Motley Fool books and services

Duck Rabbit · #1 11-16-2006, 11:55 AM

In general, how is the quality of information provided by Motley Fool? I didn't see any of their books in the reading list stickie. I am still in college and am very new to investing. I do enjoy the way they write. It is easier to understand than most stuff I read on the web. Also, are the services they sell on their website worth the money (e.g. Stock Advisor, Hidden Gems, etc.)? At this point in my life, I probably won't be doing much active trading, but once I graduate and start my job, I will be investing a lot in my 401k. I want to have a solid understanding of everything before I get started. So, if not Motley Fool, what is the best material to get me started?

AASooted · #2 11-16-2006, 01:45 PM

I've been using the Stock Advisor for some play money for a couple of years, and I'm pretty happy with it. Some picks are up and some are down, but overall I'm up more than I'd have been with an index fund and much better than I'd have done picking individual stocks on my own.

It might not make sense for someone who really understands stocks and wants to put in the time to do the research, but for my situation it's pretty good.

Duck Rabbit · #3 11-16-2006, 01:46 PM

You are paying $200 a year to use it for PLAY money stocks?

AASooted · #4 11-16-2006, 02:01 PM

[ QUOTE ]
You are paying $200 a year to use it for PLAY money stocks?

[/ QUOTE ]

No, I'm using it for money that I wasn't worried about losing. I figured I'd take a little bit of my money and see what I could do with it if I took on a little more risk than the mutual funds I can get in my retirement account at work.

I may be stupid, but I'm not THAT stupid.

Duck Rabbit · #5 11-16-2006, 02:31 PM

How about their books? I'm most interested in the Personal Finance book and maybe any other good ones for evaluating and picking stocks.

juschuma · #6 11-16-2006, 03:37 PM

I like their forums and discussions. Well worth the $20 or so per year subscription fee.

Duck Rabbit · #7 11-16-2006, 04:41 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I like their forums and discussions. Well worth the $20 or so per year subscription fee.

[/ QUOTE ]

What do you get with this subscription, just access to the forum? All the news on fool.com seems to be free, but all the other services are pretty expensive.

juschuma · #8 11-16-2006, 05:08 PM

i believe it's just access to the forums. in fact, i think you can read the forums for free, but it costs $20 or so to post.

Duck Rabbit · #9 11-16-2006, 05:34 PM

How about Intelligent Investing by Graham? Is that good for a beginner or is it more advanced?

PanchoVilla · #10 11-16-2006, 06:42 PM

I have been a subscriber to Hidden gems for almost 2 years now. I like it. I use it for my IRA, most of my retirement money is in my 401K and my normal trading accounts so I use the hidden gems to invest my IRA in small caps. It is very volatile, but I am happy with my results so far.
My only problem is that they give 24 recommendations a year and they are mostly buy and holds. I think they have only recommended 2-3 sells so far, and a couple of the pics were bought out. I can't put enough money in my IRA to buy more than 4 of those picks a year. Hopefully next year I can start buying 4 more with my wife's IRA.
The info they provide is great, but for $200 a year you need to at least be investing a decent amount of money. You do get access to all the forums as well.

Pancho