Tips for the noob investor

[RaspberrySwirl 20]

Seriously though, I should probably start a new thread. I wanna learn about investing

Yes, a new thread is a good idea. I'm glad you want to learn, maybe your new thread will teach me a few things too.

A friend of mine who is now a financial advisor considers mutual funds a good, safe, "first step" for the newbie investor. Less risk than individual stocks, less upside potential as well.

So here it is!

Anyone with more experience who has any advice or can recommend further reading, please post here.

[Ban Hammer 13,641]

Seriously though, I should probably start a new thread. I wanna learn about investing

Yes, a new thread is a good idea. I'm glad you want to learn, maybe your new thread will teach me a few things too.

A friend of mine who is now a financial advisor considers mutual funds a good, safe, "first step" for the newbie investor. Less risk than individual stocks, less upside potential as well.

So here it is!

Anyone with more experience who has any advice or can recommend further reading, please post here.

buy low, sell high

[Dan J 277]

Depends what your investing for. But if you do get a retirement account through work 401k OR IRA, max it out before you invest elsewhere. There are tax benifits that you can get with those accounts that other types of investing doesnt give you.

Other than that. Diversify. Dont put all your eggs in one basket. If your young, you can probably afford to take more risk (larger percentage of stocks), but if your older, bonds are more stable.

If you want to buy stocks directly, you can use a service like sharebuilder to buy stocks with low commission.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Start investing sooner rather than later and stay for the long haul. Time is your friend.

[KEN's ROSE 0]

Buy Gold Buy Silver. because the Dollar will fall weaker and weaker ...just like the Yen.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

If you buy stocks I'd spend an hour every week for each tock you hold studying the companies you're investing in -- Google finance is your friend.

This advice has served me very, very well.

[mawilson 2,133]

buy low, sell high

The other way works too - borrow stock, sell high, buy back at a lower price, return the shares.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

buy low, sell high

The other way works too - borrow stock, sell high, buy back at a lower price, return the shares.

shorting isn't good for noobs.

[Jamie76 0]

If you are a noob, Definitely do not even bother with stocks at this point. Stick with mutual funds to spread your risk out.

Gold and silver have historically been poor investments. They are a hedge against inflation, but if you are just going to dabble in it, it's not going to do much for you.

Don't chase the latest and greatest. If you are in it for the long haul "stay the course."

Since I didn't see the original posting, I don't know your time horizon. Your investment horizon is a major factor in your ability to take risk.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Find out what companies the Pres and Veep are vested in and put all your money there. Had I invested 10K in Halliburton back in 2001, I'd have upwards of 53K now. Clearly, going with this strategy, your investments will outperform the industry and the market at large.

Growth of $10,000 YTD through 06-06-07

Red: Stock: Halliburton

Orange: Industry: Oil & Gas Services

Green: Index: S&P 500

[KEN's ROSE 0]

Look at Silver something you can actually hold... but if you like paper there are ETF, just like stocks

Edited June 7, 2007 by KEN's ROSE

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Find out what companies the Pres and Veep are vested in ...

How? Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the "public" information not current enough to useful?