SOFE Member (John Hancock) - Dian's Fund Freebies

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SOFE is the acronym for SUPPORTERS OF FINANCIAL EDUCATION

John Hancock Funds
101 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02199-7603
Telephone: 800-225-5291
www.jhfunds.com

The Bull's-Eye Rating System

You'll notice that each of the fundfreebies entries have from 0 to 3 bull's-eyes after it. I'm using that symbol as a way to evaluate the content of each piece.

Now don't think that just because there aren't any bull's-eyes after a piece that it's not worth ordering. That's not the case at all. All of the materials presented are informative and have educational merit. And, little to no fund family p.r. fluff in them. I know this for a fact as I've read through each entry and personally decided upon its Bull's-Eye rating.

Here's what the ratings mean:

O to 1 bull's-eye means the piece is solid and informative.
2 bull's-eyes means the piece is a cut above the 1 bull's-eye entries.
3 bull's-eyes means content is strong, very educational and definitely worth a read.

MUTUAL FUND BASICS

Answers to Today's Toughest Questions, from John Hancock Funds. This 16-page, 8 1/2" x 11" brochure addresses everything from bear markets to being optimistic about investing in 2003, as well as, how to get the most out of the stock market by dollar-cost averaging. The piece asks the question: Why should I still invest in stocks? And the John Hancock answer is: "Because stocks present great buying opportunities at today' s prices." There' s much more to this piece so order it today. You'll be glad you did!

MUTUAL FUND BASICS

How to be a Successful Investor, from John Hancock Funds. A 28-page, 8 1/2" x 11" booklet that's an absolute must-read! In it you will find information about mutual funds, annuities, stocks and stock funds, bonds and bond funds, and international and global fund investing. Included are charts and graphs and enough data to make you feel as though you've just taken a quickie 101-investment course. Also addressed are things like risks and rewards, the power of compounding, evaluating performance and much more. This is an excellent educational investing guide. Order it today!

MUTUAL FUND BASICS

The Power of Compounding, from John Hancock Funds. A 1-page, 2-sided 10 1/2" x 8 1/2" mini-let that's folded into six sections. Compounding is the name of the long-term investment game. Learn more about it and the very important Rule of 72 ---- from it you can determine how many years it will take for your investment to double. How do you do that? Order this piece to find out.

MUTUAL FUND BASICS

Guide to Dollar-Cost Averaging, from John Hancock Funds. A 1-page, 2-sided 16 12" x 8 1/2" mini-let that's folded into 10 sections. Everybody talks about dollar-cost averaging but learning what it is and how it can benefit you is another subject. In this piece you'll learn how the strategy works and what using it can mean to the future growth of your investments.

MUTUAL FUND BASICS

Determining Your Risk Tolerance Profile, from John Hancock Funds. A 1-page, 2-sided 10 1/2" x 8 1/2" mini-let that's folded into six sections. In it are 10 questions that, when answered, will help you understand the kind of risk taker you are - or aren't. It also lists other considerations to keep in mind before investing. I took the quiz and it was right-on in determining my risk profile. Why don't you?

MUTUAL FUND BASICS

2001 Perspectives from John Hancock, from John Hancock Funds. A 61-page, 8 1/2" x 11" brochure that's a must read for everyone from wannabe investors to seasoned ones. Some of the topics included in it are strategies for uncertain markets, how to weatherproof your portfolio, the myths and realities of the S & P 500, the Fed and interest rates and how to understand Morningstar's mutual fund reports---and more! Order this piece right now! You'll be very glad you did.

WORKING WITH FINANCIAL PROFESSIONALS

Benefits of Using an Investment Professional, from John Hancock Funds. A 1-page, 2-sided, 14" x 8 1/2" mini-let that's folded into eight sections. Deciding whether or not to work with an investment professional is tricky; some folks think they know all they need to know about investing and bypass the pros, while most need some kind of investment direction. And that's where this piece can help as it points out six reasons why working with an investment professional makes good sense. Two of those six points include "An Objective Prospect" and "No More Guesswork."

TAXES

The Tax Change Benefits of EGTRRA, from John Hancock Funds. A mini-let measuring 21" x 9 " that's folded into thirds. Within its six pages you'll learn about the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act (EGTRRA) and the opportunities it offers investors to save and plan for their retirements. This piece is easy to read thanks to the at-a-glance charts showing things such as the new contribution and catch-up for IRAs, Roth IRAs, 401(k)s and Simple IRAs. There's also info about vesting, tax rates and more. Order this one today!

HOW WE FIGURE THINGS

Since the educational data we received comes from a variety of different sources---and in all different sizes and shapes---we figured it would be best to have specific labels for each differently sized piece.

To keep things in order, we count everything: The front cover is one page, the inside cover, page 2, etc. Consequently, there will no doubt be a difference in the number of pages you read in the reviews about the piece and the number of pages printed in it.

With that in mind, here's a legend that names the various sized pieces. Read through it and you'll know why we call booklets booklets and pamphlets pamphlets:

Report. These are one- or two-page, often two-sided, reports on 8 1/2" x 11" papers. MFS and Pioneer have many of them.

Mini-let. That's a one-page piece of paper of various sizes folded in various ways. Copy here might read: "8 12" x 17" paper folded in thirds".

Pamphlet. Something with up to 12 pages---that includes counting the front and back cover pages, for a total of 4 pages right there. (This differs from the Mini-let in that these are separate pages and not part of one sheet of paper folded down.)

Booklet. Any unbound piece over 12 pages in length, covers again being counted in as 4 pages.

Tiny Book. All bound pieces, like some of the Scudder things. Count cover pages also.

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