75% of actively managed mutual funds under-perform the major indexes. And going it alone without a good plan doesn't work either. Gut-feeling, emotional stock selection strategies offer little chance of obtaining superior returns. Rather they often result in lower returns and much higher levels of risk.

I just don't like mutual funds. I think they're a rip-off.

The popular indexes have managed to reach 4 1/2-year highs, while small and midsize indexes flirt with all-time highs. The lack of sustainability is likely due to the senior citizen status of the bull market, now in its 41st month. The restless rotation is keeping hope alive with money shifting from energy stocks to home building to technology to financials.

The best argument for mutual funds is that they offer safety and diversification. But they don't necessarily offer safety and diversification.

The corporate killer downsizing is directly responsive to what the mutual funds have wanted.

Our goal is to cut through all of the hype and misinformation and provide the most comprehensive, easiest to use and effective methods that will produce healthy returns with a minimum of risk.