I’m down with the flu this week, which means I’m taking it easy – but not too easy. I’m catching up on some reading and found some nuggets of knowledge regarding mutual funds that you may not already know about and you may enjoy reading. So, without further ado (because I need to get to bed now), the blogs:

First up, from  The Oblivious Investor, comes
11 Tips for Selecting Mutual Funds. This short, concise list of things that matter (and why they matter) when picking a mutual fund will ensure you get in the right frame of mind, before you do anything rash and costly.

Next, the Amateur Asset Allocator has a great primer on the various Types Of Mutual Funds that will help sort out the differences between open-ended, closed-ended, indexed vs. actively managed and more.

And lastly, while we’re on the subject of index funds, Retirement Savior reminds us that some mutual funds do outperform indexes, and tells us when (and why) When NOT to Use Index Funds.

• Beware Target-Date Funds! Target-date funds were supposed to be the ultimate idiot-proof investment vehicle for retirement savings. The idea is that asset allocation is the single most important factor in determining investing success, and most people get it wrong. Many others never even try because they find the concept too daunting. Many people......
• Mutual Fund Monday: Morningstar Announces their Choice for Fund Managers of the Decade. These managers were chosen by Morningstar as the best of the decade because the "deftly steered investors through good times and bad". That's saying something. Investing in the '80's and 90's was pretty clear cut, but the 1st decade of the 21st century was anything but easy. As with the......
• Rate Your 401(k) Plan With BrightScope. Have you ever wished there was a rating system for 401(k) plans? I've had a reason to in the past. I was looking at two job offers recently and one of the things that set the two apart was the benefit package. Obviously, a big part of any benefit package......
• Mutual Fund Monday - What 2009 Trends Mean for 2010. Many investors take the change in calendar year as an opportunity to assess their portfolios and the future, and hopefully get their portfolios aligned with the future direction of the stock market. One way in which to do this is to look back on the year that's passed and see......
• Mutual Fund Share Class Comparison Gets Easier. Investors who own shares of mutual funds are probably familiar with the 3 most common classes of shares: A, B, and C. But recent market conditions have led over 400 mutual funds to eliminate class B shares form their offerings. The reason for the elimination is cost. It simply costs......

• Mutual Funds - An Investment Vehicle For Small Investors Human beings from their very inception want to earn and save something for unwanted situations. In earlier stage he puts his earnings under the soil to keep it safe from being stolen. Later banking system was developed and subsequently different kind of instruments for investment is being used. Nowadays,......
• Investment - Choice Between Direct Investment in Stocks and Investment in Mutual Funds BasicsMutual Funds (MFs) are primarily engaged in investing in stocks. Then why should not one invest in stocks directly and what is the need for these funds? This question is answered below:As investors, our priority always will be to focus higher profits in the shortest time. With this goal......
• Best Mutual Funds With Low Minimums Investing can be hard when you're young and don't have much money to invest. Sure, companies like T Rowe Price will let you invest as little as $50 up front in an IRA if you promise to invest an additional $50 per month deducted automatically from your checking account, and......
• Systematic Investment Planning Systematic is the word that describes you. Organized, well-managed and planned in every part of life, whether it is earning, saving or spending, everything is done in a systematic manner. A SIP is planning of investment with horizon of long-term, which allows you invest regularly that too with even......
• Why Index Funds are Bad Investments The entire personal finance blogosphere is in love with index funds, and I'm here to tell you why they're bad for your investment portfolio. This should go over well.  Black sheep anyone? I realize this thesis will not be a popular one, but from my perspective as an active investor......