I am thinking of investing some money in the stock market, where do I start?

Question

I am thinking of investing some money in the stock market, where do I start?

Answer 1

Learning to invest can take some time.  It should. Any suggestion that you can get going in two weeks is a recipe for disaster.

Check out;

Investing For Dummies.

Read as many books as possible. You'll eventually be able to start trading.  Paper trading is not a bad idea.... but the results rarely are duplicated in real trading.

Answer 2

Open an account with Scott Trade.  Create a 'watch list' of stocks that you think you'd want to invest in.  

On paper only, as 'play money,' choose the stocks you'd invest in (use $1,000 as your play start-up investment).

Track the stock EVERY DAY for 2 weeks. Choose when you'd sell and when you'd buy.

Look at your profits or losses from the 'play portfolio' and then do this again.

Do this with 1,000 and then with 2,000 and then with 5,000 in play portfolios.

After 2 months, invest $500 of 'real money' and choose your stocks based upon your general sense of how you invest.. are you a nervous trader, a slow invester, etc.

Good luck.. Scott Trade has all the educational materials you'll need and the 'software utilities' for tracking a mock portfolio.

Have fun but don't jump in until you have SOME SENSE of the market's ups and downs. Otherwise you'll lose your shirt. You still may lose your shirt but it will be an informed (somewhat less painful) loss...or a wild and wonderful gain.

All best wishes and good luck!

Answer 3

You could invest your money in a small business and earn 20-24% per year.

Go to http://get24percent.blogspot.com/2008/06...

Answer 4

By educating yourself.  "Stock Investing For Dummies" is a great starting book.

Answer 5

Look for some online brokers.  You can also opt for automatic investing using your bank account.  I suggest choose the one that offers no inactivity fees.  For more info on investing, this site will help:  http://www.investmentpaysoff.com

Answer 6

I use and would recommend Scottrade.  http://www.scottrade.com  They have a good reputation and also have local offices that will help which is nice if you're new to investing.  They also do not have a minimum on account balances.  That can be annoying.  I have had etrade and ameritrade in the past and etrade used to charge $25 quarterly if the account balance ever fell below $1000 during the quarter.  That's c**p if you ask me.   Scottrade only charges $7 per trade and they have good resources to educate yourself.    15 minutes after I applied for an account online I got a call from my local office welcoming me and asking if I had any questions.  It was a pleasant surprise.

Good luck!!!