MOTIF investing?

[countrygirl]

I really have minimal investment knowledge.  We are invested in Vanguard and some others with DH's 401ks

and I'm into I bonds but not much else.

I'm reading about Motif and started signing up. Got to the point of adding my SS number after all the other

questions they asked and did not complete. Read more and seems they are legit. I'm interested in investing

in some IPO's there. What do you folks think?

[midjd]

I have heard some positive things about Motif and they seem legit, but IMO if you have "minimal investment knowledge," as you've described, you should not be investing in IPOs (unless you're just doing it for fun). No judgment... I don't touch options, shorting, etc. for the same reason.

The idea of motif investing is interesting, but from what I've read it seems like a dressed up and less diversified form of index funds.

[dee27]

If you are not savvy about investing, only invest a small portion of your total portfolio that you are willing to risk. If the investment tanks, you have not lost your shirt. The percentage for me would be 1-2%, but for you, it depends on your own aversion to risk.

[countrygirl]

I'm just talking a few thousand dollars, no major investment, just to play around with it and see if I can learn and do. And yes understand I can lose it. Don't worry I'm not plunging into anything it just sounded interesting.

[countrygirl]

Ok, ok, I'm bored and wanting to do something different. I'm up to my ears in paperwork from guardianships, LLC, quickbooks, and wanted to learn something new.

Yes, I can invest in some nice safe things and move stuff around in hubbys Vanguard account, I had some months back in some safer selections and they are earning well.

I shall listen to you guys, just thought picking on a few IPO's could be fun, I know most of the techie stuff is losers.

I usually just jump in that's how I learned to drive my 40 ft motorhome with air brakes!!

Guess I will continue reupholstering some furniture instead.

I hate winter, I'm already restless.

[dee27]

Countrygirl,

You can check if the Adult ED/Continuing Ed department offers courses in investing. The courses are low cost, and you might benefit from the interaction with other people who are interested in the same topic.

[Deleted]

countrygirl

Trying new things can be interesting, exciting and daunting.

While my saying that there are varying levels of RISK is redundant (as it has been said, and it seems you are aware); this point can not be stressed enough. Everyone who invests (or trades); no matter how long they have been doing so needs reminded from time to time of that fact. For newer investors this is an upfront and immediate thing; for more savvy investors/traders it is important as complacency has a way of settling over actions, due to the comfort in "what you know".

On the risk scale IPO's are right up there at the top of the Risk Spectrum with: Commercial Paper, Futures, & Forex (Currency Trading).

Options (what I do mostly) is at the Upper Middle range of the Risk Spectrum.

Stocks, Partnerships (K1 Tax Entities), Preferred Stock, Mutual Funds, ETF's & CEF's (Closed End Funds) are at the Lower Middle range of the Risk Spectrum.

Bonds are considered at the Low end of the Risk Spectrum.

Cash is the only true "Safe Haven"; and even that can be a depreciating asset class, when inflation is considered.

Now Speaking Directly to IPO's here are some interesting facts:

IPO's are restricted to ACCREDITED INVESTORS from every thing I have ever found in relation to this Class of Asset Investing.

ACCREDITED INVESTORS are Legally Classified as (according to Title 17 → Chapter II → Part 230 → §230.501 Code of Federal Regulations; SEC):

(5) Any natural person whose individual net worth, or joint net worth with that person's spouse, exceeds $1,000,000.

6) Any natural person who had an individual income in excess of $200,000 in each of the two most recent years or joint income with that person's spouse in excess of $300,000 in each of those years and has a reasonable expectation of reaching the same income level in the current year;

The regulation(s) are meant to be both a protection and a nod to the level of Risk involved.

That in mind; {A} I have never seen a Brokerage that would allow someone who does not meet the above criteria dabble in IPO's ( TD Amertitrade certainly won't); {B} One has to wonder how they manage to go around the above Regulations.

Just food for thought.

[countrygirl]

Deleted, once again I posted to much personal info.