The Gross Expense Ratio (GER) is the annual cost of investing in a mutual fund or ETF, or the portion of the assets earmarked for the cost of operating the fund. The GER can be expressed as a percentage of your investment, and it includes management fees, administrative costs, and other charges.When you're shopping for funds, it's important to look at the GER to get an idea of how much you'll be paying each year. Keep in mind that lower-cost funds tend to have lower GERs, so if you're looking for ways to reduce your investment expenses, this is one place to start.It's also worth noting that some funds charge investors a load - a commission paid when you buy or sell shares - in addition to their GER. So before investing in any fund, be sure to read its prospectus and understand all associated costs.