Is there any age too young to start investing?

Question

I am 16 and am investing a few thousand dollars in the stock market. I invest wisely, but in today's market sometimes loose some money. In your opinion, should I still be letting my parents do all of the investing or should I continue doing it myself with the approval of my parents? You won't offend me with any answer you give, so be honest. Thanks!

Answer 1

If you can read, you are not too young to start investing.

You must be 18 to open a brokerage account, However one of your parents can open a custodian account for you, using your social security number.  

Yes you should have your parent guide you and work with you.

If you're going to invest, play by the rules that govern investing.

Here is some reading material that can get you and your parents started in the right direction, The first book you should read is Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

Then try some of these

What Works on Wall Street by James O'Shaunessey

Beating the Street by Peter Lynch

One Up on Wall Street by Peter Lynch

The Warren Buffett Way by Robert Hagstrom

How to Make Money in Stocks” and 24 Essential Lessons for Investment Success both by  William O’Neil

Here are some sites for you (and your parents) to further your education in the world of investing,

Get into the habit of making daily visits to some websites like MSN Money and Yahoo Finance.  (http://moneycentral.msn.com/home.asp http://finance.yahoo.com/ )

While at MSN following the strategy lab analysts to get a feel for what the pros are doing and why.  This site has some basic information for beginners.

Other website that can provide instructions and help with procedures and terminology are

Investopedia - http://www.investopedia.com/  Stock Charts - http://stockcharts.com/

http://www.investorshub.com/  http://www.1source4stocks.com/



Visit some of the more professional websites like Zacks - http://www.zacks.com/

Smart Money - http://www.smartmoney.com/  Schaeffer’s – http://www.schaeffersresearch.com/

Some of these web sites will have advertisers who are worth looking into also.  And remember, if they offer free information, get it.

I started when I was 12 (many many years ago), and have never regretted it, but by the time I was a freshman in high school I did learn that investors/traders need to address four major areas to be sucessful

1- A written sound trading/investment plan with rules that will not only help you but more importantly protect you, mostly from yourself.

2 - Sufficient trading/investment capital.  Use your own money, there’s no need to go into debt so that you trade/invest.

3 - A written money management program in place.

4 – A full and complete understanding of the rules & regulations of the industry

Good luck on your journey

Answer 2

I bought my first stock at 14.  I'm hitting about 50% on good versus bad buys.  Never too young to start.  As long as you are doing your research and investing wisely, go for it.

Answer 3

The younger the better then you have plenty of money before you become a adult. spend it wisely like Michael Schumacher he is wise he spends his interest and his other money can grow better, never ever waste it.

Answer 4

You say you invest wisely but that is from your frame of reference. Learning the idea that reward is a function of risk takes time and experience. Younger people are far more likely to be enticed by the potential for a huge return and ignore the huge risks that go along with it.

It is very hard to accumulate capital to invest. I question how you came to have this money. If you worked for it mowing lawns, painting the house, doing chores, your attitude toward investing it might be different. It is about learning about the value of money as much as learning about investing. If it was given to you, as a present, an inheritance, or for college or the like then I say no, you should let your parent's invest it.

The concept that if you lose money you have less money invested to make that money back is missed by many. And if you think of having to earn that money back working if changes your attitude and choices in investing.  

But if you earned it yourself then I say you should be able to invest it but I hope you are wise enough to also seek your parents advice and caution. Still, I agree, there is no better teacher than experience.

And I want to point out when I said "younger" is used that term because of your age it tells me your experience is very limited. That is not to say that age is the main factor. I see many older people here asking for the Holy Grail requesting somebody to tell them where they can get a "100% safe investment with a high return".  No matter their age they have still not learned that risk and reward are a ratio, they are always tied together. They want something that doesn't exist. That also makes them vulnerable to scams where somebody will promise them the impossible.

A good investor works that ratio. One seeks the best return in proportion to the risk. Your risk taking must be very calculated, thought out, in order to make money.  But even the majority fail in this regard. This is why so few see the risks at market highs and then fail to sell, riding a falling market down like now.

For you I suggest two things. First, you need to prove yourself. You should start to do your investing on paper. This will teach you about yourself and about the market and investments. Then if you can show you can invest well over a year or more then you have a case to make to your parents that they might want to listen to you.

Second, even though I have been a professional investor for a long time I still separate my more mundane lower risk holdings from my riskier holdings. You might be able to convince your parents to put a little of that money in to something you think is a better investment. Then you can see how good are your choices.

Good Luck.

Answer 5

Stock is really great for long term investing if you go with the right company. As long as you understand the potential losses, you should go for it, it could turn out that it really pays off.

Answer 6

The very rich are not in the stock market nor do they often deversify.  Financial advisors tell you to deversify, deversify, deversify because they don't know which are the winners.  90+% of millionares made it in realestate which income from it can be figured out so you can make an intellegent decision.  If your lazy, deversify and hope for the best.  I'd suggest you read a few books from the "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" series.

Answer 7

It's never too young to start investing.  In fact, the earlier you start, the more experience you will have in the future.  The market is quite unpredictable these days.  If you're losing some money, don't worry about it, because you are definitely not alone.  In my opinion, I think you should continue to trade stocks with the approval of your parents.

I don't know what brokerage firm you are currently using, but I would definitely recommend Firstrade ( http://www.firstrade.com ).  Their website is very easy to use, making them perfect for beginners.  Commission-wise, they are also cheaper than the big name brokers such as Scottrade, Etrade, Ameritrade, and Schwab.  If you're looking to switch brokers, I would definitely recommend that you check Firstrade out.