As a beginnner and never have invested money, how do I start investing and what are my best choices?

Question

I have absolutly no Idea how to invest...........help!

Answer 1

You received a couple of good answers and I would like to add another which I hope you will think is good.

The first thing you should do is read several books on investing. Start with a general book such as "Investing for Dummies". It has a good reputation. Your library may have it. Next learn about mutual funds, the different types and how to evaluate them. Your library might have a book on that subject also. Many beginning investors begin with mutual funds. One of your responders suggested an index fund. That is a pretty good answer. But there are about 100 different types of index funds. You need to be aware of the differences. Many index mutual funds sold by such companies as Vanguard have a pretty steep minimun investment though. They do that to keep their expenses low, but it makes it rather difficult for a beginning investors to get their foot in the door. There are exchange traded index funds. You can purchase those like buying stock in a company, but you will have to open a brokerage account to do so. Funds bought through a company such as Vanguard does not require opening a brokerage account. It just involves filling out a form and mail a check.

Yahoo has a decent screener for mutual funds in its finance section, including index funds and there are many many internet investment sites that are available to you.

Answer 2

First, I am among the best investors in the world, statistically speaking. I am very experienced, I have taught academically and managed institutions.

Ignore everyone on this site. None of us can help you except to suggest books. We do not know you AND we are not affected by your choices. We cannot provide you with sound or good advice on what your best choices are. The best choices for me fit my personal goals, they would not likely fit your goals. There does not exist a set of "best choices," without knowing what the money has to accomplish.

So, I will provide you with the following advice.

1) Go to Edward Jones. They are stock brokers. You will not get the best return but they will do a good job for you and they are noted for their internal compliance. Unlike most brokerages they actually monitor their staff for ethical compliance. In the alternative I would recommend a fee only investment advisor, but since I do not know where you are I cannot give you any qualitative information about any.

2) Read "Investing for Dummies," but also read "The Intelligent Investor," by Benjamin Graham. There is a vocabulary you need to acquire.

3) Begin reading certain periodicals either by subscription or at the public library. They are in this order of quality and importance:

1) The Economist
2) FT also called the Financial Times of London
3) Barrons
4) Wall Street Journal

If you can get ahold of the top of the list, ignore the bottom of the list.

When you have finished both of those books, read a college level freshman accounting book. Any should do. Go to BN.com and go to their textbook section and find a book. Investing is done through the language of accountants. If you cannot understand it, you cannot invest.

When you feel comfortable enough to invest on your own, instead, wait one year and simulate your investing at www.marketocracy.com (you might even win money). Before you find out your skills with real money, use pretend money, their pretend money. Read the message boards written by the best investors. Figure out how you made your mistakes that year so you won't repeat them. Watch yourself improve, keep a journal, diary or log so you can track the types of mistake you make. Ignore your successes, they cannot teach you anything. When you get good at avoiding mistakes, you will be a great investor, among the best.

I use Marketocracy myself to test individual variables to see how they impact risk and return. I have one long term portfolio out there that mimics my real return. It is listed below. It is a wonderful test environment for professionals, academics and novices.

Good luck.

Answer 3

A good start is to buy an "index mutual fund." This means you will invest in a wide variety of stocks representative of the stock market as a whole without having to buy them all individually. Vanguard Fund Company has a popular index fund you might investigate. It's best to re-invest all dividends and capital gains, and consider setting up a monthly automatic investment program (this will all be on the application form.) P.S. don't use a broker for buying mutual funds - buy them directly from the company. And be sure there is zero sales charge,

Answer 4

Make sure you have ZERO debt, your credit card is payed off. your bills are payed, you are living within your means.

Once that is settled I would recommend a you get a high yielding savings account and keep a certain amount of money in it that you feel comfortable with because you never know when there is an emergency and will need it.

Once that is dealt with I would read some books on the stock market. I did this for a year before ever buying stocks to make sure I knew what I was doing. Then when you feel you are ready, open a account and buy stocks, I started with scottrade because it's cheaper.

Answer 5

That is a very open ended question but, first try a stock market game online....where you lose or win play money. Second, read as many articles as you like at http://www.mycreditadvise.com I know you'll find some good information there.

Good Luck

Answer 6

Never take stock tips or mutual fund ideas from anyone on the Internet.
Never listen to those bullshit stock analyzes or brokers who predict a stock to go up.
This is your money, so do your own research. Dont be a fool and give it to these wolves.

Answer 7

Hi, i know what your question means. i also think stock market is a nice place for investing.

I found some useful tips in stock trading. It includes stock basics, how to protect your profit, find a potential increase share, control and manage stock risk, when to sell/buy stock and so on.

http://www.bernanke.cn/stock-trade/

Best Wishes && Good Luck!

Answer 8

Yes you could learn invest by yourself. it is your money, you should know how to do with it. for starter check this site out.

http://www.pathtoinvesting.org/index_fla...
http://www.stockcharts.com
http://www.streettalklive.com>... university. a lot amount of information. It will serve you well
I accumulate in good amount in 401k at the young age.I could share with you. when consider invest in stock market. you should consider basic 3 things:

fundamental analysis==(economic data,finincial health, management, business model, competetion)>>what to buy

technical analysis==(chart+indicator)>> when to buy

Sentiment/schycho analysis==>>mood of investor, Contrarian point of view.
Market cycle===>> check out book Trader Almanac by jeff hirsch will give you inside stuff
When you combine 3 thing, It is one of the powerful knowledge goinh with you for the rest of your live

At the age of 32. my 401k is amassed 73,000.00 and 30000.00 in taxble account. by follow simple rule

Answer 9

The best low cost high return investment is in a web business.
Visit my blog at http://www.journey2edollars.blogspot.com/ to know more.

Ken

Answer 10

call the library and ask if there is an investment club that meets there. investment clubs of america is for beginners like you.