BUMPER


My wife and I are both on Social Security.We dont have alot of money,but enough to invest $50 to $100 each month.We are in our early 40’s and would like to have a little nest for the future.I am very green when it comes to investing.I am a little leary about investment firms. I have heard some bad things.Dont know which ones i can trust.I would like a deversified portfolio just dont know how to safely deversify it.Also could you recomend a good book to get me started in understanding the investing world a little better.(stocks,bonds,mutuial funds,401’s,Ira’s)ect…A little advice would be greatly apriciated. THANK YOU TRENT& GINA. SAC, CAL.

Marc Trimble


Financial markets are undergoing a renaissance, thanks to the tough economic conditions prevailing at the global level. Resultantly, more and more people are looking to diversify their portfolios in order to secure their long-term investments. Commodities afford a good alternative investment option for astute investors. Any one looking for a more secure trading option, commodities are the one they should seriously think over. Here’s a primer to help you start with commodities trading on a confident note.

First things first! The commodities market was initially designed as a platform for the manufacturers of agricultural commodities and metals to sell their products. However, gradually, the market conditions relaxed to accommodate even those desirous of commodity trading who are not even producers or owners of such commodities. Thus, anyone can have a share of control over the pricing of consumer durables, like coffee, sugar, tea, wheat, corn, cotton, etc.

You may be inclined to think about the difference between normal stock trading and commodities trading. As one of the best alternative investments option, commodities trading differ from stock trading in that while the latter relies on some speculation and gut feeling of the investor, the former is more driven by the law of demand and supply. The influencing factors include rate of infiltration, weather patterns, rainfall, accumulated stock, availability of labor and transportation, global demand, supply orders, and other general economic national and international conditions.

Another aspect about commodities trading that a novice should be informed about is its performance as a vital cog in the wheel of your portfolio. If you are planning to adopt an alternative investment that delivers long term without fail, then nothing beats commodities trading. This is because of least dependence on speculation. It’s far easy to predict where commodity is heading than the stock market. Educating yourself about the short-term and long-term factors impacting the flow of commodities market is a much easier task than trying to learn how the stock markets will pan out in the next week. Thus, commodities markets are less volatile than the stock market.

Not many of us who are eager to learn more about alternative investments in general and commodities trading in particular know about the strategies that can be adopted in order to maximize our returns on investment in commodities trading. It’s always advisable to educate yourself fully before chartering into unexplored territories. This also holds true in case of commodities trading. The most important strategy you can adopt for profitable commodities trading is awareness about the current issues that affect or can affect commodity prices.

You can have a dry run before entering into this exciting alternative investment opportunity. Just observe the commodities prices for a week along with the influencing factors. Take a paper and based on the observations and recent trends, try to predict the prices-trend for the next week. You’ll be amazed by the accuracy with which you can easily predict the trend. In conclusion, when it comes to alternative investments, commodities trading hold great promise.

Visit www.CBOT.com for additional investor education on commodities.

Roger L


Is it financialy beneficial to purchase commodities such as gold and platinum and resell when the prices fluctuates where a profit can be made. Even with respect to foreign exchange.
Is the stockmarket gambling for the private individual or is it a real option? Example: They say if you want to make money on the stock market it needs to be long term and it needs to be invested in so called blue chip companies where risk is low and so in turn is the reward. So would it not be better to contain ones money in the money market fund where a guaranteed interest exists and there is no risk involved , with the returns equaling those of the abovementioned low risk long term investments. Youre thoughts pls(Pls also bear in mind that this is with respect to private finances and not of macro-economical scenarios)

Rusty W


Everyone that has purchased a home in the last 10 years is in for a rude awakening when this new derivatives crises hits. The boys on Wall street placed your homes debt (mortgage) in a big basket of dissimilar loans to spread out the RISK across a wide, diverse bunch of nations that were in better shape. Now these baskets of debt are not only coming due, but they are coming due with the equivalent of a $2000.00 loss for every $1.00 ( yes $1.00) invested. With billions of dollars being lost, home values going down, credit being crunced, jobs being lost, Wars being paid for and et.c, etc., …HOW are we going to get out of this? If you don’t have your shelves stocked tonight, you better go tomorrow night and start getting as many non perishible goods as possible and sticking them in your closets. Maybe you will be one of the lucky ones that won’t have to “walk away” from your home. My wife and I are safe. May god bless and good luck to all !!!!!!!
I used to be a commodities broker !!!!

Mr. November


Help, I am losing all my hard earned savings! My portfolio:

30% in cash. Interest rate is lower than inflation so cash steadily loses its value. Add dollar’s slide abroad and you have over 10% loss p.a.

10% in Icelandic currency that yields 15%. Perhaps the interest rate is higher than inflation but in the last two weeks alone that currency lost 20% to US$! Experts are saying it will drop further.

15% in stocks. Invested in an index fund which is now down 10% in dollar terms (20% real terms). And I read that stocks are still over-valued.

5% in gold and oil through a forex broker. Volatility is so high that my deposit got wiped out twice even though commodities are going up long term. They are now very expensive, should I still hold them and hope to make up the loses?

40% in property. I purchased it a year ago in cash, no mortgage. It’s value is dropping since then in $ terms and in real terms even more…

Seems there are no good investments there days. How come?

tenno1234


Is it possible to accumulate liquid funds of 1 million $ over a timeframe of 10 years ?
If yes, which of the following ways would be the best way to achieve this: (initial capital 10,000$)
1. investing in the stockmarket
2. trading commodities
3. trading forex
4. real estate
5. start an online retailing business
6. create an online affiliate website
7. buying and selling on ebay
8. Something else ?
winning the lottery is not an option !.

wsdmskr825


Considering the current state of the American economy, stocks, and commodities, how would youinvest $5,000. Please don’t bother telling me to give it to you or your company. This is a serious inquiry and you’d just be wasting your time. To all serious respondents, thank you for your time.

shysteepinoy01


With the US dollar dropping to new lows I would like to know…..How do you protect your money (US dollars) from inflation? Would it be wise to invest in foreign currencies or commodities?

If so please explain why.

siegheil_neocon


With the news of uncertainty about the state of financial market in terms of stability, and when it does hit the market hard, the banks facing the catastrophe will not allow withdrawal of cash from the individual and business accounts, will the holding of precious metal in the deposit of the trustworthy holder (mutual fund company or other) allow APY (annual percentage yield) in compound interest on precious metal and jewelry (lucrative gems & rare minerals) holding depending on the current market demand for precious metals (fine gold, silver, platinum, etc)? Or does compound interest apply only to paper currency in saving and investment?

The Child Born w/ Two Skeletons


Should I look to put my money in an overseas bank? Which currency gets the best exchange rate with USD?

What are the safest stocks and commodities to invest in for the uncertain future?

What are some long shot risks?