Mutual Funds...

Mutual funds can be just as risky as stock.. I suggest you learn what mutual funds are and do a bit of research on what companies are in your mutual funds..

The idea of a mutual fund is to take money from the pool.. Then after maturity you get your potion back with the return.. You can also sell the mutual fund at a discount on the market, and buy them at discounts on the market.. Some people sell them cuz they lost money and want to cut their losses.. which allows you to get a gain if the yield to maturity is in close range.

Mutual funds dont bring in a lot of money, because most plans are made so risk is low so the return is also low..

If you're young, I would suggest starting off with medium risk maybe.. Then as you age, start shifting into a more low risk category, by the time you retire, pull out all money to the fund and you should be left with the best earnings you could possibly make.

Remember, safer investments mean lesser returns.. So it all depends on age and selection.. Timing as well.. Look at inflation and poissible threats to the markets..

If you mutual fund is invested 50 percent in medical companies, 20 percent in internet companies and another 30 percent in standard businesses..

If there is a shortage of development in medical, your price goes down, but if internet is doing well.. It could compensate for the loss of medical.

In other words, talk to a representative and ask about which investments are for you...

if you got other questions, post em.. Ill do the best I can to answer.

.dc

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Seems like you got all the info you need.. But..
Here are the mian factors you should be concerned about:

Know your fees:
It's true, management fees are there, and there might be other fees, and make sure you understand, you cannot take your money back out within 3 months of the initial investment without suffering from a penalty, which means the bank get a percentage of the investment you made and you make no money.

in other words: 2% of $1.00 is nothing, but 2% of $100,000.000 is!



Go for a diverse investment:
Even if you have a mutual fund, make sure the the fund spreads it's pool of cash around the market.. This allows the fund to grow more (to me personally)

Investment money vs expendable cash:
Never mix the two terms.. Think of investments as money you dont have anymore.. Even though you have ownership in a stock/fund.. You gotta think like you dont have that money anymore.. It's main purpose is just for invsetments that's it..

Make sure your investment money doesn't tie up your spending cash/savings.. You should allocate enough for all the needs you have and wants too..


Credit:
If you have bad credit, or you have bills.. Make sure your bills are done and dealt with and your credit cards are paid off.. ANy money you make otherwise from investments will most likely be lost to interest payments (Never make the minimum payment on a bill/credit card)

Last but not least:
EXPLORE your options, the market has MANY MANY ways for people to invest.. Learn the terminology of investing if you can.. Pick up a dummies book on investments and learn how to read the markets.

Know what the dow jones index is, what nasdaq is, that inflation is, global threat,s and global emering markets..*emerging makerts are high risk but also high returns -- BUT VERY risky, most likely to lose your investment.

Learn about different investments - form GIC's, to Tbills -- Strategies -- like laddaring your GICs, or heding stocks --

You dont need to apply it, but it sure will help if you understand the basics of investing!


MOST IMPORTANT -- ANY MONEY YOU MAKE IN THE MARKETS, DUMP IT STRAIGHT INTO YOUR RRSP, ERSP, or any tax free/deferred investment you can! This will SAVE YOU so much money..
that's all I can offer.

dc.

There's nowhere I can't reach.