for those who are away and out of communication range for extended periods. Of course, the lower the risk, the lower the rate of return in general. But, if you invest in stocks (even mutual funds investing in supposedly 'safe' corporations) be prepared for the day when you make port and find out that all, or mostly all, of the worth of your investments has disappeared.

I remember reading - years ago - an account by Annie Hill of how they were financially independent enough to go cruising. She estimated that she would receive a 10% rate of return on investments and they could then live off of that 10% without eating into the original investment/principle. Try doing that now!!! Times have changed. There are no sure bets when it comes to investment. Nowadays, a lot of people speculate in gold - but just as you can gain big by speculation, you can lose big too.

Jerry