pauleckler writes,

intercst, thanks for the posting. I hope you will share some of your expertise over on the Bond and Fixed Incomes board under Investors Roundtable.

I'm not sure I have any special expertise regarding bonds.

The investment strategy I've employed since 1990 is to minimize fees and commissions and "limit the spreads" on my investments. Fees, commissions, and the bid/asked spread are the first things I examine in a potential investment. Potential returns are secondary. I refuse to pay additional fees, commissions, or "mark-ups" for an "exceptional" investment opportunity. So far, this has worked like a charm as I've enjoyed a 40% compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) on my primary IRA since 1990.

I encourage others to pay as much attention to the "expense" side as the "investment return" side of thier investments. Limiting what you pay in fees, commissions and spreads is a risk-free way to boost your returns.

intercst