most recent 30 from http://www.basicallymoney.com 2010-07-31T11:28:54Z http://www.basicallymoney.com/feeds/tag/mutual-funds http://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/rdf http://www.basicallymoney.com/questions/2241/super-generic-mutual-fund-type seanhess 2010-07-13T05:35:41Z 2010-07-27T22:52:25Z

<p>I have 20k in my emergency fund, which is about twice what I planned having in there. I think I can safely invest half of that in something better than the ING savings account it's currently in. </p> <p>I used to think that an S&amp;P 500 Index fund was the way to go for a no-thought investment, but now (after the latest bubble burst), it seems like that isn't diversified enough. </p> <p>Is there an index-index? Risk is ok, I just want to put the money somewhere without needing to do a lot of research. </p>

http://www.basicallymoney.com/questions/665/should-i-hedge-my-ira-portfolio-with-a-life-cycle-target-date-mutual-fund Mike 2010-01-05T21:57:29Z 2010-07-23T13:53:22Z

<p>I'm fully contributing to my Roth IRA every year into a brokerage account that is 100% in mutual funds.</p> <p>I've done basic mutual fund research and picked about 5 different funds that match what would be considered an appropriate allocation for where I am now in my life, and how long till I retire. I plan to re-balance it as necessary down the road.</p> <p>I'm wondering if it wouldn't be such a bad idea to "hedge" my allocations and mutual fund picks by buying some shares in a life cycle mutual fund(s). These are funds that are designed to be rebalanced by the fund manager as their target date for retirement approaches.</p> <p>I figure this might be a good corrective strategy to compensate for under performance due to bad picks or slightly-off-percentage-allocations I might make in the long run. Does this seem like a bad idea?</p> <p><strong>------ EDIT / New Thoughts - Jan 11, 2010 ------</strong></p> <p>I realized I wasn't taking advantage of my employer's 401(k) matching benefit, so I am going to open one of those up soon (as a Roth 401(k)). I'll designate the entire account to be in a target-date fund. I'll continue to manage my Roth IRA on my own, and let this be my "hedge" for my IRA as described above.</p> <p><strong>------ EDIT / New Thoughts - July 23, 2010 ------</strong></p> <p>My fund picks for my own Roth IRA has been consistently performing +1.5% relative to my target date 401(k) fund, over the last 6 months. That feels good =)</p> <hr> <p>Still, does anybody else have any input or thoughts on this strategy?</p>

http://www.basicallymoney.com/questions/1488/what-are-good-monthly-income-funds-canada sharam 2010-04-21T01:59:29Z 2010-07-23T08:47:19Z

<p>I would like to invest $100000 cash in a monthly income generating mutual fund which is low risk - I read that some pay div , interest and return of capital. Can I have the names of three funds that are tax efficient and low risk and one that pays a 4 to 6 cents dividend per unit per month and one to consider purchasing outside the RRSP. I know that stocks and mutual funds are not guaranteed like GICs. So I am more interested in preserving my capital and yet receive a decent monthly payout.</p>

http://www.basicallymoney.com/questions/2011/simple-and-safe-way-to-manage-a-lot-of-cash Mark 2010-06-13T20:14:46Z 2010-06-15T13:05:49Z

<p>I have an older relative that I am going to help in managing their money. His income is fine to live on. In terms of assets, he has about $250k in a variety of separate CDs, stocks, checking accounts, savings accounts, etc. Overall, he is not getting a very good return and, because of his age, his record keeping is a bit spotty - we can't find all of his statements and since they are from a number of different institutions it is very hard to manage.</p> <p>I have always enjoyed managing my 401k in a single account that I can access online and use as a dashboard to control how it is invested. Is there a reason why we shouldn't consolidate all his cash and put it in a single mutual fund account and then put together a mix of investments that work well for him? That way there would a single online account where everything can be managed and analyzed and the statements will be available anytime.</p>

http://www.basicallymoney.com/questions/1794/why-are-etf-mers-lower-than-mutual-fund-mers Web Search User 2010-06-07T01:01:09Z 2010-06-10T01:59:06Z

<p>Why are exchange traded fund (ETF) management expense ratios (MERs) lower than mutual fund MERs?</p>

http://www.basicallymoney.com/questions/758/what-are-the-important-differences-between-mutual-funds-and-exchange-traded-funds JohnFx 2010-01-15T15:54:15Z 2010-05-03T16:05:16Z

<p>I've been considering, but haven't committed myself yet to investing in Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), but have to admit that I don't yet fully understand the use-case for them.</p> <p>What factors are relevant in making the decision between investing in mutual funds versus ETFs? For example, in terms of liquidity, tax treatment, expenses, risk, etc?</p>

http://www.basicallymoney.com/questions/1286/why-are-index-funds-called-index-funds ripper234 2010-03-29T15:41:57Z 2010-03-30T12:30:43Z

<p>Why are index funds called index funds?</p>

http://www.basicallymoney.com/questions/955/regular-contribution-threshold-for-etf-vs-index-mutual-fund fideli 2010-02-08T06:57:04Z 2010-02-11T01:15:42Z

<p>I've seen enough info out there comparing lump-sum investments into ETFs vs mutual funds with respect to broker commissions in the case of ETFs, and the discrepancy between MERs between the two. In that case, it's quite easy to figure out the threshold lump-sum to make a case for investing in an ETF instead of an equivalent mutual fund (typically a few $1000s).</p> <p>What I'm trying to figure out now is given that I'm making monthly contributions to an index mutual fund with the MER of 1.00%, how would my overall expenses change if I switch to the equivalent ETF XIU with a MER 0.17%. My analysis compares a monthly contribution to the index fund with an equivalent purchase of ETF units. The analysis also includes broker commissions, which I'm taking to be $5/trade at <a href="http://www.questrade.com" rel="nofollow">Questrade</a>.</p> <p>For example, say I contribute $1000/mo to my index fund. For ETFs, this purchase frequency would likely be too costly so I'd likely purchase new units every 6 months and contribute $6000 each time, or every 12 months for $12000.</p> <p>I've started a spreadsheet, but no matter what my monthly contribution is, the mutual fund always seems to win. I'm likely calculating something wrong.</p> <p>Ignoring the attached spreadsheet, is there either a quick and dirty ballpark method or a proper calculated method that I can use to determine (1) my purchase frequency and (2) the threshold investment amount?</p> <p>Thanks in advance.</p> <p>(I posted this question at the Financial Webring forum as well.)</p> <p><strong>EDIT</strong><br /> I was calculating a few things wrong so I <a href="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/614041/web/ETF-vs-index-fund.xlsx" rel="nofollow">updated the spreadsheet</a>. Now the ETF wins.</p>

http://www.basicallymoney.com/questions/442/should-i-buy-individual-bonds-for-my-retirement-portfolio-or-stick-to-funds-etfs anonymous 2009-12-04T19:58:08Z 2009-12-05T18:59:48Z

<p>To avoid the fees on bond mutual funds or exchange traded funds I have been thinking of buying actual bonds inside of my retirement portfolio. Does that make sense or are there drawbacks to consider?</p>

http://www.basicallymoney.com/questions/250/how-much-does-it-cost-to-buy-mutual-funds-where-can-i-find-about-about-the-char bms2 2009-11-15T14:12:35Z 2009-11-30T02:24:31Z

<p>Regarding investing in mutual funds: How much does it cost to buy mutual funds? Where can I find about about the charges?</p>

http://www.basicallymoney.com/questions/256/are-td-e-series-funds-worthwhile-or-am-i-better-off-with-etfs-why-or-why-not M.Attia 2009-11-16T02:04:05Z 2009-11-16T17:52:56Z

<p>I'm looking at e-Series funds offered by TD. They have low MERs and seem to offer a good low cost alternative to traditional mutual funds. What do you guys think? Am I better off with ETFs? Why would one choose one over the other given that my investment portfolio is not that large.</p>