Criticism of mutual funds

Criticism of mutual funds.


While mutual fund investing has exploded over the past 50 years to become one of the most popular forms of investing anywhere, there are still possible pitfalls that you can fall into if you’re not careful.

Investing is still a risky business, even if everyone is doing it.

Here are some tips to help you through any problems you might have.

One common criticism of mutual fund investing is that they don’t have a high enough return on their investment and that index funds, which aren’t as popular have historically returned a higher investment than the much more popular actively managed mutual funds.

A second common problem that some have with mutual fund investing is the use of load funds.

You have probably seen the phrase “no-load mutual fund” in the newspaper or on television.

The reason the no-load type of fund is preferred is because load funds come loaded with fees.

These fees can run anywhere between half a percent, all the way up to 8.5 percent of however much you chose to invest.

It’s thought that these fees are a clear conflict of interest as they clearly benefit the people making the sale and hurt the person making the investment.

Load mutual funds are also thought to make your broker recommend funds that will maximize his fee, and not your investment portfolio.

Some investors also point to a perceived conflict of interest in regards to the size of the mutual fund.

Most companies that manage the mutual fund charge a fee of between half a percent up to two and a half percent of the total amount of the funds assets.

It’s thought that this fee could cause a fund to spend more on advertising than is actually needed so that they can get more people to invest in the fund and maximize their fee as much as possible.

The mutual fund market isn’t immune to scandals, either.

In 2003, a scandal involving the practice of unethical and dishonest trading practices.

Many funds were found to have participated in late trading and market trimming, both of which are illegal practices.

You obviously don’t want to invest in a mutual fund that is engaged in illegal activities.


Mutual fund investing is gaining in popularity on an almost weekly basis, and a few bad eggs in the business won’t ruin it for everyone.

However, it is always good advice to enter into any kind of investing with your eyes open, and if you feel your mutual fund is behaving improperly, there are authorities you can report them to.



John Caldecott.

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Mutual Funds

Mutual Funds

College vs. Retirement

For most people, investing in mutual funds is pretty straight forward.

You have specific goals that need to be met.

You and your partner are approaching mutual fund investing with your eyes open and you’re both on the same page.

Granted, she may want that pretty cottage down by the lake and you want that new speedboat, but both your goals involve water, and that’s close enough for you.

But what if you’re in a completely different boat?

What if you know you need to invest, but you have two equally important goals pulling you two different ways?

This is the case with thousands of parents who see the need to save for retirement but also want to save for the kids’ college education.

How can you do both at the same time?

Here are a few tips.

One of the biggest factors in the college vs. retirement battle is

the fact that people are putting off having kids until later in life

these days.

Fifty years ago, this wasn’t the case, and saving for both college and


retirement usually happened during two distinctly different phases in one’s life.

These days, now that we realize that saving for retirement is something that should be started when you’re 18, not 48, the

two overlap more than ever.

The gut instinct of most parents is to put the kids’ future ahead of their own and cut back on retirement savings in favour of college.

While this is a popular choice, it really only should be a last resort.

A technique that is becoming more and more popular with parents who face saving for both at once is offering your prospective college student the chance to get matching funds from you.

This is simply the idea that for every dollar they pay for, you’ll match it.

If your not sure how junior will pay for half, remember, there are many ways for teenagers to save for college themselves.

Almost everyone qualifies for student loans, there are scholarships for good grades as well as an after school and summertime job.

Most college students work while they are attending classes, as well.

While walking the tightrope of saving for two goals at once can be stressful, a logical and determined approach to the situation is really the only way to go.

Choosing retirement over your kids’ education isn’t a “wrong” choice, and neither is choosing college over retirement.

Everyone’s situation is different and you need to make the right choice for your situation.

John Caldecott.

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Cape Town World Cup Transport how to Get to the GreenPoint Stadium..

               

Get to the GreenPoint Stadium">Cape Town World Cup Transport - How to Get to the GreenPoint Stadium

                April 30th, 2010  by tazfm

               

                    Cape Town World Cup Transport - How to Get to the GreenPoint Stadium

At last, official information is available on Shuttles, Park-and-Ride and

Walkways to reach the Cape Town Stadium on match days - hot-off-the-press from a

networking session with Cape Town City management!

In a nutshell:

If you are thinking of travelling in a private vehicle to the Stadium, there
is no way this will be permitted.

Furthermore, if you are thinking of using private tour operators, unless they
have registered and gained accreditation with the appropriate FIFA
organisers, the same restrictions to access apply.

So…Here are tips on how to get there… (worth mention is that most
of the transport options are free with a soccer ticket).

Shuttles:

Stadium Shuttles operate between the main transport hub at the Cape Town

Civic Centre and two loading points at the stadium.

Shuttles will operate from 4 hours before an event until 4 hours after the
time of the final whistle.

Use ofthis shuttle is free with a match ticket.

Special Needs Shuttle:

This shuttle will operate from the main Civic Centre transport hub directly
into the stadium grounds, for the use of those with mobility impairments
and accompanied by one carer only.

Contact transport.info@capetown.gov.za to book a place on this shuttle.

Airport Shuttle:

The Airport Shuttle will operate daily and take people to
the main Civic Centre transport hub, from which they can take another shuttle to
the stadium on match days, or link onto an Inner City Shuttle to get to various
parts of the city.

This airport shuttle costs R50 p.p. one way and is integrated
with flight schedules to run every 6 to 30 minutes.

Inner City Shuttle:

These operate on 4 circular routes around the inner city.

The cost of this shuttle is R8 per trip or based on distance travelled.

There are several shuttle pick-up points on the circular route so that visitors can

get around the city.

These route maps will be available on the Cape Town City
website under 2010/ Getting around.

These routes include:

# Civic Centre to Waterfront and Sea Point* along the Atlantic seaboard to

Queens beach - cost based on distance travelled;

# Inner City Bowl area* - cost R8 per trip and scheduled every 10- 30 mins;


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# UCT to the Civic centre (on match dates only) - Cost free of charge with match
ticket;

# Atlantic seaboard service (on match dates only):

Houtbay to Granger bay.
This is a pay as you go service based on the distance travelled.

Please note: this is good news for those travelling from Houtbay
as this shuttle goes directly to the stadium - no need to go to the
Civic Centre hub!!

* On non-match days and after the World Cup, the Inner City Shuttles will
continue to operate as a Hop-On Hop-Off system to get around our beautiful
city.

Park-And- Ride: Transport to the city includes 25 Metro Rail stations with

Park-and-Ride facilities.

10 of these stations, specially identified as World Cup Park-and-Ride

stations, will have additional parking facilities, event related activities,
refreshments, lighting, toilet facilities and security until 12h30 or 01h00 on match days.


All train tickets are free, on the date of your soccer ticket.

So the key is to find Cape Town holiday accommodation near these 10 stations:

These Metro Rail stations are Fishhoek, Retreat, Ottery, Claremont, Goodwood,

Century City, Brackenfell, Oostersee, Kuilsriver and Strand.

For additional information, contact the Call Centre: 0800 656463

Walk to the Stadium: The anticipated Fan Walkway from the Civic Centre is

about 2.5km and is still under construction, but when completed will be a very

attractive and safe route. With all things considered, this is possibly the best

option to take as it avoids queues and waiting for the Civic Centre shuttle.

Walking will take you less than 30 minutes.

Tour Operators will be able to find parking space at designated areas in the

CBD near the main Civic Centre transport hub. Tour groups are encouraged to use

the Hospitality or Match packages that will facilitate integration of transport

on various accredited shuttles.

To Summarise

This will be a spectacular event with all the fanfare and razzmatazz of doing

something new and exciting - not to speak of being LOUD.

Enjoy the ride………. and plan ahead to make sure that you

take jackets, raincoats and some of your own favourite refreshments to make the

journey easier as there will be queues and delays. Remember that no refreshments

will be permitted into the stadium, and rumour has it that you shouldn’t

carry a pointed umbrella as this may be classed as a weapon!!!


Watch this space for more information as the final touches are put together

to make this World Cup a grand event. The structure of transport arrangements of

the city are still in transition and will be evaluated at each of the remaining

test events at the stadium.

Browse business and holiday accommodation in and around Cape Town South

Africa.

Find Cape Town holiday accommodation that is perfect for FIFA World Cup with

http://www.capeplace2stay.co.za Book direct with the guest house owner for self

-catering or bed and breakfast (B&B) apartments, cottages and boutique

hotels at budget prices.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tessa_Du_Toit

John Caldecott

bmi Special Offers.


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View our special offers now. Low fares on many routes worldwide. Book now for

competitive fares.

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Take care of Your body!

Even though vitamins are generally good for you, and you might have no cause to think that there may be dangers. Associated with using too much vitamin supplement or too many vitamins, there are certain dangers that might come.

Along with using too much in general. If you are going to be responsible and truly understand what you are putting in your body, you should know that indeed too many vitamins and supplements might actually cause you problems.

However, it is important to know how much you should be using at any given time. Dangerous results are real. For instance, if you have too much vitamin D in your system, you might be causing yourself kidney damage. Vitamin D is generally good for you, so it is simply a matter of knowing your limits and knowing how much you should take.

Don't think that just because the supplement bottle says to take one a day that you will be better off or increase the results you want by taking more than that. That is simply not true - you will actually be causing yourself harm if you take more than you are supposed to be taking. Vitamin A commonly has the same results. Liver damage is very series and can cause many other problems, resulting in death.

If you are taking regular doses of niacin, you should know that you might experience flushing and stinging of the skin. This is natural, and a side effect that can be managed. However, if you take too much niacin, you might be causing heart and liver problems for yourself. Once again, it's simply an issue of only taking the recommended amount.

Mineral supplements can be dangerous too. Even if you are just increasing some of your mineral intact by a modest amount, you might be finding that this is leading to imbalances in your body's ability to use other types of minerals. If you take more than just 5 times the recommended doses of supplements such as iron, chromium, zinc or selenium, it can actually be a toxic event for your body. Almost every kind of vitamin and mineral can end up being toxic if you take too much.

Therefore, you should know that while vitamins and supplements are generally good for you, there are many times that these could actually become harmful, especially if you take more than is recommended to take during the day.

For those reasons, you should simply be careful to only take what is recommended each day, and not more.

http://articles-tazfm.blogspot.com/

Help prevent Heart Attacks and More...

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Caldecott

My Wife and my Mate!!

Very Very Sadly My Wife - MILLIE- Passed away 29 Dec 09. She fought as much as she could but lost in the end. She was a Wonderful Wife and Mother. I will miss her so so much. She was everything to me! I love you Mill. XXX