Apart from IRA, Roth IRA, what other federally insured investment options are available for investing?
375091
If you are looking for a federally insured plan to invest in, you can also get into a money market, a certificate of deposit, or a high-yield savings account.  Also, Savings Bonds and Treasury bills, but these are really long-term investments (10+ years) and the rate of return is questionable right now.\n\nBy the way, it is important to distinguish between investment products (ie. CD's, Money Markets) and investment plans (ie. IRAs, 401(k)s).  The distinction is that the plan is the governing account and the product is what actually makes you the money.  So your plan is the 401(k) but the product might be mutual funds. \n\nAlso, look out for Federal insurance on your investment products.  For example, you could have an IRA that is not insured if you are investing in mutual funds and a 401(k) that is insured if you are investing in a Money Market.  \n\nIf insurance is your biggest worry, just ask your bank or investment house whether the product you are funding is insured.
196319
Save money. When you get a couple of hundred open a Roth IRA and start investing in an index fund. Do this at your local bank (easy, cheap, friendly) . . . yeah they get paid out of your funds and later you'll roll over the IRA to Fidelity, Vanguard, etc . . . but for now JUST START the easiest way possible.\n\nPS: Assuming you are young and don't get paid a lot REMEMBER that it doesn't get easier to start saving once you have a house, two cars, a wife, and kids. WORSE, you are older and have less time for your investment to grow. START NOW!
119201
I suggest getting busy with your own Traditional and Roth IRAs. Vanguard has great offerings and very low costs. The annuities route is very complex, but if your situation is That Good it would be useful to contact a real financial advisor.
300890
In my opinion, as long as you do not try to withdraw the money early (before 59 and 1/2 years old) a roth IRA is the best vehicle for retirement if you qualify for it.  Within the roth IRA you can invest in mutual funds that focus on bonds if you would like, or more aggressive funds if you like.  You can definitely make an asset allocation that suits your needs and risk tolerance.  Hope this helps.
483250
Meet with a financial advisor.  You will have to do some hard-core saving.  The best bet is to have money taken right out of your paycheck, the more the better.  Your advisor will walk you through different investment options - mutual funds, annuities, stocks etc.  Mutual funds are great, they're several stocks of different risk levels all bundled together to minimize the risk while maximizing potential earnings.  If you could put $200 a month in for 15 years in a moderately aggressive mutual fund, you could easily end up with $50,000.
692766
Odd-Lot stores, Job-Lot stores, 99cent stores, Salvation army stores, Thrift shop, Loot magazine, Craig's list, garage sales, fleet markets...neighbors moving out sales...\n\nand $500 Certficates of deposit bought at the bank every month...one year duration...and renewed at the end of the year. When the year end rolls around and the first comes due...add it to the $500 you use to purchase your CD's and make it $1000 and purchase a new $1000 CD. At the end of five years you will be so used to putting money away it would have become as natural to you as breathing...and it won't even dawn on you that $2500 is available to you at the end of each month. That is called paying yourself. And is independent of your Keogh, Roth IRA's, 401k's and social security money or anything resembling an annuity. It is all these things rolled into one and the emotional satisfaction of the discipline and the fact that you control exactly the money you put away...cannot be beat by anything a broker could swindle you...er...convince you into investing.\nNow that's frugality in my book.\n\nOh, yes...I have no credit cards either. Debit cards take their place. Can only spend what I have. Erma Bombeck is to others what Suzie Ormon is to the frugal.
137060
It depends on the investments available in your 401(k). If it's not an investment you would otherwise consider, I would look for something else.
288141
Buy a good S&P index fund. Vanguard has a good one with lows fees.  Should get you 8-10% a year over the long run.
69269
go to http://www.treasurydirect.gov/. I prefer the i bonds for taxable accounts. Use TIPS for IRA accounts.
168979
There is no magic investment out there which is going to provide you with lots of income with little work. Most reputable financial advisors will tell you there are only 3 basic passive investments that most rational people use:\n\n1. Bank accounts and Money Market accounts.\n(These usually barely keep up with inflation.)\n2. Bonds and Bond Funds\n(These currently don't yield much better.)\n3. Diversified Stocks\n(These Average 10% a year but have large swings in price)\n\nMost other investments you hear about are usually of questionable worth.  You can make money in Real Estate as a landlord if you are willing to put a lot of work into it.  Most good financial advisors will not recommend passive real estate investments.  (An exception is REIT's, but they are basically a type of stock)
128978
If you are looking long term a Roth IRA is a great idea.  The limit is 4000 per year, but before April 15th you can still open one for 2005.  So you can open a Roth IRA with 4K for 2005 and 3,500 for 2006.  As for the investment inside that Roth IRA, you will have to analyze your stomach for risk and your desired return.  If you are new to investing, but can handle some risk an index fund such as the S&P 500 might be a good start.
1123074
Put $100,000 into a bank.\nPay off all my debt.\nBuy things I need (like new car or a new home)\nBuy some real estate.\nInvest the rest into Traditional IRA (you don't qualify for Roth IRA), mutual funds, stocks and bonds, education plans (if you have kids), and variable annuities.
197635
invest in a diversified portfolio of stocks and bonds for my retirement.
62381
If the employer provided a match, then yes.  If not and they have a match with the traditional 401k I would contribute to that.  If no match to either, then I would invest outside of my employer.  First in a Roth IRA and then in I bonds and mutual funds.
524763
Under IRS rules, you can only roll over a 401k into a Traditional IRA and wait at least one year before moving it into Roth IRA. Remember, 401k sitting in previous employers will not have any growth. It is a frozen account until you roll it over.\n\nIRAs are always a good plan to save for retirement. You can pick any mutual funds that is offered by a financial institution (most mutual funds require a minimum initial deposit of $1000). And can be tax free after age 59 1/2 when you start using it.
54030
What type of investment is going to held in the IRA? Stocks, mutual funds, cds?\n\nThis not a pyramid scam. From what I hear they are a reputable company. \nYou should get an IRA for yourself, it whether it is with them or another company. The most important thing is the investments being held in IRA. You want to look at past performance of the investment as well as the consistency of the investment. Look for one with consistently good returns not necessarily the highest return last year.
135205
Your question makes me want to barf. Don't look for a quick hit. You'll eventually lose it all.\n\nOpen a Roth IRA and put $3,000 in a mutual fund. Put more money in each month thereafter.