Description:* Advantages–and occasional disadvantages–of mutual funds versus other types of investments * Listings of recommended funds for virtually any investment goal, time horizon, and level of risk tolerance * In-depth explanations of expense ratios, loads, and other fund charges * Strategies for assessing a fund’s past volatility and evaluating its future risk * Diversification techniques across investments, asset classes, and subasset classes * Optimal investment strategies for meeting short-, intermediate-, and long-term goals * Key points in assessing the quality of a fund’s management