Warren Buffet Rule of Thumb

Buy stock in businesses that are so wonderful that an idiot can run them because sooner or later, one will.

Scott Shane Rule of Thumb

Less than one-tenth of one percent of all start-ups receive VC money, accounting for less than 2 percent of all small business financing ... very few angel investors are actually accredited ... most angels are actually informal investors, not high-profile sophisticated investors who mandate fancy presentations, well-coiffed business plans, and attractive 10X returns.

Angelo Reyes Rule of Thumb

A wind power development project needs an investment of about $2.5 million per MW; hydro, $2 million; and biomass, $3.5 million. (2009)

Jeffry A. Timmons Rules of Thumb

1. Cash is king, and there is never enough.
2. You will be out of cash much sooner than you think.
3. Sales are what count most.
4. Talent is the key to success.
5. Equity creation and realization determine the payoff.

Scott Shane Rule of Thumb

The rate at which angel-backed companies go public or get acquired is about 1 to 1.5 percent.

Frank Hubbard Rule of Thumb

The safe way to double your money is to fold it over once and put it in your pocket!

Russell Hubbard Rule of Thumb

Banks holding land or buildings as collateral can sell them and usually recoup about half their losses if the borrower files for bankruptcy protection.

The Fs Rule of Thumb

First funding from founders, family, friends, fanatics, ... and fools!

Anders Bylund Rule of Thumb

A tech company with solid products and a bulletproof balance sheet getting its share price absolutely creamed is often a ticket to huge returns.

Jack Bogle Rule of Thumb

Don't peek ... peek the day you retire, and you are going to have so much money, you are going to say, 'What kind of miracle is this?' ... invest over a sufficient time frame to allow the market to do its work.

Tom Parker Rule of Thumb

Rub them against your teeth ... a real pearl will grate.

Wayne Gretzky Rule of Thumb

Skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.

Conrad de Aenile Rule of Thumb

During bear markets, by the time a recession is acknowledged by a country's leaders or in news headlines, the worst of the selling is over and a reversal is due.

Alia McMullen Rule of Thumb

Stock markets lead economic activity by about six months.

John Rosevear Rule of Thumb

When stocks are down, buy ... they'll go lower ... ignore that. When stocks are up, sell ... they'll go higher ... ignore that. Apply this rule consistently and you'll make money in the market.

Mark Twain Rule of Thumb

Buy land ... they've stopped making it!

Sam Stovall Rule of Thumb

Investors are typically making their decisions based on what the economy will look like in six to nine months.

Warren Buffet Rule of Thumb

Be greedy when people are fearful ... be fearful when people are greedy!

Mary Reeves Rule of Thumb

If it sounds too good to be true, it is.

T. Rowe Price Rule of Thumb

Based on computer models that ran thousands of market scenarios, the probability of a portfolio lasting 30 years if a retiree pursued the strategy of withdrawing 4% the first year, with a 3% increase each following year to account for inflation has an 89% chance of success assuming that the portfolio was invested in 55% stocks and 45% bonds ... however, the odds of lasting 30 years declined if average annualized returns were lower than 5% during the first five years of retirement ... for instance, the odds of success dropped to 64% if returns were between 2% and 3%.