Expert: Dr. Joseph de Beauchamp - 5/18/2007

Question
I'm doing small painting contracts. I get paid fairly substantial checks<(at least by my yardstick), about 10-12 times a year. I can invest usually 1000-2000 dollars each check. My investment time is between 5 and 10 years. Is it best to invest in lots of different things, (mutual funds, stocks ect. or try to find something good and go with everthing there?I am looking to buy a home in the next 5 to 10 years.

Answer
There are several large books in the public library near you. One is Valueline, and the other is Morningstar. This would be a free informational format for you. Morningstar is the best one to look over. It rates mutual funds. You will be able to take your time, and online reading just does not do you any justice --about 5000 pages of mutual funds in the Morningstar book.

You would not do badly to look into something beyond the mutual funds. I have liked the US Saving Bonds, found only at your local bank. There is no risk to these, and they pay a high rate of return. Over the next five years, I think the stock markets, including mutual funds will underperform, and US Savings bonds are a good choice.

Dr. Joseph de Beauchamp