It would be hard to debate someone about paying management fees for mutual funds vs no fees on index funds like NASDAQ. This graph should say it all (10 year graph): https://www.google.com/finance?cid=13756934

While I do invest in index funds, I have the majority of my money invested in Google, Apple and LinkedIn. I truly just believe in these companies and ignore short term speculation. I am no investment expert, but these stocks combined have by far beaten all the index funds by a significant multiple. Go for the long term, ignore stock tips and earnings reports and you can be successful at investing too.