Investment Discussion Group

Source: www.capitalpixel.com

A great resource for do-it-yourself investors is a discussion group where you can see questions investors are asking, see the resources others find worthwhile, and, perhaps most valuable of all, read about the mistakes others have made.  Such a resource is the discussion board at the website of the American Association of Individual Investors (AAII).

As you can see by clicking the link, the broad topic areas are "Portfolios,"  "Investing Topics," and even "Watercooler Talk."  Under "Investing Topics" you find:

Source: AAII

Click to Enlarge As you can see, the usual topics are included.  If you are weak in "Bonds," for example (as most DIYers are!), you'll want to pay attention to this module and follow the questions and responses.

Last week I saw an endorsement of WikiInvest in response to a question on performance for accounts at different brokers, and it led me to begin an evaluation.  Early assessment:  a valuable tool for many. So far, my main complaint is the lack of appropriate benchmarks.  It compares portfolio performance to the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrials.  I am happy with Schwab but see WikiInvest as a tool that many investors may find valuable.

One of the interesting features of the Association is that its members have widely varying investment philosophies ranging from value stock pickers to technicians, with even some indexers (Yeah!) thrown in for good measure.

To participate in the discussions and ask questions, you need to be a member of AAII.  I have been for a couple of years and find the resources at the site valuable and, in fact, attend most monthly meetings at my local chapter.