Personal Investing

[PSULionsDub]

I would like to get some advice regarding online trading platforms (I.e. ETrade, Scottrade, etc...) in order to personally invest in the stock market. In addition, I would like to hear if you recommend investing in any specific companies, index funds, mutual funds, specific industries, or bonds. I am not looking for insider information at all, but rather certain investments or investment vehicles you have used in the past/currently use that you would recommend to others (I would be comfortable with medium risk and low risk investments).

Before anyone asks Informational questions, I do max out my 401k plan contribution each year, I keep excess cash in a high interest online savings account at current market rates, I have restricted and vested stock in my company, life insurance for both my wife and I, and I do have a good understanding of financial principles. In summary, I have some excess cash that I want to personally invest in the stock market so I am looking for ideas on how and what to invest in. Thank you.

 

[NedFromYork]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Efficient_frontier

Risk free rate can be approximated by holding a short or intermediate term T-bill.

Most efficient instrument for a risk of 1.0 can be approximated by S&P500 (SPY).

Most efficient instrument for a risk of 2.0 can be approximated by purchasing S&P 500 on margin (RYTNX).

You only need to hold a combination of these, anything else is inefficient.

 

[Ranger Dan]

I had some ESOP shares that I wanted to move, so a friend recommended a financial guy. He put my money into American Funds. Other that him getting a cut of my money, I’m happy with the investment. While the market has been good just about everywhere, American Funds IRA did outperform both my wife’s 403b and my 401k.

 

[Victor E. Bell]

Scottrade is dead. Bought out by TDAmeritrade. I was a Scott client and I don't care for TD's platform now but they did lower their trade rates by a penny or two. I think it's $6.99 where it used to be $7. I recommend finding an independent broker to handle your money. They're usually backed by big companies and don't have a lot of clients. I used to be a little fish in the ocean. Now I have an independent FA and my meager sums matter to him.

 

[bdgan]

I would like to get some advice regarding online trading platforms (I.e. ETrade, Scottrade, etc...) in order to personally invest in the stock market. In addition, I would like to hear if you recommend investing in any specific companies, index funds, mutual funds, specific industries, or bonds. I am not looking for insider information at all, but rather certain investments or investment vehicles you have used in the past/currently use that you would recommend to others (I would be comfortable with medium risk and low risk investments).

Before anyone asks Informational questions, I do max out my 401k plan contribution each year, I keep excess cash in a high interest online savings account at current market rates, I have restricted and vested stock in my company, life insurance for both my wife and I, and I do have a good understanding of financial principles. In summary, I have some excess cash that I want to personally invest in the stock market so I am looking for ideas on how and what to invest in. Thank you.

50% SCHB
50% SCHZ

 

[LionDeNittany]

I would like to get some advice regarding online trading platforms (I.e. ETrade, Scottrade, etc...) in order to personally invest in the stock market. In addition, I would like to hear if you recommend investing in any specific companies, index funds, mutual funds, specific industries, or bonds. I am not looking for insider information at all, but rather certain investments or investment vehicles you have used in the past/currently use that you would recommend to others (I would be comfortable with medium risk and low risk investments).

Before anyone asks Informational questions, I do max out my 401k plan contribution each year, I keep excess cash in a high interest online savings account at current market rates, I have restricted and vested stock in my company, life insurance for both my wife and I, and I do have a good understanding of financial principles. In summary, I have some excess cash that I want to personally invest in the stock market so I am looking for ideas on how and what to invest in. Thank you.

JG Wentworth - Get Cash Now
Use Cash to Buy Gold from Lear Capital
Sell Gold to Cash4Gold.com

Guaranteed wining strategy.

LdN

 

[sluggo72]

Scottrade is dead. Bought out by TDAmeritrade. I was a Scott client and I don't care for TD's platform now but they did lower their trade rates by a penny or two. I think it's $6.99 where it used to be $7. I recommend finding an independent broker to handle your money. They're usually backed by big companies and don't have a lot of clients. I used to be a little fish in the ocean. Now I have an independent FA and my meager sums matter to him.

TDAmeritrade chairman of the board is Coastal Carolina HÉAD Football coach, Joe Mogila. Can’t make that up

 

[Victor E. Bell]

TDAmeritrade chairman of the board is Coastal Carolina HÉAD Football coach, Joe Mogila. Can’t make that up

Another reason to strongly consider! Did not know that. Brother how the hell can you juggle those two bowling pins? Seriously.

 

[c1976]

I do have a TDA account for plaint around in the market but virtually all of our family savings is in Vanguard. Great funds at a low cost. Hard to beat.

 

[Victor E. Bell]

Why would one think the Chairman of the (Governance) Board has any involvement in the management and operations of the entity?

Actually, I have no idea. I just had an expectation which is apparently wrong. I'm wrong now about 20 times a day. Not kidding. I think I truly get dumber by the day. Not even being a wiseass.

 

[sluggo72]

Why would one think the Chairman of the (Governance) Board has any involvement in the management and operations of the entity?

Because he was the president and ran the day to day operations for years. There’s a reason they kept him around but let him go pursue his main passion football
Iirc Joe has written 4 books at least. 2 on football and 2 on investing

 

[mrtailgate]

My two cents. Rest assured that we operate at an information disadvantage relative to the big houses. Some (if you believe them) say that the market is heavy towards manipulation by the big houses so that they make money while individual investors lose money. If you go to the end of the conspiracy rainbow, some will say it’s almost criminal regarding the manipulation exercised by the big houses.

I would generally say that if you are more towards minimal or moderate risk that you will do better via diversification achieved by mutual fund investing v. ownership of individual stocks. If your risk profile allows for individual stocks then your return profile increases but I’d be wary of that.

You haven’t mentioned Roth IRA’s. I’d consider some conversion alternatives depending on your personal circumstances. I know a lot of people who are of the learned opinion that individual rates will be increased so that you will never pay the rate of tax that you might pay now relative to the tax you will pay under withdrawal in the future at higher rates. Google benefits of Roth IRA conversions to educate yourself further.

Another area that I will throw out there is real estate. If you do it correctly, real estate can provide an alternative investment or another piece of your portfolio. There are the obvious concerns but you can have a property manager to insulate you from the dirty aspects of real estate investment. It’s not for everyone but it does provide a nice leveraging potential, certain tax advantages, and a tax free return that generally exceeds that of money markets, etc.

Post back and let us know what you picked as your strategy.

 

[Doc-M]

Fidelity is excellent! Never buy an annuity and do not hold excessive amounts of cash in your interest bearing account (no more than 20% in this account). Upfront I do NOT work for Fidelity! Invest in sector funds (ETF's are good for buying and selling in the market vs mutual funds). Market presents opportunities when everyone is selling, you buy stocks of "good companies"). Finding "good companies" is an ongoing search. One works on this search almost every day. If you do not like to do this, let a pro manage your money. (I manage money but I do not accept clients.)

 

[sluggo72]

Fidelity is excellent! Never buy an annuity and do not hold excessive amounts of cash in your interest bearing account (no more than 20% in this account). Upfront I do work for Fidelity! Invest in sector funds (ETF's are good for buying and selling in the market vs mutual funds). Market presents opportunities when everyone is selling, you buy stocks of "good companies"). Finding "good companies" is an ongoing search. One works on this search almost every day. If you do not like to do this, let a pro manage your money. (I manage money but I do not accept clients.)

why do you say never buy an annuity?

 

[heckmans]

I would like to get some advice regarding online trading platforms (I.e. ETrade, Scottrade, etc...) in order to personally invest in the stock market. In addition, I would like to hear if you recommend investing in any specific companies, index funds, mutual funds, specific industries, or bonds. I am not looking for insider information at all, but rather certain investments or investment vehicles you have used in the past/currently use that you would recommend to others (I would be comfortable with medium risk and low risk investments).

Before anyone asks Informational questions, I do max out my 401k plan contribution each year, I keep excess cash in a high interest online savings account at current market rates, I have restricted and vested stock in my company, life insurance for both my wife and I, and I do have a good understanding of financial principles. In summary, I have some excess cash that I want to personally invest in the stock market so I am looking for ideas on how and what to invest in. Thank you.

I had an account with Scottrade. They got bought by TDAmeritrade. Platform works fine.
My humble opinion/advice for a guy in your position....pay the $100/yr to access The Motley Fool and take their advice on 8-10 stocks. They far out perform the market and it doesn't require a ton of oversight. They also know more than a bunch of keyboard warriors on a message board. Good Luck!

 

[Art]

Because he was the president and ran the day to day operations for years. There’s a reason they kept him around but let him go pursue his main passion football
Iirc Joe has written 4 books at least. 2 on football and 2 on investing

Moglia is a non-executive chairman. He keeps his title because he knows the business and the company and adds value on a part-time, consultancy basis. The folks at Toronto-Dominion aren't going to have the head guy as anything less than a full-timer.

 

[sluggo72]

Moglia is a non-executive chairman. He keeps his title because he knows the business and the company and adds value on a part-time, consultancy basis. The folks at Toronto-Dominion aren't going to have the head guy as anything less than a full-timer.

He was my pick to take over for JVP at the time. Many people couldnt get past he was a volunteer at Nebraska and hadnt coached in 25 years. It seems his gig has worked out pretty well at Coastal Carolina! Plus he could help jump start Anne Saunders fund raising with some of his own $$$.

 

[Art]

He was my pick to take over for JVP at the time. Many people couldnt get past he was a volunteer at Nebraska and hadnt coached in 25 years. It seems his gig has worked out pretty well at Coastal Carolina! Plus he could help jump start Anne Saunders fund raising with some of his own $$$.

Did okay when Coastal Carolina was in FCS, but the transition to FBS hasn't been great. In fairness, he's been dealing with major health issues for the last couple of years.

"Jump start" is about all one might expect Moglia to do. He's wealthy, but we're not talking Pegula money, not even close. I'm guessing that if it's going anywhere it's destined for Fordham/Fordham Prep.

 

[pointingdogsrule]

I would like to get some advice regarding online trading platforms (I.e. ETrade, Scottrade, etc...) in order to personally invest in the stock market. In addition, I would like to hear if you recommend investing in any specific companies, index funds, mutual funds, specific industries, or bonds. I am not looking for insider information at all, but rather certain investments or investment vehicles you have used in the past/currently use that you would recommend to others (I would be comfortable with medium risk and low risk investments).

Before anyone asks Informational questions, I do max out my 401k plan contribution each year, I keep excess cash in a high interest online savings account at current market rates, I have restricted and vested stock in my company, life insurance for both my wife and I, and I do have a good understanding of financial principles. In summary, I have some excess cash that I want to personally invest in the stock market so I am looking for ideas on how and what to invest in. Thank you.

Tell me about those "high interest online savings accounts". Never done that before. Thanks

 

[sluggo72]

Tell me about those "high interest online savings accounts". Never done that before. Thanks

dont forget 'high' is a relative term, currently it may mean 2%.

 

[PSUSignore]

dont forget 'high' is a relative term, currently it may mean 2%.

This. They are only "high" in terms of comparison to your run of the mill savings account at your local bank or credit union. I use them to store my emergency funds since it's a mostly liquid account with slightly better interest. The down side of these accounts is that it takes more time to access your money, usually 3-4 days in my personal experience.