As a new comer to the world of investments, you may have heard of the term investment fund, but are not entirely sure what it means. Keep reading to find out about various investment options you can choose to put your money into for a return on investment.

There are investment companies that pool the funds gathered from retail investors and this amount is then invested in large high yield projects. Small stand alone investors will not have access to such types of investments, but through fund management companies that allow them to benefit from a wide range of securities. Investment companies may be either open end or closed end relating to mutual funds and investment trusts.

If you have money sitting in a bank, odds are it does not earn much by way of returns. More importantly, the temptation to spend the money is an ever present danger. Investing in some of the more secure money investment options available is a good way to reach long term financial goals. There are several good investment choices you can make and the first step is to identify where to invest. Let us look at some of the investment opportunities that are available.

Mutual funds are a good choice for small investors. The benefits from this type of investment include its relative inexpensiveness, the chance to get a really good investment professional to manage your investment, earn returns on your investment and diversification to cover loss. With a mutual fund you own shares in the fund rather than owning individual stocks. This is called diversification of risk or spreading of risk. Loss is minimized in this type of investment because of the chance to make profit in other investments. To diversify the risk, mutual funds typically hold stocks and bonds in several companies.

Stocks are a good investment option by which you can reach long term financial goals. This type of investment requires that you have a plan based on your goals. What sort of time period are you looking at to reach your financial goals? What is the amount of money you can comfortably invest without stressing your finances out? What is the amount of risk you can safely manage?

A good strategy to adopt when investing in stocks is to set aside a fixed amount of money that you can afford to invest every month. You can check out companies that sell the shares directly to investors to avoid broker commissions. Don’t forget to ask about dividend reinvestment plans that will earn you more returns on the investment you make. This is a safe way to get on in the world of investments.

There are several other options you could explore for investment. But the ideal thing would be to get a good investment advisor to help guide you on the best investments to match your income level. One final tip in closing, make sure you set aside sufficient insurance coverage and a good 6 months or more of income that is safely invested in a money market fund. This is a good way to cover your expenses should contingencies arise; you will have 6 months income stashed away to tide you over.

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Rick Santelli of CNBC

Bryn Mawr, PA (PRWEB) May 29, 2009

Rick Santelli, CNBC’s bombastic on-air editor, will share his insights into the current administration’s economic policies as part of the annual Frank M. Engle Lecture in Economic Security and Luncheon from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. as part of The American College Knowledge Summit in Boston on October 28, 2009.

As part of his presentation, Santelli will share his thoughts on the economic policies of the Obama administration, including the financial bailout and our increasing national debt. He is best known for his on-air venting from the Chicago Board of Trade in February 2009, where he denounced President Obama’s mortgage bailout plan. As part of his extemporaneous criticism of the plan, Santelli accused the government of “promoting bad behavior.”

“Rick’s insights into the Obama administration and their economic philosophies are important because we need robust dialogue now more than ever,” notes Larry Barton, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of The American College. “Financial professionals attending The American College Knowledge Summit will have a unique opportunity to hear directly from one of the nation’s leading journalists and pundits on how the administration’s economic policies could affect them directly.”

For more information about Santelli’s presentation, “The Obama Economic Machine: Will It Work?” visit The American College Knowledge Summit Website.

Santelli joined CNBC Business News as on-air editor in June 1999, reporting live from the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade. His focus is primarily on interest rates, foreign exchange and the Federal Reserve. A veteran trader and financial executive, Santelli has provided live reports on the markets in print and on local and national radio and television.

He joined CNBC from Sanwa Futures, L.L.C. where he was a vice president responsible for handling institutional trading and hedge accounts for a variety of futures related products. Prior to that, Santelli served as vice president of Institutional Futures and Options at Rand Financial Services Inc.

Santelli earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois Champaign/Urbana. He is a member of both the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Chicago Board of Trade.

The Engle Lecture aims to stimulate objective study of the economic life of the United States in the global economy, with particular emphasis on the social and economic impact of private and public economic security mechanisms. The American College, the leader in financial services education, is proud to sponsor this lecture series now in its 32nd year.

The American College is dedicated to leadership in innovative training and development that helps financial services companies and their employees succeed. As a non-profit educational institution holding the highest level of academic accreditation, The College has served as a valued business partner to banks, brokerage firms, insurance companies and others for over 82 years. The American College’s faculty represents some of the financial services industry’s foremost thought leaders. For more information, about the Engle Lecture, The American College and this year’s Knowledge Summit in Boston visit The American College’s home page.

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Related Chicago Board Of Trade Press Releases

This system use to work for almost everyone who implemented it; however this system has run its course and no longer works for most people. The first step of this system is to go to school and get a good education. This particular step can be agreed upon; however I feel that if we want students entering the “real world” to be more financially successful we should teach more material related to money management. The second step is to get a good job and make good money, however the only problem with that is I’m not sure that a “good job” exists anymore. Many companies today make obscene profits, yet do not pay employees anywhere near what they are worth and most companies occupy a great deal of employees’ time and energy. Furthermore, many companies have reduced their benefit plans drastically thus removing another perceived advantage of a job.

Having a job can work if you truly do have a “good job” that pays you handsomely for what you do and provides meaningful benefits but stay tuned because there are other things you must do. The third and final step is to save the money that you make in the bank. We have been taught to save a portion of income consistently until we retire and that those savings should be sufficient for the rest of our lives. The problem is that banks pay you a putrid interest rate of less than one percent on most savings accounts. Even if you are able to put away large chunks of money every month, it won’t matter if you don’t get a decent return on your hard-earned money. In order to be financially successful, you must first realize that if you are one of the many Americans who do not have a “good job” you must find an alternate source of income that pays you significantly more for your time than your job does. The best way to do this is to find a solid network marketing company. Many of these companies have a proven track record of producing financially successful people because they have great business systems in place.

They allow you to make great money on a part-time basis without concerning yourself with the headaches of a traditional business such as payroll and marketing materials. The investment is usually from $100-$500 with the potential to make millions. The next step applies whether you have a “good job” or not and that is to invest your money in mutual funds. Mutual funds are the best way to invest for the average person because they are professionally managed and the risk that is so oftenassociated with investing is diluted because it is spread among many great companies. Some mutual funds will yield a return of anywhere from 10-18%. This is the new system for financial success in today’s economy.

Anxiety over money issues has produced a new ailment that is affecting a large part of the population, particularly women. Psychology professionals have named this affliction: Money Anxiety Disorder.

Women tend to be more highly stressed about money issues because in general they are not the major breadwinners; they are the care-givers, concerned about their family’s future and well-being. And, in relationships, there usually isn’t an open and equal financial partnership between husband and wife.

Financial issues are the primary cause of conflict and divorce among couples. As the economy continues to struggle with high unemployment, tight credit, low housing values and high foreclosure rates, couples are struggling to cope with financial problems and M.A.D. behavior.

The following are six tell-tale symptoms indicating you have gotten M.A.D.:

            1. You have an overall sense of fear or dread thinking about money.

            2. You are in a panic about your husband’s or your job security and income.

            3. You have a constant fear that your financial safety net (retirement and emergency savings)      will disappear forever.

            4. There’s a feeling of confusion, anxiety and shame about your lack of financial knowledge and awareness.

            5. You feel angry about the lack of communication between you and your partner regarding         your personal finances.

            6. All financial discussions between you and your partner quickly turn into arguments.

4 Ways to Overcome M.A.D. mania:

1. Money and money matters aren’t scary, they’re just math. Not knowing anything is scary. Tell your husband that you are afraid and concerned about your health (because you are anxious all the time) and that you would like to sit down with him to go over the numbers together. Set a day and time for a “money date.” Gather together (ideally with his help) all of the household statements and bills so you can create a monthly budget and “cash-flow statement” during your date. A “cash-flow statement” is just what it sounds like, a calculation of the money or income coming into the household measured against the money going out or expenses, just like a math equation. If there’s more money coming in than going out there’s a positive balance which can be turned into savings. If the balance is negative then either income has to go up or expenses have to go down. Knowledge is power. Once you have the facts and numbers you can develop open communication and build a strategy together. Following a clear financial plan with your husband will eliminate a lot of your anxiety and fear.

2. Contact a NON-PROFIT credit counseling agency if you’re faced with a large amount of debt and not enough income to support basic expenses and monthly loan payments. A counselor will review your budget, income, assets (what you own) and liabilities (what you owe) then offer solutions and resources. To locate legitimate non-profit agencies go to NFCC.org (National Foundation for Credit Counseling) or AICCCA.org (Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies).

3. Understand that the market goes up and down and up. Certainly investments can lose value on paper but it isn’t a realized loss until you sell them. Focus on what you can control in your finances and take a longer view of the market. As Warren Buffett said: “We simply attempt to be fearful when others are greedy and to be greedy only when others are fearful.”  If you have one, speak to your financial advisor or retirement plan manager about your concerns. To get a wide range of information on finance-related topics and available resources go to MyMoney.gov.

4. De-stress by going for a walk or exercising in any way you like. Anxiety can take a physical toll on your heart, head and on neck, back and shoulder muscles. The temptation is to sit and stew but that won’t help either your mind or your body. Meditation, yoga and hypnosis are also ways to reduce stress and anxiety.

Yes, that still is the official findings so far! What I mean is that nothing, absolutely nothing has come from the CFTC to the public after their recent hearings. At some point the public will read the findings or recommendations of the CFTC by for right now I am not holding my breath.

I was asked by Dow Jones to comment on the CFTC findings. The first point I stated was, “It is not possible to manipulate the trend in a market, but it is possible to “manage” the price within silver’s uptrend.” I went on to state that the price of silver can be managed, within certain boundaries, through short selling. I believe silver would be far higher if not for selling of “vast amounts” of silver that doesn’t exist, or “naked shorts.”

Now some I know well in the industry build a case that all or almost all of the silver sold short on the exchange is not sold naked but indeed is true hedging, primarily by base metals mining companies.

This at the surface level may appear to be correct, until it is realized that almost all of the real physical silver that is delivered to end users (primarily to industrial consumers) is accomplished by means of over-the-counter contracts known as “forwards.” This is not accomplished in the futures market!

My point is simple: If the true sale of physical silver is done in an unregulated market based upon private contracts, then what is the purpose of the futures market?

Why did the London Bullion Management Association trade billions ounces of paper silver?

Why did the futures and options exchanges trade almost 60 billion ounces of silver (on paper) last year?

Let’s get a bit real here. If the total silver supply is roughly one billion ounces and we can measure NINETY times that amount being “traded” on the reporting exchanges, does it not beg the question why?

Further remember, there is a whole vast amount of silver “trading” going on in the OTC market that does not report at all. It could easily be as large as the reporting exchanges. Let’s be conservative here and state only 10 billion ounces of silver is dealt in the OTC market.

So when I state naked sales and can prove perhaps ONE HUNDRED TIMES the amount of silver exists on paper than exists in the physical world, you must question the logic of “hedging.” The derivatives markets are alive and well in both silver and gold, and there is roughly one hundred ounces “claimed” on paper for every physical ounce of silver.

So, ask a very basic question: How is the price of silver set? As if there is less than a billion ounces of physical silver? Or is the price acting as if there is a hundred times as much silver? For those who don’t know, this is a rhetorical question! Think fractional reserve banking system, which keeps about one percent of the total (reserve), because what depositor is going to cash in on their demand deposits? One percent is what the bank needs to keep the present day scheme going. In the case of banking, more “money” can be created by a computer keystroke. But real silver, well . . . that will pose a problem.

Another question that has always bothered me is, Why does the CFTC set a limit of 7.5 million ounces of silver as the most that can be taken off the exchange in a given delivery month? If you look back and see the Comex inventory level change when Warren Buffett made his purchase, you will notice a huge off take of physical silver from the Comex. This cannot happen again; the rules state there is a limit on the amount of physical silver that can be taken off the exchange. So, for the umpteenth time, I will answer the following question.

“Why doesn’t some big investor come along and just buy up the remaining silver?”

Answer: It cannot be done. There are delivery limits now! Let me repeat!! It cannot be done, there are delivery limits NOW!! Oh, you might ask, “Is there any limit to the amount of silver that can be sold on paper?” Well, the main purpose of this missive is to prove that there is no limit to the amount of paper silver that can be created!

I could go on, but I think I’ll cool off and continue this discussion next week. In summary this week, I will share a letter I received very early on when addressing this same issue. This came from a Comex floor trader. Notice the price level in the letter—the price action can be “managed,” but the trend, as I said then and am stating again, is higher. Much higher. As Abraham Lincoln said, “You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.”

Mr. Morgan:

I enjoyed your newsletter excerpt of Feb 12, which I found on the Kitco website. You stated perfectly some key reasons for silver’s problems in getting out of its own way, and your call for further weakness was prescient.

I guess I’m part of the problem. I’ve traded COMEX futures actively from the pit for over 15 years. Over the years, the amount of futures contracts that we’ve traded has surely dwarfed the actual physical market, making it difficult for silver to manifest its true fundamentals.

As you alluded, it’s “Groundhog Day” again on the floor. Over the past month I watched one fund accumulate an eye-popping long position, and I followed its progress as best I could through the open interest and commitment figures. When prices started slipping away from last week’s test of the $4.85-$4.90 level, I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw early evidence that this fund was starting to sell. I went across the pit to a trader who I knew was trying to stick with his longs and I said, “I’ve got bad news for you — that selling you see over there may take three weeks.”

The fund sold heavily all last week. The usual bank traders were sopping it up, secretly relieved, I think, that prices had failed to break into ground they could not control. Younger traders ask me how these funds can keep getting chopped up like this. They don’t realize that a 30-cent chop in silver is a minor inconvenience compared to the strong positions most of these guys have in gold and crude.

As you know, the banks will continue to play puppet master as long as the silver game remains “closed.” The banks know the upper parameters of the funds’ buying power; the banks know when the funds have reversed themselves into an untenable short position. It will take new “players” to get the “Bill Murray” silver market out of this loop. Certainly investment demand is the wild card that banks and recurrent short sellers cannot control.

Silver will be called lower on Tuesday a.m. and, although I’m a bull, I’ll be getting short on the bell. There is no short-term success in getting in the funds’ way.

A Comex Floor Trader

So in closing, I want you to think about paper silver versus real silver. Think about how much paper is flying around compared to the amount of physical silver that exists. Think about the derivatives problem we are witnessing in the mortgage markets, and ask, “Can the precious metals derivatives be far behind?”

David Morgan

Mr. Morgan has followed the silver market daily for over thirty years. Much of this Web site, www.silver-investor.com, is devoted to education about the precious metals.

Getting started with building your wealth is as simple as knowing that you can in fact do it. Actually understanding that there is no difference in between you and Bill Gates or Warren Buffett is a great way to point yourself in the right direction. It isn’t as if you’re trying to trick yourself into believing this, you need to actually understand it and be conscious that you can be just as successful.

Getting started doing little things like saving money and getting in the habit of putting money away is something you’ll have to do sooner or later, so the sooner the better. Even putting spare change in an old jar is a great way to save extra money that’s lying around. Start to value even the smallest penny and understand it’s another step in the right direction.

Wealth building is all about taking baby steps and working towards a larger goal. As soon as you possibly are able to you should begin putting away larger sums of money like $50 or more every month. The more you can save each month the closer you’ll get to truly building your wealth.

Another great habit to get accustomed to as soon as possible is being practical with your money. Many people waste money on things they don’t realize are a waste of money-until it’s too late. Impulsively purchasing anything and everything is a sure-fire way to deplete your funds and essentially, throw them away. The more you value your money the less likely you are to throw it away at pointless investments or purchases.

Just with any other large task, building your wealth and overall assets is a constant work in progress. Over time you’ll learn how to be better at it and save more efficiently while making wise investments and long term decisions. The more serious you are about building your wealth the easier it becomes and the more you’ll learn along the way.

But, actually Labor Day is a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

The week after Labor day is also known as the day after summer… the day we all face the reality of getting back to work.

For many it will be difficult to get back to work in this declining economy. The U.S. economy lost 125,000 jobs in June.

Total employment has grown six months in a row. Many unemployed are likely coming to the end of their savings and benefits.

Not trying to rain on your Labor Day parade. The truth is the federal government cannot stimulate the economy by increased borrowing and manipulating demand across the economy through wasteful deficit spending.

This is why it is necessary to join me this Wednesday, September 8th at 9pm EST, for a FREE session with an ex $50 Million dollar fund manager when he reveals the secrets professional money managers would rather you not know.

There are tremendous financial opportunities for investing and trading ETFs (Exchanged Traded Funds) in today’s financial markets.

Financial Freedom in trading in today’s Market starts with the pursuit of truth.

Many just are not confident enough because of “what they do not know” to risk the pursuit of seeking out someone like my friend who understands and is willing to reveal what the money managers and Washington do not want you to know. Knowledge is Freedom!

Please join me on Wednesday, September 8th at 9am EST, for a FREE opportunity to hear an ex $50 Million dollar fund manager who is willing to mentor you as he reveals to the secrets the professional money managers would rather you not know.

Click here to register now for your webinar slot.

==> Visit ETF Trend Trading Website

Here is a short list of some of the concepts he will be teaching:

- Two simple tricks that instantly remove 95% of your emotions in trading. Since we know fear and greed are the number one killers of traders, this info could improve your trading now.

- A little known position sizing trick that can double your returns, regardless of what market or system you trade.

- Why money managers who only risk 1-2% per trade still make great returns.

- How some hedge funds hunt stops and a simple trick to avoid being trapped.

- Why trading is not a “zero sum game” and what this means for the average trader.

- How to make strong profits using the daily charts and trading only 10 minutes per night.

- One of his profit target strategies. He has 4 in total and gives one away.

- How Jim Rogers, Warren Buffett, and others became great traders and investors.

- What the “gurus” selling hype trading courses are hiding from you AND

- Six easy ways to spot a counterfeit “trading teacher” from a mile away.

- How to not be vague with your entries and stops like when others say: “Buy a few cents, ticks, or pips above.”

- A little known, no cost, scanner tool that can help you right now.

- He also gives you an excel sheet that does ALL the math for you so you can easily see the optimal position size and risk vs. reward ratio on all trades.

All that in an hour? Certainly sounds like a good use of an hour of your time?

I promise it won’t be a waste of your time! He will share a little of his story, but most of the hour will be spent showing you how

to improve your trades.

We expect to be packed out Wednesday, September 8th at 9pm EST…especially since this invitation is going out to thousands of people.

Once again have a great and safe Labor Day weekend. Remember that the day after Labor Day is … the day to take responsibility for our own personal financial futures as we all face the reality of getting back to work.

Click here to register for your free seat at the Wednesday night webinar.

==> Visit ETF Trend Trading Website

Don’t place another stop before you hear how the hedge funds are gunning for your profits!

Please Remember to join us on the webinar Wednesday night at 9pm EST. It could very well be your Financial Day of Independence.

The primary idea you should be aware of is that your business has nothing to do with your multi-level marketing company. That’s right, if you want network marketing success you must stop trying to sell people on your network marketing company. Prospects are not interested in your company’s net worth. It’s fascinating but not relevant.

You must also stop promoting the products offered by the company. This second concept is something that must be understood if you wish for network marketing success. Shocking right? Especially since it’s exactly what your upline leaders are telling you to do. You must stop trying to sell their products or promote your network marketing company. While it is vital that your company is sound and their products provide value to the consumer, the bottom line is that people don’t care about your company or your products. And trying to sell them to folks only makes them run the other way. I’m sure you have experienced this first hand. I know have.

To become network marketing leader you must grasp that network marketing success is about marketing. Your business is marketing. You can have the greatest product on earth but it won’t make you money unless you know how to market the product. Your product is a marketing system. You sell a marketing system to prospects. The marketing system sells your network marketing company’s products, not you. Read this paragraph again and again until you get it. It will change your life.

Let me give you a helpful example. In 1996, I was burnt out with working in private industry as a computer consultant. I had some money and decided to to branch out on my own. I decided to start a business. I decided to acquire a franchise. I looked at McDonalds, Subway, Maaco Auto Painting and Sir Speedy among others. Why? Was it because I thought that these companies offered the best sandwiches, paint jobs or printing services, respectively? No, not at all. I chose to look at franchises because they had a proven money making system that I could plug into. I and others gladly paid the $65,000 franchise fee to buy the business in a box that had been used by many successful franchisees to make money. They sold us a system. The system sold their products.

Similarly, to accomplish network marketing success you must sell a marketing system to prospects. The system will sell your company’s products. Your marketing system is a series of tools and instructions. The system teaches your prospects (YOU) how to market and how to use the system to sell your company’s products. The marketing system must be duplicatable, so that someone with no experience in marketing can do it. By concentrating on marketing instead of selling your company’s products you will be on course to network marketing success, just like the top earners.

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Wednesday night he will be re-opening the doors to his one year mentor program. He will only be open until Monday night or for the next 75 new students.

The truth is they have already filled 10 of those spots with new students, some who have waited months to join. They now only have 65 available openings.

From experience I know they will go fast once he reopens for new students after the Wednesday night webinar.

Here is a short list of some of the concepts he will be teaching:

- Unique position sizing based on the combination of a percentage risk stop and technical stop. Plus and advanced tip to this concept that can instantly DOUBLE your returns regardless of what system or markets you trade.

- Two simple tricks that instantly remove 95% of your emotions in trading and investing. As all traders know the emotions of fear and greed are the number one killers of traders.

- How Hedge Funds hunt stops and a simple trick to avoid this happening to you most of the time. Yes Hedge Funds, brokers and other individuals (not “the market”) really do hunt stops.

- Why money managers only risk 1-2% per trade and still make great returns.

- Why trading is not a “zero sum game” and what this really means for the average trader.

- How to make consistent profits using the daily charts and trading only 10 minutes per night.

- How Warren Buffett, Jim Rogers and others became great traders and investors.

- What the “gurus” selling hype trading courses are hiding from you and an easy way to spot counterfeit “trading teacher” from a mile away.

As a former fund manager he has a unique perspective on the market and wants to share some tips with you.

- Plus he has a free gift, his own unique position sizing calculator, for everyone who attends.

I promise it won’t be a waste of your time. He will share a little of his story, but most of the time will be spent on the subjects above and more.

Don’t miss out on this one hour that could save you thousands of dollars over the school of hard knocks.

- Click here to register for this free one hour webinar Wednesday at 9pm EST.

==> Visit ETF Trend Trading Website

Register now. There are only have a few hundred seats available and they will fill up fast.

Click below to register for this Wednesday nights one hour event.

==> Visit ETF Trend Trading Website

He really will be will be taking his course off of the market this Monday night. He has a lot of new students now and I know many more will partake in his mentorship program.

He and his staff always support each and every new student 100%. Therefore, he will close once he fills the remaining 65 spots.

Click here to register for this free one hour webinar Wednesday at 9pm EST.

==> Visit ETF Trend Trading Website