Invest in Mutual Funds in US?

I will try to get some information on MF Vanguard. :)
See this below link. http://therealreturns.blogspot.com/2...rformance.html. I hope it helps

Originally Posted by reach

I will try to get some information on MF Vanguard. :)
See this below link. The Real Returns: Vanguard STAR Fund Performance Analysis. I hope it helps

Awesome!!!thanks alot forthat link...however it shows 2006 stats...i would go to vanguard site and find few more details...

I am looking at this Vanguard fund...the ticker symbol is...VFSTX

SV,
I do have Vanguard funds. I just looked up mine and don't have VTFX. I did go to a financial planner just go get a clear understanding of diversification et al. We do buy ourselves on vanguard.com. It is quite straight forward and I do get to see all the funds in one place, I don't think you need a broker if you know what you are buying.
Right now, most funds I own in the US markets is in the negative which is quite understandable given the current markets. I think the only fund that is staying at 0% is the emerging markets fund(Vanguard).
(***Added)Looks like REIT/Bond funds are the only ones doing ok(vanguard IRA).
Btw, what is the minimum purchase value for VTFX. I've always felt the minimum purchase value for VG funds are not small amounts of money. That was the reason we went to a planner in the first place, to make sure the funds were right keeping in mind my investment goals.

L

Laks dear

Thank you for coming to my rescue....The fund I am looking at is VFSTX....min. purchase amt is 3000$ and its expense ratio is 0.21%

so is 3000$ a small or big amount to start iwth investing....in VANGUARD funds...time and again i have read on several blogs and money forums about how dependable vanguard funds are....so whats your take on this???

SV,
I did research a couple of others before settling for VG. I felt their pricing and fees vs services offered was best and they have been reliable so far. The only issue is their min value. I wish they had a min of $1K for rookie investors. $3K sounds a little high for me but then it's relative. If it is just a small percentage of your investment and you are well diversified and well fortified it should be ok. I'll get back if I do find anything about VFSTX in particular. Have u looked at star? I don't have it either but have heard great reviews.

Laks

Sorry to ask too many questions..

here goes the ticker https://personal.vanguard.com/us/fun...T#hist=tab%3A2

I have one question...how do we knowthe duration or the period i.e how long we are supposed to hold this particular MF. what is the maturity period???

SV,
This looks like a short term bond fund. I would keep some emergency cash or that type of money here. Are you expecting a current income from this fund? If this is for future savings, then you can look at other funds.
Pulling out of a bond is easy. When is the million $ question. Short Term bonds are generally held anywhere from 1-3 yrs and then re-invested elsewhere. I generally pull out and re-invest when the our FP asks us to. He generally looks at our entire asset allocation and if the 60/40 or 70/30 ratio gets tipped, would re balance the allocation and ask us to move funds around.

Btw, if you don't already have an asset plan, it is a good time to start research. It is always better to get your entire asset allocation on paper, go to a planner and get a balanced plan. Once you get that done, you can start researching funds and investing. Here is a link which can help you get started - FundAdvice.com - Suggested Portfolios. I did see them use the VFSTX funds for monthly income and emergency cash funds.

Good Luck,
L

Laks

Thanks alot dear for your time and the response....by the way can we check the total amt invested vs what is the current status of the amt...like profit/loss even with MFs? or do we have to ask them for a report?

I mean similar to stocks where we can see the balance of the account..and say loss/profit..can we do that with MFs also? Do you suggest me..buying this MF from Scottrade? or should I go through vanguard site...(dont worry i wont hold you responsible for any suggestion you give me...I am gathering opinions thats all )

SV,
I can check all my VG fund performances online, that's where I looked this morning to tell you that everything was in the negative. I do get e-statements too. I use VG itself(since my retirement funds are there). I've heard good things about Scottrade.I'm not sure if you get the entire spectrum of VG funds on Scottrade. Usually, some of the ones that we look for may not be available elsewhere. Why don't you research that? How is the pricing/services ratio for scottrade? Before I went with VG I did have an ameritrade account but didn't like the restrictive number of funds I could choose from. We finally closed it and moved over to VG.

HTH,
L

heyyyy nice to see you online....i was wondering what are the tax implications for MF? i mean how much is the tax on profits? or any other charges

By the way if I have scottrade account and if i open a VG account again...would it hurt my credit history or anything?

Aah I am a question bank ....seems like that

Laks

Can you pls tell me , how much money do we need to have with us, to go to a FP. and what might be the charges of a FP? My husband thinks FPs are only for those people who have atleast 100K in their accounts , whats your take on this...