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kingbob 
LSU Fan
St. Amant, LA
Member since Nov 2010
9193 posts
| starting investments (Posted on 11/12/12 at 3:22 pm)
For a beginning investor (less than 5 grand), what is a sound and safe way to invest money that will net a large long term return on investment with minimal risk? I can't seem to find anything that I can invest in that doesn't scream ponzi scheme, relies to heavily on the fickle stock market, or has interest rates barely higher than inflation.
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Tenforty1728
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Oct 2012
46 posts
| re: starting investments (Posted on 11/12/12 at 4:04 pm to kingbob)
Welcome to reality. In the current economy, with banks paying nearly 0% interest, the only way to earn anything is to shoulder some risk.
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RickAstley
LSU Fan
Reno, Nevada
Member since May 2011
1306 posts
| re: starting investments (Posted on 11/12/12 at 4:15 pm to kingbob)
How much background do you have regarding investing? I am not an investor (besides retirement) although I am working on developing some sound knowledge to become one. I suggest if you want to avoid risk, similar to me, then do whatever is necessary to educate yourself on investing opportunities.
I have completed some simple tasks that the board has suggested, such as invest to the company match in a 401K and develop an emergency fund. I have yet to start a Roth IRA  , that is next on my checklist.
I am tempted to dump the majority of the money I plan on using for investing opportunities into CDs. This will at least improve my interest rates on my money over what savings provides, while I tinker around (procrastinate) with what gives me the most confidence to start out in.
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foshizzle
LSU Fan
Member since Mar 2008
25462 posts
| re: starting investments (Posted on 11/12/12 at 5:18 pm to kingbob)
quote:
For a beginning investor (less than 5 grand), what is a sound and safe way to invest money that will net a large long term return on investment with minimal risk?
Honestly, if you have less than 5K your primary focus should be on increasing your income from whatever you do during the day.
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RetiredG8tr 
Florida Fan
Pensacola Fl 32503
Member since Nov 2012
44 posts
| re: starting investments (Posted on 11/12/12 at 5:55 pm to RickAstley)
Rick, You sound like a man with a plan. Are you willing to spend 20+ hours a week on your investments? You probably already spend 10 hours a week on them. There are ways to reduce your taxes and fund your ROTH. There are no short cuts. There are ways to grow and compound your net worth. It takes alot of work if you want to retire early.....joe
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RickAstley
LSU Fan
Reno, Nevada
Member since May 2011
1306 posts
| re: starting investments (Posted on 11/12/12 at 8:28 pm to RetiredG8tr)
Retiring early is a dream. Ultimately I want to have additional income to start growing funds for a variety of down-the-road expenses. Time is everything. If I had more time, or better yet, a clear mind, I would be well ahead of my goals
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kingbob
LSU Fan
St. Amant, LA
Member since Nov 2010
9193 posts
| re: starting investments (Posted on 11/12/12 at 10:01 pm to RickAstley)
I'm asking because I'm still in college and have no capital to invest as of yet. I have a very sound money mind, but I lack field knowledge as to what is currently working under this high inflation, 0% FED interest rate clusterf&%k of a system. I'd like to start investing in my future as soon as I start my career in another year, but I want to already know where to start. I don't just want to have a small retirement fund that will tank with the next stock market crash. I want to start from nothing and build an empire one trade at a time...or at least settle for a long term investment that will give me more than plenty to retire on. I'm hoping being Jewish helps 
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Alabama Slim 
Alabama Fan
2009,2011 BCS National Champions
Member since Jul 2007
8807 posts
| re: starting investments (Posted on 11/12/12 at 10:08 pm to kingbob)
put a little away each paycheck until you can afford a small 3 BR section 8 rental home purchased with cash. about the best ROI you'll find these days.
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Tmacelroy12
LSU Fan
Houston
Member since Aug 2012
5489 posts
| re: starting investments (Posted on 11/12/12 at 10:10 pm to kingbob)
Honestly, the stock market, even though its pretty volatile in the short-term, is the best bet for the long run. If you are still in college, then I wouldn't worry about losing all your capital especially if you go with large cap stocks. I don't have too much field knowledge to give you great advise though.
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GoCrazyAuburn 
Auburn Fan
Member since Feb 2010
9234 posts
 Online
| re: starting investments (Posted on 11/12/12 at 11:33 pm to kingbob)
With your age, it will be good to experience the highs and lows of the stock market without exposing yourself to a huge amount of capital. When you say you want a large long term return with minimal risk, that is an impossibility to describe, as those terms mean different things to different people.
I would suggest first taking some type of investor profile. This will help you understand your actual risk tolerance. Everybody wants to minimize their market risk, however everybody has different levels that they see as acceptable.
Once you have figured that out, then you can start doing some actual research into what type of investment vehicles you may find suitable.
Curious though, what were you looking into that seemed like a ponzi scheme?
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kingbob
LSU Fan
St. Amant, LA
Member since Nov 2010
9193 posts
| re: starting investments (Posted on 11/13/12 at 12:52 am to GoCrazyAuburn)
anything that advertises more than 8% ROI over 5 years has to be cooking the books in this economy with Federal interest rates being the way they are.
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acgeaux129
LSU Fan
We are BR
Member since Sep 2007
14079 posts
| re: starting investments (Posted on 11/13/12 at 11:29 am to kingbob)
Start up a Roth and dump it into ETFs.
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matthew25 
Ole Miss Fan
Member since Jun 2012
1671 posts
| re: starting investments (Posted on 11/13/12 at 12:38 pm to acgeaux129)
Assuming you are less than 30, I'd take a hard look at Vanguard Dividend Growth Mutual Fund - VDIGX, a 5-star with "low" risk and "high" return. I discount the 2008 crash and look at the returns for 2009, 10, 11 and 12.
Look at MSN money section to start research. You may want to also review WSJ or CNN or Yahoo Finance page or The Street to get a full perspective of this fund.
It may lead you to another fund to consider - VASVX.
ETF - look at VIG.
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