Bright Billy wrote on Jun 22, 2006 9:12 PM: I speak from experience - never go into an investment blind. Learn everything about it that you can. Remember these things: Every investment is a gamble, but to let your money sit idle is foolish. There are good ones and bad ones - sort them out - keeping in mind they are after your money. The higher the return the higher the risk. If you don't know learn about the "Cost of Living Index" and try to keep your earnings above that. Above all know that the worst thing you will have to deal with is your own panic when your investments start to go sour. Have a plan for when that happens and stick to it. You will have to excuse me now, I have to go prepare the cat food for my supper. lol

Laid back Surfer wrote on Aug 4, 2006 11:15 AM:I am not so sure that 529 plans are the best move. I don't think the managers that invest the funds are maximizing returns. My advice is just buy a few nice growth stocks. The federal capital gains rates will be about 5% or maybe nothing at all in 2008. Granted the recent increase in the Kiddie tax has somewhat altered my plans. Even if your kids owe tax, they will be able to offset it with education credits (assuming they are in college when they sell.) Since I am giving advice, Don't buy the must own stocks! My other advice is to get them something to get them excited about. They knew that the Treasury Bond that Grandpa gave them hardly grew at all. Because they did not see the benefit of investing they would fight me on puttting their birthday money into their investment accounts. This year when I was doing my taxes I came accross some cost basis information on some stock I bought in their accounts about two years ago which did grow nicely. That got them excited and now they want me to invest their birthday money. For discussion purposes my my children own Acergy (ACGY)(They lay offshore pipelines once drillers find oil. Zoltek (ZOLT) - Carbon Fiber and a just 500 shs. CPTC.ob which is very, very risky. But given that they own the solution to our nation's power grid crisis, I think it is not too bad of a place to have a little money. But it is not for those who cannot take major swings.

Laid back surfer wrote on Aug 7, 2006 12:32 PM:I would never put money in a 529 plan. Can you name one sponsor who has made a decent return? Who cares about the tax benefits if the return is lousy. Capital gains rates will be zero after 2008 for lower income folks. Granted that change in the Kiddie tax rules has mucked up some of my college savings planning. But if my kids do owe any tax, the education credits will likely offset it. Well that is my two cents worth.

Bill2 wrote on Nov 19, 2006 3:36 PM:The average "Investor" would do as well - or better by risking their money at ANY casino. The stock market is not slanted toward making money for any individual. The only ones GUARANTEED to make money are the brokers. They get paid whether you win or lose.