Investments: Where do you put your money and how's it doing?

[Whiskey 7]

We know this is a global forum and each individual country and their economy varies so much.
I need not mention Gaddafi or the Middle East unrest let alone our new masters in China, or even global climate change so I won't...

Look, just interested, and I am not selling any investment vehicle (system) here, but I was just interest and wondering for those that respond where do you put you hard earned dollars?

Do you make money and get (slightly) ahead of your peers/locals?

Gold, shares, rare art, banks, property, antiques, collectibles that sort of thing.
_____________________ Hey, there is no need for personal details....

Me? well started in shares then property, went back to shares and now back to property. I've noted it seems to change every 5 or 7 years and yes, all considered I do believe I am ahead of the rest

[Eraser]

I don't invest my money in shares or other financial constructs. If I want to gamble, I'll go to the casino.

[Yeahso]

I don't invest my money in shares or other financial constructs. If I want to gamble, I'll go to the casino.

That's an extremely naive statement. It's the kind of thing a broke out-of-work art student would say.

[Yeahso]

I have 15000 shares in a company that recently floated on an ISX, and so far they've tripled in value. Got my eye on another emerging company that's rumoured to be floating soon, and I'm going to sell my shares and move into that next.

[xer0s]

I don't invest my money in shares or other financial constructs. If I want to gamble, I'll go to the casino.

That's an extremely naive statement. It's the kind of thing a broke out-of-work art student would say.

I agree.

I've have some stock in a few different companies, all of which have done me well. I keep a close eye on all my investments. I'm also highly involved with my 401k, which is my bread and butter. You'd be ignorant to ignore the possibilities of the market...

[axbaby]

I get share options from varying companies .. none have paid off big yet but I was just given by a new company that is sure to help my retirement plans.
fyi this is my newest project I am heavily involved with .. a winnah
http://www.angusmining.com/projects.php

[Eraser]

I agree.

I've have some stock in a few different companies, all of which have done me well. I keep a close eye on all my investments. I'm also highly involved with my 401k, which is my bread and butter. You'd be ignorant to ignore the possibilities of the market...

Yeah whatever. I'm just not ready to commit myself to such things and get involved like that. I don't have the time nor the motivation for it.

My statement was too broad and too general. Being active on the stock market isn't a bad idea, but I'm really reluctant when it comes to taking risks with money. My mortgage on my house is 100% savings as well and it's no investment money. The latter can eventually get you more money, but at least with a savings account I know exactly what I'm going to get for the next 20 years and what it's going to cost me.

[^misantropia^]

I somewhat regret not taking the several hundred Apple shares I was offered as part of a job back in 2002. They were worth less than $10 per share back then but they're over $350 now. :/

[andyman]

I somewhat regret not taking the several hundred Apple shares I was offered as part of a job back in 2002. They were worth less than $10 per share back then but they're over $350 now. :/

When you say taking the shares you were offered, do you mean for free? I hope not.

[xer0s]

My statement was too broad and too general.

/me looks at the statement again...

I don't invest my money in shares or other financial constructs. If I want to gamble, I'll go to the casino.

Looks pretty cut and dry to me...

[Eraser]

I compared all possible financial investments to gambling in the casino. Seems like a rather broad statement to make. I didn't say it was a vague or unclear statement, I said it was too broad, as not all forms of money investments are complete gambles.

[xer0s]

[Eraser]

image linking fail?

[obsidian]

The latter can eventually get you more money, but at least with a savings account I know exactly what I'm going to get for the next 20 years and what it's going to cost me.

So all your money is just sitting in a normal savings account? Don't you have anything like guaranteed investment certificates or something similar? Many such plans will guarantee your investment capital with a moderate interest rate, not high but certainly better than a typical savings account. There are also mutual funds with a slight bit of risk, but because they are professionally managed and works from a pool of other investors the risk is extremely small. You can often set up accounts for investments to be cashable should you need to make withdrawals from them into your chequing account.

[Eraser]

When it comes to the mortgage it's a normal savings account except for the fact that A) I can't touch the money, B) the amount of interest I get on it is linked to the amount of interest I pay for my mortgage.

As for my own saved up pennies, yes, they're sitting in an ordinary savings account right now. AFAIK most certificates tie your money to it for a specific amount of time, like a year, two or five. If you want to get to your money in the meantime, you're straight out of luck. I don't want that. I want to be able to access my money whenever I want it.

Also, call me dumb or naive or whatever, but this whole obsession of getting the most out of your money is what's wrong with todays financial world. As it is, I could probably get more out of my money with minor effort but I am just not willing to put a whole lot of effort into my savings money to squeeze a few more pennies out of it, certainly not if it's at the risk of losing it.

[^misantropia^]

When you say taking the shares you were offered, do you mean for free? I hope not.

I'm not that stupid, I should hope. The choice was between stock or cold, hard cash. Seeing how Apple was doing back then (I think this was during the Jobs interbellum), I took the money and ran.

[andyman]

When you say taking the shares you were offered, do you mean for free? I hope not.

I'm not that stupid, I should hope. The choice was between stock or cold, hard cash. Seeing how Apple was doing back then (I think this was during the Jobs interbellum), I took the money and ran.

Ah... one of those decisions. I would have taken the money too, bought some toys.

[Yeahso]

. As it is, I could probably get more out of my money with minor effort but I am just not willing to put a whole lot of effort into my savings money to squeeze a few more pennies out of it, certainly not if it's at the risk of losing it.

Yeah, this is fair enough. I have some money in the bank that I just can't be fucked to do anything with. I like the fact that it's sitting there doing nothing, and I feel secure knowing I can just withdraw it without having to jump through hoops.

[duffman91]

This is what I do and suggest. (Serious post):

Certificate of Deposit - shop for best rate and get a few at different maturity dates.
Savings Account - Never pay to have some entity hold your money. Stay in control of this relationship and don't fear changing banks.
401K - 90% stocks, 10% bonds - This ratio should swing the other way as you get older.
Stocks - agressive/high risk - Take chances.
Real Estate - Buy when possible, refinance if rates are worth it.
Casino - learn to play and learn to bet.
Credit Cards - Always pay on time, keep a revolving balance, transfer to lower APR, and never close accounts.

I'm doing great to be honest.... I bought a house at 25.

[xer0s]

Casino - learn to play and learn to bet.

Says a guy that's from Vegas.

I'm doing great to be honest.... I bought a house at 25.

I'm in the same boat. Bought my first house last year at 25.

[Eraser]

tbh buying your first house at 25 is not that much of an achievement. Buying a house without any financial support from a bank in the form of a mortgage, now that is an achievement. But that's true at any age.

[Yeahso]

edit; fuck it, not even worth it.

[xer0s]

No please, indulge us...

[duffman91]

tbh buying your first house at 25 is not that much of an achievement. Buying a house without any financial support from a bank in the form of a mortgage, now that is an achievement. But that's true at any age.

I know you don't invest your money, but do you own a house? Because I disagree with you entirely and am getting the impression that you are not well informed.

1) In order for a bank to loan you 200,000 dollars, you have to prove that you have assets cash, collateral, cash flow, and a solid debt to income ratio. Most people can't get to this point until their mid 30's.

2) Buying a house cash is about the most foolish thing you can do. Take a loan and invest your liquid assets in a different way. The house will accrue value on its own. Before you reply with a "housing market just tanked" comment, please consider the length of time associated with a real estate investment.

Edit: If you rent a car, condo, apartment, or house, don't bother replying.

[^misantropia^]

Buying a house cash is about the most foolish thing you can do.

I respectfully disagree. A mortgage isn't free: 5% interest over a 30 year period is a lot of money. There is a reason why banks are so eager to loan you the money and it isn't their charitable nature.