Introduction to Investments | Free Udemy Course
A Free Class for Building Wealth - Free Course | Free Udemy Course
- 37 mins hours of on-demand video
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Learning to invest prudently, wisely, patiently, with an eye toward long-term growth of capital and income is easy. We can show you how. (Short-term speculation, also known as trading, is difficult and dangerous. We can't help you learn how to be a successful trader. Sorry.) Join us on our grand adventure as we learn how to build wealth and, at the same time, help raise the standard of living for everyone on the globe. You may be asking, “I can be a successful investor?” The simple answer is, “Yes, you can.” You do not need any prior investment experience to take this class. You don’t have to be a genius or a technology whiz. There is no advanced math, only simple arithmetic that any 99¢ calculator can perform. The concepts, techniques, and skills, while extensive at times, are not difficult. The research is relatively painless. As the famed investor, Mr. Warren Buffett, has been quoted as saying, “Investing is simple … but it ain’t easy.” What? Why? How? Mr. Buffett is referring to the fact that there are two parts to the world of investments. The simple part is the intellectual part, the cognitive part. Read, listen, watch, study the material, spend some time doing the research and the assignments, and you should find that the concepts, techniques, and skills are actually very straightforward. The “ain’t easy” part is the emotional part of investing. We will spend a great deal of time doing our best to help you learn techniques, tricks, and tips that should help you succeed with the emotional part of investing, but again, as Mr. Buffett says, “it ain’t easy!” We are only human. And we humans have a difficult time dealing with our emotions.Are you ready? Good! Let’s get started with a very simple but important question: What Is an Investment?Who this course is for:This course is for those who want to have a strong foundation in the major investment alternatives and want to learn how to build wealth by investing prudently for the long term with an eye toward growth and income.Did we mention that you need no prior experience with regard to investments?Warning: This course contains no get-rich-quick schemes. Sorry.
Course Content:
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- Welcome to Introduction to Investments!03:24
Welcome to Introduction to Investments. My name is Frank Paiano and I am the instructor for your class. We are very happy and honored that you are enrolled in our class. Thank you!
You Do Not Need Any Prior Investment Experience to Take This Class!
If you are at all worried about taking this class, let us put your mind at ease. This is an Introduction to Investments class. You do not need any prior investment experience. We start from the very beginning with the question: What is an Investment? Whatever you have seen or heard from the talking heads on the television, whatever your brother-in-law, Mr. Know-It-All-Investor, has confused you with, whatever in the past you thought you believed or understood or were baffled by, please leave it all behind you. Again, we start from the very beginning. Here is a quote from someone who found our presentations on iTunes University (before Apple closed down iTunesU):
"I graduated from Emerson College last year as a journalism major and my first job out of college has somehow led me to a position at an asset management firm. I know absolutely nothing about investing and after listening to the first lesson I already feel more confident in the work I do and the jargon I run into. I'm looking forward to finishing the series and finally getting a grip on this industry!"
-- Unsolicited Comment from an iTunes ViewerThe material in this class is taken from our BUS-123, Introduction to Investments, class at Southwestern Community College in Chula Vista, California USA. All the course content is always freely available. There are video and audio lectures, presentation files, handouts, worksheets, answer keys, assignments, commentaries, links, etc. We never thought that anyone other than our students would ever find our materials, let alone use them. However, we have gotten messages from people all over the globe. That's the Magic of the Internet!
We also have a free-to-read companion textbook. There is a PDF version for your laptop or desktop and a mobile-friendly version.
Our goal is to make this class the best class you have ever taken! We want you to succeed! We want you to build wealth! We want you to become rich! It won't happen overnight but unless the world ends, if you follow the concepts, techniques, and skills learned in our class, you will be able to build substantial wealth over your working career. Stick with us! (Disclaimer: If the world ends, then all bets are off. Oh, well. I will meet you at the beach. You bring the marshmallows. I will bring the vodka. We will sit and watch the world burn.)
So let's get started! It is time to ask a very simple and important question: What is an Investment?
- What is an Investment?01:05
Investing is not as difficult as you think; we will show you how. (Speculating and trading are very, very difficult; we can't help you with those. Sorry.) After you have taken this course, you will have a strong foundation of the most important financial investments. We cover stocks, bonds, mutual funds, short-term investments (also known as "cash"), hybrid instruments, and several other alternatives. We want to emphasize that this is an introduction class. You do not need any prior investment experience. We start from the very beginning with the question: "What Is an Investment?"
- An Overview of the Investment Universe00:51
Let’s become casually acquainted with the major investment asset classes. We will dispense with all the tedious details. As before, concern yourselves with just what we cover here. Don’t fret. There will be plenty of time later on to learn the many intricacies of these investments. As we introduce each investment asset class, we will touch on the risk and return that we can expect from each.
- The Eternal Struggle of Risk versus Return05:11
Here it is, Dear Readers! This is the entire class in one presentation! Do you want to eat well or do you want to sleep well? We will explore the relationship of risk and return and identify the differences between an investor and a trader/speculator. (Again, we hope you choose being an investor. We can help you become a prudent, long-term oriented investor. We can't help you become a trader/speculator. Sorry.)
- Short-term Investments: A Place to Park Your Money01:23
Short-term investments are vehicles that we use when we need the money to be safe. They are place to park our money. In return for this safety, we receive a much lower rate of return. Short-term investments allow us to sleep very well.
- Mutual Funds: Investments for the Masses02:11
Mutual Funds: Investments for the Masses
Mutual funds are truly Investments for the Masses. The probability is very high that at some time in your future, your employer will offer you an employer-sponsored retirement plan. That plan will almost assuredly have mutual funds as their primary investment vehicles. Your friends and family and co-workers will also likely be investing in mutual funds and they will need your help. As the Investment Guru for your family, friends, and colleagues, you need to know and understand mutual funds thoroughly. That includes knowing the major categories of mutual funds and the ways that investors are charged for mutual fund services. As you will see, both are complicated. You will help your family, friends, and colleagues. You will speak with authority. Dear Students, study hard and bring honor and glory to Udemy.com and Southwestern Community College when you tell them where you learned everything you know! (And oh, by the way, you are welcome.)
- Introduction to Mutual Funds: Investments for the Masses00:36
Please pay special attention to this chapter. Mutual funds are very important. In this presentation, you will be introduced to the definition of a mutual fund, a.k.a. an investment company, and review the growth of the mutual fund industry. Upon completion of this lecture, you should be able to describe the various components, characteristics, benefits, advantages, and disadvantages of mutual funds.
- Fees, Expenses, and Class Shares, Oh My!02:27
One of the most misunderstood aspects of mutual funds are the fees. Investors mutual fund investors know that they are paying for the services of the mutual fund. They just don't understand how. We will dig deep into the fees, expenses, and share classes, oh, my!
- Types of Mutual Funds - The Mutual Fund Scramble Sheet00:57
We are going to try to do the undoable. We want to get our arms around the 800-pound gorilla that is the mutual fund industry. To do this, we are going to work through the broadest categories of mutual funds and their investment strategies. Wish us luck! We will need it. Be sure to review this lecture many times. You are going to be the Investment Guru for your family, friends, and colleagues. You have to know this stuff cold!
- The Great Debate: Passive Versus Active Management01:06
The past several years has seen great controversy over the value of active management in the mutual fund industry. Are the mutual fund investment managers who research, identify, choose, and monitor the investments in their mutual funds actually worth the high salaries they are paid? Let's explore the debate. Be prepared for some serious blasphemy!
- Fund Families and a Sample Mutual Fund - "So How Do I Pick a Mutual Fund?!"01:14
"Choose a Family, not a Fund." This sound advice was given by Forbes in the mid-1990's. It still rings true today. Let's peruse a few of the mutual fund families as well as the important mutual fund services they provide. We then tackle the thorny question, “Okay, So How Do I Pick a Mutual Fund?!” By now, you are most likely feeling quite overwhelmed, yes? You are not alone. Let's focus on a single mutual fund and identify the characteristics that distinguish a good potential choice. We end our discussion of mutual funds by once again extolling the virtues and benefits of taking a long-term perspective.
- Introduction to Stocks02:33
It is time to begin our long march. There is much to learn about stocks, also known as equities. They are the best long-term financial investments. They are also very risky. We will do our best to help you learn how to eat reasonably well investing in stocks and sleep reasonably well investing in stocks. Stick with us!
- Introduction to Stocks - Historical Returns - Advantages and Disadvantages00:29
Stocks are exciting! Stocks are sexy! Stocks are risky! Join us as we begin in our exploration of the world of stocks and stock markets. The news is good. We can build substantial wealth over the long term. However, the volatility is real, Dear Students! The volatility is real. (Have we mentioned how important it is to keep a long-term perspective? Yes? Good! It bears repeating.)
- The Stock Market01:11
What exactly are we referring to when we say, "the stock market?" What is it? Where is it? Actually, the stock market is not just one entity. It is composed of many competing elements. Let's explore.
- Stock Transactions, Transaction Costs, and Stock Quotes00:36
What are the basic types of stock transactions? How much does it cost to buy and sell stocks? (No, Dear Students, it is not free to buy and sell stocks, no matter what Robinhood tells you.) Where can we find stock quotes? We will answer these burning questions in this section.
- The Differences between Brokers and Dealers / Market Makers01:25
How do brokers differ from dealers, also known as market makers? This presentation uses the Casas de Cambio money exchange kiosks that line the border between San Diego and Tijuana to show how brokers differ from dealers/market makers. Even if there are no commissions associated with your transaction, you are being charged, Dear Students!
- Stock Averages and Indexes, Volatility Re-examined00:52
How can we say that, "the stock market has returned 10% over the last 80 years?" The industry uses various benchmarks measures called averages and indexes. It is time to take a close look at these tools. We will then revisit volatility and see that, providing we take a long-term perspective, it ain't so bad.
- Stock Characteristics and Measurements00:34
"Show Me the Numbers!" exclaimed Benjamin Graham, the author of The Intelligent Investor and Warren Buffett's mentor. We are going to learn how to calculate stock measures including earnings per share, dividend payout ratio, and price-to-earnings ratio. (It ain't hard. All you need is a 99¢ calculator.)
- Types of Stocks, Growth versus Value, and Market Capitalization00:48
Are all stocks the same? No! We need to examine the major stock types and their risk/return aspects. We will also learn how about market capitalization, the Papa Bears, the Mama Bears, and the Baby Bears.
- Stock Investment Strategies01:04
In our final presentation, we will examine some stock investing strategies and their advantages and disadvantages. A few are worthwhile. Some others, not so much. You decide! (Psst. Keep a long-term perspective, Dear Students!)
- Fundamental Analysis: Valuation Models02:14
This is it, Dear Rising Investment Gurus! This is the heart of our course!
In this chapter, we will learn techniques that should tilt the odds in our favor and help us become successful, prudent long-term investors. We will learn how to predict the future price of a stock. Are our predictions guaranteed? Yes, indeed! They are guaranteed to be wrong! They will almost always be very far away from the actual price one, two, three, or four years from now. However, our predictions should help us identify companies that will allow us to build wealth slowly over time. Most of the companies that we identify with these techniques won't make us rich overnight. But on the other hand, they will help us to avoid large losses when the markets hit a downturn, a correction, a bear market, a crash, etc. We want you to eat reasonably well and sleep reasonably well.
- Introduction to Valuation Models00:35
How do we measure the value of a stock? What is a stock worth? Can we even attempt to assign a value to a stock? We are going to do our best but as we will see, it ain't easy! However, the techniques we learn in this chapter should help tilt the odds in our favor for choosing prudent, long-term oriented, successful investments. Stick with us, Rising Investment Gurus!
- Dividend Discount Models00:38
Welcome, Dear Rising Investment Gurus! You are about to be initiated into the mysteries of the Dividend Discount Models. Everything you have done up to this point has prepared you for your acceptance of this most sacred knowledge. Enter the temple and be enlightened.
- Discounted Cash Flow Model01:22
This is it, Dear Students. You are about to become Official, card-carrying, full-fledged Investment Gurus. Rise up! Learn how to use the Discounted Cash Flow Model to identify prudent, long-term oriented businesses to invest in. We are so proud of you!
- The Value Line: All the Financial News That’s Fit to Print01:49
And just where will we get all the data we need for our valuation models? Hmmm? From The Value Line, of course! All the Financial News that is Fit to Print!
- Fundamental Analysis: Financial Statements and Ratio Analysis01:22
Ratio Analysis Rounds Out the Investigation of Our Potential Stock Investments
In the previous chapter, we learned some powerful techniques that give us a “yes/no, continue researching/don’t continue researching” kind of answer, even though we know that we should never place much credence in the result. In this chapter, we learn how to compute and analyze many financial ratios using the financial statements that a public company must publish quarterly. Financial ratios do not give us a “yes/no” answer about an individual stock. Rather, we treat financial ratios like a stew of information that gives us a more rounded analysis of our potential investment and allows us to compare our stock with its competitors and the market as a whole. The financial statements that we utilize to compute our financial ratios are also very handy whenever we are experiencing a bit of sleeplessness. Just ask any accountant's spouse!
- Financial Statements & Ratio Analysis00:23
Every publicly-traded corporation must publish their financial statements every three months. The three financial statements are the Balance Sheet, the Income Statement, and the Cash Flow Statement. Luckily, the accountants are tasked with creating the financial statements. We investors just need to learn how to read them and pick out the important elements. We use the financial statements to create financial ratios that help us "round out" our research into our potential stock investments.
- Financial Statements and Ratio Analysis - Continued00:26
We continue our discussion of financial ratios by introducing and analyzing the profitability ratios, liquidity ratios, activity ratios, and leverage ratios. Always remember to compare and contrast your potential stock investments with their competitors and the stock market as a whole, Dear Risen Investment Gurus.
- Market Efficiency Theory: "Who Can Beat the Market?"02:14
Are Markets Efficient? Can Investors “Beat the Market?”
This chapter discusses the various theories about market efficiency. The proponents of the efficient market theories believe that no one can “beat the market.” The fly in their ointment is that there are many investors who have beaten the market over statistically significant periods of time. We will take a look at just a few of those successful investors who have proven that the efficient market theories are wrong. We will also review some of the research from behavioral finance and what it says about us as investors and as human beings as well as revisit the controversy over active versus passive management. We end with a few famous market myths and stupid sayings. Enjoy!
- The Efficient Market Theory, Bubbles/Manias, and Crashes/Panics00:44
Are markets efficient? Are investors rational? Let's take a quick look the efficient and rational market theories and their influence on investors. We will also discuss the difficulties in "beating the market." We will end with a discussion of manias/bubbles and crashes. The reality, Dear Investment Gurus, is that markets are anything but efficient and rational!
- Investor Psychology, Active vs Passive Revisited, All Stars, and Famous Myths01:01
In the presentation, we will describe some unproductive behaviors and common weaknesses that typical investors exhibit. We will counter those unproductive behaviors with the characteristics of intelligent, long-term oriented investors during manias and crashes. We also revisit the great debate between passive (a.k.a. index) investing versus active management. We end with a discussion of some of the more famous investors and their characteristics. If you want to learn how to something well, study those who already do it well! Last, we review various famous market myths and stupid market sayings and do our best to learn what not to do when investing.
- Technical Analysis: Reading Squiggles on a Screen02:23
And Now for Something Completely Different!
Your Humble Instructor is a big fan of Monty Python’s Flying Circus and all things silly. In the previous chapter, we saw how the Efficient Market Theorists were engaging in some silliness when they wrongly claimed that no one can beat the market. In this chapter, we reach the pinnacle of silliness! In our humble opinion, choosing stock investments using Technical Analysis is right up there with scanning tea leaves, palm reading, interpreting chicken entrails, and practicing voodoo. However, an attractive aspect of Technical Analysis is that anyone can practice Technical Analysis without really knowing what they are doing because no one else really knows what they are doing either. That means that you, too, can become a Technical Analyst without knowing what you are doing! Could a $500,000 per year salary (plus bonuses!) be waiting for you on Wall Street as a Technical Analyst? Hmmm?
- Technical Analysis: Reading Squiggles on a Computer Screen01:23
Technical Analysis is the third and last major stock analysis technique that we will investigate. It appears to be better than tea leaf reading, throwing tarot cards, or interpreting chicken entrails, but not that much better. Get ready for some real silliness!
- Introduction to Bonds01:36
It is time to turn our attention to bonds. Stodgy bonds. Boring bonds. Reliable bonds!
Please accept our apologies. After immersing ourselves in the world of stocks, bonds are going to seem very bland and unexciting. However, we need to ask ourselves, do we want to eat well or do we want to sleep well? Unlike stocks, bonds allow us to sleep well at night. There is something to be said for that, right?
- Introduction to Bonds, Bonds and Interest Rates00:59
Stodgy bonds. Boring bonds. Reliable bonds. We start our investigation of bonds with a discussion of the various components, characteristics, benefits, advantages, and disadvantages of bonds and bond investing. We then focus on the trickiest part of bonds, namely the inverse relationship of bond prices and interest rates and how a bond could be selling at a premium or a discount to its par value (a.k.a. face value).
- Types of Bonds, Bond Ratings and Quotes01:10
Let's review the various types of bonds from the least riskiest (Treasury bonds) to the most riskiest (non-investment grade, a.k.a. junk bonds) and explore the methods by which bonds are rated on the basis of their probability of default.
- Bond Prices and Yields01:14
Let’s continue with stodgy, boring, reliable bonds
What is our bond paying us? What is the yield? What is our bond worth? What is its valuation? We will learn how to compute the various bond yields and how to use a bond valuation technique that will be very familiar. We will see that the fixed-income nature of bonds makes predicting bond prices much more reliable than predicting stock prices. We will also discuss the yield curve and some final aspects of bond investing.
- Bond Yield Calculations00:17
What is our bond paying us? What is the yield? What is our bond worth? What is its valuation? We will explore the various bond yield and valuation calculations as well as discuss some other final aspects of bond investing. Get out your 99¢ calculator!
- The Yield Curve and Bond Valuation00:35
We finish our discussion of bond by investigating bond spreads and the bond yield curve and what an inverted bond yield curve typically signifies for the near-term future state of the economy. We also learn how to calculate bond valuations using a variation of the Discounted Cash Flow Model. Finally, we identify and explain various bond investment strategies and how to construct a bond ladder investment program.
- Hybrid Securities: Preferred Stock and Convertible Securities01:23
Hybrid Securities: The Best and Worst of Both Worlds
In a backwater of the investment universe rarely visited by retail investors lives a group of instruments known as hybrid securities. It is very unlikely that you as an individual retail investor will choose hybrid securities as part of your investment portfolio but you never know. You may be drawn to these instruments. At the very least, you need to be able to explain the inherent problems with these choices for retail investors to your brother-in-law who is all excited about buying preferred stock instead of just plain old common stock.
- Hybrid Securities: Preferred Stock and Convertible Securities00:33
Hybrid securities such as preferred stock and convertible bonds give us the best of both of the worlds of stocks and bonds. Ah, they also give us the worst of both worlds. They are truly a hybrid with the advantages and disadvantages of stocks and bonds.
- Portfolio Diversification and Asset Allocation01:44
It is Time to Reflect and Assimilate
Congratulations! We have covered the most important investment alternatives for the vast majority of investors. It is time now to go back to the very beginning of the semester and tie everything together. We will reexamine the eternal struggle of risk versus return. We will see how a well-diversified portfolio can help us reduce risk while still offering us an attractive return. It turns out we can eat reasonably well and sleep reasonably well! We will also take a look at the techniques of asset allocation, portfolio rebalancing, and dollar-cost averaging and reexamine the role of mutual funds in diversification. We end with yet another example of what Mr. Benjamin Graham told us many years ago, “The investor’s chief problem, and even his worst enemy, is likely to be himself.”
- Portfolio Diversification and Asset Allocation01:17
It is time to reflect upon all that we have learned. We will go back to the very beginning of our journey together and review the eternal struggle between risk and return. We will find that prudent diversification of our investments can help us eat reasonably well and sleep reasonably well.
- Options Contracts03:11
Instruction about syphilis is not an instruction to get syphilis!
We now embark upon a very unusual part of our journey. In the next several modules, we will explore various instruments that the vast majority of us should stay far, far away from. “That's a bit odd,” you say? "Why are we learning about products that we should stay far, far away from?" The reason we are learning about options is that we can protect ourselves, our family members, our friends, and our colleagues from them. Instruction about syphilis is not an instruction to get syphilis! And the same is true of options, futures, buying on margin, shorting, etc. However, since this is an Introduction to Investments class, we need to learn how these exotic and dangerous vehicles work, if only to protect ourselves and our loved ones from succumbing to their “get-rich-quick” siren calls. Before you start, please have the Options Notes Sheet handy. Get ready to be bedazzled, dazed, and confused by stock options!
- Stock Options - Calls and Puts00:51
Instruction about syphilis is not an instruction to get syphilis!
We now embark upon a very unusual part of our journey. In the next several chapters, we will explore various instruments that the vast majority of us should stay far, far away from. “That's a bit odd,” you say? “Why are we learning about products that we should stay far, far away from?” The reason we are learning about them is that we are better able to can protect ourselves, our family members, our friends, and our colleagues from them. Instruction about syphilis is not an instruction to get syphilis! And the same is true of options contracts, futures contracts, buying on margin, shorting, kleptocurrencies, etc. However, since this is an Introduction to Investments class, we need to learn how these exotic and dangerous vehicles work, if only to protect ourselves and our loved ones from succumbing to their “get-rich-quick” siren calls. Before you start this chapter, please print the Options Contracts Notes Sheet from the chapter 12 section of the class website. Get ready to be bedazzled, dazed, and confused by stock options!
- Options Characteristics; The Break-even Point00:25
Options contracts have various characteristics that set them apart from other securities. Let's explore them and specifically, let's learn how difficult it is to actually make money gambling, uh, oh, there I go again!, sorry, speculating with options.
- Options Strategies; Covered Calls and Naked Puts00:43
Oh, boy! Just wait until we regale you with all the ways you can lose a lot of money and make your broker rich, ooops!, I am so sorry, I meant get fabulously wealthy in no time at all with these sure-fire, fail-safe, gotta'-us-'em, options strategies. (Ah, Folks. This is called irony. I am being sarcastic. Got it? Good!)
- Employee Stock Options and Final Comments about Options00:49
Finally, let's take a look a type of option that is popular with high-tech companies, Employee Stock Options, often abbreviated as ESOs. We will also discuss a few other types of options and make some final comments about why you should stay far away from them.
- Futures Contracts01:43
Did Options Contracts Scare You? Well, You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet!
So what did you think about options, eh? Ready to start gambling, oops!, I mean, speculating with stock options contracts? Well, Dear Students, as the saying goes, "You ain't seen nothin' yet!" The amount of money that you can lose speculating with futures contracts is staggering. However, unlike options contracts, futures contracts actually do have a very important usage in the global financial system ... for large producers and consumers of commodities such as wheat, oil, and pork bellies. (The last one being used for comedic effect in the 1983 movie Trading Places. Pork bellies, Dear Students, are what they make bacon out of. You know, that tasty stuff that is responsible for colorectal cancer?) For the rest of us, we are best served by staying away from these "Weapons of Mass Financial Destruction." This is a phrase coined by famed investor Warren Buffett.
- Futures Contracts00:49
If you thought options contracts were hazardous to your financial health, just wait until you get a load of what futures contracts can do to you! Don't do it, Dear Investment Gurus. Don't speculate. For the typical prudent, long-term oriented investor, it is dangerous. The amount of money that you can lose speculating with futures contracts is staggering. You have been warned!
- Buying on Margin and Selling Short01:30
Let’s explore two new exciting speculative ways for you to lose money quickly!
As if options contracts and future options were not bad enough, the investment world has two more strategies to help separate you from your money, aye!, I mean increase your wealth through speculative transactions. (Have I ever mentioned that I am not very popular with many brokers?) In this chapter, we discuss buying on margin and selling short. Both involve borrowing from your broker. Both have significant risks. And as we have said in the past, instruction about syphilis is not an instruction to get syphilis. Okay, okay, maybe someday down the line, you may find a suitable situation for buying on margin. But selling short is downright dangerous. It’s right up there with futures contracts. Let’s see if we can scare you away from selling short for good!
- Buying on Margin00:51
Let's see how we can magnify our gains -- and magnify our losses! -- with the technique known as buying on margin. Yet another way to separate you from your hard-earned money.
- Selling Short02:00
Okay, Fun Seekers! Just wait until you learn how to lose theoretically unlimited amounts of money by selling short!
- Hard Assets: Precious Metal, Art, and Collectibles01:03
Gold! Gold! Gold! It’s gold! (So what? Big deal. Who cares?)
This quick overview of hard asset investment alternatives will hopefully dispel many of the myths and hype around gold, silver, and other precious metals and stones. We also discuss fine art and collectibles and stress that we should consider them possessions that bring us joy, pleasure, and wonder first and foremost ... and then as investments second.
- Hard Assets: Precious Metals, Art, and Collectibles00:36
Let’s see. No dividends. No interest. No rent. It doesn’t create new products, technologies, or innovations. It doesn’t expand into new markets. There sure is a lot to like about gold, precious metals, art, and collectibles!
- Cryptocurrencies and NFTs00:51
“We’re All Gonna’ Get Rich, Rich, Rich!”
If you thought the previous chapter on precious metals, art, and collectibles was a downer, just wait until you see what we have to say about Bitcoin and the other cryptocurrencies as well as NFTs. It’s Tulip Bulb Mania all over again!
- Cryptocurrencies and NFTs00:30
If you thought the previous chapter on precious metals, art, and collectibles was a downer, just wait until you see what we have to say about Bitcoin and the other kleptocurrencies, oops!, I meant, cryptocurrencies. It's Tulip Bulb Mania All Over Again!
- Real Estate and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)02:30
Real Estate Can Be Very Profitable
But don’t let anyone tell you that it is easy! You will see articles and advertisements for real estate seminars touting the benefits of real estate investing and how simple it is to build your real estate empire. Ha! Do you remember the very low PITA factor ‒ Pain In The A** factor ‒ with regard to mutual funds? Well, the PITA factor with real estate is high, sometimes off the scale! In an effort to not scare away potential real estate investors, I like to say that, “Real estate can be very profitable, but it is also very tricky.” The translation for that is, “Real estate is a real pain in the ***!”
- Real Estate and Real Estate Investments Trusts (REITs)01:03
Real estate as an investment can be very profitable but don’t let anyone tell you that it is easy! Also, learning about investing in real estate from a book or from a class is similar to trying to learn how to drive without ever getting behind the wheel of a car. We will do our best to whet your appetite for real estate as an investment. If you are truly interested, getting a job in the industry is the best way to learn about real estate before actually committing any of your own resources.
- Brokerage Firms, Account Types, and Annuities01:01
'Cuz Ya's Gots' t' Put Yer Money Somewhere!
It is time to discuss brokerage firms and the types of brokerage accounts they offer. Hey! Ya' gots' t' put yer money somewhere, right? We will also spend a bit of time thwacking those ugly blood-sucking creatures from the black lagoon of the insurance world, annuities. These miscreant contracts entice the uneducated with the promise of a lifetime income. Often too late, buyers of annuities find that the lifetime income they receive is only a small fraction of what they could have received if they had simply educated themselves about the various investment choices or consulted an ethical and competent financial advisor.
- Brokerage Firms, Account Types, and Annuities00:53
Brokerage firms range from major, full service houses to freelance offices that offer personalized service to deep discount, no-frills, Internet-only companies. Which type is right for you? We also take a close look at account types and annuities. (Spoiler alert: We are not fans of annuities.)
- Starting a Business: The Ultimate Investment01:04
Starting a business is the ultimate investment
By far, the most profitable investment anyone could ever make is starting a business. It is also one of the most riskiest. Do you have the desire, the motivation, the energy? Let’s see. In any event, don’t try to go it alone. There are tremendous resources available to help you succeed.
- Starting a Business: The Ultimate Investment02:18
By far, the most profitable investment anyone could ever make is starting a business. It is also one of the most riskiest. Do you have the desire, the motivation, the energy? Let’s see. In any event, don’t try to go it alone. There are tremendous resources available to help you succeed. Don't Give Up! Never Give Up!
Congratulations!
You have reached the end of our Introduction to Investments class. We are proud of you! Remember that we have a free Introduction to Investments group chat discussion forum at: https://groupme.com/join_group/67730864/wIAZ0q6g We hope that you will join us and share your experiences in your future investments.
We wish you the best of success!
- Bonus Lecture01:34
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URL Encoder
Input a string of text or a URL and encode the entered string
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Input an encoded string of text or a URL and decode the entered string
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Calculate the color contrast ration for your website (WCAG)
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Convert any title or sentence into a variety of slugs for your pages URL
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Draw an e-signature or type a signature for your online signature
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