Here Are A Few Facts We've Been Told When It Comes To Investing.
Think About These.. 
With the recent downturn in the Economy, and the losses experienced in the Markets, I've re-evaluated some investing strategies.
#1 Investment Strategy we've been told..Diversify. Consider Mutual Funds, then your eggs aren't in one basket. Have each Mutual Fund focus on different segments of the economy, or various types of Assets. If you've been in the Market over this last 6-9 months, what's happened to the value of your Investments? Diversification probably didn't help. Every market was down, except a couple commodity markets.
#2 Looking at any 20 year period of the market, you can expect roughly a 9-10% average return each year with Mutual Fund which focus on the Equity Markets. A 9-10% return. Think About It. That's over a 12 month period. In other words, that's $90.00 on every $1000.00 Invested.. This is pitiful. Think about it..It took someone else an entire year to make you $90.00 on your $1,000.00 dollars.
Consider This
Folks, take this $1,000.00 and Invest in something YOU know something about.
Purchase some tangible Assets..Antiques, Cars, Collectibles, Tools, Invest these monies in your Hobby, and start Monitizing the items in your Hobby. Basically, start doing a little research in a field you know something about, or have an interest in learning more about. Start Monitizing your interest by purchasing, selling, even trading some of these Assets. Remember Cash is King when it comes to purchasing items. Many people will not let you leave with cash in hand, and lose a sell, especially if they need the cash for the item being sold. What I've also learned..Is when someone wants what you have, many times they do not have the cash to purchase, but they always have something around with much more value than the item you have. By trading with them, the item you end up with from them actually has more value once you now sell this item.
I've experienced some obscene returns with this method.
I realize this takes more effort than giving your money to an Investment firm, but consider..You have possession of the item, It does have Real Value, many times even $100-$200 more than you purchased this $1000.00 item. More than likely, it isn't loosing it's value if you've done some homework. Resale the item in 2-3 Months. With the various means to reach the World today via the Internet, this isn't difficult.
Also consider, using this same strategy say 2-3 more times during the year with thius same $1000 Dollars. If you simply realize a $100 profit each time, that's $300-$400 Dollars profit for the year. A 30-40% return. Say just twice that's 20%. Heck, just once is 10%, that's even better than the Mutual fund.
It's very rewarding, and during the processes, you've increased your knowledge
base in a number of different areas depending on what you've done.
But You'll Have To Do It, Nobody Is Going To Do It For You. What the others do for you if your lucky, is give you a 9% return.
A Real Example (What You can Do For Yourself)
Two years ago I purchased a 1970 Ford Torino, with parts.
The car need a lot of work, but I only paid $1,100. They do
not make any of these cars anymore. People always are
needing parts to complete their project cars. These types of
parts aren't make anymore. This was a muscle car, so
when I decided to purchase it, I knew I would get my $1,100
back easily..It was just how much someone was willing to
to pay for something rare I had. Yes I had it for two years,
but only because I didn't advertise it at all.
Last week, someone knew I had it, needed the transmission,
shifter, and clutch pedal. I said I wouldn't part out, so they
purchased the entire package for $2,500
$1400.00 Profit over two years. Folks, that rougly a 70%
annualized return. Let's see any mutual fund manager
parlay $1,100 into $2,500 in two years. They can't.