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This post was initially written as a response for a new investor on a Morningstar forum and was previously titled "Getting started for the new investor" but the scope has since been greatly expanded and includes many additional planning and retirement topics. This revision has several new sections along with updated and more extensive use of web links to pertinent material. I'd especially like to thank the Morningstar community members who have contributed to the content, format and review of the material. This post contains the following 21 parts: I.... Building a solid financial foundation (New section) II... Insurance & financial security (New section) III.. Understanding Risk vs. Reward (New section) IV... Establishment of accumulation goals V.... Developing a long-term investment plan VI... Age adjusted asset allocation & Rates of Return VII.. Fund selection process using Morningstar tools VIII. Fund analysis in portfolio design IX... Instant X-ray tool & examples X.... Effects of taxation on wealth accumulation XI... Funding College expenses XII.. Retirement investing & withdrawal strategies XIII. Dynamic risk & age adjusted portfolio XIV.. Annuity basics XV... Long-Term Care Planning XVI.. Reverse Mortgage to supplement income XVII. Need a Financial Planner/Advisor? XVIII URLs of interest (General & taxation) XIX.. URLs of interest (Investment & historical) XX... URLs of interest (Education, Insurance & other) XXI.. Summary Investors unfamiliar with any of the investment terminology used in this document should refer to one of the following on-line glossaries for a definition: Vanguard Site Glossary Investment Company Institute InvestorWords.com New investors should seriously consider reading an introductory book like "Mutual Funds for Dummies" by Eric Tyson and/or Vanguard's free introductory booklets "Investment Planner" and "Facts on Funds" that can be downloaded from their website. Suggested reading for more advanced investors would include: "Bogle on Mutual Funds" by John Bogle "Investment Strategies for the 21st Century" by Frank Armstrong "What Wall Street Doesn't Want You to Know" by Larry Swedroe "The Bond Book" by Annette Thau Additional on-line information about mutual fund investing and asset allocation can be found at Vanguard University, Morningstar University and MaxFunds University. Another web site for good unbiased mutual fund information and educational material is the Mutual Fund Education Alliance. Remember; it's your money and your choice! Hope this helps & best wishes, John Originally posted in thread: 8454

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