How to Invest $50-$5,000: The Small Investor's Step-by-Step Plan for Low-Risk Investing in Today's Economy

by Nancy Dunnan

Overview

“Few books can teach people more about the investment universe than this.”— Inc. Magazine

Newly Revised and Updated. A fully revised edition of Nancy Dunnan's bestselling investment classic, How to Invest $50–$5000, updated to reflect the latest and safest strategies for smart investing in the new economy

The perennially bestselling How to Invest $50–$5,000 has been a trusted advisor for more than 20 years. But never before has the economy changed so much in so small a time. This new edition reflects the latest, smartest strategies for small investing in the new economy, and has fully updated information on all of the recent changes in federal regulations and laws. This guide covers the full range of small investing—from selecting a bank to choosing specific investments to making sense of financial pages. Hints, bullet points, and step—by—step instructions guide even the most inexperienced investor through the maze of stocks, bonds, treasuries, mutual funds—and more—toward the best low—risk, high—value opportunities available in the current U.S. economy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780061935169
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	12/29/2009
Edition description:	Tenth Edition
Pages:	239
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Nancy Dunnan is one of the nation’s most respected financial advisors. In addition to her regular appearances on CNN, CNBC, Bloomberg Radio, and Business News Network, Dunnan writes regular columns for Bottom Line Tomorrow, Family PC Magazine, TheOnlineInvestor.com, and BuyandHold.com. Dunnan is the author of numerous books on finance, including Never Call Your Broker on Monday, Never Balance Your Checkbook on Tuesday, and The Dun and Bradstreet Guide to Your Investments.

Table of Contents

Introduction:Getting the Most for Your Money ix

Your Personal Financial Calendar xvii

Part 1 Safe Stashing far the First $50

1 Institutional Cookie Jars: Banks 3

2 Credit Unions 15

3 Uncle Sam and Savings Bonds 18

Part 2 The First $500

4 Interest-Paying Checking Accounts 25

5 Money Market Mutual Funds 28

6 Bank Money Market Deposit Accounts 37

7 Certificates of Deposit 43

8 Mini-Investor Programs 51

9 Investment Clubs 60

Part 3 The First $1,000

10 Your IRA, Keogh, or SEP 67

11 Your 401(k) Plan 82

12 Treasuries for Ultrasafe Income 86

Part 4 The First $2,000

13 Utilities and Hometown Companies 95

14 Stock and Ginnie Mae Mutual Funds 99

15 Socially Conscious Mutual Funds 114

16 Index Funds and ETFs 118

Part 5 When You Have$5,000

17 Bonds: Corporates, Munis, and Zeros 129

18 A Stock Portfolio for Beginners 149

Part 6 Over the Top

19 REITs 167

20 Foreign Stocks and Bonds 169

21 Investing a Windfall 173

Appendices

Appendix A Nine Easy and Painless Ways to Save 179

Appendix B Ten Steps Toward College Tuition 182

Appendix C Scams, Swindles, and Suckers 187

Appendix D The Top 25 Financial Web Sites 193

Appendix E If You're Fired 202

Appendix F Cash in a Flash: Ten Sources of Instant Money 210

Appendix G Your Next Steps 219

Wall Street Jargon Made Simple 223

Index 231

About the Author 240