On Mar 12, 4:22 pm, "darrell...[at]yahoo.com" <darrell...[at]yahoo.comwrote:
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I should add to my previous post that the credit rating agencies are a
trailing indicator of the risk of default, not a leading indicator.
You can't rely on a credit rating to predict trouble in advance.

Ford will restructure, and it will do so through a Chapter 11 type
mechanism. Probably the only thing preventing them doing so to date
is the family name on the company nameplate. But the family owns very
few of the shares, now.

GE by contrast is a broadly diversified industrial and financial
conglomerate. There are risks, but Immelt has cleaned up a lot of the
balance sheet risks.

On Mar 12, 4:22 pm, "darrell...[at]yahoo.com" <darrell...[at]yahoo.comwrote:
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If the Ford account is tied to the credit rating of the Ford Motor
Company, I would urge anyone who asked not to go anywhere near it.

There is a huge risk Ford will go into Chapter 11. The reason they
will do so is it is the only way that it, Chrysler and GM can again be
competitive in world car markets.

Credit rating has nothing to do with it. There is a permanent
disadvantage arising to the Big 3 of competing, due to their
agreements re healthcare, pensions and layoffs with the UAW. The only
way out is via Chapter 11.

All of the big 3 have more retirees than workers. This is a legacy
problem.

This happened in the steel industry, and hey presto the US has some of
the lowest cost steel producers in the world (wages are high, but so
is productivity). It is happening in the airline industry.

It's not a matter of if, it is a matter of when, and how, this
restructuring is achieved.

On Mar 8, 1:54 pm, "AIB" <himura...[at]gmail.com> wrote:
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You cannot go wrong with Vangaurd Index funds. They are extremely
cheap, easy to buy and have lots of options. But you have to take a
long term strategy. Their minimums for most funds are $3000. For
starters you can invest in Lifecycle fund or just a pure index fund
involving only stocks.

If you need more info look for investopedia in google

Also read
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/stor...75FEF592BD1%7D

Goodluck

GE Interest Plus, as the other poster recommended, is a good and safe
choice. I've been using them for 10+ years. But if you're game at
more risk for a higher yield, Ford Interest Advantage is almost
identical to GE. It pays about 3/4% more, BUT Ford's credit rating is
much shakier than GE's.

On Mar 8, 11:54 am, "AIB" <himura...[at]gmail.com> wrote:
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Get a couple of books on investing from the library. After you read
them, buy one or two index funds.

Frank

GE Interest Plus is paying over 5%, and has check writing . See
geinterestplus.com.

Mike

--
To reply via e-mail, delete twangtown and substitute earthlink.
"AIB" <himuraken[at]gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1173376298.159005.153290[at]8g2000cwh.googlegroups.com...
- quote -

I am new to investing and what I believe to be a
- quote -

How long are you willing to leave the money wherever you choose to put
it?
How much risk are you willing to take (to get higher returns)?

AIB wrote:
- quote -

28- or 90-day Treasury bills, at treasurydirect.com. They are currently
paying just over 5%, and are exempt from state and local taxes.

Bob

Hello everyone, I am new to investing and what I believe to be a
relatively simple question. I currently have 3-5K in a savings account
that is earning 2.XX percent in interest. I do not forsee using this
money anytime soon. What would be my best bet for getting a higher
return? I have looked into higher earning savings accounts, Money
markets, and CD's. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

Thanks