Advisory News Letters

Several times each month I am solicited by various market touts who have a newsletter service, faxes or emails they are willing to send me to make me rich. That sure is nice of them.

The first thing that pops into my head is if this system is so good why are they willing to share it for the lowly sum of $19.95 per month. Of course, some of them will move the decimal point to the right and increase that front number, but not to worry - it is sold with a money back guarantee!

If you should desire to put your toe in the water here are some questions you might want to ask first:

1. Are the figures shown actual trades or is this hypothetical? If it is hypothetical you can stop right there. Total BS.

2. What is the minimum size account I need to take all your signals?

3. Do you use stops?

4. Is slippage and commission figured in?

5. If all trades were made for the past year what was the starting amount and the amount in the account at the end of the year?

6. What was the largest single loss?

7. What was the largest continuous drawdown (loss)?

8. How many winning trades? And average profit?

9. How many losing trades? And average loss?

10. Are you willing to tell me a few clients who are using your method with their permission, of course? (Get references.)

It has been my experience that you will not receive an answer or you might get a form letter saying their method is proprietary information and cannot be given out. Hogwash. We know where you can put that letter.

You might ask to see their model account. Surprisingly the Securities and Exchange Commission does not require these hucksters to maintain such an account. I'd like to see such a regulation passed; there would be a lot less of these methods and systems sold as most of them would go broke. Before you send any money please make them prove with additional documentation exactly what they are selling.

Al Thomas' book, "If It Doesn't Go Up, Don't BuyIt!" has helped thousands of people make money and keep their profits with his simple 2-step method. Read the first chapter at http://www.mutualfundmagic.com and discover why he's the man that Wall Street does not want you to know.

Copyright 2005

---

Mutual Fund Expense Lies

When purchasing mutual funds we are cautioned to read the... Read More

VooDoo Training For the Stock Market

If you go to Haiti or other places in the... Read More

The Bottom?

Every day I hear someone on CNBC proclaim that "this... Read More

The Stock Market Doesnt Care if You are a Beginner?. Get Prepared to Succeed at Trading

Stock trading remains a very competitive field and the stock... Read More

Paddle Your Canoe

At some time in your life you have been on... Read More

Enronization

Even if you don't own any of their stock or... Read More

What Can Model Airplanes Teach You About Trading?

I was devastated!I just couldn't believe it. I was 10... Read More

Boiler Room 7/17/00

On Friday or Saturday evening my wife gets a movie... Read More

What is a Mutual Fund?

Ever wondered what is a mutual fund? A mutual fund... Read More

Investing in Dividend Paying Stocks

I was recently interviewed for a press release through a... Read More

Mutual Fund Commissions

You have heard about a particular mutual fund from a... Read More

Risk Control

Everything you invest in has risk so you want to... Read More

Being Wrong Buying Stock is Okay

Being wrong is OK, but let's not carry it to... Read More

Duck

Duck! No I don't mean a quack, quack. I meant... Read More

What To Buy?

Now that you have some money burning a hole in... Read More

Overseas Investing: Going Against the Mainstream

TOO OFTEN, INVESTORS SIMPLY CHOOSE TO follow the crowd. This... Read More

I Love To Lose Money

Well, not really. What I mean is I don't mind... Read More

Political Investing

We have two candidates for president that have really different... Read More

Is The Bear In The Cage?

For the last few weeks we have seen the stock... Read More

Lies, Damn Lies and Mutual Fund Returns

How many times has this happened to you? You're at... Read More

The Right Mutual Funds For Baby Boomers

If you are a baby boomer, time is not on... Read More

The 401(K): How The Insider Has Stolen Your Retirement!

Mutual funds were moderately successful in creating a presence in... Read More

So, What is This Stock Market Thing Anyway?

We've all heard of the stock market and probably have... Read More

I Love You, Warren Buffet

Sometime around 1980, can't remember exactly, there was a flight... Read More

Making a Stock Watch List

I am taking the time to help others learn the... Read More

China Syndrome

There has been great condemnation recently because China has been... Read More

Downdraft

For the year 2000 we have seen hundreds of mutual... Read More

Lights of the Stock Market

There are red lights, green lights, blue lights and spot... Read More

The Stock Market - How Just One Question Will Tell You All You Need To Know About Your Stock Broker

Last time we looked at the real performance of the... Read More

Investing Basics - Stocks, Mutual Funds, Real Estate & Online Investing

Have you ever thought of investing? Do you have a... Read More

Bargain Basement - Finding Stocks That Go Up

Have you been listening to the talking heads on CNBC-TV?... Read More

Is the Stock Market for You?

Many people would like to diversify their portfolios to expand... Read More

E-mini Day Trading - Day Trading for Beginners - Stock Market Timing Software

I mean it when I say that. While plastic silverware... Read More