Lux Investing

Getting started investing. How does this look?

I have just started investing and with sharebuilders reccomendations plus a few collegues this is what I have come up with. It is $145 a week, so $580 invested per month. Just basically trying to do something with my money so it doesn't sit in the bank. Any advice on what I should add or remove? Thank you very much. AGGLEHMAN AGG BOND FUND ISHARES $5.00 EFAEURO-ASIA INDX (MSCI-ISHARES) $20.00 GLDSTREETTRACKS GOLD TRUST $10.00 IJRS&P SMALLCAP 600 (ISHARES) $15.00 IWDRUSSELL 1000 VALUE (ISHARES) $25.00 IWFRUSSELL 1000 GROWTH (ISHARES) $25.00 IYHHEALTHCARE INDX (ISHARES) $10.00 SPYS&P 500 INDEX SPDR $25.00 TIPLEH US TREAS INF FD (ISHARES) $10.00 Total:$145.00

Public Comments

1. I'm no expert, but you might be able to buy a balanced fund in place of the S&P tracker + bond + growth funds. I would presume many value stocks would fall under the small cap category as well. If you have the time, compare how each fund performs relative to each other. If there are two (or more) that move in (almost) the exact same manner, then you can probably take one away. http://smokingflax.blogspot.com
2. too much plus the fact that with the exception of sharebuilder.com (and maybe one or two others) you must buy at least one full share. now lets look at a few things here. while its good you are selecting ETF's you don't need this many. AGG which has treasury bonds among other things currently is peiced at 100.12. EFA while a good foreign market fund EFA stands for Europe, far east and Austrailia. You are missing out on a LOT more than what this ETF can cover recommend you switch to either CWI or VEU total world fund and its all you need. Gold GLD is still too pricey for me but eh I would like to see it come down to the lower 60's nice speculation inflation hedge play though. IWD and IWF good funds but you also have the spy s&p 500 you don't need all three. Remember this Value is mostly banks and other higher paying dividends. Growth is pretty much earnings and generally growing companies. Small Cap 600 I shares. I dunno, small cap stocks have been on a terriffic run and this ETF is near its 52 wk high (and is over $70). Healthcare index I see why you want it but remember just around 16 years ago who nearly KILLED health care in this country. Hint its the marxist commiecrat QUEEN who wants a throne. If the commies get their way, get the hell out of Health Care, Energy, and all high paying dividends. Tip you don't need with AGG drop it. Now lets cut it down a bit your russell and s&p I got one for you to look at its from Powershares PIQ. Recently released and has done ok so far. Its worth a look. Its a combo large and mid cap play and covers both growth and value. so AGG, VEU or CWI (VEU is better with .25% expense ratio) GLD is ok but be careful. IJR not recommended because its near its 52 week high. IWD, IWF and SPY combine to PIQ save some money in expenses. IYH get ready to drop it quick in 08. TIP not needed with AGG. You pretty much started like I did but after a while you'll realize you have too much and on low monthly investments, you'll be spinning your wheels too much. Try to keep it no more than five. Not bad but a little more research and you'll see why I made my picks.