The view from John Maynard Keynes

[Rook]

Any well constructed investment portfolio needs to have some exposure to alternative investments such as metals, futures, hedge funds, etc.... Depending upon risk tolerance and objective, anywhere from 5% to 25%. ETF's are making it easier for people to own alternatives which is nice because it creates a liquid market.

Only problem is that melting down coins is a felony. You could probably get away with melting small batches of old silver coins but you'd need to melt down a crapload of nickels. Wouldn't invest in metals especially gold who's value is bubbled to the max due to crash like 50 percent with the market saturated with these cash for gold things.

Have a couple of mutual funds. A MD tax free bond and a Value fund. The bond fund is nice, its safe and $10,000 consistantly nets you about $600-750/yr tax free.

There are some good Stocks if you want to make money. Tobacco always pays great dividends, has a good PE and stays undervalued because many people have social/moral reasons for not investing in it. Almost bought ford shares when it was around $8/share. Should have (actually should have bought it at $3/share). Might invest if it drops to say $10-12.

 

[davek]

Is there anything you lot wouldn't trade in?

PMSL - the obsession to make money!

 

[McBain]

Is there anything you lot wouldn't trade in?

PMSL - the obsession to make money!

You gotta Git busy livin' or git busy fryin', a chef once told me.

 

[Tennessee Blue Mike]

Is there anything you lot wouldn't trade in?

PMSL - the obsession to make money!

Somebody is at it again. Most commodities crushed today. Even the food commodities deep sixed. Blythe Masters and the JPM playbook working overtime. It's almost over at least in the silver market for the Crimex eh I mean Comex.

 

[TX Bill]

Only problem is that melting down coins is a felony. You could probably get away with melting small batches of old silver coins but you'd need to melt down a crapload of nickels. Wouldn't invest in metals especially gold who's value is bubbled to the max due to crash like 50 percent with the market saturated with these cash for gold things.

Have a couple of mutual funds. A MD tax free bond and a Value fund. The bond fund is nice, its safe and $10,000 consistantly nets you about $600-750/yr tax free.

There are some good Stocks if you want to make money. Tobacco always pays great dividends, has a good PE and stays undervalued because many people have social/moral reasons for not investing in it. Almost bought ford shares when it was around $8/share. Should have (actually should have bought it at $3/share). Might invest if it drops to say $10-12.

Munis are an undervalued investment in my opinion right now. Especially with the media headlines about defaults.

Is there anything you lot wouldn't trade in?

PMSL - the obsession to make money!

Well there's a difference between trading (gambling in my opinion) and investing for the long haul to save for goals such as a new home, a child's education, or retirement income.

You have to diversify your portfolio as much as possible and fortunately today, there are investment vehicles available that weren't available just a few years ago that make it easier for your average investor to get exposure to.

But again, it all comes back to an investor's goals, time horizon, and risk profile.

 

[davek]

Well there's a difference between trading (gambling in my opinion) and investing for the long haul to save for goals such as a new home, a child's education, or retirement income.

You have to diversify your portfolio as much as possible and fortunately today, there are investment vehicles available that weren't available just a few years ago that make it easier for your average investor to get exposure to.

But again, it all comes back to an investor's goals, time horizon, and risk profile.

I agree. Most of us are involved in that end of things even if it's just through a pension scheme that uses our money to invest in the market. I'm just amazed at the level of knowledge in investment by the man on the street over there. Probably a cultural thing.

 

[Tennessee Blue Mike]

I agree. Most of us are involved in that end of things even if it's just through a pension scheme that uses our money to invest in the market. I'm just amazed at the level of knowledge in investment by the man on the street over there. Probably a cultural thing.

TxBill does give sound advice. I am sure he is in the financial planning arena with the strong background he has. Seriously, most people here haven't a clue about the markets and what really drives them. It not all their fault as program trading is compromising an open market to the benefit of the investment banks and Hedge funds. The little guy has to be either nimble or have a Jesse Livermore type approach. I think many now that have 401k's instead of the historical pensions have tried to educate themselves about the product and the main stream media over here is happy to oblige them with such pundits as Cramer(not the one on Seinfeld) to put it in a way working class America can understand it.

I would hope one day public schools would teach all students Finance along with Economics so they can get a better understanding about debt and investments. That as you know was sadly lacking as sheeple were led to slaughter in the housing crisis were most had no business being a part of.