I would prefer a total stock market fund if it's going to be their only investment, but if it's the first of many funds I'd go with the S&P 500 Index Fund. |
If you have a variable rate mortgage, now is the time to refinance and lock in a fixed rate to protect yourself in the long run. |
People have to minimize the use of home equity for short term financial needs. Get your budget in order. Home equity lines of credit are for long-term financial needs. They were not meant to buy cars and trips and fuel overspending. |
Set the ground rules and make sure it feels right. |
Splitting up the portfolio is more than an accounting measure. I've handled cases where the portfolios were really diverse. If I hadn't stepped in, the wife would have been stuck with capital gains that she had no clue about. |
Technology funds and small-cap funds are where the volatility is going to be. |
They can't give endorsements, but they can at least lead you to three or four people in your geographic area that you can meet with. |
You don't want to pick a family that just created a fund they don't have a history in. |
You want to understand what the person across the table from you does for a living and how they do it. |