http://socialize.morningstar.com/NewSocialize/blogs/guzzo11/atom.aspxCommunity Server2008-08-21T21:20:26Z/NewSocialize/blogs/guzzo11/archive/2008/08/21/Investment-Advice.aspx2008-08-22T02:20:26Z2008-08-22T02:20:26Z<p>The best investment advice that I&#39;ve ever heard came from a lower level employee, working for a highly respected investment bank. When questioned about whose investment advice was best at that firm, he said &quot;nobody knows nothing&quot;. How simple, but how true.</p><p>Any experienced individual investor can tell you that Wall Street&#39;s job is not to provide you with the investment advice you need to improve your bottom line, but to help line their own pockets at your expense. They don&#39;t have all the answers. Their true function is to &quot;convince&quot; you that they have all the answers, either through impression, lies, deceit, misrepresentation, and sometimes even outright fraud.</p><p>So, what can an average individual investor do to get ahead? Follow the simple advice of living frugally, saving, and investing regularly into a broadly diversified portfolio of low-cost index mutual funds.<br /></p><p>Read as much as your can about personal finance, investment and learn about all of the diverse vehicles used to help you save and invest towards retirement. Visit places like Morningstar.com, the Vanguard Diehards forum and the Bogleheads Investment Forum where you can ask questions and interact with others seeking the same goals. Be aware of what&#39;s going on around you.<br /></p><p>Take charge of your finances and learn about the empowerment you can create through managing your money wisely. Good luck on your quest!</p><p>http://GuzzotheContrarian.com<br /></p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="http://socialize.morningstar.com/NewSocialize/aggbug.aspx?PostID=2552919" width="1" height="1">Guzzo11http://socialize.morningstar.com/NewSocialize/members/Guzzo11/default.aspx