Anyone that hopes to get ahead in this world understands that the traditional bank account savings is not going to cut it. The small amount of interest you could possibly earn is rarely enough to cover the amount of bank fees and charges they will impose. That's why so many choose to turn to investing in mutual funds in order to get a better return on their investment.

When you're new to investing, the idea of spending hours to find the best return mutual funds can provide may not be so enticing. After all, we have a lot of better things to do with our time than learning the industry and the things we must look for. So, here are just a few guidelines that will help you to get started investing without having to clear your calendar in order to learn all the ins and outs of the industry.

Understanding the Mutual Fund:

One of the first things you need to do is get a basic understanding of what a mutual fund is. When you invest in a mutual fund you are not investing in just one stock or commodity. You are investing in an intermediary set up to receive your money and make investments on your behalf. So, the fund will continue to fluctuate with the market as it buys and sells throughout the year in order to increase your earnings. For this service, you will be expected to pay an annual fee, which you will have to calculate into the cost of your investment in order to get the best results. So, pick a fund that has a history of showing returns that will not only cover the active management fee and give you a tidy little profit as well. This will be one of the best return mutual funds you can choose.

Check the Fund Manager:

A fund is only as good as its manager and the services provided. Your fund manager should be a superior investor with a battery of resources to help root out the winning funds to build up your portfolio. If you're set on finding the best return mutual funds, the key will be in those that have the best fund managers running the show.

Index Funds:

There are many different types of mutual funds so finding the right combination can sometimes feel a little tricky; some will obviously be riskier than others and there are those that will produce a higher return on investment than their counterparts. But one of the most popular investment tools for individuals and institutions alike is the index fund. These funds have a full participation in some area of the stock market. They try to match the shareholdings of a specific index (Standard & Poor's 500 for example) and are a little different from other mutual funds in that they do not require any picking of stocks but instead attempt to copy the returns of a chosen index.

It is true, choosing the best return mutual funds can be considered an art form all its own. However, you don't have to spend an endless amount of time to learn the industry to get started. With just a little basic knowledge, you can launch your investment career and learn as you go through the process of investing in mutual funds and make money as you learn.