What are the best long-term investments in today's market for someone at age 18?

[pegasusaig]

First- long term is a somewhat flexible view, or should be in that you must always be prepared to modify positions according to changes in market and economic conditions. When the recession hit, I advised a friend to make a change with a particular stock he owned in order to profit from the recession. He did not follow the advice, as he thinks he's a long-term investor. That one error cost him $425,000 as of today, and the stock is only 70% back. When it's fully recovered to pre-recession value, the number he missed out on by not adjusting his strategy will be $696,000. You have to play the hand on the table- not the one that existed last week or might next year.

Roth is a good way to go, however the limits on what you can contribute will prevent it from becoming as large as it might be otherwise. I use both an IRA and and a conventional account, and I manage two other family accounts. My best portfolio has grown 593% in 33 months, so I'm doing a bit better than your average investor.

Starting young is a huge advantage. Starting at 18, it's entirely possible to be a millionaire in your 30's. You won't do that with the slow growers however. Many super winners we bought in the depth of the recession are close to normal price, and no longer hot buys. However, the real estate market in still in a recession induced depressed state. That means stocks in that market are still down, and will grow from the natural recovery of real estate as well as from individual success, making them multiple winners. Many of the REITS (real estate investment trusts) will gain from 3-10 times the current cost in the next five years, and will pay fat dividends as well. The time to get in on them is now- and like everything else, there will be a time to get out and move to something new with stronger potential when the conditions change.

You must consider what risk exposure you want to take, what gains you hope to achieve, if you will manage it yourself or give it to a broker (never again in my case) and much more. IF you will not monitor it yourself, play it safe. Nobody will take better care of your money than you will.