Mutual Funds | Barbara Friedberg Personal Finance

Category Archives: mutual funds

READER QUESTION; HOW TO CHOOSE MUTUAL FUNDS?

Written on January 11, 2012 by Barb in advanced, asset allocation, bond, investing, mutual funds, stocks, wealth

I would like your opinion and advice on how I should allocate my investments and my daughter’s investments among mutual funds.

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WHAT IS ASSET ALLOCATION?

Written on January 9, 2012 by Barb in asset allocation, bond, investing, mutual funds, stocks

The beginning of the year is portfolio rebalancing time for investors. I write a lot about investing as I believe it is an achievable path to long term wealth. If you don’t know what asset allocation is or much about investing at all then this article is for you.

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HOW WELL ARE MY INVESTMENTS PERFORMING?

Written on August 8, 2011 by Barb in bond, investing, mutual funds, stocks

In investing, you feel great when your statement shows a nice fat annual return like 12% or even 13%. Conversely, when you have a “bad” year with a negative return, you’re disappointed.

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IS MY INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO OVERVALUED?

Written on May 13, 2011 by Barb in advanced, asset allocation, investing, mutual funds, stocks

I’m not the only one unsure of the market valuations.

The Yale academic, Robert Shiller, and creator of the 10 year (trailing) Shiller PE is at odds with the market strategist, David Bianco. In the Wall Street Journal article, Is the Market Overvalued?, by E.S. Browning. Shiller believes the market is overvalued and Bianco disagrees.

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HOW TO BEGIN INVESTING WITH $100

Written on April 6, 2011 by Barb in investing, mutual funds, stocks

“(Saving) $50 a week for 52 weeks is $2,600, but it still wouldn’t meet the $3,000 minimum initial investment for the Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund.”

As a longtime cheerleader of Vanguad low cost Index funds, I WAS TROUBLED BY THAT COMMENT. I immediately called up Vanguard to confirm John’s comment. To my dismay, he is correct, not even with a commitment to automatic monthly contributions can you get around the $3,000 minimum initial investment. That’s way too high!

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MBA Class; Use Net Present Value to Make Investment Decisions

Written on February 26, 2011 by Barb in asset allocation, bond, investing, mutual funds, stocks

I’m in the midst of teaching a Corporate Finance class for MBA students at a local university. Some of the concepts, although rather complicated, have important real world applicability. One of those uber-important concepts is, NET PRESENT VALUE (NPV). It is a method to put a dollar amount on future cash payments. It’s great if you win the lottery and want to determine whether to choose the lump sum payment or monthly option. Or what if you or your folks want to determine the present value of their monthly social security or annuity checks.

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AN INVESTING STORY, WITH A BIG LESSON

Written on January 29, 2011 by Barb in asset allocation, bond, competition, investing, mutual funds, stocks

In investing, large gains and large losses go with the territory. Rarely do you know which investments will outperform and which ones will underperform.

So, don’t judge your investing performance too frequently, either the good or the bad performers.

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The Friedberg Family Portfolio-Revisited

Written on December 13, 2010 by Barb in asset allocation, bond, investing, money management, mutual funds, stocks

El Carino and I are within ten to fifteen years of retirement. Although I don’t know whether we want to retire at that time, I’m certain we would like the OPTION TO RETIRE. I am presently focused on captial preservation and modest growth.

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Perfect Investments for The Lazy Investor

Written on December 11, 2010 by Barb in bond, guest post, investing, mutual funds, personal finance

Everyone knows that keeping up with in an individual stock can be a part time job. Investing in individual stocks requires that you monitor the performance of your investment on a consistent base. You have to read quarterly reports, listen to conference calls, and stay abreast of any material changes in your stock investment. That’s a lot of work!

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A Sneak Peak; Inside Barbara Friedberg’s Personal Portfolio-Part 3

Written on September 14, 2010 by Barb in asset allocation, bond, investing, mutual funds, stocks

The Friedberg Family Portfolio Today (For informational purposes only) “Of course. I favor passive investing for most investors, because markets are amazingly successful devices for incorporating information into stock prices.” Merton Miller I love it when an economist espouses my opinion! Short and sweet; this quote is the premise of the Friedberg personal portfolio. In…

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