12% used to be a good number, but is pretty unrealistic for the most part now. Hell, the market has made 0% over the last 10 years.

Yes, I'm pretty deep into gold right now. That is why I am keeping a very, very close eye on it.

Panzer, I'm thinking that food commodoties are a good way to go. That is where a lot of my other investments are at. That and some tax-free bonds. I'm ready to bailout of the bonds and go more to the food commodities.

shan, remember where we ( Murphy included) were talking about seeing a real bad market about four years ago and we talked about getting out of the overall market and going into gold ? They laughed at us back then saying we were doom and gloomers. All I can say is that I wish I had done more.

Like you shan, I can't see much good on the horizon. Hard to figure which way to go.

The market may have made zip, but for an investor willing to work at it, 12% is still not unrealistic, even in this climate. It can be done. In fact 15% can be done, and that's what I aim for in all my decisions. But not if you're the sort of investor who likes to just plunk your money down and forget it for awhile. If you want 15% ROI in this climate, your eye better be on what you're doing. And you might want to consider unconventional vehicles that you might not have wanted to mess with in the past.

I traded European stock warrants there for awhile and made some money. I wouldn't have even thought about warrants in the not so long ago past, but they started looking like an opportunity. Get creative in your thinking. The opportunities are out there. I can think of at least one almost sure thing with a mind blowing ROI right now, if you know where to look. And I'm waiting out some investments that might be, as one of my lawyers said, "a life changing event" for me. If you're a mutual fund investor, yeah, 12% is sky high these days and unrealistic. But if you're willing to get right into the front lines and sweat, you can do it.

Your position in gold at this time is not a bad one if you're not the type who likes to drink black coffee and spend most of your time thinking and tracking investments without sleeping much. As someone mentioned, you couldn't be safer. Hell, you're safer than T-bills! But be careful. You could come out of this looking like a genius, or you could find, as the old blues song says, that "all your love's in vain", LOL! Timing is going to be everything.

Cheers!

Rick...

Isn't that what I said with the first post ?

I remember back in 1998 (feels like so long ago now) when I was working for New York Life and mutual funds getting an ROI of 25-35% was pretty common. Heck, even the funds that were considered "low risk" or "conservative" were getting in the 8-12% range.

It very well could be, I've forgotten. I'm still half asleep and trying to think before I've had my coffee. Now don't be cheeky with an old man. You'll have dementia someday too! You should be grateful I'm dispensing wisdom free of charge like this, even if I'm just repeating what you already said!

Cheers!

Rick...

Hey I was in that conversation too at the "other" place. Was it really that long ago? In fact I believe I was the first one who depicted deflation.

Yep Nixer. I can't specifically remember where you came down on the market/gold issue, but I believe it was on the side of better safe than sorry with the economy.

Man, I'm glad I didn't do as some suggested and invest in real estate. I took a bad enough beating on my own home. On the other hand real estate is looking like a better option now. There are some pretty nice places at reasonable prices now. I would jump one one that I've been eyeing, but how do I sell what I have ?

Now Rick, tell us more about this "life changing" investment opportunity.

He bought the new GM stock.


Wheels