Optomizing investments

I have $10,000 to $18,000 that I want to invest in a money-making vehicle. This would leave $25,000 in my money market; my stock portfolio is mostly dividend-paying stocks. I am 49 year old. The options that I can think of are: another dividend-paying stock, a preferred stock or something that I do not yet know about. I could talk to someone at my financial institution; I feel that they would steer me into their company. Suggestions and wisdom are welcome!!! I need to have a 'balanced' portfolio.

I have quite a few prior issues of the physical Kiplinger's Magazine in my home.

Thank you for both your time and your wisdom.

Stockwell

What kind of time horizon are we talking about? Is this money to go towards your retirement? That's the number one question you have to ask yourself: "How long is it until I need this money?" Once you know the answer to that question, then you can start formulating a plan as to how you want to invest it.

Those are my thoughts.

JLP

http://AllThingsFinancial.blogspot.com

The best answer that I can give at the moment is 'for the long term'. I do not anticipate needing it for anything but retirement income/current income or an investment that appreciates in value.

Stockwell: If you are 49, are looking for long term/retirement growth, have dividend paying (prob. large/mid value stocks), I would suggest Vanguard's small cap value index (VISVX) or the Barclays S & P 600 small cap value ETF, IJS (if you have a brokerage account). Both will give you diversification and balance from your larger cap stocks. Over the past 70 years, that asset class has the best long term performance. The biggest downside is that that has been a top asset class over the past 5 years and may be due to slow down for a while. Long term it should be good, however. Preferreds are great for retirees who need cash flow, but not for retirement savers who need low payout to save on taxes.

Would you post the links to access these funds?

Thank you for your time.

for vanguard just go to www.vanguard.com and type in VISVX where it says search funds. I don't know about Barclays

Once you get into the vanguard site , click "Personnel Investor" than on the top bar click "Research funds" highlight search by symbol and type in VISVX. I just checked it the performance for the last year was +26.84%, three years +25.80% and five years +13.13%.
Hope this helps

While you're in the Vanguard site, check out Total International Stock Market fund and other foreign funds. Unless you have an international component in your portfolio, you aren't likely to be as balanced as you could be.