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Thread: experts advice needed

  1. #1
    cameron_keys
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    Default experts advice needed

    I have $3K to invest. I dont want anything long term or risky...I'm looking more for a CD or somethig like that. Any suggestions?

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    Default Re: experts advice needed

    A CD sounds good. you can get them in 3 months, 6 months, a year, etc. Look up a credit union in your area you like and see their rates.

  3. #3
    Banned Katrine's Avatar
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    Default Re: experts advice needed

    check out your local rates on www.bankrate.com

    This is a cool concept, I actually am thinking of investing into one of these myself:
    http://www.everbank.com/001WorldCurr...x?LinkID=Body1

    I'm really impressed by Everbank's product mix.

    "Have you ever been to American wedding? Where is the vodka, where's marinated herring?" - GB
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mia M
    If a cupcake was tossed at me... well, I'd only be upset if it missed my mouth

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    Default Re: experts advice needed

    ^^^ yup a 3% interest rate on a Euro denominated CD suddenly looks fantastic if the 1000 euros you originally paid for it cost you US$1340 and the 1000 euros you get back after 3 months are now worth US$1420 (= an extra 6% in 'interest' earnings)

  5. #5
    cameron_keys
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    Default Re: experts advice needed

    I'm looking through the bank rates site thanks!!! I honestly just want to put it somewhere that I can make better interest then my savings account..I dont want to gamble at all. I took a $15K bath on commodities that I'm still smarting from....

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    Banned Katrine's Avatar
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    Default Re: experts advice needed

    Wow, $15K in commodities. Talk to an investment advisor honey! Despite the naysayers. we do actually help protect our clients investments and facilitate their growth. Good luck, let me know if you have any questions, I'd be happy to help a friend.

    "Have you ever been to American wedding? Where is the vodka, where's marinated herring?" - GB
    "And do the cats give a shit? No, they do not. Why? Because they're cats."-from The Onion

    Quote Originally Posted by Mia M
    If a cupcake was tossed at me... well, I'd only be upset if it missed my mouth

  7. #7
    Veteran Member StuartL's Avatar
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    Default Re: experts advice needed

    I don't know how your cash type investments work in the US, but it might be worth looking for something that is index linked - in other words, the return rises in line with inflation.

    I know that I always bleat on about how inflation isn't really representative, but if you can find a worthwhile deal, it'd be better than nothing.

    Alternatively, look to take on a little currency risk as suggested above and get into euro (preferable) or sterling (slightly less preferable).

    But I hear commodities can be good...

    Out of interest, how did you lose so much? In general, over the past few years the commodities markets have been BOOMING. You buy a lump of cow shit and it'd go up in price!

    Good luck.

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    God/dess whirlerz's Avatar
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    Default Re: experts advice needed

    Quote Originally Posted by Katrine View Post
    check out your local rates on www.bankrate.com

    This is a cool concept, I actually am thinking of investing into one of these myself:
    http://www.everbank.com/001WorldCurr...x?LinkID=Body1

    I'm really impressed by Everbank's product mix.
    Yes.^
    I go on bankrate myself, this was one of the accounts that interested me


    MANY MEN WANTED TO LAY ME DOWN, BUT FEW WANTED TO LIFT ME UP

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  9. #9
    cameron_keys
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    Default Re: experts advice needed

    Quote Originally Posted by StuartL View Post
    But I hear commodities can be good...

    Out of interest, how did you lose so much? In general, over the past few years the commodities markets have been BOOMING. You buy a lump of cow shit and it'd go up in price!
    Well..we invested in mostly soy and corn. Initial investment of $10K. All experts said corn would BOOM..that the crops were destroyed and therefore the price for corn would skyrocket being that demand would be higher then the supply. so a premium price could be charged per bushel.

    Nope.

    Price actually went DOWN and we hit a margain call and had to put in $5K more to stay in the game.

    Then a few other things went down and we lost most of that.

    We have a few things still going in the commodoties account...but have already decided that if it goes, it goes. No more paying for margain calls.

  10. #10
    Banned Katrine's Avatar
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    Default Re: experts advice needed

    Quote Originally Posted by cameron_keys View Post
    Well..we invested in mostly soy and corn. Initial investment of $10K. All experts said corn would BOOM..that the crops were destroyed and therefore the price for corn would skyrocket being that demand would be higher then the supply. so a premium price could be charged per bushel.

    Nope.

    Price actually went DOWN and we hit a margain call and had to put in $5K more to stay in the game.

    Then a few other things went down and we lost most of that.

    We have a few things still going in the commodoties account...but have already decided that if it goes, it goes. No more paying for margain calls.
    I've heard a story similar to yours. For the average investor, this is a common scenario. My solutions to getting into commodities are very different. They are also usually less than 10% of investor's portfolio, usually much less.

    No one can predict the market effectively and consistently over time.

    "Have you ever been to American wedding? Where is the vodka, where's marinated herring?" - GB
    "And do the cats give a shit? No, they do not. Why? Because they're cats."-from The Onion

    Quote Originally Posted by Mia M
    If a cupcake was tossed at me... well, I'd only be upset if it missed my mouth

  11. #11
    God/dess Deogol's Avatar
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    Default Re: experts advice needed

    Maybe the question should have been "What NOT to invest in!"

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    Veteran Member StuartL's Avatar
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    Default Re: experts advice needed

    I gotta agree with Katrine. I can't imagine a way that I would try and help normal people to invest in commodities - unless we are talking about gold and silver.

    It isn't really a place where the public should go in my opinion.

    A wise old friend once told me that with every bad investment we instead purchase prudence for the future. And that the more cheaply you can buy it and learn, the wealthier you will become.

    Best,

    Stuart

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    Default Re: experts advice needed

    ^^^ ultimately, the stated 'problem' with investing in commodity futures is no different than similar 'problems' with investing in any other sort of futures contracts or the purchase of stock shares on margin. The investor is only committing a small percentage of their own money to control futures / purchase shares which have a market value that is many multiples of the investor's own money. When the market value rises, the investor makes out like a bandit and everybody is happy. But when the market value falls, the investor's own money contribution can be lost very quickly - in direct proportion to the multiple. This in turn leads to a margin call for more cash on the part of the investor in order to continue the position, or a forced sale of the futures contracts / margined shares. 'Leveraged' investments greatly improve positive returns, but in an equal and opposite manner greatly amplify losses as well.

    There ARE a number of ways for a 'small time' investor to get into commodities which are not so heavily 'leveraged' - i.e. ETF's, mutual fund shares, or shares of individual companies that are heavily involved with a particular commodity.

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    Veteran Member StuartL's Avatar
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    Default Re: experts advice needed

    ^^^ Sometimes I wonder if you write these posts with a textbook on your lap...

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    Banned Katrine's Avatar
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    Default Re: experts advice needed

    Quote Originally Posted by Melonie View Post
    There ARE a number of ways for a 'small time' investor to get into commodities which are not so heavily 'leveraged' - i.e. ETF's, mutual fund shares, or shares of individual companies that are heavily involved with a particular commodity.
    Yes, thank you. Perfect. I do not allow my clients to trade on margin with lots of very, very well documented statements telling them I did not approve.

    Gold and Silver ETF=nice, me likey. I put most of my clients in it. Yesterday one client said that Gold and Precious Metals didn't excite him, because I had already educated him that they help hedge against market volatility.

    So I responded, "so you're not excited by gems, fucking diamonds, all that bling?" We laughed and I proceeded.

    "Have you ever been to American wedding? Where is the vodka, where's marinated herring?" - GB
    "And do the cats give a shit? No, they do not. Why? Because they're cats."-from The Onion

    Quote Originally Posted by Mia M
    If a cupcake was tossed at me... well, I'd only be upset if it missed my mouth

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    Banned Melonie's Avatar
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    Default Re: experts advice needed

    Sometimes I wonder if you write these posts with a textbook on your lap...

    LOL even if I did, I wouldn't be able to read it !

  17. #17
    Banned Katrine's Avatar
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    Default Re: experts advice needed

    Awesome pic!!!

    "Have you ever been to American wedding? Where is the vodka, where's marinated herring?" - GB
    "And do the cats give a shit? No, they do not. Why? Because they're cats."-from The Onion

    Quote Originally Posted by Mia M
    If a cupcake was tossed at me... well, I'd only be upset if it missed my mouth

  18. #18
    Banned Melonie's Avatar
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    Default Re: experts advice needed

    ... not bad for an 'old broad' I suppose !!!

    Here's one for Stuart ... is this what they mean by a heavy tax burden ?

  19. #19
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    Default Re: experts advice needed

    Cameron,

    Do you have any debt with high-interest credit cards?

  20. #20
    Veteran Member StuartL's Avatar
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    Default Re: experts advice needed

    I'm willing to agree with both 'heavy' and 'burden'. Lord knows - you must have a strong back!!

  21. #21
    cameron_keys
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    Default Re: experts advice needed

    Quote Originally Posted by eagle2 View Post
    Cameron,

    Do you have any debt with high-interest credit cards?
    I have a few C's ...no too high interest and not too much debt on the,. I paid them off completley a cpl years ago and havent put much back on. Probably $1500 in CC owed total.

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