reit investing

2025-10-17

Are ETFs Derailing Your Investment Strategy?

Over the past decade or so, the classic principles of the traditional index fund (TIF) have been met with a challenger that looks a lot like an ally: the exchange-traded fund, or ETF. At its core, an ETF is an index fund specifically engineered for easy trading. If you’re , it's crucial to understand this distinction. The original index fund, created over 40 years ago, was built on a long-term investment philosophy. In contrast, using an index fund as a trading tool is, by definition, short-term speculation. This is a fundamental difference when it comes to .

Investment

2025-10-17

The Simple Math of Successful Stock Market Investing

After stripping away all the noise, a few simple truths about emerge. We know that chasing funds with a hot track record is a losing game. We’ve seen that even the best advice only works some of the time, and we know that high costs are a guaranteed drag on your returns.

Investment

2025-10-17

Hiring a Financial Advisor? Read This First

Trying to pick winning investment funds feels a lot like searching for a needle in a haystack. And if you try to pick them based on recent hot performance, you’re more likely to end up disappointed than successful. It's a common challenge for anyone new to . So, it’s natural to think, why not just hire a professional?

Investment

2025-10-17

Your Five-Star Mutual Fund Is Probably Going to Fail You

When you're first getting started with , there's a tempting and seemingly logical strategy for picking mutual funds: just choose the ones that have been doing the best lately. It makes sense, right? We’re drawn to winners. This is why a huge amount of investor cash—over 150 percent of net flow in 2016—pours into funds with a four or five-star rating from Morningstar.

Investment

2025-10-17

Why "Buying the Haystack" Beats Looking for a Needle

We all like to think we can spot a winner. Whether it’s a startup, a sports team, or a stock, we’re drawn to the idea of picking the one that will outperform the rest. This mindset is especially common in , where many believe they can find the mutual fund that will deliver incredible returns. For those treating to build wealth, the allure of finding that "needle in a haystack" is powerful.

Investment

2025-10-17

A Realistic Look at Future Investment Returns

If you've been involved in over the past few decades, you’ve probably gotten used to some pretty impressive returns. But it's wise to plan for a future where the good times don't roll quite as high. The fundamental rule is simple: over the long haul, stock market returns are driven by the real performance of businesses—their dividend yields and earnings growth.

Investment

2025-10-17

The Hidden Gap in Mutual Fund Investing

It’s one of the most frustrating secrets in personal finance: the returns that mutual funds advertise are almost never what their investors actually earn. It sounds unbelievable, but even industry insiders like Fidelity's Peter Lynch and Mad Money's James Cramer have acknowledged the issue. While most people know that actively managed funds often struggle to beat a simple S&P 500 index fund, the reality is even harsher.

Investment

2025-10-17

The Hidden Cost of Ignoring Your Dividends

When you think about making money in the stock market, you probably picture buying a stock and selling it later for a higher price. But what if I told you that’s only half the story? For anyone serious about , especially those just getting started, understanding the other half is crucial.

Investment

2025-10-17

Why Fund Costs Matter More Than Past Performance

When it comes to , almost everyone—from financial advisors to the media—points to a fund’s past performance as the key indicator of success. We’re taught to look at the track record to predict future results. But deep down, we know that performance is fickle; it comes and goes. This is a crucial lesson for anyone .

Investment