Stocks And Bonds

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I'm not a financial genious, quite far from it. Can someone please explain in plain english (no lawyer talk) what each of these do: - Bonds (what types of bonds and what they do/mean) - Stocks (same as above) - Savings Account (same as above) If I forgot something, I'd like additional info on that too. ---------------------------------------- Also; Is there any way one can recieve a payout monthly or close to it? I've read an example somewhere that if someone had like $10 '000'000 on an account or bonds or stocks (don't remember which) and if the person had a 3% interest rate it would pay $300'000 monthly or quarterly.

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I think the safety factor of index funds and mutual funds are ideal. Bonds are very patriotic. I know individual stocks are risky. Please share your investments/strategies/and general knowledge.

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I'm very diversified - for reasons other than just safety. For example, I am putting more and more into tax free municipal bonds and muni bond funds, because they help lower my income tax bill. For the simple reason that (drum roll, please) I'm sick of paying lots of taxes! Other than that, I have money in several mutual funds, namely of the so-called "growth and income" variety, i.e. they invest in dividend-paying shares of companies that are expected to grow in share price, so you get the double kicker of income from the dividends, plus the growth of the underlying shares. I have these funds set up to automatically reinvest the dividends back into more shares of the fund. I also have FDIC insured bank CD's, because they are paying a pretty good interest rate, plus you are protected against loss of principal and income (up to amounts allowed by the FDIC coverage). You sure as heck don't get this protection with stock or mutual fund investments! I am also into precious metals, because I think they are the only "real" currency out there, plus many other investors are "voting" against the dollar and other currencies by putting at least some portion of their money into precious metals, so, I think it is a good long-term trend investment. Plus, gold is nice to have and hold (just make sure you keep it in a safe deposit box!). I own shares of individual companies, mainly in technology and industrial sector companies (semiconductors, aerospace, and forestry companies, am also thinking of adding Starbucks and Safeway shares). Finally, I might mention real estate: I own my own house, which is one of the best investments I've ever made. In fact, some investment advisers say that owning your own house is THE best investment you could ever make. Hope this helps. Good night, and good luck. Col. Kurtz.

Retirement Life Insurance stocks/bonds Bank Accounts etc. We are in the process of a divorce and I need that information that he has kept from me. He is very controlling and has that kept confidential. I have already seen a lawyer... Isn't there an easy way for the lawyer to request that information from him? Does my lawyer need my input so that we are sure to have ALL of the information? I'm confused.

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Your husband by law has to disclose all financial matters under threat jail time and fines. You need to speak with your attorney again he/she will know how to proceed.

I've heard of diversifying and that some investments (like savings accounts and CD's) simply earn interest and are supposedly completely safe, particularly if FDIC insured, but I know little about stocks, bonds, and other types of investments. What do you consider the safest investment(s) and in what combination?

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What is safest depends on your time horizon for this money. Short term 5 years or less, CD's are safest (go to www.bankrate.com for the highest CD rates in the nation). But over the long term (10+ years) you won't be losing money with CD's but in relation to inflation, you may lose value, or buying power. The CD return over the inflation rate may be very low. Long term, common stocks have been seen by many to give the "best" risk/return ratio. If you are very conservative and have trouble sleeping at night holding all common stocks, spreading the risk around may be the answer. Two choices may be: 1) having 30% of your money invested in Vanguard's Total Stock Market index mutual fund (covers the entire USA stock market), 30% in Vanguard's Total International Market index fund (covers the rest of the world) and 40% into government bonds or FDIC insured CD's. (percentages are adjustable so you can get a good nights sleep. The 2nd choice would be some form of "guaranteed" annuity. Be advised with annuities, fees are high, returns are lower than regular mutual funds and the guarantee is only good as long as the insurance company stays in business (New York state has the toughest regulations concerning insurance company safety, so if you go this route, try to get an annuity from an insurance company that also does business in New York State.).

Retirement, Life Insurance, stocks/bonds, Bank Accounts etc. We are in the process of a divorce and I need that information that he has kept from me. He is very controlling and has that kept confidential. I have already seen a lawyer... Isn't there an easy way for the lawyer to request that information from him? Does my lawyer need my input so that we are sure to have ALL of the information? I'm confused. We have been married 7 years.

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Let your Lawyer handle it. Just tell the lawyer that you know there are accounts that he's hidden. Any accounts that he has in his name only, you can't get information on them by yourself as it is confidential. However, a judge can order him to show it. You just need to try to figure out as much of it as you can or any information you think he might have hidden so your lawyer can tell if he's actually telling the truth when it comes time for a property settlement. The way your Lawyer requests it is he gets a judge to order your husband to show it. No bank is going to give you information on any account that you aren't on. Same with insurance. If you name isn't on the policy, the insurance company isn't going to give any information without a court order.