O/T Investing opinions

55 50 Ron

Well-known Member
Where would you invest a sum of money (oh, you don't
have any to invest? LOL, Neither do I, but I'll ask
anyway!) to get the greatest return for a slight
risk and not need the money "on demand" i.e., it
could stay invested for possibly 3 years.
 
there is no where that meets your criteria. Well, if you'll settle for .025% interest, your credit union.
 
I renewed a CD at my bank 3 weeks ago, .35% APY.

That is so stupid.....low interest rates have a down side too.
 
You will lose money under any investment senario today. If you want low risk...CDs but...........inflation will tear heck out of your return. Put it into the market and pray.
 
Municipal bonds- not as safe as a CD, but better return, and more likely to stay yours vs the stock market.
 
Bonds, get the top rated general obligation backed so the entire city has to go broke to get out of them. Beware lower rated, or non-backed, or those subject to ATM tax these days.

You can get about 3% with careful shopping, and they are tax free so that can get you close to 5% effective return.

You can resell them if you need the cash - not for short term, but if you gotta have the money, or need it in 5 years, you can get to it, they will go up or down in hard value as interest rates go up and down, but are about as safe for as high a return you can get these days. Harder to find, as others are turning to them too.

--->Paul
 
You could buy some ETFs or some stocks that pay a divide end, such GE, Microsoft, Mcdonalds, AIN, trustco, among many others, ect, I make a couple hundred a year from GE, better than I'd get from a bank savings account, I know GE lowered there dividend payout, I hope it goes back up someday!
 
Personally I'd steer clear of the stock market for now.

With the president in need of getting his political win on taxing successful people - with a drastic increase in capital gains and dividend taxes - there could be a market implosion before January 1 as investors are forced to cash out before those rates go into effect in 2013.



It could be a very bumpy ride on wall street.
 
Yes, .35% is stupid, almost as stupid as you for letting them have your money for 10X less than the rate of inflation!
 
A number of years ago I looked at that and figured I would invest what little $$ I had in old tractors be they dead or alive and that has been probably the best return on the dollar I have ever seen and the price of them does not go down but up and also a good way to barter if and when the $$ is no more
 
I bought AAA rated GM bonds that went to toilet paper,had some goverment bonds that paid well,but the goverment bought them back.My broker put me into worldcom and BP stock that both went south.I have some old tractors,but they have lost probably 30% in value and are still sinking.So,don't ask me.
 
Do you have a better place to put over 10,000 that is FDIC insured?
I dont know of anywhere else, I am not going to buy T-Bills.
 
I have some money invested in AT&T stock the price is down from where it started but the dividend makes up for the value. I would look for a stock that pays a decent dividend that is fairly cheap that way you can by bulk. Try to stick with a company that you would do business with or refer a friend to.
 
Gold or silver is probably as good a hedge as any- will pretty much just sit there as long as the economy doesn't crash, but should rise in relation to decline in dollar value if things go south. Its never been worth nothing, unlike some investments (GM bonds come to mind).

There just isn't anything out there that is both safe, and profitable.

I evicted a guy, who then became fixated on the interest earned on his security deposit on the rental (even though he is not entitled to it). I called the bank where it had been deposited (Chase) and found their passbook savings rate is .01% (that is, .0001 times the principal). Did the math, and in my letter of reply to him, taped a dime and a nickel to the letter.
 
Buy silver, either bullion, or junk silver coins. Readily saleable and I think it is bound to go up in value as our money suffers from inflation.
 
Firearms? I'm serious. I can't point to a single one I own and say it's worth less now than when I acquired it.

The money I have that I could invest is staying in passbook savings for a few months till we see what the economy does. It's not making that much right now, and if you factor in inflation it might be breaking even, but it's probably the safest place right now. When things settle down I'll probably go for mutual funds. They've been good to me in the past.

Real estate as someone else mentioned?
 
Actually if u think about it not many things are worth more now just the value of the dollar has fallen. But on second thought that does give me an excuse to bye another gun. Gold and silver have been at all time highs I don't like to invest in things that are the highest in history. That being said diversify.
 
Stock in a major chartered Canadian bank... It's about the only thing that still pays some money without much risk.

Rod
 
I think it was Roy Clark who said, "If steamboats were a dime a dozen, all I'd be able to do is run up and down the bank and holler, 'Ain't that cheap'".

Pretty well sums up my thoughts on the subject.

I've made big money (for me) in mutual funds.

I've lost big money (for me) in mutual funds.

I've lost big money (for me) in annuities.

I've held on to the money that I've put in CD's. I recognise that the cost of living is outrunning my tiny CD income, but the base is still there. I can't say that with the annuities, and altho the mutual funds are better than they once were, I have no faith in them. I am a failed investor, by anyone's standards. But I'm ignorant, and happy. . .

Skinflint Paul
 
years ago i use to walk into the local bank and buy "bankers acceptance bonds" from the bank manager. they were like a short term loan to the bank (30-90 days). they weren't insured, but the manager told me as long as our lights are on, you are ok. they were sold in 10k increments, and were paying about 135 / month on 10k if i remember right. about all i remember from back then was that regan was president. i don't know if banks still sell them however, or what they would be paying now. good luck
 
I usually buy high, and sell low. Seams no matter the economy the investement broker always gets his cut. I could never figure when things are down why doesn. the briker take a loss also. To me it'a s win,win for him. Took a while to figure why the guy was always telling me to sell this, and buy this, every sale he was making money. Maybe I'm wrong? Right now I removed my meger savings, and put it on hold until we see what happens to the economy.Stan
 
If I had some to invest and not be in any hurry for the payback, I'd go with Cheniere Energy (LNG). This is a company that's going to make some people very rich over the next five, ten, fifteen years. The U.S. is going to be exporting a whole lotta natural gas in the near future, and this company is uniquely positioned to be able to liquify NG for tanker transport. They built a plant a few years ago with the idea of importing LNG, but the U.S. natural gas boom came along and suddenly they realized they could export instead.

I started watching this stock about a year ago---and watched it triple in price almost overnight. It's still kind of a sleeper because of its long horizon, but a couple of analysts have said that it's like getting in on Apple, McDonald's, etc., at the beginning. If so, it's still a huge bargain, I think, but as always, everyone should do their own due diligence.
 
at .35% I would let it sit in a money market, savings, checking, heck bring it home and stack in the safe, but no way, no how will I tie up money for XX days for that little return.
 
Gold!, Silver or any of the precious metals.
With the impending "fiscal cliff", and the dunder head running (ruining) I think major inflation and recession are inevatible. Quantative easing....printing money with nothing to back it. It has to catch up.

As some have stated here, our hobby of tractor collecting has been moving sidewise for awhile do to the slow economy. But, the very rare tractors, cars, or art are bringing premiums. Why? Because people with money are trying to protect it, So while your JD A, or IH H or Oliver 77 may stay the same or go down some in value, a really rare tractor will hold its value or appreciate.
Don't have $100K plus to invest in art orrare items?, either buy gold or stock in gold mining companys.
Stay far away form CD's,, gov't. bonds and municipal bonds. China won't buy any more US debt, the Fed bought the last round!
My view,
Larry NEIL
 
Gold has been decline for severa
Months silver has been about the same up and down all day long. Stock can make some good money but you have to know which stocks are volital that is they drop one day and climb back the next day. But when the market takes a big dump then sell off after climbs back up. Only thing is you have to be right there watching the big board.
Long term land could make some but it's still a risk wait until it settles out. Bonds are a joke you are garranteed to go broke. Inflation and very interest rate are not going to help. Right now just wait to to see what happens with the congress they make your day or kill you in a flash.
Actually I would find something that is stable put my money there and wait it out for a couple of years.
Walt
PS John T will no doubt have a different view you can take your chance on he as he must have a Broker at sometime in his life. Giggle
 
Gold has been decline for severa
Months silver has been about the same up and down all day long. Stock can make some good money but you have to know which stocks are volital that is they drop one day and climb back the next day. But when the market takes a big dump then sell off after climbs back up. Only thing is you have to be right there watching the big board.
Long term land could make some but it's still a risk wait until it settles out. Bonds are a joke you are garranteed to go broke. Inflation and very interest rate are not going to help. Right now just wait to to see what happens with the congress they make your day or kill you in a flash.
Actually I would find something that is stable put my money there and wait it out for a couple of years.
Walt
PS John T will no doubt have a different view you can take your chance on he as he must have a Broker at sometime in his life. Giggle
 
Stocks, DUK, AEP, PFE, T, VZ, NU, WIN, to name a few. FTR, WTR maybe.

Made a lot of money on these. Still bringing in the $
 
Unfortunatly, the best bet is to not put all your apples in one basket, as every investment now is a crap shoot. Have metals, bonds, stocks, propery and a cash reserve.
The advise I have is to not owe any debt that you can't pay outright and to save as much as possible.
 
The US Federal Reserve Dollar has been in a steady decline since its inception in 1913 when 20 of them would buy you an ounce of Gold now it takes over 1700 of them to buy an ounce of Gold somewhere around a 98% decline in value for the Dollar.And most of them aren't even paper anymore they are images on a computer screen in the Fed or a bank somewhere.
 
A CD, Certificate of Deposit, is just that.
A certificate that says you made a deposit.
You get the same receipt if you put your money in your savings account.
Sometimes not much difference in interest either if you put it in a credit union.
Benefit in savings over a CD is that its not tied up for years.
Drawback is if you are not able to let it set there and not spend it.
There's always the stock market, but it does better long term.
Come to think of it, most options are better long term based on history.
Other options include fixed, variable or indexed annuities as well as whole life insurance.
 
If you had enough money and could afford a 10 year hold on it, you should probably go with real estate. If not, I'd go with stock market. Have someone invest for you though if not good. I used to put half in a safer (bonds, mutual funds, etc) and the other half in a risky stock market setting. So far they have both made money (in last 5 years, but the stock market one has done the best long term). It has also had periods where I've wanted to pull my money but I didn't, it came back and then some.

You need to talk to people who do this, the rich right now are borrowing money from the bank on cheap interest rates (say 3-5%) and reinvesting and making a return of 10-15%. Making money on money. However, it takes connections, experience and money to do this.
 
real estate. farm land is still a good investment. 6 years ago, 80 acres in my area was selling for 4k-5k an acre. 320k for 80 acres. now you couldnt touch that same 80 for 800,000.
 
Had my money in Vangaurd Health Care Fund for years. Did very well. Took it all out & bought nieghbors farm last year.More fun walking on my own dirt as compared to checking fund prices.
 
OK - I'm gonna show my ignorance here. You guys talk about investing in gold and/or silver. What do you do with this gold/silver, or is it like investing in say - pork bellies, where you never see the hog. I saw on the news recently where a preacher talked a guy into taking a couple into his home to help them "get on their feet" so to speak. This guy had invested his life savings in gold and silver coins, had them in his home, and this couple cleaned him out. They interviewed the guy on TV, and it was a heartbreaking story. I kept expecting them to interview the preacher who started it all, but of course he was nowhere to be found. Anyhow - do you take possession of this gold/silver, or is it imaginary, as on paper somehow.

Financially Ignorant Paul
 
Sorry the last of the federal notes were called back in the early 80s they were valued at one once of Silver.
Walt
 
Small amounts you can keep at home in a good safe but large amounts it better to keep in companies vault and pay a small rental fee.
Walt
 
Wrong all US paper money has been issued by the Federal Reserve since the Federal Reserve Act of
1913.What you refer to are the Federal Reserve Dollars now known as Silver Certificates that guaranteed their worth in Silver which were discontinued in the early 70's by Nixon when the US went off the Gold Standard and the US currency
increased its fall in value.The Silver Certificates have never been 'called back' just discontinued many are still around and are sold regularly.
 
Like anything else you have to protect it.For a substantial amount of valuable metals you need a good safe not some POS like TSC sells.A good gun safe will run you around 2 to 4 thousand$ and you need a good place to put the safe thats not very easily found.Also pick the safe up yourself at where you buy it and tell no one thats knows you that you have a large amount of Gold,Silver etc.
Guns safes are great because people think guns not metals worth thousand$ are in it.Personally I'm big on US Minted Silver Eagle Dollars
they have 1 ounce of Silver in them and are reconized by almost anyone so they'd be good currency to use.Some of the first Silver I bought
now buys over 3 times the US Federal Reserve Dollars I bought it with,while the US Dollars I had in the bank collecting almost no interested have declined in what they'll buy at the grocery store or gas station every year.
Most Americans have it backwards The Currency of any country including the US is the 'commodity' and its measured against the all time standard Gold and the US Dollar has declined in value against Gold 98% in about the 100 years its been around in its present form. All paper currencies have evetually failed thoughout history for a very good reason the Gov't or enity thats prints them can print any amount they want,probably costs less than a penny to print a $100 bill so the temptation to print more is always there and its costs nothing now for the Federal Reserve to 'conjure up' any amount of US Dollars on their computer screens to digitally transfer to banks that in turn digitally transfer it to the US Gov't to finance the National Debt.
 
Bonds of all types now are for suckers just like like big new houses were back in 07 and earlier before the housing crash.There is a Bond Bubble building and when it crashes will dwarf all other
crashes in the US.Many states,cities and of course the biggest bond issuer all the US Gov't have issued bonds that cannot be paid off without selling more bonds and getting into to more debt to pay them off.In the prvate sector its called a Ponzi Scheme and they always collapse when no more suckers can be drawn into to it.
 
Stupid is right but Millions of suckers are doing it,the $12/ounce Silver I bought less than 5 years ago is now selling for $34/ounce but I'm not selling it to get worthless US currency I just bought more Silver.
 
Farm land is not what I'd consider a good investment. In our area (central midwest) if you bought farmland 10yrs ago on an investment or to farm, it was probably a great investment today, however, you would be buying when the market is HIGH right now, which is never a good idea. Just an fyi though, some land went for 21,000/acre a while back. I can remember my dad (probably around that 10 yrs ago), not wanting to buy land for 3,500/acre because he was worried about what land prices have done in past (80's I believe). This land today would be worth 10-12k/acre in comparison to what similar pieces are going for. Take that difference and multiply it by 180 acres!
 
Income producing real estate.

In my case rent houses and a boat/rv storage lot.

I also buy "stuff" that I need and will use eventually. It has to store well. With the dollar devaluing and inflation I think our money is worth about 6-10% less every year.

I also speculate on some things. Guns and antique tractors to name a couple. I get to use both and given enough time I've been able to sell for more than I pd.

I have believe investing in the stock market is letting strangers manage your money. That rarely works out.
 

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