Mutual Funds for Dummies (Paperback, 7)

Introduction 1

Part 1: Getting Started with Funds 7

CHAPTER 1: Making More Money, Taking Less Risk 9

CHAPTER 2: Fund Pros and Cons 23

CHAPTER 3: Funding Your Financial Plans 39

Part 2: Evaluating Alternatives to Funds 55

CHAPTER 4: Selecting Your Own Stocks and Bonds 57

CHAPTER 5: Exchange-Traded Funds and Other Fund Lookalikes 65

CHAPTER 6: Hedge Funds and Other Managed Alternatives 75

Part 3: Separating the Best from the Rest 85

CHAPTER 7: Finding the Best Funds 87

CHAPTER 8: Using Fund Publications 103

CHAPTER 9: Buying Funds from the Best Firms 127

Part 4: Crafting Your Fund Portfolio 145

CHAPTER 10: Perfecting a Fund Portfolio 147

CHAPTER 11: Money Market Funds: Beating the Bank 169

CHAPTER 12: Bond Funds: When Boring Is Best 189

CHAPTER 13: Stock Funds: Meeting Your Longer Term Needs 219

CHAPTER 14: Specialty Funds: One of a Kind 241

CHAPTER 15: Working It Out: Sample Portfolios 251

CHAPTER 16: Applications, Transfers, and Other Useful Forms 275

Part 5: Keeping Current and Informed 295

CHAPTER 17: Evaluating Your Funds and Adjusting Your Portfolio 297

CHAPTER 18: The Taxing Side of Mutual Funds 315

CHAPTER 19: Common Fund Problems and How to Fix Them 331

CHAPTER 20: Information Sources: Fund Ratings and Forecasters 341

Part 6: The Part of Tens 357

CHAPTER 21: Ten Common Fund-Investing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them 359

CHAPTER 22: Ten Fund-Investing Fears to Conquer 365

CHAPTER 23: Ten Tips for Hiring a Financial Adviser 371

Appendix: Recommended Fund Companies and Discount Brokers 381

Index 383