[DCBryan1]

I'm a broker....done very well for myself and clients. We are very conservative and most clients are banks and insurance companies that have to buy tax free munis as collateral against their loans.

However, rates are terrible right now and that 3% bond due in 2040 at a discount is something you will own to maturity.

For the last two years we have been investing in dividend paying stocks with a 4 handle payout. XOM, D, SO, T, etc.

Basically, we only buy stocks of companies with good balance sheets, good CEOs, and good history of dividend increase/payout.

On top of all that is the CAVEAT that we only buy stocks (pfd) and corporate bonds of companies that SOROS and CHINA CANNOT undermine.

BTW...when T got near 40, we sold 25% from all accounts. We nearly doubled our money and T is having a little trouble. We rolled the money into D, MRO, XOM, PYPL, and TWTR, other growth stocks.

[SunkenCiv]

On top of all that is the CAVEAT that we only buy stocks (pfd) and corporate bonds of companies that SOROS and CHINA CANNOT undermine.

Thanks, I needed some cold chills just before bedtime. :^) Good thing to think about.