Basically, through retirement planning - 401(k)s, IRAs, mutual funds - about 20 years ago. Just trying to build up a nest egg.
Q. What is your best investment so far?
Manufacturers Financial Corp., an insurance company that demutualized. It has tripled in the past six years.
Q. What is your worst investment so far?
Tycom, a spinoff IPO by Tyco. It went south.
Q. What have you learned about investing that you think all investors should know?
Spread it around. Don't put it all in one place. You can be aggressive, but do it in mutual funds that still will spread your risk around.
Q. How would you describe your approach to investing?
I guess I'd be conservative because I won't put too much in one thing. But within mutual funds, I will take an aggressive approach, perhaps 10 percent.
Q. What do you find the most difficult about investing?
Trying to get the best rates. It takes a lot of time researching. You have to stay on top of it.
Q. How are you invested now?
Probably 15 percent in stocks, 10 percent in bonds, 20 percent in mutual funds, the balance in a CD ladder.
Q. What changes, if any, have you made in your investments in the past year?
I've taken a little out of CDs and gotten back into the market. You don't want to miss the next uptick.
Q. Do you think now is a good time to invest?
Yes, I do, primarily because the interest rates are so terrible right now - so just to stay ahead of inflation, you've got to be out there investing.
Q. Where do you get your investment tips?
Kiplinger's and Money magazines and the newspaper business section. I spend a lot of time on the Internet - Yahoo financial information. And I talk to brokers I knew before moving to Florida.
