The Answers


No, but it is improving.
As you may have recognized from previous visits, the BlueCollarDollar is very fond of mutual funds for two reasons. They take the complication out of buying individual stocks in an everchanging landscape and they are usually the basis of a good many 401(k) and IRA plans used for those retirement years.

Unfortunately, the mutual fund industry has been plagued by many of the same abstractions that have confused equity investors for far too long. We suggest several easy ways to begin your search.

  • Always buy no-load and always buy it own your own, without the assistance of a broker or other securities agent.
  • Always look to the least expensive type of fund in the category you have selected as the best for you to invest. (Knowing what your objectives are helps but knowing whether you can stomach risk is even more helpful.)
  • Always understand that investing is not the same as stashing money under you matteress.

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