I just received an inheritance. I want to figure out how to invest it, but I'm new to investing - and can't make sense out of this economy. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Feb 11, 2009 - 16 answers

Is there anyone (especially online) who's collected reasonably well-informed stock picks from, say, 2, 5, or 15 years ago and explained why the recommendations did or did not work out? [more inside]
posted by ibmcginty on Jul 21, 2008 - 5 answers

What, if anything, is a "Target Retirement" fund like VTIVX missing? [more inside]
posted by selfnoise on Jun 30, 2008 - 4 answers

Can you explain Structured Notes to me? Somebody suggested these as an investment vehicle that minimizes risk while magnifying the potential for gain. That's the kind of talk that makes my BS meter go off, and searching online produces a bunch of investo-speak that's probably clear if your a finance person but seems designed to muddy the waters of understanding for everybody else. Using non technical language, can you tell me what they are, what/who they're good for and what/who they are wrong for?
posted by willnot on Jan 23, 2008 - 4 answers

How can I maximize my savings for a trip I'm planning for 2009? [more inside]
posted by sprocket87 on Nov 9, 2007 - 6 answers

A friend needs to find a good place to park some money that will ultimately be used for house down-payment purposes. Help me come up with a few good investment options. [more inside]
posted by killdevil on Jan 26, 2007 - 23 answers

Total beginner to investing and finance, researching how to start investing maybe $2K each year, mostly in socially responsible mutual funds -- and how a young, healthy person should balance retirement investment with other kinds of investments. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 27, 2006 - 10 answers

How can I start saving for retirement when my career will likely take me from the USA to New Zealand? I wish to benefit from the tax-free nature of a saving scheme like the 401k plans, but I do not expect to spend all that much of my career (or lifetime) in the USA. Is there any way to move 401k savings to a similar scheme in New Zealand without losing it all to the tax penalties for early withdrawal? Are there any cunning alternatives? [more inside]
posted by -harlequin- on Jan 4, 2006 - 11 answers

FinancialFilter: Should I sell my DSC mutual funds now or later? [more inside]
posted by acoutu on Oct 25, 2005 - 8 answers

What are some really good franchise opportunities for somebody looking to start a business? Any tips about what to look for and what to be sure to avoid? [more inside]
posted by willnot on Sep 8, 2005 - 13 answers

What are some good ideas for a business that could be started with $25,000 in capital and run by a talented person a less-than-full-time basis? (Obviously, this person could be assisted by employee(s) if the cash flow supported them, so it doesn't have to be a less-than-full-time business.) [more inside]
posted by MattD on Jul 7, 2005 - 11 answers

I have about 15,000$ saved up and was thinking of investing it in something. Whats the best thing? I want something that is SOLID and dependable so I was thinking of buying real-estate. Is that a good idea?
posted by Napierzaza on Feb 13, 2005 - 23 answers

If you had US$100,000 drop into your lap (I wish), and you were employed and debt-free, how would you put it to work to make a bigger nest egg or retirement fund? How would your strategy differ if you had high or low aversion to risk? [more inside]
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken on Nov 23, 2004 - 27 answers