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Ben Stein talks about investing

q_v2.gif Your book gives straightforward guidance about supercharging a portfolio for growth. Will it also be possible to use it to create a supercharged portfolio for income?

a_v2.gifNo, no, this new book is not about income, it's about growth and definitely not about income or an income portfolio. We actually wrote a different book on that subject years ago called, "Yes, You Can Become a Successful Income Investor!" That's still a damn good book, but it's now quite out of date because, since it was written, the Federal Reserve changed interest rates and other things in the economy have also changed. It's still a very good book to read because, generally, its principles are still valid.

q_v2.gif Returning to the growth portfolio then, when and how should one go about rebalancing?

a_v2.gifOK, I don't rebalance at all and, actually, I don't believe in rebalancing. If the stock part of your portfolio is doing well, then there is no reason why things should be rebalanced into bonds.

The only exception is when you get much, much older. Only when you are considerably older should you seriously consider rebalancing out of stocks and into bonds -- and then only into short-term bonds or into cash, but never long-term bonds. Stocks just give you a much greater return on your money, and only when you get into your 70s should you really consider moving into other more liquid investments or cash.

q_v2.gif Have you any final words of advice or thoughts you'd like to share with Bankrate readers?

a_v2.gifIf there's one thing I would like you to really emphasize it is this: It's great to have money, but it's also great to lighten up about it. Try to approach it all with a free spirit and not to approach it all as some sort of morbid duty. Nobody is ever going to get it perfect, so do the best you can. Not even a Warren Buffett is going to get everything right all of the time, so don't beat yourself up if you don't.

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