an individual with a shorter time horizon may gravitate towards more conservative investments, while a person with more time to reach goals may be inclined to take more risks.

Invest in Forex Mutual Funds

The forex (foreign exchange) market, which trades in international currencies, is the largest and most active market in the world. In 2006, trades averaged over $1.9 trillion per day. Due to extreme liquidity, it can be difficult for small traders to get in on the action. However, retail traders can participate through mutual funds.

How to Invest in Forex Mutual Funds

Learn how to read a forex quote. This is a ratio of one currency to another. USD/EUR is the price of a US dollar as expressed in Euros. The currency listed first is the base currency (usually the stronger currency at the time of the quote) and is given a value of 1. The second currency is the counter currency and derives its value in relation to the base. If the USD/EUR quote is 1.21, that means 1 US Dollar has the same value as 1.21 Euros.

Understand the definitions of pip and spread. Prices in foreign exchange are expressed in pips--percentage in points. The pip is the number in the fourth place from the decimal point, or 1/100th of 1 percent. If USD/EUR is 1.1300/1.1304, there is a 4-pip spread between the two currencies.

Learn about bid and ask. The "bid" is the selling price for the base currency and the "ask" is the price to buy the base currency. Both transactions are done simultaneously.

Learn about leverage and margin. Leverage is the ability to trade without having to put up the entire amount of the transaction. Margin is the minimum amount required in order to participate in a trade, usually 1 to 2 percent. The forex market allows higher leverage because major currencies are less volatile than stocks; higher leverage also allows amplification of both profit and loss. Because of this, the forex market is more volatile than the stock market.

Select a mutual fund. Unlike the stock market, the forex market has tiers of access. An individual investor would find it difficult to gain significant access. Furthermore, in a 24-hour market, it is difficult for individuals to keep track of investments with any degree of vigilance. Most retail investors work through specialized mutual funds. Search online for managed funds to choose from. Your choice will depend on your desired level of risk, the fund's past performance, the fee structure, and restrictions on deposits and withdrawals.

Tips & Warnings

• For any USD counter currency pair, one pip is equal to $10 per 100,000 trades.

Invest in Federated Mutual Funds

For more than a decade, Federated Investors, Inc. has been serving investors in the United States and throughout the world. A world-class company, Federated is one of the largest investment-management firms in the country, managing more that $220 billion in assets. Federated offers a large selection of equity, fixed-income, closed-end and money market funds in which to invest. The firm also offers separately managed accounts.

Learn the Federated Share Classes

Recognize that Class A requires a front-end sales charge. You'll pay when you purchase shares.

Understand that Class B carries a deferred sales charge. You pay when you sell your shares; sales charges decrease with each passing year.

Be aware that Class C usually doesn't carry a front-end or deferred sales charge. Instead, this class typically requires the payment of high yearly expense charges. With Federated Class C shares, you'll pay a 1 percent sales charge.

You'll pay a load of 1 percent for Class F shares and Federated will advance 1 percent at the time of your purchase, creating a 2-percent payout for the broker. Shares in this class carry a fee of 1 percent for shares redeemed within four years.

Recognize that Class K shares of the Federated Kaufmann Fund are only available to former shareholders of the Kaufmann Fund and members of their families.

Choosing a Fund

Realize that the majority of Federated Investment's mutual funds are designed with investors, assisted by financial advisers, in mind. A portion of its funds is marketed through various organizations, such as banks, insurance companies, government agencies and corporations.

Develop objectives and make an investment plan with the help of a financial adviser. Evaluate your risk tolerance and the portion of your portfolio you want to invest in mutual funds.

Review the mutual funds available on FederatedInvestors.com. You'll find fund overviews, quarterly strategy details, holding information and performance details.

Compare federated mutual funds with similar mutual funds from other firms using MorningStar.com

Download prospectuses for the Federated funds you are considering and review them carefully. Pay close attention to fees, charges, and expenses, as these will influence your actual investment returns.

Choose the funds that are best suited to your investment goals and decide how much you want to invest. Purchase shares in the Federated funds of your choosing through your financial adviser or broker.

Invest in Commodity Mutual Funds

Commodity mutual funds can be useful for diversifying a portfolio. Commodity mutual funds can provide a hedge against inflation, expanding your investment exposure while reducing risk. While you could choose to invest in just one commodity market, you risk losing money if the market experiences negative movement. By investing in a commodity mutual fund, your investments can be spread across many markets, lessening your risk and improving your chances of profiting.

Learn about commodities. Basically, commodities are things that are grown or occur naturally, such as grains, crude oil, cotton, sugar, cattle and wheat.

Understand the purpose of commodity mutual funds. You may find these funds interesting if you are looking for long-term growth rather than fast movement.

Recognize the risks involved and realize that past performance does not guarantee future results. Many investment advisors suggest that commodity mutual funds make up just a small percentage of an investor's portfolio.

Use the Internet to research and compare commodity mutual funds. Morningstar and Lipper offer numerous online resources for researching and analyzing mutual funds, and links to these sites can be found in the Resources section below.

Request prospectuses of attractive commodity mutual funds and review them carefully. Pay close attention to fees and other charges to ensure that they won't reduce your investment too much.

Discuss your investment goals with a financial advisor or broker. Select the fund or funds that best match your goals and purchase shares through your broker or by contacting the fund directly.

Tips & Warnings

• As an alternative to commodity mutual funds, you may choose to build a mutual fund portfolio of mutual funds that simply invest in commodity-oriented businesses.
• Consider the relationship between fund trading and management fees. Essentially, more trading often translates into higher fees.
• Mutual fund prices are quoted online and in the newspaper as net asset values (NAVs). Mutual fund NAVs are calculated following the close of the stock exchanges.
• The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) makes the rules concerning the information that must be included in a prospectus, as well as when it must be updated. Mutual funds must update their prospectuses every year. A prospectus contains a wealth of information, including, but not limited to, details concerning the history, performance, objectives and investment strategies of the fund. Also included are details concerning expenses and charges.

Invest In Alliance Mutual Funds

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. is a world-known investment firm, serving more than 4 million clients and managing assets that total approximately $146 billion. AllianceBernstein Investment's parent company, AllianceBernstein L.P., consists of three other companies. In June 2006, the total managed assets for the companies combined was approximately $625 billion. Alliance offers numerous mutual funds, with a mutual fund and investment strategy to meet just about any objective.

Understand Your Investment Options

Understand Alliance's wealth strategies. Alliance's six wealth management strategies are intended to provide high returns, in keeping with your investment goals, and an acceptable level of risk.

Understand that Alliance's ten retirement strategies are intended to contribute to a secure retirement. Seven of the retirement strategies are crafted for saving for future retirement and three are designed for those who are currently retired or planning to retire within a short time.

Review the particulars of fixed-income funds. Alliance fixed-income mutual funds, also called bond funds, are designed to provide current income. Income is provided through fixed-income securities. These funds use the Alliance fixed-income proprietary research.

Understand balanced funds. Balanced mutual funds are intended to avoid extreme risk while simultaneously producing income and appreciating capital, utilizing Alliance's equity and fixed-income research. Alliance balanced funds combine investments in both common and preferred stocks with bonds and short-term securities.

Get to know money market funds. Money market funds invest in short-term debt instruments and are among Alliance's investment products. They are considered among the safest of investment options.

Consider closed-end funds. Alliance closed-end mutual funds have a set number of shares and are invested in domestic and international securities. Alliance has both fixed-income and equity closed-end funds.

Learn about equity mutual funds. Alliance equity mutual funds invest in highly diverse stocks. Each fund utilizes Alliance's equity research and a disciplined approach, with uncompromising adherence to fund objectives.

Request and review prospectuses of the Alliance mutual funds that interest you.

Discuss which funds may best fit your objectives with your broker or financial advisor. Invest with help from your advisor or by contacting the fund directly.

Tips & Warnings

• Though money markets are considered relatively safe investments, they are not Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insured.

Find Your Fund Inception Date

The day a fund begins offering shares is known as its inception date. This date signals the beginning of a new mutual fund and can be used for a variety of purposes. The inception date gives you an idea about the stability of a mutual fund. If it's been around a long time, you know it's pretty established. You can also use the inception date to see how well a fund has performed over the years. At most, financial reports contain data about a fund's performance for the last 10 years. However, you can usually find a record of the fund's performance since its inception date, which gives you a clearer picture about what the fund can do.

Find the Inception Date Online

Use a financial Web site that provides in depth stock quotes. You can run a search of financial Web sites, or use the online features at some reknown sources.

Enter in the ticker number for a given fund. You can also use the full name of the fund.

Look over the stock quote. Occasionally, Web sites will put the inception date on the first page of the stock quote. A quick glance will tell you whether it's there.

Click on the management button to get an overview of the fund's manager. On this page, you will find the fund inception date.

Use Your Fund Inception Date to Chart Performance

Look at the history of your fund since its inception. Most mutual fund quotes, ratings and prospectuses have a section on fund performance. The "Fund Performance for 10 Years or Since Inception" column will show what your fund has been doing over the long term.

Use the time periods available to you if your fund is less than 10 years old. When a fund has only been around for a short period, it is common for historical data to be unavailable. In this case, you will be presented with your fund's performance at specific intervals (usually 1, 3 and 5 years) to help you gauge long-term performance.

Take the historical data and apply it to your fund. Does your fund tend to remain consistent over the years, or does it have extreme highs and lows? You'll need to know to determine the riskiness of the fund and to decide whether this fund will give you the performance you need.

How to Find Mutual Funds Software

Mutual fund software is plentiful and available online, in computer software stores, bookstores and department stores with software sections. The software allows you to create flowcharts, organize your investments and even pick investments to help diversify your portfolio. Though the reliability of mutual fund software is questionable, particularly if you're using it to help you pick stocks or bonds, it can be a useful tool for beginning investors.

Determine whether mutual fund software will be helpful for you. If you already have a reliable fund manager, the software may be simply a tool for organizing your investments or may be unnecessary.

Research the different software programs available to you online, in bookstores and through software retailers.

Consider using an Internet search engine to find different mutual fund software. Explore what each program it is capable of doing.

Ask your investment club, financial advisor or fund manager if they have any suggestions for software to download or purchase. Get the pros and cons of each program.

Test-drive your software options and find a program that you can understand and use easily. The software should be a tool to make your life easier, not more frustrating.

Weigh the cost of buying and learning the software against its potential benefits. You may be better off adding that money to the mutual funds you already own.

Download or install your software and use it consistently for a trial period. If you don't see any benefits, stop using it.

Tips & Warnings

• Mutual fund software is best for comparing different investments of the same type. You can also use the software to keep track of the funds you invest in.
• You can find and download mutual fund software on the Web, often with free trials. There may be fees involved if you want to continue to use the software beyond the trial period.
• Mutual fund software has no better track record than fund managers or intelligent watchfulness of the market.
• Software cannot prevent losses. As with any investment, buying mutual funds carries risks.

How to Keep Your Mutual Funds Safe

The terms and options may be daunting, but mutual funds are a fairly safe choice for beginning investors. Like in all investing there are risks involved, but knowing how to pick your mutual funds and choosing a reputable broker will help you see the greatest return on your investment.

Become familiar with the areas in which your mutual fund has invested. Start by asking a few questions about each field. Is this field in the news? Have stocks associated with this industry taken a particular hit or had a breakthrough recently?

Do some research on your mutual fund investor. How have his/her funds done in the past? Make sure he or she is available to answer your questions.

Learn to read your quarterly reports.

Check each quarterly report for areas that might be too heavily funded. Spreading your investments through different fields creates a diverse portfolio and can help maintain your profits.

Talk to your manager or broker if you have concerns.

Focus on fees. Make sure your fund hasn't suddenly added or raised fees for investors.

Make sure your questions and concerns are being addressed. Good fund managers or brokers will always have time to respond to your queries in a timely fashion.

Tips & Warnings

• Know what you are looking for in a mutual fund—figure out how much of a risk you are willing to take and stick to mutual funds that fall within your parameters.
• Decide how much you want to invest and for how long. Set benchmarks that your fund must meet (a certain amount of profit per quarter, for example). If your fund does not meet a benchmark, consider dropping it.
• Don't let yourself be pressured into higher-risk or higher-cost funds by an overzealous manager.
• Mutual funds are not simply higher-yield savings accounts. Although generally low, there is risk involved and you may lose money, so don't overinvest. Neither should you expect too much from your mutual fund. A little research into the fund will let you know what kind of returns to expect.
• Mutual funds may contain hidden costs covered up by confusing terminology. Letting another person handle your money is always risky; get to know the reputation of the fund and the fund manager.

Invest in Oppenheimer Mutual Funds

Since 1960, Oppenheimer Funds, Inc. has been providing investment services. Today, the firm is one of the most reputable asset management firms in the United States. As of September 2006, Oppenheimer boasted assets under management totaling more than $220 billion. In the same month, Oppenheimer's mutual fund shareholders totaled more than 6 million. The firm offers a full range of mutual funds, as well as a selection of other products and services.

The Oppenheimer Family of Mutual Funds

Know that Oppenheimer offers more than 65 different mutual funds in which you can invest.

Understand that Oppenheimer offers domestic equity funds. Under the equity heading, growth, core and value funds are available.

Know that Oppenheimer offers global and international equity funds, as well as domestic and international fixed-income funds. Domestic funds target markets in the United States, global funds include both domestic and foreign markets and international funds target foreign markets only.

Know that Oppenheimer offers both national and state municipal bond funds. These funds offer the opportunity to realize tax-free income.

Understand that there are a number of Oppenheimer alternative investment funds. These funds may invest in such things as commodities and real estate.

Get to know Oppenheimer money market funds. These funds are aimed at providing income while preserving capital and offering easy liquidity.

Choosing Funds

Visit OppenheimerFunds.com and click the "Research Fund" link near the top of the page.

Select "Fund Profiles" and "Overview"

Review the fund categories listed on this page. You'll learn details concerning each category, its investment objectives and its risks.

Determine mutual fund categories that best fit your goals. Review the funds in these categories by clicking on the fund names positioned to the right of the category description.

Review the information page for each fund that interests you. On this page you'll find fund objective and strategy information, as well as top holding, regional allocation and risk measurement details.

Download a prospectus for each Oppenheimer mutual fund you are considering. You'll find a prospectus link toward the bottom of each fund's information page.

Download and complete an application form to open an investment account with Oppenheimer. Mail it with your initial investment. Most Oppenheimer mutual funds have a $1,000 minimum initial investment.

Tips & Warnings

• Opening investments for the Developing Markets Fund and the International Small Company Fund are much higher than the $1,000 required for most Oppenheimer funds.

Invest in John Hancock Mutual Funds

John Hancock Funds has a history of serving investors that extends back more than 30 years. Its parent company has been providing financial services for more than 200 years. John Hancock offers a variety of funds in equity, sector, international, income and tax-free income categories, as well as asset allocation and money markets funds. John Hancock mutual funds allow you to invest and take advantage of the expertise of knowledgeable, experienced financial professionals.

John Hancock Mutual Fund Options

Know that John Hancock offers a number of equity funds. Equity funds invest primarily in stocks.

Get to know sector funds. The John Hancock Funds are aimed at investments within a particular industry or market sector, such as agriculture or medical technology.

Understand that John Hancock offers international mutual funds. These funds focus on stocks from foreign companies.

Get to know John Hancock income funds. Know that these funds focus primarily on current income, rather than capital appreciation, by investing in bonds and other debt instruments.

Recognize that tax-free income funds seek to invest primarily for current income that is exempt from federal or state taxes.

Understand that money market funds invest in short-term securities, seeking current income. These funds offer check-writing privileges.

Recognize that asset allocation funds invest in several different funds, allowing investors to enjoy immediate diversification.

Choosing a Fund

Visit JHFunds.com and review the available fund options, according to your investment goals. You can search for funds by category, rating or style.

Review daily price, performance and tax information for the funds that interest you.

Using an online investment Web site, compare the John Hancock funds that interest you with other funds in the same categories. MorningStar.com offers a mutual fund comparison tool.

Download and review prospectuses for attractive John Hancock funds.

With the help of a broker or investment adviser, select the funds that suit your needs and goals and purchase shares.

Tips & Warnings

• Once you've invested in a John Hancock mutual fund, you'll have the option of accomplishing a number of tasks online. You'll be able to access your mutual fund account, view balances and account histories, request electronic statement delivery and order tax forms. You may also purchase additional mutual fund shares online. You'll have to register to gain online account access.

Invest in High Yield Mutual Funds

High yield mutual funds typically seek high levels of current income; capital appreciation potential may be sought as well, but as a secondary goal. These funds tend to invest in securities that have lower credit qualities. While they usually offer higher income, they may also have high volatility tendencies. However, high yield funds may help with portfolio diversification, even improving your portfolio's risk profile.

Determine your level of risk tolerance and consider your time frame for meeting your investment goals. With these factors in mind, decide whether funds that invest in lower-quality bonds fit in your investment plans.

Understand that high yield mutual funds should probably not be your only holdings; diversification is key. With the help of a financial adviser or broker, determine the portion of your portfolio that is best allocated to high yield mutual funds.

Keep in mind that high yield bond funds may lose when the economy slows down or if a company is unable to repay its loan. Factor this risk into your investment plans.

Decide whether you want a load or no-load mutual fund. With load mutual funds, you can benefit from the advice and guidance of a financial adviser or broker. On the other hand, no-load funds allow you to avoid sales charges, putting more of your money into your actual investment.

Use MorningStar.com or LipperWeb.com to perform research concerning high yield mutual funds. Compare the funds that interest you against other funds in the same category.

Select the funds that interest you and request prospectuses or download them online. Review these prospectuses, as well as other reports available for the funds you are considering.

Tips & Warnings

• Spend some extra time researching high yield mutual funds before you invest. You want to be sure that the potential for earning is enough to outweigh the risks involved.
• Keep in mind that mutual funds provide opportunities for investors at all levels. Unlike some other investments, mutual funds often have low minimum investment amounts, ranging from less than $100 to a few thousand dollars. Some mutual funds offer automatic investment plans as well.
• While looking at the past performance of a high yield mutual fund is important, the past is not an accurate indication of future performance. Never invest based solely upon a mutual fund's performance history.

Construct A Portfolio For Mutual Funds

Your portfolio is your total collection of investments. Stocks, bonds, real estate, gold and mutual funds are all common types of investments you might hold in your portfolio. When you are ready to construct a mutual fund portfolio, the key to success is diversification. You want as many different types of funds in as many different sectors as possible to achieve balance and make money.

Constructing Your Mutual Fund Portfolio

Decide how much capital you want to invest. Don't feel pressured to buy into funds beyond your means. You can always add funds later as your capital matures.

Determine your reasons for creating a mutual fund portfolio or for adding mutual funds to your existing portfolio. Knowing why you want to invest in mutual funds will help you choose which funds to add.

Determine your risk tolerance. Mutual funds are fairly safe investments. Some are safer than others, but all entail risks.

Choose which types of funds you want. Use new mutual funds to fill any gaps in your existing investment portfolio.

Investigate different funds in your sector to find out which have the best performance. You can use a style box, investment software or your own judgment to choose your funds. If you are uncomfortable selecting your investments, leave it up to your fund manager.

Take a look at the fund's prospectus to ensure that it fits your goals. Many mutual funds also have Web sites you can explore to find more information.

Investigate the fund's past performance. Although past performance doesn't predict future returns, you can find out something about the fund's stability over time.

Once you have done your homework, invest in a couple of funds you like the most and watch their returns.

Tips & Warnings

• Mutual funds invest in large amounts of stocks, bonds and so on, so they are a good way to achieve diversification without owning dozens of different investments yourself.
• Your mutual fund should keep you up-to-date on information regarding your fund through newsletters, email or quarterly reports. Find out how your fund manager will contact you and read the information he sends.
• Consider adding money to your mutual fund every month. It works like a savings account while increasing your return.
• Avoid mutual funds with high annual fees or front or back load fees. These detract considerably from your investment. You can find funds with low annual fees and no load fees.
• Remember that investing involves some level of risk. Mutual fund investing is generally for the long term, so don't pull out at the first dip in the road.

Read Your Funds Turnover Ratio

Turnover ratio is the percentage of a mutual fund's holdings that are sold every year. Funds with a high turnover ratio generally mean more fees, more capital gains and more capital gains tax for shareholders. Actively managed funds often have higher turnover ratios (on average about 80-85%) than passively managed funds or index funds, which average around 5% turnover. The more aggressive the fund is, the more likely it is to have a high turnover ratio.

Understand Your Fund's Turnover Ratio

Open the mutual fund's prospectus to the fees and expenses page and read through the funds and expenses for the turnover ratio.

Remember that a high turnover ratio generally means greater volatility and higher costs and taxes.

Find a mutual fund with a turnover ratio of 50% or less to minimize possible fluctuations that could negatively affect the fund.

Consider investing in an index fund. Aside from being low-risk, these funds average less than 10% turnover, as they are not trying to beat the market, just match it.

Avoid reading too much into dramatic increases or decreases in your fund's turnover. There are other factors that can artificially inflate or deflate the turnover ratio.

Read your prospectus and annual reports. If your fund's turnover ratio changes suddenly, check to see that the fund manager hasn't changed.

Tips & Warnings

• Turnover ratios are measured by dividing the amount of securities bought or sold (whichever is less) by the fund's average monthly assets for the year.
• High turnover ratios mean that the funds are buying and selling securities more often than those with low turnover ratios. Index funds have some of the lowest turnover ratios, often less than 10%.
• Listen to the manager. Fund managers typically issue quarterly or yearly updates, explaining their investing philosophy for the prior and upcoming quarters. Read these updates to make sure the fund manager's philosophy still reflects your investing goals.
• Keep your tax advisor in the loop. Investing in mutual funds can have significant tax consequences. Make sure your tax planner knows about the investments you plan to make.
• High turnover ratios are commonly linked to riskier investments. More turnover may also mean more realized capital gains and therefore more taxes, which the fund passes along to the investors.

How to Read the History of Mutual Funds

One could read the history of mutual funds as a history of the stock market taken to the people. The New York Stock Trust was the first official mutual fund in the United States begun in 1889, many decades after the concept first began in the Netherlands. By the time of the tumultuous end of the 1920s, the U.S. had 10 mutual funds. Today there are more than 6,000.

Understand the true definition of a mutual fund first. A mutual fund is a type of investment in which investors essentially pool their money in order to get more power and, consequently, a little less risk in the market. Mutual funds are professionally managed by financial managers who watch the market closely to move into and out of companies to bring about the best results.

Realize that the "best results" are not the same for every mutual fund on the market. Within stock-based mutual funds only, there are a variety of types, from those that seek aggressive growth to those looking for both growth as well as income in the form of regular dividends. There are also a variety of sector funds that invest in specific industries, such as technology, energy or communications.

Get online (see the Resources section below for a couple useful sites) or head to your library or bookstore once you have the basic concept of mutual funds under your belt. Between these two main sources you'll find all you need to know about the history of mutual funds.

Tips & Warnings

• Though many short mutual fund history lessons are available to read online, head to your local bookstore or library for full books on the subject.
• The longer history of mutual funds has some rather major ups and down, including an era during the 1960s when all but a few investors pulled out of funds that eventually grew by more than 9,000 percent. This does not happen anymore. Mutual funds are a relatively stable way to grow one's investment.
• Be aware that online some history pages on mutual funds may be under the banner of a particular company. If one company is featured prominently in the history, chances are that company is sponsoring the Web page.

Invest in TD Mutual Funds

TD Asset Management offers investors a choice of 50 mutual fund opportunities. The funds range from so-called active equity mutual funds to fixed-income funds and index funds, which are passively managed by their overseas subsidiary. Based in Canada, TD Asset Management is that country's sixth-largest mutual fund provider and is well-respected in the industry. When deciding how to invest in TD mutual funds, start with their website.

Log onto the TD Asset Management website, and click "TD Mutual Funds" from the "Our Businesses" menu.

Click "TD Mutual Funds" from the "Products & Services" menu on the right hand side of your screen.

Review the types of TD Asset Management mutual funds available. These include Investor funds (H series and Premium series), e-Series funds, Advisor & T-Series funds and their F & S Series funds.

Click on each series to view a brief description of fund characteristics, types of mutual funds available within that series (money market, fixed income, U.S. equity and more) as well as performance data for each fund.

Review this data carefully, paying close attention to the percentage yield, year-to-date performance, performance since inception and standard deviation (risk). You will need to click between the top five tabs for each prospectus to obtain this information. These tabs are labeled Prices, Details, Performance, Yearly Performance and Risk.

Request the full prospectus for the funds you're interested in directly from the TD Asset Management Web site. You will want these for your records.

Decide which fund to invest in based on your reading of each prospectus.

Contact a TD Asset Management advisor by phone or email to discuss your choice and give instructions for investment.

Tips & Warnings

• Take advantage of TD Asset Management's extensive background information online, including their graphic tools.
• It will help to be familiar with the larger Canadian companies included in some of the mutual fund portfolios.
• Make sure you know what your financial goals are before you talk with a TD advisor. This will make your conversation, and hopefully your investment, more fruitful.
• Though not all TD stocks are in Canadian companies, if you do choose one of TD's Canadian-based funds, be sure you're comfortable with that fact.

Invest in Silver Mutual Funds

Silver investments, along with gold and platinum, offer a strategy that some investors like because of their tendency to move in opposition to the greater stock market. As opposed to owning actual silver pieces, which is also an option, silver, or more often, precious metal mutual funds, traditionally invest in companies that mine for silver. Most mutual funds you'll find will invest in the overall category of precious metals.

Read about silver and where it's found to get a solid background.

Study the current state of the silver mining industry in the U.S. and the world.

Use an online search engine (see the Resources section below) to help research information on silver mutual funds.

Consult an investment advisor if you'd like to have assistance in the decision-making.

Narrow down your choices and request the prospectus for each mutual fund in which you're interested.

Read each prospectus carefully.

Tips & Warnings

• Silver mutual funds are usually a better investment in actual silver. If you love the idea of owning real silver, then investing in the real metal can be fun. If you're more concerned about long-term investment value, however, investing in the silver industry through a mutual fund is a safer bet.
• If you're interested in investing in silver, it's a good idea to get to know it. Investing in something of interest can make the entire enterprise even more enjoyable. Regardless of whether you live in the Silver State of Nevada, silver is a fascinating metal that is mined in more than 50 countries around the world. At No. 47 on the periodic table, silver is one of the most useful and beautiful metals on the planet.
• Mutual funds in silver, or precious metals in general, can be a good complement to an otherwise diverse portfolio. They may not, however, be a sound investment as your only mutual fund. The popular wisdom is to diversify to prevent a portfolio that moves wildly and unpredictably.
• Though silver stocks are favored among the precious metals by some investors, the category, in general, can be extremely volatile. Please be aware of this volatility before investing.

Invest in ProFunds Real Estate Mutual Funds

If you pay any attention to investment information, then someone has probably told you at some point to 'invest in real estate.' This can, of course, mean putting your money into a physical home or building, but it can also mean investing in real estate mutual funds. ProFunds is one of the many investment companies that offer customers the chance to invest in real estate mutual funds.

Decide what your objectives are for investing in real estate mutual funds. Ask yourself the following:
--How much risk are you willing to take on?
--How much are you willing to invest?
--How long do you anticipate staying in the market?

Go to the ProFunds Web site and request the prospectus for the ProFunds real estate mutual fund. Select the "ProFunds Info" link on the right side of the navigation bar. You may have a hard copy mailed to you or download an electronic copy.

Read the prospectus carefully and note any service fees.

Go to the ProFunds Web site. Under Quick Links, click on "Research the ProFunds".

Look at the "Quick Links" menu on the right hand side of the screen. From here, you can download ProFunds Quickfacts, NAVs (Net Asset Values) and performance charts.

Make sure you understand the information presented to you in these research materials.

Decide whether or not you're ready to take on the risk associated with this fund.

Contact ProFunds to set up an account.

Tips & Warnings

• ProFunds offers investing opportunities without transaction fees, which allows investors to keep up with trends and to re-invest accordingly.
• Be sure to devote enough time to keeping up with the changes in real estate as the ProFund Real Estate Mutual Fund generally follows the direction of the real estate sector as a whole.
• Savvy investors know that past performance is not indicative of the future, but it can certainly be an indicator. If you're feeling less than confident in an investment choice you've made, consult a reliable broker for further guidance.
• The ProFunds Real Estate Mutual Funds are managed somewhat aggressively, so be ready for volatility.
• ProFunds Real Estate Mutual Funds are naturally invested only in the real estate sector. Be sure that this does not represent your entire investment portfolio.

Invest in Precious Metals Mutual Funds

Many investors turn to precious metals mutual funds when they consider the volatile economy, scandals within many corporate headquarters and general uncertainty in the market. Precious metals mutual funds allow you to invest in highly profitable commodities, with the benefit of professional management as well as a diversification among different mining and metals companies.

Consider your current investment portfolio--will you shift a portion of your current holdings into a precious metals mutual fund, or invest with cash?

Decide how much you are willing to invest.

Decide how much risk you are willing to take on and the amount of time you want to spend in the precious metals mutual fund market. Funds will be optimized for different lengths of time (1 year, 3 years or 5 years). The amount of risk and expected returns generally diminish the longer you are involved in the market.

Research the precious metals mutual funds that are currently performing well. Past top performers have included the U.S. Global Gold Shares Fund as as well as Oppenheimer's Gold and Special Minerals Fund. Among the field's top performers, returns vary from approximately 25 percent to 55 percent.

Read about the latest mining technology--this technology drives the efficiency of the mining process. Consider subscribing to periodicals or online RSS feeds from associations such as the National Mining Association or the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration.

Choose three precious metals mutual funds that look the best to you based on your research.

Request the prospectus for each fund.

Read each prospectus carefully and make comparisons between past gains and losses, as well as expected gains and losses.

Check the Morningstar risk rating for each prospective fund.

Invest in the precious metals mutual fund of your choice through your broker.

Tips & Warnings

• Aim to begin with no more than 10 percent of your portfolio in precious metals mutual funds.
• Consult with your investment advisor before investing.
• Precious metals mutual funds can be extremely volatile. If this is your first mutual fund investment, you might consider a fund that offers more diversification of represented industries.
• Be aware of the differences between precious metals mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and investment in actual precious metals.

Invest in Mutual Funds For Kids

Youth definitely has its benefits. For kids, investment time horizons are typically very long. This means they can afford to weather stock market ups and downs, riding out the troubling times and taking advantage of periods of great return and appreciation. Mutual funds can be a good investment for saving for college, potentially putting Junior ahead of those kids who have mere savings accounts.

Determine your investment objectives and the amount of time you have to accomplish them.

Understand that mutual funds require minimum investments, ranging from a couple of hundred to thousands of dollars. There are, however, many funds that allow for lower minimum investments, ranging from $25 to $100, as long as you enroll in an automatic investment plan.

Use the Internet to search for kid-friendly mutual funds. Visit MFEA.com. This site offers investment advice and education, as well as links to mutual funds for kids.

Recognize that some companies have developed mutual funds that are just for kids. Others are intended for investors of all ages, but may be especially suitable for kids because of low minimum investment amounts or automatic investment plan options.

Determine the type of fund you need based on your objectives by clicking the "Kid Friendly Funds" link, followed by the "Selecting Funds" link. You'll find a chart that details the type of fund best suited for those with various objectives. The chart also lists the type of investments made according to the fund category, the potential for growth or income, and the potential risk level.

Click the fund selector link to find mutual funds that meet your requirements. You can search according to fund type, load, account type, minimum required to invest, performance, and a range of other criteria. Alternatively, you may search for kids' funds on MorningStar.com.

Visit the websites of the mutual funds that interest you and download prospectuses. Review them carefully, paying close attention to objectives and strategies, fund management details, fees and expenses.

With the help of your financial adviser or broker, invest in the kids' mutual funds that suit your goals for the child in your life. Alternatively, you may choose to contact the funds directly to open accounts and purchase shares.

Invest in Lord Abbett Mutual Funds

Independent and privately held, Lord Abbett is a firm with the sole purpose of managing money. In business since 1929, it is among the oldest United States money-management firms, helping countless clients to invest their money. Today, Lord Abbett offers individual and institutional accounts, as well as a wide selection of mutual funds. As of September 2006, Lord Abbet was credited with managing assets totaling $107 billion.

Prepare to Invest in Lord Abbett Mutual Funds

Review your investment objectives. Decide whether you want to invest in mutual funds for capital appreciation, income, diversification or a combination of these things.

Consider your investment time horizon. Figure out how long you have to reach your goals.

Determine your risk tolerance level. Decide whether you can afford to invest in a more aggressive fund or if you'd do better by investing conservatively.

Review your financial standing and determine how much you can afford to invest in Lord Abbett mutual funds.

Choosing a Fund

Know that Lord Abbett offers equity, global, international, fixed income, taxable fixed income and municipal bond funds. The firm also offers a money market fund.

Visit LordAbbett.com and review the available mutual funds. Funds are listed according to category.

Keep your investment objectives in mind and review online fund reports, fact sheets and statements of additional information.

Download Lord Abbett mutual fund prospectuses online using Adobe Acrobat Reader. Alternatively, you may request to have prospectuses mailed to you.

Use an investment research and analysis site, such as MorningStar.com, to compare Lord Abbett fund ratings and rankings with similar mutual funds offered by other companies.

Print, complete and mail an investment account application or contact your broker or financial adviser to purchase mutual fund shares.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep in mind that a fund's performance is greatly influenced by the professionals in charge of managing it. Sometimes portfolio management teams change. If the professionals responsible for the fund's past performance leave, there is a chance the fund's performance will change as well. To learn if a mutual fund still has the same managers, check its prospectus.
• By looking at a fund's statement of additional information, you can learn the amount the portfolio manager has invested in the fund. It is thought that a manager with a significant investment in a fund will be more motivated to seek high returns.

Invest in IDEX Mutual Funds

Investing in Transamerica IDEX mutual funds is another option for investors. Transamerica has selected their in-house investment managers and sub-advisors from outside investment companies to form a premier team with experience in mutual funds speculation, a strong network of resources and a proven support system. This carefully chosen group puts it focus on the quality of mutual funds, not the quantity of products to be offered.

Contact Transamerica IDEX via phone or their Web site, listed in Resources below, to request a current prospectus.

Read the Transamerica IDEX prospectus carefully and thoroughly, as it contains information about the risks and expenses associated with mutual funds and other important investment information.

Speak with a Transamerica IDEX customer service representative or your own financial advisor to discuss your investment objectives and limits.

Consider moving forward with your Transamerica IDEX mutual fund investment and download (or request from their customer service department) a new account application.

Complete and return the new account application with an investment check or, if you're signing up for the Automatic Investment Plan, a voided check.

Invest in mutual funds by establishing an AIP account, by visiting the Transamerica IDEX Web site, by creating a payroll deduction or through an outside financial professional.

Tips & Warnings

• You can get a new account application by either downloading one from the Transamerica IDEX Web site or by calling their customer service department.
• Mutual funds can be registered any number of ways, depending on whether they'll be used by individuals, partners, minors or heirs, to name a few.
• Once you have opened an account with Transamerica IDEX, you can easily purchase additional shares online by clicking on Manage My Account.
• The Automatic Investment Plan (AIP) is one of the easiest ways to invest in your fund. Transamerica will transfer money from your bank account directly into your Transamerica IDEX account for you.
• Transamerica IDEX mutual funds, like all investments, come with risks, charges and potential additional expenses. Carefully consider your investment objectives before investing.
• Your prospectus contains all your pertinent investment information. Please read it carefully and thoroughly.
• To purchase funds in a new account, a $1,000 minimum is required, unless you establish an Automatic Investment Plan.
• You may not make more than four share exchanges in any quarter; if so, Transamerica IDEX may limit your exchange privileges.

Invest in Franklin Templeton Mutual Funds

Franklin Templeton Investments, headquartered in San Mateo, California, is a global investment-management firm. With offices in 29 different countries, Franklin Templeton offers numerous investment solutions, including a mutual fund series. It has investors in more than 100 countries around the globe and manages more than 100 mutual funds.

Understand the Types of Franklin Templeton Mutual Funds

Understand that stock funds invest in common stocks. Typically, the primary goal of these funds is capital appreciation.

Know that bond funds primarily seek current income by investing in business, municipal and government bonds.

Understand that balanced funds take current marketing conditions into account, investing in stocks and bonds, as well as money market instruments. These funds seek current income and capital appreciation.

Recognize that money market funds invest in such things as certificates of deposit (CDs), municipal notes and commercial paper. They seek to offer a high level of liquidity, while providing current yields and protecting capital.

Realize that growth funds typically focus on investing in companies with potential for earnings-boosting growth. Value funds target overlooked and undervalued stocks. Blend funds combine the growth and value investment styles.

Choosing a Fund

Review the available funds at Franklin Templeton.com. You may search for fund information by category and share class or fund family and share class.

Request prospectuses and review them for information regarding objectives, strategies, expenses and fees, as well as details about fund managers.

Understand minimum investment requirements. Most Franklin Templeton funds have $1,000 minimum investments. Alternatively, you may opt for the automatic investment plan, requiring a $50 minimum investment.

With the help of a financial adviser or broker, determine the amount of investment you'd like to make and purchase shares.

Tips & Warnings

• Though its not absolutely necessary to invest with the help of a financial adviser, Franklin Templeton highly recommends doing so. By enlisting the help of a financial adviser, you can benefit from the professional expertise and experience of the person you choose, perhaps boosting your chances of investment success.
• As an alternative to a lump-sum minimum investment, you could choose the automatic investment plan. With this plan, you agree to have automatic investment transfers from your bank account to your Franklin Templeton fund or funds. You may choose to have transfers completed on a monthly, quarterly or yearly schedule.

Invest in Evergreen Mutual Funds

Evergreen Investments has been providing its clients with investment services for more than seven decades. The company is one of the 30 largest asset-management firms in the United States. In addition to mutual funds, Evergreen Investments manages institutional portfolios, annuities, private accounts, and a selection of alternative investments. As of September 2006, it managed more $258.2 billion in assets. Evergreen Investments offers a wide range of mutual funds.

Understand Your Fund Share Class Options

Consider that the A share class requires payment of a one-time sales charge. If you own other funds from the same family or meet other requirements set by Evergreen Investments, this sales charge may be reduced.

Determine whether the B share class is right for you. With this option, you invest without paying an up-front sales charge, paying the sales charge when you sell shares at a later date. You'll pay higher fees with this option, reverting automatically to Class A after you own your shares for six to eight years.

Decide whether the C share class option suits your needs. Choose the C share class and you'll pay a sales charge on shares you sell within two years of your initial purchase. You may pay a smaller front-end charge, but the fees you pay with this option will be high.

Choosing a Fund

Understand that there are four main mutual fund categories: stock, bond, money market, and balanced funds. Realize that each type of fund has specific investment objectives.

At EvergreenInvestments.com, use the fund information link to find daily pricing and performance information for each mutual fund. You'll also find information concerning each fund's portfolio management team, as well as ranking and rating details.

Download prospectuses for the Evergreen Investments funds that interest you and review them for information regarding fund investment strategies and objectives, risks and expenses. You may also download fund fact sheets.

Determine how much you want to invest in Evergreen Investments mutual funds.

With the advice of your financial adviser, select the Evergreen Investments mutual funds that fit your requirements. Invest according to the plans you've created with your adviser.

Tips & Warnings

• When you choose to invest in mutual funds, you put professional, experienced managers to work for you. These managers use their know-how and access to high-level investment research to assist you in meeting your goals.

Invest in Energy Mutual Funds

As huge numbers of people in China and India take to the streets in cars, energy will become even more in demand than it already is. Energy companies who can meet the demand stand to make a profit for their investors. On the other hand, much of the world's oil reserves are in unstable territory. It's good to know what you're getting into when you invest in energy mutual funds.

Decide if the energy business is indeed right for you. Keep an eye on your local paper as well as publications such as The Wall Street Journal and The Economist for detailed insights and advice on this ever-changing industry.

Decide how much you're ready to invest and how much risk you want to take, if energy mutual funds are your investment choice. Be aware that all your investment capital is at risk.

Ask trusted associates or friends for a good broker if you don't already have one.

Get the broker to give you some recommendations of mutual fund companies that cover the energy industry. The more options you have, the more likely you are to find a better fit between your goals and the fund provider.

Do further research on these funds, keeping in mind that not only are there many funds from which to choose, but there are many providers and ways to invest: you can save for retirement, for a child's education or to start a business, for example.

Order a prospectus from each fund that interests you, and read each one carefully. Decide on which one to invest.

Contact your broker to make your investment.

Tips & Warnings

• Part of the energy industry is the emerging field of alternative energy. Don't forget to look into this sector as it may prove to be a good bet in an uncertain world.
• Do enough research so you understand where in the world a particular energy company does its business.
• Invest in energy mutual funds at your own risk. It's a volatile industry, so buyer beware.
• If you have no strong reason to invest solely in energy, you might consider diversifying by investing in a wider-based mutual fund.
• If a particular energy company is heavily invested in a tumultuous part of the world, consider an alternative company.

How to Monitor a Mutual Fund

Even though the rising tide of the stock market has lifted a lot of mutual fund "boats," it's still essential to keep an eye on where your particular boat is heading.

Look for your mutual fund in your newspaper's business section and check its performance about once a week.

Compare your fund's performance with others in its class each month or quarter. If its performance is substandard but its group is doing well, consider switching to another fund in that class by contacting your broker or the fund manager.

Check the major stocks in your funds each year to be sure that the fund manager has not shifted the fund's investment emphasis in a direction that throws off your diversification plan.

Tips & Warnings

• If the fund you're in is growing nicely, consider buying more shares.
• Just because you love one fund's performance, don't disturb your allocation balance by buying too much of one fund.

How to Spend Your Tax Rebate Check

The Bush administration recently announced a plan to send most Americans a rebate check to stimulate the economy. Americans could get a $600 rebate($1200 per married couple), and those with children may get an additional $300 for each child. You're probably already wondering how to spend this "found" money.

Pay bills. Financial guru Suze Orman advises people to address their credit card debts first. There is no “found” money if you already “owe” money elsewhere. Put your tax rebate towards any high interest credit card debt.

Invest. Consider investing in a mutual fund, stocks or bonds. Make a lump sum contribution into your 401-K plan, if your company allows it (some companies only accept payroll deductions for 401-K).

Use it towards vacation. If you’ve been putting off that long weekend, why not use the extra cash to go away for a few days? $1200 (if both you and your partner receive the rebate) can buy you a few days away from it all.

Sock it away for Christmas spending. If you get yourself into debt every Christmas, put your tax rebate aside for holiday spending. Open a Christmas club savings account at your bank and don’t touch the money until next December.

Splurge on a big purchase. If your other finances are in order, use the rebate money to treat yourself to something nice. If you’ve been eyeing that plasma TV or those pricey Christian Louboutin shoes, go ahead and buy. You’ll be doing something nice for yourself and you’ll help to boost the economy.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't spend your rebate money until you get the check in the mail. The idea isn't to get into further debt.

Invest in Columbia Mutual Funds

As a leading investment firm, Columbia Management lends its experience and investment strategies to investors throughout the world. Columbia tailors its investment solutions to provide results that are consistently strong. With a focus on client needs, dynamic resources and investment research, Columbia offers a range of funds to fit a variety of investment objectives. Columbia offers close to 80 different mutual funds, including those in income, growth and tax-free categories.

Instructions

Think about your investment goals and use Columbia Management's Web site (the link can be found below in the Resources section) to research mutual funds that are in line with those goals. Using Columbia Management's Web site, you may search for funds by name, asset category or style of management.

Consider the past performance of the mutual funds that interest you. By visiting the company's Web site, you'll find tools for comparing mutual fund performance by category.

Realize that understanding investment risk is an important part of building strong portfolios and positioning investments for success. Learn about the degree of risk present within each mutual fund category by viewing the Columbia Funds Risk Spectrums.

View and compare the prices for Columbia mutual funds. You may compare pricing by category.

Review prospectuses, fact sheets and other fund literature online or request them by mail.

Determine the Columbia mutual funds that fit your investment needs. Keep your investment time horizon and the rest of your portfolio in mind as you make your choice.

Open a mutual fund investment account to begin purchasing shares or contact your broker for assistance. The minimum investment per fund is $1000 or $50 if you opt for the automatic investment plan.

Tips & Warnings

• When reviewing a mutual fund's past performance, remember that the past does not predict the future. The mutual fund you choose may perform better, worse or the same as it has in the past. As such, you could earn, lose or maintain with your investment.
• Keep in mind that there are many costs involved in mutual funds. Carefully review these charges before you invest. Columbia offers online tools for estimating the fees and expenses associated with its funds.
• For most mutual funds, you will invest by purchasing shares from the fund company or through a financial professional. If you decide to pursue closed-end funds, however, your purchasing process will be different. Unless you are able to invest in the fund's initial offfering, you will need to purchase shares on the stock market.

Invest in Janus Mutual Funds

Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Janus Capital Group managed assets totaling more than $150 billion as of September 2006. More than four million investors hold Janus mutual funds. Janus' diverse mutual fund selection includes asset allocation, growth and core, risked-managed stock, international and global, and specialty funds. Janus also offers bond and money market funds in which you can invest.

Janus Mutual Fund Options

Understand Janus asset-allocation funds. These funds focus on diversification and growth, combining investments in funds using the company's research with investments in those that utilize INTECH's mathematical strategies. INTECH is a Janus subsidiary.

Know that Janus growth and core funds are designed for those looking for strong capital growth.

Recognize that risk-managed stock funds strive to provide returns that outshine the index, while taking market volatility in stride and managing risk. Using special mathematical rules, these funds work to analyze stock price movement.

Understand Janus international and global funds. These funds are designed for those who want to invest in foreign markets. While international funds focus on foreign markets, global funds invest both inside and outside of the United States.

Get to know Janus bond funds. Aimed at providing income, these funds are said to be safer than stock funds.

Know that money market funds invest in low-risk securities that are short-term in nature. These funds seek to provide regular income with little risk.

Choosing a Fund

Visit Janus.com and review the available mutual funds.

Download prospectuses, statements of additional information, semi-annual and annual reports online using Adobe Acrobat Reader or request them by mail or email.

Determine the fund or funds in which you want to invest.

Review your budget and goals for the future. With these things in mind, set an amount for your opening investment.

Open an investment account online or by mail, or invest through a financial advisor or broker.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have an employee retirement plan, you can perform a direct rollover to a Janus account. You can also move an IRA from another firm to Janus by performing an asset transfer.
• Janus offers a comparison tool, making it easy for you to compare several different mutual funds.
• Janus offers an online goal planner, allowing you to figure out how much you need to invest per month in order to accomplish your financial goals in a specific amount of time.

Invest in Gold Mutual Funds

Gold mutual funds invest in equity securities issued by companies that mine or distribute precious metals. With a gold mutual fund, you can invest in many different stocks, diversifying your investments. Since a professional with experience and expertise will manage your gold mutual fund, you won't have to worry about making critical decisions yourself. You can seek to meet your investment objectives with someone else in the driver's seat.

Research Gold Funds

Consult with a trusted financial adviser concerning gold mutual funds and the portion of your portfolio you should commit to them.

Understand that, like all commodities, gold is considered a volatile investment.

Recognize that investing in gold can provide stability, even when the economy is shaky. Many investors use gold funds to protect against loss. In this way, some may view gold funds as investment insurance policies.

Perform thorough research on gold funds before you decide to invest. Compare gold funds online at MorningStar.com or LipperWeb.com.

Recognize the significant differences in available gold funds. Review them according to investment style, strategies and objectives. Also, pay close attention to fund loads, expense ratios, sizes, turnovers and net asset values.

Realize that some gold funds are more aggressive, while others may take a very conservative approach. Consider the type of approach that will fit best with your objectives and risk tolerance level.

Understand Gold Mutual Funds

Know that, though gold is a tangible asset, You will not take possession of it when you purchase shares in a gold fund. Instead, the mutual fund will hold the gold for all the fund's investors.

Recognize that gold offers high liquidity. This means you can easily convert gold to currency.

Realize that gold mutual funds sometimes move along with the price of gold. However, this is not always the case.

Remember that highly aggressive mutual funds take on more risks than their conservative counterparts. However, aggressive funds may offer more chances for significant financial rewards.

Realize that gold is not a risk-free investment. Like other types of stocks, gold stocks can perform poorly.

Tips & Warnings

• Approximately 2,500 tonnes (metric tons) of gold were produced worldwide in 2005. In that year, gold production barely managed to keep up with demand.
• In 2005, the leading producers of gold were South Africa, Australia, Latin America, the United States and China.

Invest in Ethanol Mutual Funds

With the U.S. reliance on foreign oil becoming a less tenable position by the day, many investors are trying to invest in the future of ethanol. Traditionally derived from corn, ethanol is now being produced experimentally with wood chips and grasses, which is one reason why everyone from Bill Gates to Richard Branson is investing in ethanol. Though ethanol mutual funds are still rare, there are opportunities available now.

Learn about the ethanol market by researching online.

Research the two main mutual funds that are built around alternative fuel companies. These are the New Alternatives mutual fund and the PowerShares WilderHill Clean Energy Portfolio.

Order the prospectus for each fund and read them carefully.

Decide whether you'd like to put all of your investments into alternative fuel. If so, make your investment directly with the fund or through an investment advisor or broker.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to invest in ethanol but not as a primary focus, consider investing in a socially responsible mutual fund that includes alternative energy companies within a broader set of holdings.
• Get online and visit the SocialFunds website (link can be found in the Resources section below) to see the biggest list of socially responsible funds. Many of these carry some alternative fuel holdings within their holdings, as well as a variety of other well-performing companies whose management strategies fit within the ideology of that particular socially responsible fund.
• Ethanol use is a meager 3 percent of the U.S. consumer car fuel market, even though most cars can handle fuel containing 10 percent ethanol, and some able to take 85 percent, or E85.
• The possibly explosive future comes from finding affordable sources in addition to corn. This research is still in the relatively early stages although signs look promising. Investment-wise, most mutual fund companies still see ethanol companies as too big a risk to include in their portfolios.
• You may be stymied by the lack of investment opportunities in ethanol. This is because, at this stage, many of these companies are not publicly traded entities.
• On a related note, if you're looking to the major mutual fund companies as a source of ethanol mutual funds, or even alternative fuel mutual funds, you will be out of luck. They simply do not yet see this sector as strong enough to support a mutual fund.

How to Invest in BRIC Mutual Funds

The economies in the BRIC countries—Brazil, Russia, India and China—are booming. So much so, in fact, that Goldman Sachs economist Dominic Wilson says they will be some of the world's most powerful economies by the middle of this century. Investing in BRIC mutual funds now is difficult, as your choices are limited and expensive, but as they become more popular, it will become easier and more affordable.

Understand what you're getting into. Investing in the economies of foreign countries is complicated, so visit Morningstar, listed in Resources below, or other respected investment Web sites to learn as much as possible.

Study the innovator. Visit the site of Franklin Templeton, listed in Resources below, the company that launched the first U.S.-registered BRIC mutual fund. Since this is a new type of mutual fund, studying its brief history is invaluable.

Search for options. The number of financial and investment companies that offer BRIC mutual funds is small, but expanding quickly, just like the economies of those countries.

Get a prospectus. After finding an investment firm, request a prospectus online or to be sent via mail.

Read it very carefully. Because BRIC funds are hot, you may be levied very high sales charges or annual expenses. A prospectus lists all fees and risks you can expect.

Determine the amount of your investment. As this market develops, it will become a safer investment, but BRIC funds, and all mutual funds are risky. Keep this in mind while considering the amount of your investment.

Request and complete an application.

Invest through a broker or directly with the mutual fund

Tips & Warnings

• For a balanced investment, keep your holdings of BRIC mutual funds at 3 percent to 5 percent of your portfolio.
• Hold on to BRIC mutual funds for five to 10 years.
• An alternate to risky BRIC mutual funds is to invest in no-load funds that include BRIC countries as well as other emerging economies.
• BRIC economies are going through growth spurts, which makes any investment in BRIC mutual funds very risky.
• Emerging-market stocks are notorious for big price swings, so be prepared for both booms and busts.
• The track record for BRIC funds is too short for any accurate long-term predictions.

How to Invest in Alternative Energy Mutual Funds

Alternative energy sources are increasingly recognized as the only ways to create sustainable energy to meet the world's future needs. Savvy investors have been some of the first to recognize this and many big ones, including Richard Branson and Bill Gates, are now backing alternative energy companies. For regular investors, the investment options are few as many alternative energy companies are not publicly held, but there are a few opportunities.

Read up on the latest advances in ethanol, electric batteries, solar power and wind energy sources on the Internet or at your library.

Go to the Web sites, listed in Resources below, of one of the two main alternative energy mutual funds when you feel you have a solid background. The New Alternatives mutual fund is one choice that allows investors to invest in companies all over the world who are researching and producing better routes to ethanol, solar energy, electric motors, hydroelectric energy, wind power and more.

Head next to the Web site for the other main alternative energy mutual fund known as the PowerShares WilderHill Clean Energy Portfolio. PowerShares offers investors the chance to invest in energy-conversion products, solar power, electric energy and more.

Order the prospectus for each company.

Read each prospectus carefully and decide which fund, if either, is right for you.

Contact your broker or investment person to make your initial investment.

Tips & Warnings

• One way to have more choice in your investments is to consider a broader socially responsible mutual fund. These funds allow conscientious investors to invest in a variety of forward-thinking companies. Often among these companies are those dealing in alternative energy.
• Much of the alternative energy information online is put out by the alternative energy companies themselves. Be sure you understand when you're reading information with a company slant.
• Keep in mind that it may not be as easy as you think to invest in alternative energy. Not many major mutual fund companies are ready to focus an entire fund on what they consider to be a relatively narrow sector.

Read a Mutual Fund Prospectus

Reading the mutual fund prospectus is the most important part of investing in a mutual fund, yet many investors don't know how to read it. There are three main elements to the mutual fund prospectus: the investment objectives, the costs and the fund's performance. Once you know how to read these, your mutual fund prospectus will seem far less daunting, and you will be a much better informed investor.

Learn How to Read a Mutual Fund Prospectus

Request the prospectus from the mutual fund in which you are interested. Sometimes these can be downloaded for free from the mutual fund's website.

Open the prospectus to the first page. There should be an explanation of the type of mutual fund it is and the fund's objectives.

Decide from the description of the fund if its objectives and risk levels are in sync with yours.

Find the fee table. It typically looks like a regular table graph.

Look for sections in the fee table pertaining to shareholder transaction costs, if any, and annual expenses. Your mutual fund may not have any shareholder transaction costs, or fees for buying or exchanging shares.

Determine your annual fees, including any transaction fees. The Securities and Exchange Committee (SEC) requires that the prospectus include an example of how much money in fees you would pay for a $1,000 investment with a 5% return over a period of 1, 3, 5 and 10 years.

Find the performance chart in your prospectus. This is also generally near the front and looks like a table graph.

Read the performance chart. It may also be called a condensed financial statement. It will include the fund's Net Asset Value (NAV), costs and dividends.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep in mind what you are looking for: the fund's objectives, or what they want to achieve, the costs, or how much you will pay to own shares in the fund and the performance, or how well or how badly the fund has done over time.
• Read carefully. A quick glance through the prospectus can miss a lot, which you will end up paying for.
• If you are new to investing, attempting to read the prospectus all in one go may get frustrating. Consider breaking the prospectus up into sections before you start to read.

How to Rate Mutual Funds

Mutual funds are not all the same, and the people who invest in them are just as unique. The methods companies use may not tell you how to rate mutual funds for your individual needs. If you want to rate mutual funds yourself, you'll end up with a fund that is tailor-made to fit your needs and still highly-rated according to performance standards.

Create Your Own System to Rank Mutual Funds

Build a list expressing why you plan to invest in mutual funds. Be as specific as possible.

Cut down your list to make a top-10, top-5 or top-3 (depending on your list size) reasons for investing.

Make a new list. Write out statements describing your personality, particularly where risk is involved.

Compare your investment list with your personality list to find the right type of mutual fund for you. It might be: low investment, low-risk, low return, high investment, low-risk, mid-return or some other combination with which you feel comfortable.

Check out top-performing funds in your investment arena. You can visit websites that rate mutual funds or check out investment papers and magazines.

Compare the highest-rated funds against your own lists to see if any are compatible.

Select the fund (or funds) with the best ratings from both the professionals and from your own lists.

Tips & Warnings

• A personalized system for ranking mutual funds is the best way for you to find the funds that meet your investment needs. You can speak to your broker or financial advisor if you feel unprepared for developing your own list.
• Personalized lists do not guarantee great returns. Don't invest money you can't afford to lose.
• The more you know about the different types of mutual funds, the better off you will be when it comes to choosing one. Common types of mutual funds include money market, fixed income, growth or equity, balanced, index and specialty funds. Each fund performs differently and carries different levels of risk for investors.
• Check for minimum investment amounts. Most funds have them.
• When you rate individual mutual funds, remember that even if funds have done well in the past, it does not mean that they will continue to do well. Mutual funds are investments, and investments always carry an element of risk.

How to Measure Your Funds' Net Asset Value

Your mutual fund's Net Asset Value (NAV) is the total value of a mutual fund's portfolio minus its total debts. The total value of the portfolio is measured by the market value of all the investments in which the mutual fund has shares. The debts are the total cost of running the mutual fund. Your mutual fund will measure your NAV every day, usually at the end of the business day. The NAV tells the mutual fund manager or brokers how much money each share of the fund is worth.

Understand Your Funds Net Asset Value (NAV)

Check out your mutual fund's NAV by finding its name or abbreviation in "The Wall Street Journal" or online.

Find the last day's NAV. It may be from the day before if you are looking at "The Wall Street Journal", or it may be the current day's NAV if you are looking online at the end of the day.

Choose a simple number of shares outstanding. When you are getting started, it doesn't matter what number you choose. This will give you a baseline.

Look at your portfolio and find the amount of your investment.

Find the beginning NAV in your portfolio and subtract it from the most recent day's NAV.

Divide the number you get in step 5 by the beginning NAV number. This will tell you the investment's performance.

Measure Your Mutual Funds Net Asset Value

Select a simple number to represent the number of outstanding shares, like 1000 or 10,000.

Find the closing NAV in "The Wall Street Journal" or online.

Divide the amount of your investment by the closing NAV of the most recent day. This will tell you the number of outstanding shares.

Add the change in value to any dividends. If you withdraw money from your investment, subtract the amount of the withdrawal.

Divide the number you got in step 4 by the cost of your initial investment. This will tell you your total return percentage.

Tips & Warnings

• Your mutual fund will measure your fund's Net Asset Value every day.
• The NAV may be below market price, since it takes into consideration the amount of money paid out in capital gains and dividends. It is not a good way to measure the worth of a fund, since it may show less appreciation than the fund has actually accrued.

Manage Class A Mutual Funds

Sometimes mutual funds will offer what is known as "class shares." Although every investor buys into the same investment portfolio, shareholder services and associated costs can vary drastically between the classes. Classes are labeled A, B and C, with some mutual funds even offering Class I shares to institutional investors.

Work with your financial advisor to establish several potential funds that offer Class A shares. In addition to assisting you with locating funds and investing your money, your financial advisor can also help you manage your portfolio.

Compare the past performances for each of the funds in which you're interested. The best way to find this information is by looking at the fund prospecutses. You can also chart performance by searching for your funds online.

Find out about the shareholder services and distribution arrangements for Class A funds for each of the funds. For example, most mutual funds offer more voting privileges to Class A shareholders, but many do not.

Determine what costs will be associated with your transaction. Class A shares usually incur a front end sales load, payable at the time of purchase.

Settle on a fund and be prepared to pay the front end sales load (usually around four to five percent of the purchase price) when you buy your shares.

Manage your Class A fund by charting its performance. If your fund has underperformed for 2 years in a row, it may be time to sell.

Tips & Warnings

• Find out if you can reduce your front end sales load by purchasing more shares. Some funds will authorize significant front end sales load reductions for large investments.
• If you don't meet the investment requirements for a reduction but plan to meet it in the near future, you may be able to use a letter of intent to obtain substantial savings now.
• Although it's a great idea to try to find a fund with low fees, don't choose one solely based on cost. Funds with low fees usually come with equally low performances.
• When investigating Class A shares, keep in mind that the front end sales load takes away a portion of your money that could have been better spent on shares.

How to Manage an Equity Mutual Fund

Equity mutual funds are designed to provide fast growth through investments in stocks. Although stocks are considered to be somewhat riskier than bonds, they also have the potential to reap high rewards. If you're looking for a more aggressive approach when you manage your mutual fund, you might find equity funds of great interest. Additional information can help you choose the right equity fund for your financial needs.

Choose an Equity Mutual Fund

Develop a realistic financial strategy. Depending on how financially savvy you are, you can create one on your own or turn to a professional for advice.

Select mutual fund types that will fit in with your overall goals. All of the fund types should be given consideration so you know you're not missing out on a potential moneymaker.

Diversify your portfolio further if you already own shares in mutual funds.

Study the performance of the fund over a long period of time. Did it perform consistently? Given the fund's historical performance, what can you hope to take home after your expenses and fees?

Look at the level of risk involved with the fund.

Get to know the person who will manage your equity fund. Do your investment styles match? Do you feel confident in his or her abilities to manage your money?

Consider the services you'll receive as a shareholder. This information can be found in the prospectus or by calling a fund customer service representative.

Take a look at the other funds available within the same fund family. You may find you are interested in several mutual funds from the same family.

Examine every aspect of the prospectus closely. There is a lot of valuable information in the prospectus about fees, management expenses, financial goals and distribution arrangements.

Buy shares in the fund that you've chosen.

Keep a close eye on developments in your fund so you'll know how they affect you.

Tips & Warnings

• An equity mutual fund is also known as a stock mutual fund.
• Don't go overboard with investing in mutual funds. Remember that less is better, as your money isn't just going toward one mutual fund--it's also tied up in dozens of stocks.
• Keep in mind that equity mutual funds do contain some level of risk. When in doubt about your investments, contact your financial adviser immediately.

Manage a Growth and Income Fund

Ideal for investors who have several years before retirement, but who want to develop consistent income in the meantime, growth and income funds are just one of the many mutual fund options available to you. Take a closer look at these funds and learn where you can buy them and how to manage them effectively.

Understand Growth and Income Funds

Learn about growth and income funds. The goal of these funds is to provide long-term capital growth for investors while giving consistent income along the way.

Assess your goals and come up with a sound investment strategy. Portfolio managers use a variety of ways to manage growth and income funds. Some choose to divide their investments equally between growth stocks and income stocks, while others prefer to pursue high-potential growth stocks more aggressively.

Determine your risk level. As with most mutual funds, there are some risks associated with investing in growth and income funds. Investors who are willing to take low-level risks to achieve growth while maintaining moderate income growth usually do well with growth and income funds.

Buy and Manage Growth and Income Funds

Locate a fund you feel comfortable investing in.

Find out if you can purchase the fund directly from the company. Some companies sell their shares directly to the general public, which is the least expensive way to invest in a mutual fund.

Contract a financial adviser to help you purchase the fund and manage it effectively. Not only will you be investing your money, but you'll also be getting valuable financial advice.

Consider using a fund supermarket. You'll have access to a wide variety of different funds if you choose this method, all offered with no sales charges or transaction fees. In addition, you'll have the benefit of additional record keeping and fund consolidation assistance.

Find out if your employer offers growth and income mutual funds as a retirement investment option. Using your company's plan means you won't have to worry about the specifics on how to manage your funds.

Tips & Warnings

• It is common for financial planners to charge either a percentage of the assets or a flat hourly fee. It's best to choose an adviser who charges a flat fee.
• Keep in mind that there may be more restrictions on investments purchased through a company-sponsored plan. You'll want to take into consideration any redemption penalties unique to the plan, as well as any restrictions on buying and selling, before you make your decision.
• Although most mutual funds purchased directly from fund companies are sold without sales charges, some companies may charge an initial fee. Funds that charge initial fees are known as low-end funds.

How to Locate a Mutual Funds Tutorial

So, you've decided you want to invest in a mutual fund. Now you're wondering how to begin. Before you drop a big chunk of your hard-earned cash into a mutual fund you may know little or nothing about, consider looking into an introduction to mutual funds. It's easy to locate tutorials that will teach you all you ever wanted to know and more about mutual funds. All you need is a good search engine and a little perseverance.

Find a comfortable chair and a computer with Internet access.

Visit a search engine and type in terms such as mutual fund tutorial, what is a mutual fund or mutual funds beginners.

Check out the URLs, or Web addresses, of the sites that come up in the search engine. Ask yourself if it is an independent site, if it is owned by a mutual fund brokerage or a company with a personal interest in which funds you might choose.

Select the URL that most appeals to you. For example, the Investopedia site (a link to which can be found in the Resources section below) has good tutorials on mutual funds as well as other investing options. Use your mouse to left-click on the hyperlinks (blue text) in the search engine. You can also right-click on a hyperlink and choose to open the link in a new window.

Sit back and read through the tutorial. If it is too difficult or not elaborate enough, work your way down through the available selections.

Tips & Warnings

• Read just one or two tutorials at a time. It is easy to get overwhelmed with the amount of information available, and different tutorials may offer different advice. Take some time to process the tutorial before jumping ahead to another one.
• Tutorials from a trusted investment source will be more reliable than those from an independent source. Remember, you don't need any credentials to post a site on the Web.
• Remember advice is just that: advice. Do not take on any risk or investments with which you feel uncomfortable. Do not let anyone pressure you into high-cost load funds that will end up making you less money overall.

Invest in USAA Mutual Funds

When learning how to invest in USAA mutual funds, it helps to have specific goals in mind. USAA members benefit from trained USAA fund advisors who guide them. USAA offers 18 mutual funds that cover a variety of goals and even industry sectors. In general, USAA mutual funds are no-load funds with reasonable operating expenses, and members are able to invest just $20 a month to get started.

How to Invest in USAA Mutual Funds

Find out whether you are eligible to invest by visiting the Eligibility section of the USAA website.

Confirm your membership and then register with the USAA website.

Call USAA and ask to consult with one of USAA's investment advisors. You may also submit this request through their website.

Tell the investment advisor about your goals and let him or her suggest the appropriate mutual funds.

Order the prospectus for each fund and read each one carefully.

Check each prospective fund's risk rating at the Morningstar website.

Use your USAA investment advisor to help you make your investment.

Tips & Warnings

• Because USAA mutual funds are no-load products, there are no fees that will reduce the value of your investment.
• To help evaluate USAA's funds, check the website. There, the Morningstar ratings are listed for each fund. These ratings are based on the fund's performance over a set number of years.
• Confirm your eligibility before researching USAA's mutual funds. Don't waste your time learning about the USAA mutual funds if you can't then invest in them. To find out if you're eligible, just go to the Eligibility section of the USAA website.
• For a relatively painless way to invest, take up USAA's offer of the low $20-per-month investment strategy. It is even possible to have those funds taken directly from your bank account so you aren't writing a check each month.
• In order to be eligible to become a member with USAA, you must be an officer on active duty or a member of enlisted personnel, an officer candidate in commissioning programs, a recently retired or separated member of military personnel, or you may be a child of a USAA member or a former USAA member yourself.
• Even though USAA represents the U.S. military personnel, the investment risks are the same as with any other commercial mutual funds.

Invest in State Farm Mutual Funds

Just as they are a respected leader in the insurance industry, State Farm is becoming a financial services leader as well. State Farm mutual funds are ideal for customers with a variety of financial needs, and they offer a wide range of account types.

Inform yourself. Investing in mutual funds can be complicated, especially for first-timers, so visit Morningstar, listed in Resources below, or other respected investment Web sites to learn as much as possible about investing in general and mutual funds in particular.

Determine if you need help. You can open a State Farm mutual funds account without assistance from a State Farm agent, although this isn't recommended.

Explore your options. State Farm has a wide range of mutual funds on their Web site, listed in Resources below, as well as many types of accounts. Will you be saving money for a rainy day, planning for retirement, setting up a business or saving for a child's college fund?

Make investment decisions. How you invest is determined by your financial goals, how much you are able to invest, how soon you need your money and your preferred investment style. See a State Farm agent or another financial specialist to help with these decisions.

Ask for a prospectus. Whether you will be using an agent or not, you should read it very carefully.

Request an account packet and complete the application.

Return the application to State Farm or your agent with a check.

Tips & Warnings

• Investing in mutual funds allows you to pool money with other investors in a more diversified, and safer, financial vehicle.
• Younger investors have the advantage of investing in stock funds; investors closer to retirement should invest more in bond funds, which have fewer ups and downs.
• The minimum investment for State Farm mutual funds is only $250, and for Automatic Investment Plans (AIPs) it is only $50.
• Although relatively safe, all investments are subject to risk, so research carefully and invest wisely.
• Diversifying your portfolio too much can water down your financial gains. It's important to strike a balance between diversification and overexposure.
• State Farm mutual funds are not FDIC insured, have no bank guarantee and may lose value when redeemed.

Invest in Selected Mutual Funds

With over $50 billion in assets, Davis Financial Group has successfully guided Selected Funds for over 30 years. Using investment strategies that span three generations, the Davis Financial Group leads with experience. Follow these steps to invest in Selected mutual funds.

Learn About and Invest in Selected Mutual Funds

Know your goals. Selected Funds offers three distinct investments. Each investment has its own risk level. Your success as an investor directly relates to the clarity of your goals.

Choose your mutual fund. Now that you have a clear goal, pick the fund that best suits your objective. Selected Funds consists of Selected American Shares, Selected Special Shares and the Selected Daily Government Fund.

Choose Selected American Shares if you seek long-term capital appreciation gained by investing in America's most stable and successful corporations. Read more about this long-term investment on the Selected Funds Web site (see the Resources section below).

Check out Selected Special Shares. This less-stable fund looks for big payoffs by investing in the blue chips of tomorrow. The Davis Financial Group invests in promising mid-sized companies to earn long-term gains. Read the overview on the Selected Funds Web site.

Consider the Selected Daily Government Fund, which invests in stable U.S. securities to earn short-term capital. Though the fund is not a wise long-term investment, its gains are usually greater than those of a savings account.

Read the prospectus of each fund before you invest to learn its risks, strategies and goals. You can download this essential reading for any investor from the Web site.

Pay attention to fees. Since each fund is guided by a financial group, the operation costs fall on the investors. Check the prospectus to see if there are any investment or liquidation fees associated with your fund.

Brush up on your investment ABCs. Visit the Investment FAQ Web site to read about financial basics (see Resources below).

Invest! Now that you're familiar with the funds, it's time to make an investment. Mail, wire or call Selected Funds with your investment. Good luck!

Tips & Warnings

• Though professional financial advisers manage mutual funds, your money is not insured by the FDIC. Thus, there is some risk involved when you invest.