Mykill Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 I have some money saved up and it is currently sitting in a savings account that I am not going to spend. I have been looking into stock market and index funds to start making money on interest and what not. I was wondering if anyone has any experience on this stuff and can give me some info on what to look out for, how to start, and good sites for info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shittygsxr Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 sharebuilder.com is a good way to invest. It takes a fixed amount out of your account each month and buys whatever stock, etf or mutual fund you want. Unless you have a portfolio in the 6 figure range just pick a couple ETF's and let it build up.Oh yeah if your 401k is not maxed do that first Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kawi kid Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 Guns and ammo are the currency of the future.Im kidding, but really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disclaimer Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 I guess it would depend on how fat your stack really is. At Fidelity for example, a lot of the mutual funds require a $2500 minimum to buy in.But here -- read these, should keep you occupied for awhile. Educate yourself on how this stuff works, it's important, trust me.10 investing basics from Buffetthttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/learn-how-to-invest/10-investing-basics-from-Buffett.aspxThe Ultimate Buy-and-Hold Strategy - 2009 Updatehttp://www.fundadvice.com/articles/buy-hold/the-ultimate-buy-and-hold-strategy.html <--- this is by far my favorite pieceMutual Fund Analyzer from FINRAhttp://apps.finra.org/fundanalyzer/1/fa.aspxThe Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), is the largestindependent regulator for all securities firms doing business in theUnited States. All told, FINRA oversees nearly 4,800 brokerage firms,about 170,400 branch offices and approximately 643,000 registeredsecurities representatives.StockScreen123.comhttp://www.stockscreen123.com/Arguably one of the best, most comprehensive FREE stock screening tools available.FINVIZ.com - Financial Visualizationshttp://finviz.com/screener.ashxNot as comprehensive as the one above, but easier to useAdvice on how to use the above tools:How to invest $10,000 right nowhttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/learn-how-to-invest/how-to-invest-10000-dollars-right-now.aspxSmart Strategies to Pick Mutual Fundshttp://www.kiplinger.com/features/archives/smart-strategies-to-pick-mutual-funds.htmlDumbest things you do with your money (not just investing, but in general)http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgeting/article/109491/dumbest-things-you-do-with-your-money?mod=bb-budgeting10 Money Moves That Will Always Pay Offhttp://finance.yahoo.com/retirement/article/110423/10-money-moves-that-will-always-pay-off?mod=retire-planning*Caveats-Note the dates the articles were written, some advice may no longer be applicable, but a lot of the advice is timeless.-I'm not a financial planner or adviser, but I do well on my personal investmentsMy personal summary: Invest in mutual funds with modest performance and low expense ratios, diversify in all directions (Small vs. Mid vs. Large, Growth vs. Blend vs. Value, Domestic vs. International, Bonds, Sectors, and Indexes) without watering down your portfolio. Rebalance when necessary. EDUCATE YOURSELF <--- probably the most important advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|SnOmAn| Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 Doesn't sharebuilder require quite a bit of money to even start out?Roth IRA..... If you know nothing about stocks, read a lot of stuff before messing with it. I've been researching the stock market for over a year and still haven't invested because it is crazy out there. Some people do a lot if day trading if you want to gamble your money to try and get rich quick, but like I said, it's a gamble and you have to really watch the market everyday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpoppa Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 It all depends on your tolerance for risk.Now is not a great time for investors. Real Estate is flat. 'Safe' investments (Savings, CDs, Gov't Bonds) have very low returns right now. Stocks & funds have more upside and also more risk. The 2020, 2030, 2040, etc retirement funds have gotten popular. Maxing your 401k is a good move. I believe $16,500 is the max for 2011. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWing'R Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 sharebuilder.com is a good way to invest. I use sharebuilder too, don't really have anything invested at the time though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|SnOmAn| Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 At Fidelity for example, a lot of the mutual funds require a $2500 minimum to buy in.I guess this is the one then... I use E-Trade right now, and I think their trade cost have gone down to the lowest so far. If you trade a certain about a month it is free, but if not, it's like $9.99 a trade (transaction).Another thing you can do to learn more about it is sign up for a virtual stock market. I have an account with Investopedia.com and it gives you an idea on buying and selling and things of that nature. It is free, but try to make logical decisions so you don't throw your money somewhere when you start putting it into real stocks. This stock simulator is all real time which is sweet too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheech Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 i'm investing in a 2008 GSXR 1000, or possibly a 2010 R6. Can't decide which. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
max power Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 Im in the same boat, but I am considering real estate. The market is too volatile right now.At least real estate is tangible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|SnOmAn| Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 Im in the same boat, but I am considering real estate. The market is too volatile right now.At least real estate is tangible.I was going to suggest buying a house, but it all depends on where. Market is great for buyers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfd37buckeye Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 Right now on the contrary is the best time to invest. The markets are on the rebound, and if you want the most for your money, now is the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disclaimer Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 I'd wait for Wikileaks to come with the BoA stuff before investing in them or the financial sector in general.Then after everyone sells it, buy it cheap and make bank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jblosser Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 i'm investing in a 2008 GSXR 1000, or possibly a 2010 R6. Can't decide which.I hear that insurance, through absolutely no fault of your own, is wicked expensive, especially when buying through family friends (who would never take advantage of your naivete).Caveat emptor, Cheech. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ohdaho Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 Doesn't sharebuilder require quite a bit of money to even start out?Roth IRA..... If you know nothing about stocks, read a lot of stuff before messing with it. I've been researching the stock market for over a year and still haven't invested because it is crazy out there. Some people do a lot if day trading if you want to gamble your money to try and get rich quick, but like I said, it's a gamble and you have to really watch the market everyday.Roth IRAs are great if you know you want to save for retirement. However, if youve got a relatively small amount of money youre not sure you know what to do with, jumping in a Roth IRA probably isnt a good idea. Sounds like the OP just wants to make a few extra bucks and maybe have access to in the future (an option he would be penalized for with a roth IRA). Now is not a great time for investors. I think its a great time. Many stocks are cheap and you just have to research the right ones.Thinkorswim.com is great for options trading. I always tell people great companies for short term investing are those companies you (and your friends/ppl around you) would buy products from. Diversify your holdings also, but dont overextend yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shittygsxr Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 open a sharebuilder.com account and pick an ETF or twochances are you are not going to be the next buffet so skip the get rich stuff and start a regular monthly investment plan. My old lady and I are 29 and 30 respectively and we put over 60k into our retirement its never too early and never too much. Just treat your retirement or investments like the other bills you pay every month Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheech Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 I hear that insurance, through absolutely no fault of your own, is wicked expensive, especially when buying through family friends (who would never take advantage of your naivete).Caveat emptor, Cheech.shut your face, I got this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mello dude Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 (edited) I have some money saved up and it is currently sitting in a savings account that I am not going to spend. I have been looking into stock market and index funds to start making money on interest and what not. I was wondering if anyone has any experience on this stuff and can give me some info on what to look out for, how to start, and good sites for info.There is a universe of imfomation out there on investing and easy to get confused. The number one rookie site is Motley Fool.com But if you have money on the side starting a Roth is a number one action you should do. Then decide if you want to personally work your money or have a pro do the job. I have an IRA managed by a Pro group, and I foole with a Roth with stocks in a discount account. I personally like high dividend stocks that have a bit of room for some growth. My favorites for the moment - GRT,PVX,BTE,PSEC,AINV. I dont know how much bucks you got, but stick equal amount in each take the month dividend, buy some more of one and repeat. Its a medium risk strategy, so see if you feel ok with it, then maybe look for some sexier tech growth stocks. Good for you to think about some finance, ---Good luck - its a jungle out there Edited January 6, 2011 by mello dude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|SnOmAn| Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 Roth IRAs are great if you know you want to save for retirement. However, if youve got a relatively small amount of money youre not sure you know what to do with, jumping in a Roth IRA probably isnt a good idea. Sounds like the OP just wants to make a few extra bucks and maybe have access to in the future (an option he would be penalized for with a roth IRA).Reason for saying Roth IRA is because it should be the first thing to invest in. Don't go out there thinking you can beat the market with no knowledge. I have been putting away in a Roth for 5 years now, but we are not putting a lot in it as of right now. I am sure we put more in it then most people our age, and it is not a lot. I have it come out like a monthly bill, just like shitty said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ohdaho Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 Reason for saying Roth IRA is because it should be the first thing to invest in. Don't go out there thinking you can beat the market with no knowledge. I have been putting away in a Roth for 5 years now, but we are not putting a lot in it as of right now. I am sure we put more in it then most people our age, and it is not a lot. I have it come out like a monthly bill, just like shitty said.I wouldnt say first. Its definitely a good idea, but if hes not sure he wants to invest his money and jumps into an IRA...he's fucked with penalties if he decides to pull his money 5 years down the road. Good on you for putting something into an IRA. Something is better than nothing, and it all adds up in the end. Im extremely risky with my investments. Most of my success has been in biotechs. Everyone has a different investment strategy...its trying to find the right one for your goals thats tough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWing'R Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 open a sharebuilder.com account and pick an ETF or two There is an ETF I've been wanting to invest in, I'll have to look it up later but it includes all the large telecom companies, think it had Verizon, Sprint, At&T and some others. I'll post the ticker symbol later when I figure out what it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shittygsxr Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 There is an ETF I've been wanting to invest in' date=' I'll have to look it up later but it includes all the large telecom companies, think it had Verizon, Sprint, At&T and some others. I'll post the ticker symbol later when I figure out what it is.[/quote']unfortunately the number of ETF (tracker funds) has gotten out of control and the choices are getting overwhelming. Basic ones like QQQQ , SPY and DIA are a good place to start and then branch to a Utility, telecom or dividend focused tracker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hue jass Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 Nothing's really making any money right now. You have a little bit of money and you want to put it somewhere to get it going. You don't have enough for real estate. Roth IRA is always the first stop. The theme of the Roth is - put it here and leave it here, contribute as much as you can as soon as you can and let it sit. Don't worry too much if it drops a bit, or even a lot. Just leave it alone and by the time you're ready to pull, it's grown.Gold is good, everyone should have some. If you treat it like a Roth and leave it alone, it will grow nicely. Just look at where gold is now and where it was, say 40 years ago. Nice gain. Gold goes up and down with the dollar. When the dollar's down, gold is up and vise versa. So, gold is a bet on the down and Roth is a bet on the up. Diversify. These are two that you can get into that don't require you to have a huge amount to start with. Both are long term investments that will gain in the end.Real estate is good if you buy a property to rent out. Houses do not appreciate. You need the property to pay you. If you live in it, you pay it - a lot. Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWing'R Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 (edited) Here is the one I was talking about, check out the names included in it...http://www.sharebuilder.com/sharebuilder/Research/MarketUpdate/GetQuote.aspx?symbol=IYZBTW, if anyone is going to open a SB account, use this link and you'll get $25 in the account for free,and I earn possible free trades for referring you. Edited January 6, 2011 by SWing'R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jst2fst Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 Guns and ammo are the currency of the future.Im kidding, but really.The way things are starting to look I'm not gonna doubt that consensus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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