WILLIAM BASSETT: 61, business consultant, Clearwater
By Times Staff Writer
Published December 18, 2005
How did you get started in investing?
As soon as I got out of college, I started paying off college loans. I started with mutual funds.
What is your best investment so far?
A mutual fund.
What is your worst investment so far?
Jim Walter. That didn't turn out well at all.
What have you learned about investing that you think all investors should know?
Leave it to the professional. Don't dabble in it. Either play the game to win or turn it over to someone who knows.
How would you describe your approach to investing?
We put it in there and leave it in. That's the best way.
What do you find the most difficult about investing?
When things go down, when the market in general goes down, it's not fun at all.
How are you invested now?
Our house has appreciated pretty well. We lucked out. The rest is in mutual funds.
Do you think now is a good time to invest?
It's always a good time to invest. There's never a bad time. Just put the money in for the long term and don't worry about the fluctuations.
What is your biggest money concern right now?
Health insurance. Between insurance and taxes, that consumes just about all the revenue there is. If you're in business for yourself, those two items consume half of all the cash there is.
Where do you get your investment tips?
I rely totally on a broker. I've got my job to do, and I let him do his job.
