15 most hated fees
Stand up to the pesky charges -- from checked-bag costs to retirement plan expenses -- that bug you the most.
9. Helping fund mutual fund marketing
What it costs: $--$$$$
What you're mad about: About two-thirds of mutual funds include in their expense ratios 12b-1 fees, which were initially intended to help cover the costs of attracting new investors. Just like any fund expense, 12b-1s can chomp into your returns -- costing you an average of $5.80 a year for every $1,000 invested, according to Morningstar. Wait for it -- some funds still charge the fee even though they're closed to new investors.
How to fight back: Move to a fund that doesn't charge 12b-1s; no Vanguard funds do, for example. To find out whether a fund charges the fee, check the prospectus. Bottom line: Keep total expenses under 1% for an actively managed fund, 0.3% for an index fund.
NEXT: Handing over big bucks to check baggage
What you're mad about: About two-thirds of mutual funds include in their expense ratios 12b-1 fees, which were initially intended to help cover the costs of attracting new investors. Just like any fund expense, 12b-1s can chomp into your returns -- costing you an average of $5.80 a year for every $1,000 invested, according to Morningstar. Wait for it -- some funds still charge the fee even though they're closed to new investors.
How to fight back: Move to a fund that doesn't charge 12b-1s; no Vanguard funds do, for example. To find out whether a fund charges the fee, check the prospectus. Bottom line: Keep total expenses under 1% for an actively managed fund, 0.3% for an index fund.
NEXT: Handing over big bucks to check baggage
Last updated June 11 2010: 3:40 PM ET
