I just want to know everything there is to and the process. Also, certain firms or people that can help me and help create portfolios and such. I’ve read a lot of articles but still get confused. Thank You for the input.

 

  • A nobody 10:46 pm on November 7, 2009

    Before you invest in any security, the first investment you should make is in yourself, and the best investment you can make is by educating yourself.

    Start your education by learning why you should invest and the importance of being able to make your own decisions or what the pro’s make theirs.
    Start by reading,
    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
    Trading For a Living by Alexander Elder
    Mastering the Trade” by John Caster
    How to Make Money in Stocks” by William O’Neil
    The Disciplined Trader by Mark Douglas

    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. If any site offers free information, take it.

    Other website that can provide instructions and help with procedures and terminology are
    Investopedia – http://www.investopedia.com/ Stock Charts – http://stockcharts.com/
    Other – 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.

    Attend all the free seminars you can, just be careful and don’t get pressured into anything you really don’t want or need. Most schools offer courses in finance and economics, but very few will have courses on the mechanics of the investment markets, if they do try taking the course. You may want to consider on-line courses, the New York Institute of Finance use to have such courses. Try to get some fee information from the stocks exchanges they all have (had) free booklets, SIAC and some of the regulators (FINRA SEC MSRB CBOE) may provide some free literature.

    What do you need to go into the market?
    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. Remember never invest 100% of your capital into any one security and never have 100% of your capital invested.
    4 – A full and complete understanding of the rules & regulations of the industry.

    You at least have made the right decision to start investing, this is the first big step and it won’t be your last. Keep taking those steps forward and along the way never take the advice from people that are not in the market or try to tell you not to invest.

    Good luck on your journey

  • truckgurl_28 10:47 pm on November 7, 2009

    Try morningstar.com! It gives you a lot of useful info. To start investing you have to have cash!! All online brokers like your trading account to have at least $2000 in it!
    Good Luck!!

  • Pablo T 10:47 pm on November 7, 2009

    The first thing I would recommend is reading "Rich Dad Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki. Then, get the game he sells, "Cashflow."

    The game is expensive, but it is designed to teach you investment principles….I own it and it is worth every penny.

    Once you learn the basic principles from the book and game, you will be able to put together a basic plan and start interviewing advisors to coach and teach you from there.

  • src50 10:47 pm on November 7, 2009

    Read "Investing For Dummies."