Investment question

[cb80]

Hi Everyone,

I mostly lurk on the board, but I'd like to ask a question. I was wondering, in general, where do you have your non-work related investments? I'm interested in opening a 529 plan for my daughter but I have no idea if I should find an individual financial planner, a place like Fidelity, Vanguard, or what. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Deleted]

We've had them in both Fidelity and Vanguard and have been equally happy with both.

[cb80]

Thanks! I'm glad to hear that.

[SJ]

We have non-work related investment accounts at Vanguard & Sharebuilder.

[ijack]

my work is through vanguard and non work is through fidelity (only because I rolled over a 401k from there and there weren't any fees).

[Deleted]

All of our investments, including retirement, is through fidelity. I like seeing everything on one site.

[LoveTrains]

I have an IRA through janus, a Roth IRA through T Rowe Price, and then non-retirement investments are with Sharebuilder. I also have an IRA at Fidelity.

[cb80]

Thanks everyone! Do you guys usually invest in mutual funds or do you try and select specific stocks?

[SJ]

Jan 7, 2013 14:14:34 GMT -5 cb80 said:

Thanks everyone! Do you guys usually invest in mutual funds or do you try and select specific stocks?

DH SEP IRA- at Vanguard in Target Date fund
My Roth IRA & DH Roth IRA- at Sharebuilder in a mix of individual stocks and ETF's- I use automatic investing and play around more here. However, I work in the investment management industry and am comfortable with individual stocks
Our taxable investment account- at Sharebuilder. All individual stocks/ETF's.

[kateross]

Jan 7, 2013 14:14:34 GMT -5 cb80 said:

Thanks everyone! Do you guys usually invest in mutual funds or do you try and select specific stocks?

Since our 401K is on a target retirement fund, our Roth IRA is on a few mutual funds. We are risk averse on this one so we are diversified in a couple of sectors; since they are retirement savings.

I did just buy ETF for our home downpayment savings. We also have individual stocks for this goal, but we haven't bought new ones for a while. This one we don't mind to take a chance.

What do you plan to do with these savings? If to save for retirement, I would be more conservative (MF, etc.).

The key is to research, and know your risk tolerance. If you're not an experienced investor, I would tread lightly with stocks.

[cb80]

Jan 7, 2013 15:08:31 GMT -5 kateross said:

Jan 7, 2013 14:14:34 GMT -5 cb80 said:

Thanks everyone! Do you guys usually invest in mutual funds or do you try and select specific stocks?

Since our 401K is on a target retirement fund, our Roth IRA is on a few mutual funds. We are risk averse on this one so we are diversified in a couple of sectors; since they are retirement savings.

I did just buy ETF for our home downpayment savings. We also have individual stocks for this goal, but we haven't bought new ones for a while. This one we don't mind to take a chance.

What do you plan to do with these savings? If to save for retirement, I would be more conservative (MF, etc.).

The key is to research, and know your risk tolerance. If you're not an experienced investor, I would tread lightly with stocks.

I'm looking into retirement saving/college saving, so I like the idea of mutual funds for a lot of diversification. I'm also pretty risk averse, so I'm really leery of trying to pick my own stock. I feel better trying to leave that to the professionals, even though they can get it wrong too.

What is an ETF? I've heard this term used before but I have no idea what it really is?

[kateross]

ETF - exchange traded funds. It's a collective of stocks that you can buy/sell on the market like an individual stock. You can buy as little as one share (ex: $15 for PGX), and pay commission fee like a stock (usually $8/transaction).

You can find out more if you google.

www.investopedia.com/terms/e/etf.asp

[cb80]

Jan 7, 2013 16:09:44 GMT -5 kateross said:

ETF - exchange traded funds. It's a collective of stocks that you can buy/sell on the market like an individual stock. You can buy as little as one share (ex: $15 for PGX), and pay commission fee like a stock (usually $8/transaction).

You can find out more if you google.

www.investopedia.com/terms/e/etf.asp

I should have known to google. Thanks!