YAHOO ANSWER: Mutual funds that track the IAI index?

Friday, May 11, 2007

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Are there any mutual funds that track the “Dow Jones U.S. Select Investment Services index”?

I know there is an exchange traded fund (ticker symbol “IAI”), but I’m looking for a mutual fund that tracks this index. Thanks.

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Not that I am aware of.

The more interesting question is why are you interested in such a fund?

Hopefully you have heeded the Wall street axiom of “no more than 5%” and never invest what you can’t afford to lose. There are folks on the Street who specialize in niches; I’m guessing if you have to ask here, then you’re not one of them. Then, my advice is to retreat at full speed.

Mutual Fund Investing should be part of an overall comprehensive strategy. If you’re buy’em’n’holdem, then you really don’t want to be so narrowly focused. If you’re a timer, then you really want the ETFs. (Remember these things are not created for your benefit.)

If you’re looking for a mutual fund because you can’t make the minimum buy in an ETF (which for the one you cited will probably be 6k) or if you can’t meet the broker’s “suitability” obligation, then you shouldn’t be in this space to start with. Then, you might be “gambling” as opposed to “investing”.

I’d be interested if anyone these apply.

If they do, you’d be better off in a stodgy Vanguard Mutual Fund, or a casino. At least, at the casino, you’d get a free drink. Maybe at Vanguard as well. Coffee that is.

Now where is my guaranteed insured variable index life insurance annuity with joint survivor option and guaranteed return? (Bad joke about another hugely bad idea that gets pushed on small investors for “retirement”. Who’s retirement? The broker’s of course.)

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Posted by reinkefj

YAHOO ANSWER: How can I get a corporate job after not working for the past 5 years?

Thursday, May 10, 2007

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How can I get a corporate job after not working for the past 5 years?

The last job I had was in 2002 and I have been self-employed for the past 5 years. I am seeking to enter back into the corporate setting, but I am not sure how to market myself. I have always been under the impression that hiring managers usually like people with steady employment, but this is a pretty big gap. Furthermore, my previous experience is clerical, which is what I am seeking again.

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Unless you hit the lotto and we’re relaxing on an island somewhere, I think you were working. So clearly, you need to work on your thinking. Those words imply a lack of self-confidence and fuzzy thinking.

You can use Execunet to find a coach to help you with your thinking. You can use JibberJobber to organize your networking activities. You can visit my “turkey farm” for jobseekers to “steal” some of my thinking.

You have to find your Unique Value Proposition. What can you do, that is unique to you , that will unlock value for someone else. Put that on a piece of paper and half your search is done. (It’s not that easy to express. I’m still developing mine after all these years. It’s like playdough.

Hope this helps, let’s us know how you do,
fjohn

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Posted by reinkefj

YAHOO ANSWER: Another Job after being fired?

Friday, May 4, 2007

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Is it true that once you’re fired from a job, it’s hard to get another one?

People tell me that, but my nephew stole from a job & got another job at a manager’s position. How can that be? I was told I can be fired for having a depressive-crying episode, & employers don’t care if I’m mentally disabled or not.

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It depends.

There’s a saying on Wall Street that if you haven’t been fired that you’re not pushing hard enough. I like to say I have been fired 4½ times. ;-) It all depends upon why you were fired. In today’s economy, getting fired may have nothing to do with you, your performance, or your value. Take Enron for example. Anyone who worked there “got fired” when the place went belly up. And, they were tarred with the stigma of having been there. Fair? Nah, life’s not fair.

Your nephew’s alleged theft? It depends if he was charged and convicted. And, theft of what? Everyone takes the boss’ pencils. In some places, the office supply folks don’t give out pens and pads at back to school time. Or ration them. It depends upon what is on the record. What the old boss will say; most places on a reference check will only say that the person worked there from this date to that for fear of litigation. And it depends about what kind of story one can tell. Lastly it depends upon the perceived need that he will fill.

As far as you and your medical, most states are “at will” states. Meaning the boss can always fire you. They can always do that. It’s about what you walk away with. Various gooferment laws may give you “rights” that can give you a big club to extract a better settlement. To say that employers may not care is probably true, but their CFO, legal department, and HR types sure do. You on the other hand share an interest in keeping stuff quiet since a legal action can be found by a future employer. So, if your current employer nukes you, run to a lawyer. Say nothing; sign nothing! Absolutely don’t sign ANYTHING period. One Wall Street firm “made” you sign a mini severance agreement to get your last check. If you signed it, you basically agreed to waive your rights. If you can play poker like the guys on TV, you too can get “paid off” to go away. You have to realize that once they decide to fire you, you’re gone. The only question is what you get to go away. It usually in both sides interest to keep it quiet.

Hope this helps,
fjohn

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Posted by reinkefj

JOBSEARCH: Interviewing, no college degree

Friday, April 27, 2007

Interviewing, no college degree

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May I suggest that you have good reasons for not having a degree? You just can’t express them.

To get past that hurdle, you need to be ready for the question. Some acceptable answers MIGHT be: money (“my family was dirt poor and they need my help”); unnecessary (“sales doesn’t require a degree because there’s no Bachelor of Sales; should be; so I learned on my own”); or even temperament (“sitting listening to lectures and taking tests is not how to learn; I’ve done this on my own. See here.”)

Just as now there are “extension schools” that give test with credit for life experience, you need to have EVIDENCE that you have the equivalent. Use your references. Have you written a book? Articles? Love letters … … err, no that won’t work unless you Liz barret browning.

In getting a job, you have to engage in a series of conversations that fully explore what is really required, and what is someone’s nice to have. When I interviewed people, I used to take a College Degree as evidence of an ability to stick with a four year project, self-motivate, and convince a variety of people that the candidate knew something. Try the same tactic. Identify what the buyer thinks that a college degree means, and give EVIDENCE that you have that quality.

You do have a BRAG BOOK don’t you? For every claim on your resume, you should have evidence in your “brag book” to support it.

Note that “evidence” does not mean you saying “X” it’s something tangible that proves you have it. Think what do I show Judge Judy. “Dumb is forever”. So, if I put on my resume (heaven forbid! this is an example) that I am a Sudoku player, then I should have a blue ribbon prize for winning my town’s contest. The entry on the resume is a claim. The certificate is EVIDENCE. Me saying it in the interview is merely repeating my claim. How does the interviewer know you are telling the truth?

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UPDATE: On 30 April 07, my answer was designated “best”!

Hey, reinkefj, look what you got!
Congratulations, you’ve got a best answer and 10 extra points!
Your answer to the following question really hit the spot and has been chosen as the best answer:
Interviewing, no college degree…?
Go ahead, do your victory dance. Celebrate a little. Brag a little. Then come back and answer a few more questions!
Thanks for sharing what you know and making someone’s day.
The Yahoo! Answers Team

Note: This is me doing my “best” dance!
avatar1-20070418182051.png

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Posted by reinkefj

YAHOO ANSWER: Unknown mortgage? Sure possible.

Friday, April 20, 2007

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Can someone take out a mortgage on your home without you knowing?

I got a phone call, left on answering machine, talking about a mortgage. I do not have a mortgage on the home . I am just worried that someone could fraudulently get a mortgage on my home. With people stealing identities how easy would it be?

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ABOSLUTELY! One of the first indications of identity theft is when strange debts are recorded to “you”. In fact. there’s a horror story cited below. There’s a reason that most credit experts advise that you check your reports as often as you can. That’s discovery of bad things before they go to far. My credit card issuer verifies all purchase more than X dollars with a follow up call. Sometimes annoying but worthwhile. Depending up your state, you can get some reports for free, block access to your “identity” with a password, or other things that come with your location. As a NJ Notary, I am very sensitive to fraud. A notarized power of attorney is gold to a fraudster. I’d suggest that you guard your signature. I use one on “financial” documents and another as a throw away. That is when I charge at Home Depot, I use “fjreinke”. When I open a bank account, I use my full name “ferdinandjreinke”. It’s a little trick but I like it. Also, never use the same password everywhere. Also, when you give answers to security questions, lie. You have to remember your lies, but that a small price. I’d love to see the scammer’s face when he answers the security question “what’s your wife’s name” and gets told the right answer is the wrong one!

Source(s):
http://www.privacyrights.org/cases/victi…

UPDATE: Best Answer – Chosen by Asker

Asker’s Rating: star star star star star
thank you ev1 some really good info

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Posted by reinkefj

YAHOO ANSWER:How to “invest” a small amount for a few years? Buy a CD.

Friday, May 12, 2006

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I want to buy stock/share for $700 long term investment?

Can Anyone let me know, Because I want buy the stock for long term investment, I am thinking to buy walmart stock.
Please let me know the sugestion, I dont like to trade, I want to keep it for 2-3years.

Which stock that are good that 2-3 years investment.

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Seven hundred dollars, while it might seem to be a lot, isn’t. You can’t get into the game with that stake. Further, long term in the stock market is ten to twenty years. That’s based on the conventional wisdom that the market hasn’t “lost” in any ten year period in modern time. May I suggest that if you are adamant about WalMart for three years that you consider using http://www.foliofn.com/index.jsp… that would allow you to get in and out without being eaten alive. Don’t get me wrong, just because you can do something doesn’t make it a good idea to do it. I’d suggest a CD until you learn more and have more.

UPDATE: Best Answer – Chosen by Asker

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Posted by reinkefj

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