Mutual Funds...

I'm thinking of investing in mutual funds. I bank with Washington Mutual and they have this 5 different plans option where they range from low risk with small short term gains to high risk with large short term gains. (I'm planning to leave it in there for a long time so short term doesn't really matter much to me).

For those who have past experience with this, what do you think? Is it something you recommend to do or not do for any particular reason? How did it turn out for you? Any tips?

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Sorry if this is a nobrainer question, but the main difference between stock and mutual funds is the fact that with stocks you're putting all your eggs in one basket as opposed to with mutual funds where you spread it around right?

Oh and I'm 20. Not sure if that's considered young or old when it comes to dabbling with these financial games...


Oh and thanks for the help.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Wow thanks for all the info guys. Looks like I've got a good chunk of research to do here. Maybe I'll pick up some sort of an "Investing for Dummies" type book.

Oh and thanks for pointing out the little factoid about fee's. The banker didn't metion a blip about those to me when he was "informing" me about the world of mutual funds. =/

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.