Comments on: Investing – FUN with mutual FUNds

By: JosephSangl.com » Joseph Sangl’s Current Investments

JosephSangl.com » Joseph Sangl’s Current Investments — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 08:01:30 +0000

[...] has been over three years since I provided an update on the investments that I hold.Â Anyone who has attended a Financial [...]

By: I Was Broke. Now I'm Not!

I Was Broke. Now I'm Not! — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:41:27 +0000

The Mutual Fund Series: Vanguard

During each part of this weekly series, I will be looking at a specific mutual fund company.

Today’s company is The Vanguard Group.

Vanguard is one of the largest mutual fund companies in the world. Based in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, they cur…

By: I Was Broke. Now I'm Not!

I Was Broke. Now I'm Not! — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 20:22:53 +0000

American Funds – Good Article

In THIS POST back in August 2007, I shared several of the mutual funds that I own. A quick glance will reveal the name “American Funds” six times in my mutual fund portfolio. Why do I own them? Because they had great track records and lower ongoin…

By: I Was Broke. Now I'm Not!

I Was Broke. Now I'm Not! — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:24:12 +0000

Investments – Having Fun Watching Them DROP in Value?!

Every single month, I update my net worth numbers. It helps me track my investments, plus it helps me understand first-hand what is going on with the market.

For those who are not complete nerds like me, you calculate your net worth by adding up al…

By: Bill Smith

Bill Smith — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 03:19:02 +0000

Can’t wait til I’m out of debt. Just about 17 months to go. All I have is 401k. I have it in;
- Dodge & Cox (DODGX) 16.11% 5year Average Annual Total Return
- Vanguard Primecap (VPMCX) 15.71% 5y Aver Ann Tot Ret
- Vanguard Windsor II (VWNFX) 14.46% 5y Aver Ann Tot Ret
- Amer Funds EuroPac (RERFX) 20.96% 5y Aver Ann Tot Ret

By: Andy

Andy — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 18:42:58 +0000

Reiterating a bit of what the other posters have already said…

It looks like you could do a bit of consolidating. Looking at your American Fund holdings, you have more Microsoft and Lowe’s than you may realize. FYI – Morningstar.com has a Portfolio Manager tool that lets you analyze your portfolio.

When choosing funds, I consider the following:
- performance and risk measures – here are two good primers: http://www.financial-planning.com/pubs/fp/20060801025.html and http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/finance/mutual/funds-06.html
- costs – low expenses and no-load
- ownership – are the fund managers investing in the fund?
- stewardship
- tax position/efficiency (important for funds held in taxable accounts) – is the fund sitting on large amounts of unrealized gains/losses?

Here are a few of my favorite fund families:
Vanguard, T. Rowe Price, Bridgeway, Royce, Dodge and Cox, Marsico, Oakmark, Third Avenue…

Without a clear understanding of your goals and complete financial situation, I’ll refrain from giving any specific fund recommendations. That being said, if you really want an “EZ” portfolio, you might consider life-stage or target funds.

By: Chris Swaney

Chris Swaney — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 20:52:01 +0000

You may want to look at some individual stocks. It si the best way to make money. Also you have way to many baskets.

By: Moneymonk

Moneymonk — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 15:21:50 +0000

VHGEX or anything with Vanguard is good.

You said those are just some of the funds you own. Wow! I hate to see the whole portfolio.

And as David said VTSMX, has a low expense ratio

By: David Nanney

David Nanney — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 10:32:33 +0000

Any of the Vanguard target retirement funds are good choices with low expense ratios. Also, T Rowe Price is highly recommended for the same reasons – good return at a low price. That is something you should check on all of your funds – the expense ratio!

Here are some of what I have:

Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund Investor Shares

Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (the expense ratio is 0.9%)