Stock Market stupid, how to begin, is it worth it

Question

I was wondering if it is worth it to invest in a stock even if I don't have much money to start. Is it difficult. Basically here's my question, if I buy one or two shares of a stock, say Apple just for an example, slowly over time buy more and more shares, is it worth my investment in the long run. I know no one can tell exactly how a certain stock will do, but I have always assumed buying and trading was for rich or very knowledgeable people when it comes to finance. I am 22 and don't have a ton of money, but I want to have some investments, is buying stock the way to go or are there better investment opportunities for people with a more limited budget.

I just see commercials for etrade and other places that make buying and trading look simple, but do people really make money if they don't initially invest a lot, I guess I am just confused about the process and outcome, any advice

Answer 1

You don't have to have a lot of money to start investing.  Yes, some brokers may have minimums, but there are others that don't.  I currently use Firstrade ( http://www.firstrade.com/ ) and there are no minimums to open an account.  Trading is very simple, especially if you're with an online broker.  All you have to do is click a few buttons on their website and the stock is bought or sold.

Before you jump in and start investing though, you should read some investing books or check out some online tutorials.  My favorite web resource is Investopedia ( http://www.investopedia.com/ ).  You can learn a lot on that website.  Remember, you don't have to invest a lot to make money, you just have to pick the right investments.  The only disadvantage with not investing with a lot of money is that commissions will be a bigger percentage of your profits.  However, as long as you pick a broker with low commissions, that shouldn't be too big of a problem.

You don't have to be rich or knowledgeable to start investing.  In fact, many college students invest to help pay off their loans.  You might not make money in the beginning, but once you gain experience and get the hang of it, you will do better.

If you do choose to start investing, I would recommend using Firstrade.  They're cheaper than big name brokers such as Etrade, Scottrade, Ameritrade, and Schwab.  Plus, their website is very easy to use, making them perfect for beginners.  I definitely suggest you check out their website: http://www.firstrade.com/.

On the other hand, I would not recommend using Zecco.  First of all, their 10 free trades per month deal requires you to deposit at least $2,500.  Plus, their website is very hard to use, definitely not beginners.  They may seem cheap, but they charge all sorts of unnecessary fees for other services.

Firstrade currently has a refer-a-friend program, so if you're interested in opening account with them, email me for a referral code. It's a win-win situation because you'll get your first 5 trades free.

Answer 2

Personally, I would look into a roth IRA.  At your age you need to look at the big picture.  You should have your money diversified.  Some high risk, some low.  Talk to a fiancial advisor if you are that unsure about your decision's.  Does your employer have a 401K or simple IRA plan?  If so I would so go for that first!    

Answer 3

If you can afford to put a bet on a horse then you lose or win, if you place your bet on the shares then you win or lose.

In the UK their are web sites that allow you to train yourself in the whys and wherefores of the stock trading system without losing you cash  one I know is based in St Albans for an instance this uses a spoof account similar to a game until the vagaries of the idea are understud  .

Here you open an account which you buy and sell just to find your way through the pitfalls and to test the waters as to whether you will ever make a sound investor or like so many end up like a loser.

BUT IT COSTS NOTHING TO LEARN.

Answer 4

The stock market is a gamble for everyone.  Carefully researching companies before you invest in them reduces some of the risk, but even the stocks of companies that are doing very well, with good products sometimes loose in the short term.  Further, even the discount brokers charge $7 ~ $20 per trade, quite a lot of cash for say a $100 investment!  Normal brokers charge commissions based on a percentage of the total amount of stock you're buying or selling, and so are even more expensive.

Dream6's suggestion is an excellent one: get an IRA or some sort of retirement account, they are tax deductable.

Other things you must do: pay all your bills on time; open savings and checking accounts; save a little each week (in case something bad happens to you, your vehicle, etc.).  Some banks offer CDs at fairly high rates, these are very secure investments (you can't loose your principle).

Money markets allow you to buy stocks as a group (your cash is combined with everyone else who invests in the fund), and under the direction of "an expert" who probably would (in general) get a larger return from your investment that you would (or course this isn't always the case, sometimes you can get lucky).  These market funds generally charge various fees that can significantly cut into profits.  And you pay the fees whether or not the fund makes money.

I'd steer clear of financial advisors, who in general are looking out for themselves as much (if not more) as you.  I had one for several years who made more money for himself as he did for me.

Good luck.

Answer 5

Stock market is for smart and thinking investors. You must know pretty well when to quit or stay here. If you learn the basics and stay here you are welcome. You are talking about long term investment and it is a very good thing now because a lot of shares are available for free now.

Answer 6

Yes people make money.  However, the biggest mistake people make is not diversifying their investments.  If all your money is tied up in one stock and that company goes bankrupt, you would lose all that money, while if you had your money spread around, you would only lose a piece of that money.  

Your best bet is a mutual fund that is balanced probably 75-25 stocks and bonds (or maybe 80-20).  The stocks provide the growth possibilities while the bonds provide the stability and income.  Many mutual funds require a minimum deposit (yes, it is like a savings/checking account :), so you may have to save up first.  Look for a no-load mutual fund that fits you investing outlook (some are riskier than others - check around on sites like Fidelity or Magellan for an investment risk quiz which will tell you how much risk you can psychologically take).  The no-load means that there will be no commission (load) you pay to buy in (you can usually invest directly by sending a check).

With eTrade, etc., you will have to pay a small commission (say $5-7 each time you trade).  If you don't trade quarterly, eTrade charges a service fee ($40) so be careful the fees don't eat up your investment.

Stocks are a good investment over the long-term - so be prepared if you invest to buy and hold (a good reason to hold a mutual fund - let the managers do the actual investing).

Most mutual funds and brokers as well as the SEC and the Fed Reserve have educational web pages set up that can get you where you need to be to feel comfortable investing.

Answer 7

its the best time to invest!! I recommend an online brokerage firm that has good beginner qualitys {like tutorials or an easy to understand set up}, i use zecco, better then schwab, etrade, etc. they are the only ones with free stock trades, no minumums..all the others will charge you fees for trading, but compare and see for yourself. Good luck and happy investing!

http://friends.zecco.com/r/a7a2877caab81...

Answer 8

A market cannot be "stupid".  In point of fact, a market represents all of its holders transactions, so it is more informed, and more correctly efficient than a given participant.  The only thing that can be "stupid" or "ignorant" in a market situation is a participant choosing to spend money without working to be as fully informed as possible.  Anything less means one will soon be separated from their funds.  That is stupid, to use your term.