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Getting rich: boring; being rich: fun.

Boring investors tithe to themselves first, diversify their stock holdings, diversify their assets, and balance their portfolio twice a year. Boring investors do not allow emotions to dictate actions. They shy away from "exciting" stocks and look beyond flashy headlines. While your friends and colleagues dabble in penny stocks, brag owning well known companies, and ramble on about "guaranteed" winners this year, bore them with these five investments for 2008:

SMITH AND NEPHEW (SNN)

The only hip thing about Smith and Nephew is its patented Birmingham Hip Resurfacing System. With the longest clinical history of resurfacing devices and more worldwide medical support data than any other hip-resurfacing product, Smith and Nephew leads the way in new hips for active Americans. In addition to their cutting edge BHR system, Smith and Nephew operates four global business units and has worldwide responsibility for manufacturing and marketing their products and are directly responsible for sales in eight key countries.

Johnson and Johnson Depuy (JNJ)

If Smith and Nephew doesn't bore you enough, Johnson and Johnson may. Currently engaged in the research, development, manufacture and sales of multiple products in the healthcare field, Johnson and Johnson operate over 250 companies worldwide, divided into three segments: Consumer, Pharmaceutical, and Medical Devices and Diagnostics. Currently seeking approval for cutting edge procedures in the U.S., Johnson and Johnson remains an undervalued Blue Chip Stock, according to Investment Quality Trends.

Discount Designer Stores: Ross (ROST) and TJ Max (TJX)

An investment in Ross or TJ Max might allow you to do your Christmas shopping at more exciting places in 2008. During a recession, discount designer stores experience an increase in sales as financially struggling buyers flee from pricier outlets. The increase in sales, 10% last quarter for Ross, have a greater impact on companies with the smallest market capitalization like Ross and TJ Max. TJ Max, recording a 6% increase in sales this past quarter, has also positioned itself as a potentially profitable investment in 2008.

Kinetics Concepts Company (KCI)

Because insurance rarely covers cosmetic surgery, enhancement procedures decline drastically during a recession. However, LifeCell, a division of Kinetics Concepts Inc., a global medical company that manages advanced wound care and therapeutic services, is expanding into large markets covered by insurance. KCI offers Alloderm, used to treat burn victims, and has developed a vacuum assisted closure product that reduces the risk of infection and speeds up healing time for serious wounds. In addition, V.A.C. has been instrumental in saving the limbs of diabetics with infections.

Wisdom Tree

A lack of confidence in American stocks would normally mean bad news for a company specializing in Exchange Traded Funds (ETF), but with 27 of its 39 ETFs focused on international markets, Wisdom Tree stands ready to provide high returns for investors in 2008. Wisdom Tree's International ETFs have consistently outperformed related indices. Unlike most ETFs, Wisdom Tree ETFs are weighted by earnings instead of traditional market capitalization categories, giving them a considerable advantage, according to Wisdom Tree executives.

Learn more about this author, Trent Lorcher.
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