Thanks, Dave

I caught one of your podcasts on mutual funds. I think you did well to present the topic given the small timeframe but I also felt that one episode was not nearly enough for anyone essentially just learning about mutual funds to walk away ready to make decisions in this area.

However, If your target audience is those with little to no understanding of investments then you overshot. Suggesting people head to Morningstar and pull up screening filters is, in my humble opinion, a mistake. Those with little experience will select the best-rated funds even if they have little to no track record. Studies have been done on Morning Star ratings suggesting that investments based on star ratings over a 20-year period would have under-performed the market. Your presentation did have a don’t-be-rash tone throughout which was appreciated but sometimes someone can do a great deal of damage with only a little knowledge.

You did note, several times, that one should look for good managers and fund longevity -but you neither listed these managers nor pointed out that most mutual funds are best gauged on a 10-year timeline –not 3 or 5 years. It’s been my observation that most funds begin to digress rapidly to the mean at 10-years no matter what index is used as a basis of comparison.

You did touch on the availability of index funds and I think that should have been a show in and of itself. If two-thirds to a quarter of all funds under-perform the market indexes each year why invest in anything other than an index? You failed to mention, I believe, that while some small number of funds will out-perform the market the wild majority of these won’t do so consistently. Performing to the market is quite honestly a good level of return when the alternative is huge loses. Too few people, even very smart people, realize how much they’ll lose in fund maintence fees over the decades. That’s money that could go into another stable savings vehicle like and index, stable being relative compared to most “top-rated” funds.

I was happy to hear you mentioning Warren Buffet in this discussion as he certainly has a proven track record of success as an investor. I’m a believer in index investing. I think Burton Malkiel’s book A Random Walk Down Wall Street is a must read for anyone who is going to put their money into investments. I think you owe it to your audience to revisit this topic even if it’s not with a focus on index funds. People should here hard numbers. I.e. if you invested X amount of money in such and such a fund for 20 years you would have earned such and such amount and paid such and such in management fees.

Thanks for reading all of this
Landon

Have you heard of Amana Trust Income (AMANX) and Amana Trust Growth (AMAGX). They both are Sharia compliant mutual funds.

I just heard about both of these funds on Marketplace Money, an American Public Media production (http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/03/07/meaw_money_islamic_mutual_funds/). You should check them out.

Maybe, Sharia compliant mutual funds could be a good topic discussion in future podcasts.

I am not a muslim, but I am always interested in good investments. However, I am a huge fan of the Moneyguy podcast and have been listening to your podcasts since your first show when you had interviews. Like you, I was an early adopter and caught the vision of podcasts–on demand broadcasting. I was looking for good information on personal finance and I tried your show. I have been satisfied and appreciative ever since. Thanks for such a great production!

Mr. Winter

If our mutual prosperity holds interest to you please either give me a call at 801 750-1530 or email me with your contact information so we can take a few minutes to see if we have a match that can add to both of our bottom lines.

I want to thank you for taking the time and energy to make this podcast happen. I truly think that I get more excited about downloading your podcast at the beginning and middle of the month than I do checking for my direct deposits online around those same times. In my opinion, nothing is more refreshing than to hear a truthful, informative, and energetic voice that advocates financial help for the common man. When you are having a bad day and struggling with doubts of continuing this podcast, may you take comfort in knowing that you have changed the life of this Kentucky boy for the better.

I have spread the word and now at least 14 people I know have subscribed. They have thanked me, but I didn’t do anything. I said if they are truly thankful then leave feedback … positive or negative. Or take the survey.

So again, I say thank you Brian… and thank you Apple.

Most Sincerely,

Shiro

I too have a pug and would do anything to make sure my Pug, Betty Lou, is healthy and has the best medical care available. I have heard about health insurance for pets and was wondering what your thoughts are on this type of insurance? Do you feel that this insurance is a scam and a way for some charletain(s) to take advantage of people who love their pets? Betty has been gaining a little weight, so I have started to walk her more and have placed her on a very strict diet, but my fears are that she may become diabetic which would require consistent and regular veterinary care and visits which would make insurance almost necessary.

I love your podcast and look forward to a response.

Thank you!

John

Money-Guy.com Response: Thank you for your input, unfortunately we are not going to agree on this subject. I still stand by the fact that there is a reason that many of the big insureres are staying away from this type of product. You stated that the commissions are not paid by the client; if that is the case may I ask who is paying all of the high fees (insurance companies are not paying the commissions b/c they pass on the cost to the end consumer)? Thanks again for the comments and I would like to wish you the best of luck in your future insurance sales endeavors.

I am a subscriber to your podcast and I find your shows to be very informational and enjoyable to listen to. I appreciate the free information that you provide and would just like to say thanks for your time since you have stated that this is just a hobby of yours. For people like me your hobby turns out to be a free class for me. Once again thanks for your time and keep up the good work.