Others prefer mutual funds, and still others steer clear of the stock market entirely. Sintich said he likes to buy stock in companies that make things people use, such as consumer products and pharmaceuticals. That will always be a good thing to invest in. But Sanford said individual stocks are not right for most people, regardless of age. If you don't want to do anything at all, just buy the index funds and you'll beat 90 percent of the people anyway.
Some panelists say they reduced or eliminated their exposure to stocks as they grew older.
She said she learned about money while managing a large trust during her working career. But she can no longer get around well enough to go to the library for research, and she has not joined the computer age. I do everything direct myself through the bank. She also does her own income tax return. The panelists have been around long enough to remember the stock market crash of 1929, although they were not yet investors themselves.