Investment advice

[RehabRhino]

I've sold my house, made some money. I'm not sure about ploughing it all back into property and saddling myself with a mortgage again yet.

Any advice on where it should be in the meantime? Six per cent is about the highest savings account interest rate here.

At the moment it's whispering 'cokehookersvegascokehookersvegas' in my ear.:o

[Andy]

You could give it to me, I'll take good care of it. You didnt say if you wanted it back or not though :p . 6 percent isnt too bad considering the bull market cycle is rather aged lately in the markets, at least in this country. Better safe than sorry? If this was a couple years ago, the choices might have been different.

[2jazzyjeff]

If you're renting an apartment right now, you're pissing your money away and making someone else rich. I'd re-invest in real estate.

[Foolish Old]

I've sold my house, made some money. I'm not sure about ploughing it all back into property and saddling myself with a mortgage again yet.

Any advice on where it should be in the meantime? Six per cent is about the highest savings account interest rate here.

At the moment it's whispering 'cokehookersvegascokehookersvegas' in my ear.:o

Ok, if you won't listen to the sound advice that's coming to you in whispers, pop it into a fixed return safe investment while you come to your senses.

Is this like money you need, or just extra money? If the latter, put it into a diversified portfolio of mixed risk assets. Don't forget to piss some away making memories that will make you smile when you are no longer a young rockstar. If you need this money, put it into the safest, highest yield fixed income instruments you can find. Andy is right, the bull market is getting a little long in the tooth. Market timers = losers.

Consider a bond or CD ladder.

[Leif]

Buy an apartment or two in Bulgaria as it is cheap now in a blooming marked and rent it out for a few years before you sell it. Bulgaria also just become a member of the EU so prices will rise, a buddy here bought two before they entered EU.

[RehabRhino]

If you're renting an apartment right now, you're pissing your money away and making someone else rich. I'd re-invest in real estate.

You are right Jeff. That's always been my view but I think the apartment market where I live is overheated right now.

It isn't money that I need to live, but will need when I want to buy property again.

[RehabRhino]

Ok, if you won't listen to the sound advice that's coming to you in whispers, pop it into a fixed return safe investment while you come to your senses.

Is this like money you need, or just extra money? If the latter, put it into a diversified portfolio of mixed risk assets. Don't forget to piss some away making memories that will make you smile when you are no longer a young rockstar. If you need this money, put it into the safest, highest yield fixed income instruments you can find. Andy is right, the bull market is getting a little long in the tooth. Market timers = losers.

Consider a bond or CD ladder.

I'm erring on the side of caution simply because although I've made good money in the past, I've never had a lump sum to invest.

[RehabRhino]

Buy an apartment or two in Bulgaria as it is cheap now in a blooming marked and rent it out for a few years before you sell it. Bulgaria also just become a member of the EU so prices will rise, a buddy here bought two before they entered EU.

Nice idea but I don't have the time or inclination to go out there and I'd want to before investing.

[Foolish Old]

Rhino,

One bit of advice...don't take any advice but your own in making a final decision of how to invest your fortune. (I still believe the most prudent course runs through Vegas and Central America, after picking up a friend just North of Havana:D ). A lot of people have made fortunes investing the money of smart, busy people who wound up poorer, but wiser for the experience.

I don't know your level of investment knowledge, but there is enough information out there for anyone who has mastered basic math and reading to become expert.

Here's a primer on fixed rate investing - which is what you are considering. There is also a CD ladder calculator at the same site.

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/green/investing/basics-toc.asp

Listen to everyone, but remember that you are the foremost expert on what to do with your money. Keep your mind on your money and your money on your mind. AND remember, we don't love these...

[Le Type Français]

I'm not suggesting anything. If my idea goes to hell, I don't want to feel guilty about it. :p

[Sue Pendleton]

Nice idea but I don't have the time or inclination to go out there and I'd want to before investing.

A small flat in an up and coming part of the UK like Cobn or the edge of Edinbourgh or Glasgow or.... Then rent it through an agency (talk to several before buying flat) to tourists by the week or month. Make it accessible and your market widens or you can live in it if the EURO goes tilt (please, soon, damn Europe is getting expensive again).

Course I have mine in an IRA where I decide the stock, bonds, etc. or just blue chip/growth & income type stocks and a money market. Still have a mortgage but it's getting to where we need more write offs for Uncle Sam. Umm, be very careful investing in anything Chinese (no offense to the PRC) or tiny neuroscience comaonies. Yea, I've taken a few total tanks and then got a hit as long as Cethrin doesn't kill people 2 years after they get their dose. Yea, don't invest in non-secured stuff if you need the money to survive.

[Sue Pendleton]

I realized after I went to bed that night I had made a grievious mistake. My apologies to both our UK members and the Irish members for putting Cobn in the wrong country/federation. But you get the idea..

[Timaru]

RR, Look around you and read the "Pink Pages"..........

........... there has never been a better time to hold cash!

[TheRainman]

RehabRhino

I don't know the tax laws in the U.K. But the first thing you want to look at is the best options on saving as much of your profit from the tax man. Then look into investing it. If its money you need in the next 3 years put it into CD's. If over 3 years put it into an index fund.