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This is why asset management types bring in their big bucks. Ask around to see if anyone has a trusted financial guy (gal) they use to manage the 401(k). The general advice: well-diversified; held for long-term; mix of stocks, treasury bills, bonds, preferred shares, etc.

Caveat -- Crises like the current one can wipe out even the best of portfolios.



There's no such thing as 7% yearly interest without risk. It just doesn't exists.

If you look at government bonds (a.k.a. TBills), they'll tell you exactly how much interest a truly risk free investment is worth (in yearly interest). Anything higher then that is risky, by definition.

On top of that, you have to factor in inflation.

In other words, it's good to save money, but managing saved money is hard. Be ready for that.


"If you look at government bonds (a.k.a. TBills), they'll tell you exactly how much interest a truly risk free investment is worth"

That used to be true, but it isn't strictly true any more. The Credit Default Swaps for US Treasuries are priced to imply that you need to subtract around 1/10 of a percent (100 basis points) from the yield to get the real risk free rate. See http://www.fxstreet.com/fundamental/analysis-reports/sunrise...


A CDS for US Treasuries seems crazy. I wonder how many counterparties would be alive in case of a default...


I think that's why they are basically risk free. When something that major goes down, chances are your greenbacks won't be worth a damn.




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