Article: While it might seem easier to use a broker to find the right mutual funds for you, doing so can cost you significantly in brokerage fees. If you buy and sell shares directly through fund companies, you can avoid these fees. Especially if you are a beginning investor, you may feel more comfortable with the advice and guidance of an experienced broker. However, you can get similar advice for free from advisors who work for the mutual fund company you choose. Some mutual fund companies charge sales and redemption fees (known as "loads"). Others may charge a "12b-1" fee to defray marketing expenses. It is possible to avoid both of these fees by picking your mutual funds wisely. The "expense ratio" charge, on the other hand, is unavoidable. This fee goes to pay for company overhead. Choose a fund that charges an expense ratio of 1 percent or less. Keep in mind that a fund that charges higher fees must significantly out-perform a fund with lower fees for you to realize the same return. Generally, it's wisest to go with the fund that has lower fees. If you previously invested in individual stocks or bonds, you may know that you don't have to pay any capital gains tax unless you sell your stocks or bonds and make a profit. However, if you invest in a mutual fund you must pay taxes on the fund's capital gains. To minimize capital gains taxes, look for mutual funds with relatively low turnover ratios. Since these funds hold their stocks and bonds for a long time, they generate less capital gains and losses. If you want to keep your tax consequences low, look for a tax-managed fund. These types of funds are specifically designed to minimize your capital gains tax burden as much as possible. While a fund's prospectus can be an intimidating document, it also contains important information about the fund's investment objectives, history, and performance. The prospectus also explains the risks of the fund and fees and expenses associated with it. Study the prospectus carefully before you purchase any shares in the fund. If you have any questions, the fund company typically will have advisors available to assist you. Diversification is essential for performance success. By their nature, mutual funds are more diversified than investing in a few individual stocks or bonds. You can further diversity your portfolio by buying shares in several funds with various styles and profiles. Your fund portfolio has the best chance of long-term success if you diversify across a number of unrelated asset classes. This could include domestic or international stocks or bonds, commodities, and other sectors of the economy such as utilities, real estate, precious metals, energy, biotechnology, medicine and finance. Spreading your money across asset classes means downward movement in one particular industry won't have a significant negative impact on your portfolio. Even the most experienced investor can't predict the future. Buying into a high-quality mutual fund and holding it for years is the best road to investing success. Don't worry too much about short-term fluctuations. Pick funds with good histories and stick with them over the long haul. Short-term returns of less than a year or two can be distracting and misleading. Base your choice on returns from the past ten years or longer to accurately assess the quality of the fund. Keep in mind that even experienced investors can fall victim to "performance chasing," in which they read about high-performing funds and move on them quickly. Mutual fund investing requires patience. Understand that past performance is no predictor of future performance. While independent research is important, if you have friends or family members who regularly invest in the market, you also might want to ask them for advice or recommendations. Online investment firms typically have competitive fee structures and varied fund selections for investors willing to take a do-it-yourself approach to investing in mutual funds. You must carefully monitor the performance and allocation of your mutual fund holdings yourself. However, most online investment management firms have tools and guidance sections to help beginners. You may prefer the guidance of a professional if you have a more sizable portfolio. Look for a fee-only financial advisor who can alleviate the burden of self-selecting and monitoring the mutual funds in your various accounts. Keep in mind that while banks and credit unions offer access to mutual funds, they may charge higher fees or commissions and have a more limited selection of funds. You also should remember that a bank's mutual fund is not a bank deposit and is not FDIC-insured.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Bypass brokers. Minimize fees. Evaluate tax consequences. Read the prospectus. Practice overall diversification. Avoid trying to "time" the market. Select a financial institution to purchase mutual funds.
Article: Air purifiers filter the content and the stench of air, erasing the stink of tobacco smoke. This will help you conceal your smoking when indoors. The best air purifiers will have an activated carbon filter. This filter is specially attuned to remove the odor of smoke. If you're out and about but trying to not get caught smoking indoors, use a personal air filter. These portable devices filter your smoke, scrubbing its scent and toxins. Smoke clings to clothes, curtains, towels, and bedding. Remove these things regularly before they build up a heavy layer of smoke that could out you as an indoor smoker. Smoke particulate can mingle with regular dust and settle on your tables, TVs, and counters. Dust and wipe surfaces regularly to avoid accumulating telltale smoke scent. Don't forget to wipe down your mirrors and windows. Don't leave your cigarettes in the toilet or on top of an open trash can. Wrap your cigarette butts in a damp paper towel to ensure they don't accidentally ignite the trash can, then throw the whole bundle away. If you're indoors and head off on your own, have a good pretext. For instance, you might smoke when you're running documents to another part of your workplace. Smoke only during periods of time when you won't be missed. Smoking indoors when on your way to your lunch break, for instance, is a good option. If you're in a room with a fan or air conditioner, turn it on. The movement of air can disperse the smoke, making it harder for others to detect. This will reduce the likelihood you'll get caught.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Get an air purifier. Do the wash regularly. Dust your residence. Clean up your butts. Don't let anyone suspect you go to smoke. Turn the fan on.