In just one generation's time, mutual funds have become an inescapable factor in America's financial picture. From fewer than 10 million mutual fund accounts in 1977, fund companies now report more than 135 million accounts—with more than 75 times the net assets! In that same time, the number of available funds has also skyrocketed, from just over 425 mutual fund companies to nearly 6,000, with risk/reward possibilities that are as widespread and perplexing as the market itself. So while mutual funds have proven to be a low-maintenance, effective way for Americans to build wealth over the long term, the majority of investors still wonder: Where can I get the most bang for my buck?

MUTUAL FUND RULES examines 50 of today's most common mutual fund maxims to provide answers to virtually any question you might have about mutual fund investing. From the best ways to build a college nest egg for your children to the smartest places for your retirement plan assets. This comprehensive guidebook clearly explains the entire mutual fund spectrum.

In addition to taking you inside the rules, MUTUAL FUND RULES takes you inside the investment market itself—revealing everything from the benefits of dollar cost averaging to the dangers of investing in the largest, most popular funds. It explains how REITs allow investors to invest in both residential and commercial real estate with reduced exposure, and provides names and addresses of Websites that professional investors use to find updated information on the Internet. Individually, any one of the 50 chapters in MUTUAL FUND RULES could save you a fortune in portfolio blunders and miscues. Collectively, they provide nothing less than the most comprehensive manual available on knowing the mutual fund market inside and out. They give you a fingertip reference to today's most trusted rules, helping you know at a glance how to understand the risk/reward relationship of any mutual fund—and just as important, which type of fund is right for you.