National Guard Family Program
Soldier with child riding piggyback Introduction to Personal Finance
An Overview for State Family Program Directors, Wing Family Program Coordinators, and Families.
 

Introduction

Evaluating Your Situation

Budgeting & Debt Management

Goals & Plans

Insurance & Disability Planning

Investment Planning

Education Planning

Retirement Planning

Estate Planning

 

 

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INVESTMENT

 

5.

Introduction

 

5.1

Asset Allocation

5.2

Diversification

  

5.2.1

Stocks

5.2.2

Bonds

5.2.3

Money Market Investments

5.2.4

Mutual Funds

5.3

Risk

5.4

Learning Check

 

5.2.4 Mutual Funds

Mutual funds are one of the most popular ways to invest. With a mutual fund, your money is pooled with that of other investors to purchase a variety of securities (stocks and/or bonds). The fund is professionally managed as a single investment account. Mutual funds offer you automatic diversification because each fund invests in several different securities. You can choose from thousands of stock, bond, balanced (stocks and bonds), and money market mutual funds. Each fund is managed toward a particular investment objective such as growth, income, or asset preservation. When choosing investments, potential return is a key consideration. The higher your return, the faster your investments will grow and the sooner you will reach your goal.

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