can you summarize this for me$?$ I would consider investing in a mutual fund if I wanted a diversified portfolio without having to manage individual stocks myself. Mutual funds seem like a good option for long$-$term investing, especially in retirement accounts like IRAs or $401($k$)$s$,$ since they offer professional management and spread out risk across multiple assets.

Before choosing a mutual fund, I would look at factors like expense ratios, management fees, and historical performance. Lower fees and strong returns over time would be important since high costs could reduce overall gains. If a mutual fund aligned with my financial goals and risk tolerance, I$$d be more likely to invest. I also think mutual funds could be a good option for someone new to investing since they provide an easier, hands$-$off way to build a portfolio.