Q: Why don't you start a mutual fund, or at least manage money? That's what I call a "simplified" investment portfolio!

A: I don't normally manage money (other than my own), nor have I started a mutual fund. Granted, such a move could simplify your financial life, but I don't think it would help you in the long run. Managing money is a full-time job, crowding out time available for newsletter research, speaking and meeting investors. It requires heavy concentration every day -- selecting stocks, buying and selling, marketing, working with attorneys and government agents (including 50 state agencies), etc. Registration and dealing with the SEC are no picnic. The side effects are 18-hour days, sleepless nights, no vacations and little family life. No wonder Peter Lynch (manager of the Magellan Fund) quit!

I want you to succeed by making your won investment decisions and managing your own money. There are some good money managers out there, and I recommend some through Forecasts & Strategies regularly. But my purpose in writing Forecasts & Strategies is to assist you to become a better investor, to take advantage of changes in investment trends and opportunities, and to avoid the pitfalls. Simply setting up a mutual fund might make you (and me) richer, but would we be any wiser? I hope to make you rich and wise.