Twitter Messages: Investment Basics

1. America Saves Website: http://bit.ly/ASaves

Messages

1. Want info on saving & investing topics? Check out eXtension's free online Investing for Your Future course: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
2. 2 develop an "investor's mindset," U must accept the uncertainty that comes with #investing. More info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
3. Average a 6% return on a sum of $$$ and it will double in 12 years. Learn more about saving & investing at http://bit.ly/ASeXtSI #eXasw
4. Invest $50/wk at 35 & you'll have $217,645 at 65 with a 6% average return. Savings rocks! Join America Saves: http://bit.ly/ASaves #eXasw
5. Double your $$$ in 18 yrs with a 4% yield on some CDs or bonds (Rule of 72). Become an American Saver at http://bit.ly/ASaves #eXasw
6. Got stocks or mutual funds? Reinvest dividends in more shares 2 #save this money & build #wealth. More info: http://bit.ly/ASaves #eXasw
7. History tells us #stocks had higher return than bonds & cash assets over time (15+ yr periods). More info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
8. Knowledgeable investors understand #investing risks & don't panic when stock market prices drop. More info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
9. You don't need a lot of money 2 invest. Your biggest assets R time & your earning ability. More info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
10. The goal of investing is building wealth over time 4 long-term goals like education and retirement. More info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
11. To see how fast $$$ doubles, divide investment return by 72: 72 ÷ 6% = 12 years. More info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
12. If U want 2 double #money in 10 yrs, U need a 7.2% return (Rule of 72: 72 ÷ 10). Calculator: http://www.moneychimp.com/features/rule72.htm
13. Time decreases the volatility, or sharp ups and downs, of investment prices. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
14. Match investments 2 your $$$ goals: stock & stock funds 4 goals > 5 years away. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
15. It is wise 2 select stocks of companies affected differently by same economic events. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
16. Compared 2 bonds & cash assets, stocks have greatest potential reward & risk of loss. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
17. Municipal #bonds provide tax-free income, an advantage 4 high #tax bracket investors. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
18. U don't need 2 be rich 2 invest; many investments require small dollar amounts. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
19. Dollar-cost averaging is #investing a regular $$$ amount at regular time period. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
20. An example of dollar-cost averaging is #investing $100 on the 5th of every month. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
21. U don't need 2 be wealthy 2 invest. Start with a small account & grow it over time. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
22. Combine different types of investments 2 get a risk level that U can live with. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
23. The historical performance of #investments doesn't provide any future guarantees. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
24. #Investing provides an opportunity 2 build wealth over the long term. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
25. Investors can't expect growth #mutual_funds 2 behave like CDs: will fluctuate in value. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
26. Not understanding #investment features can cause stress as well as financial losses. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
27. Interest rate risk: Interest rates go up, bond prices go down; reverse is also true. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
28. If you hold bonds 2 maturity, interest rate risk is not an issue. No change in value. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
29. Interest rate risk applies if U sell bonds B4 maturity. Could B worth more or less. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
30. There is no "perfect" investment; if U want a high return, U probably have more risk. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
31. If U don't understand an investment or feel comfortable with its risk, don't buy it. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
32. Do you know your #investment #risk tolerance level? Take this free online quiz: http://pfp.missouri.edu/research_IRTA.html./
33. Before #investing, have adequate insurance & emergency savings & low debt. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
34. Don't fund long-term goal (e.g., retirement) with short-term product (money mkt fund). More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
35. Don't fund a short-term goal (e.g., closing costs) with a long-term product (stock). More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
36. Find the "leaks" in your spending that hemorrhage money and use this $$$ to invest. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
37. Time is an investor's friend: it reduces volatility risk & can produce awesome growth. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
38. Investing deals that sound too good to be true probably. For investment fraud info, see http://www.sec.gov/
39. Enroll in a tax-deferred #retirement #savings plan at work and invest as much as u can. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
40. Automate your #investments so you don't have 2 remember where & when 2 invest. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
41. Get #investment info from books, magazines, and seminars at your public library. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
42. Keep good records when U invest 2 monitor performance & report #tax gains or losses. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
43. 2 motivate yourself 2 invest, calculate the possible future value: http://www.moneychimp.com/calculator/compound_interest_calculator.htm
44. Don't B pressured into making an immediate #investment decision. This is a major red flag 4 fraud: http://www.sec.gov/
45. To defend against investment fraud, delete messages or hang up on calls 4 suspicious offers: http://www.sec.gov/
46. Don't B a market timer; U have 2 B right 2x: getting out & getting back into #stocks. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
47. Stick 2 your financial goals & risk tolerance level when making investment decisions. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
48. Beware of putting 2 much $$$ in employer stock: both job & savings R tied 2 company. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
49. Even small, regular #investment deposits, given some time, will grow to tidy sums. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
50. Base #investment expectations on long-term historical data- not recent performance. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
51. Financial goals, with a date & $$$ cost, should drive investment decisions. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
52. Make investment goals SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, & Time-bound. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
53. Select #investments with above average performance and below-average expenses. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
54. With diversification, a loss in one #investment can be offset by a gain in others. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
55. Owning a variety of #investment products like stocks & bonds reduces investment risk. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
56. #Mutualfunds, annuities, & other #investments bought at banks R not FDIC insured. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
57. Make it a point to learn something new every day about #money and #investing. More investing info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw
58. The FINRA Foundation has helpful online modules about investing: http://www.finrafoundation.org/resources/education/modules/
59. Investing in a 401(k) or 403(b)  plan? Your investment is income tax-deductible & tax-deferred. More info: personal-finance.extension.org/investing-for-your-future #eXasw