recommended mutual funds?

use one with a strong history of 10%+ annual returns.

why mutual when u can go hedge

why hedge when you can load up on pennies

mutual funds are slow growth

What would you call slow growth? 10% a year?

They are long term investments.

chowda this is extra $ i have set aside for some loans out, that i dont wanna play with or worry about big risks.. what do you guys recommend?

my bank is giving me like 1.5% interest now on the money, which is bullshit.

Check out Vanguard. Excellent investment firm...with a long history...and safe mutual funds with a high yield...at least high for mutual funds.

http://www.vanguard.com

If you already have the loans, and you are going to save money to put towards paying on them, you might be better off just paying on them now.

Depends on whether or not you have other investments....if you're putting all your investment eggs in this one basket, so to speak then i'd recommend a balanced mutual fund that has stocks of every size (large, mid, small-cap), in every category (tech, financial, consumer, etc). There should be both US and foreign stocks and also about 20% in bonds for a little security. A proven 10+% average as pointed out by detoxed is a good way to go.

When you signup for Ameritrade, they'll give you access to a mutual fund screener which is pretty good and will let you narrow down your search to just a few good funds and I would look among the Balanced Funds. Try to pick NO LOAD funds if you can, it'll save you money.

One more thing...you said you're gonna need the money to pay for school, I would reconsider buying stocks at all if you plan on needing the money anytime soon. Stocks are a long term investment!!

I checked out that fund you're looking at.
http://finance.yahoo.com/q/pr?s=OAKLX

It looks pretty good but you just never know what stocks are gonna do in the short term and it would be a shame to sell at a loss when your payments come due. Stocks are looking to be heading up but I said the same in March 2002 and it took over 14 months to actually go up from there. Things could remain rocky for a few years hence you're taking a big risk. On the flip side, they could keep heading up and reach 12000 within a year or two, so you're also taking a risk by not investing. Doesn't uncertainty suck? That's why people invest for the long term cuz it's pretty safe to say stocks will go up in the next 20-40 years but no-one knows about the short term. If you know exactly when you'll be needing the money, a CD might be a good way to go for you and much safer than stocks. If however you don't mind losing up to 20 or 40% (unlikely) and are willing to take the chance to earn 10, or 20 or 40% or more, then go for it!

As some one who knows and studies this A LOT

Vanguard is great...but you will not double your money over night..

But....roycefunds.com if you wanna take a risk....great firm

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