Have you ever bought stocks?
By olisaur
@olisaur (1922)
United States
February 17, 2010 5:28pm CST
Neither my parents nor I have ever dealt with the stock market. I always thought it was kind of a scary thing that makes people lose money, because I know so little about it.
Recently, I have seen the local stock updates they show on my local newscast. It has gotten me kind of interested in stocks, but I really don't know where to start. w
1 person likes this
5 responses
@stealthy (8181)
• United States
18 Feb 10
My total source of income for the last 15 years has been from dividends, interest and trading of stocks and bonds. Of course I had some money to invest because when I was working I saved more than 20% of my income each year and put it in stocks. I continued to save like that up until 2009 when I saved less because of the recession. I have always lived very thrifty and been careful with my money which helps. For a long time I have been doing my trading with an online discount broker. I also have mutual funds that I own through a well known mutual fund family of funds. I have always done my investing mostly on my own with only a rare use of a stockbroker's recommendation. In fact I have had stockbrokers take my recommendations as often as I have taken theirs. You can use something like E*Trade or one of the others but you should look into them, and the type of investing you want to do, before you actually do anything. One of the first things to determine is what your level of risk is and what kind of investing you want to do, that is speculative risky, conservative long term, income, trading often, etc.
@magtibaygom (4858)
• Philippines
18 Feb 10
LOL I was about to give advice to olisaur, but when I saw this reply from stealthy, I felt I am the one who needs advice from his expertise. He's one of the role I am looking for so long here, glad I found him! stealthy, I'd like to add you to my friends list and from time to time, I'd like to seek your help, your expertise in real solid investments. Thanks!
@hofferp (4734)
• United States
20 Mar 10
I remember when I first started thinking about investing, someone with some experience, advised me not to invest in stocks, but to invest in mutual funds if I had less than $250,000. I've followed that advice and only invest in mutual funds. I've been thinking about investing in Exchange Traded Funds that you buy and sell like stocks, but I haven't yet. I've made a lot of money investing in mutual funds over the years. I would start by researching how to invest in mutual funds; mutual fund families, like Vanguard, Fidelity, TRowe, etc.; the fees the funds charge; etc. I wouldn't jump in until I was very comfortable with what I was doing or you could lose your shirt. For some funds, if you put in $50 a month, you don't have to have a lump sum to start. For some funds, you need at least $1000 or $3000 to put in. Always look for no-load funds to invest in. Again, do your research before investing, then invest wisely.
@wondericequeen (7876)
• Hong Kong
19 Feb 10
I did! And I earned a bit during stock purchasing, and if I had the money right now I would start investing in stock again! Actually I am not particular on the period I want, on the contrary, I would wait for the stock to rise to a certain price and sell it out.
@lifeafterdeath09 (2043)
• United States
18 Feb 10
i have never bought stocks. i think if i ever have it would probably be a pretty bad idea. but im not sure bacause i have never tried it. but i am guessing if i did that then it wouldnt really be a real reliable source of making money and might leave me end up even more broke than i already am. but i am not really to sure. i would have to try it out to find out. but i think i am going to stay on the safe side and not do that.