Stocks

[sanitygone]

My mother and I are looking into getting stocks in a few company's. I would like to know if anyone has an idea of how people go by buying stocks.

Also

I am searching this now, so don't think I'm asking this because I don't want to do it myself.

[Lutenit_chihuahua]

my grandparents got me some stocks in McDonalds I think u go to ur bank and thats where u set all that stuff up

[DemonicUnicorn2]

you simply need to find someone who does investments. they have to have a federal securities license. you can go to your bank or search online to find the trading name of the stock you are looking for, if there is one in particular.

and i suggest you look into mutual funds, they are a safer alternative to investing. i do personal finances and have seen clients who made stock mistakes in the past.

[Devildog]

You need a financial advisor. There are many out there and most banks have them as well. Keep in mind 2 things with stocks. You have to look at the long term on them. You do NOT look at their performance in the last 36 months. You want to look at the last 8 to 10 year performance to get a good idea of that stock. 2) Buy when stocks are low and people are selling and sell when they are high when people are buying. It sounds simple but you would be amazed. Another thing I do sometimes is get a CD. You can get them for different periods of time and percentages. Another thing you can do. If you get 610 Wtvn AM radio, they have a radio show called the Mutual Fund show at noon on Saturday, I suggest you tune in.

[Noel911]

Enron (if you still can) ;). I would say apple (the computer company) would be a good investment.

[TheBanker]

I recommend Vanguard. I've had my money with them for the past 10 years, and I am nothing but pleased. Plus, their expense ratios are MUCH lower than most other brokerage firms.

If you want to get stock, then you should first set up a money market account first, with whatever brokerage firm you go with. Think of this as a temporary holding account (that earns ~5%). Keep your money in there until you feel the time is right to buy into a company.

If you've never messed with stocks before, I recommend starting with mutual funds. You can still make a good ROI (Return on Investment), and you won't have to live with the potential rollercoaster of losses/gains that come with individual stocks. If you do go with a mutual fund,

1. In the Long-term (10+ years), Index funds almost ALWAYS out-perform managed funds (so go with index funds).

2. Make sure you know what the expense ratio is. This is the fee you'll pay for holding that fund. 1.2% is fairly average from what I've seen, but Vanguard is usually much lower. Most of my funds charge 0.20%. It might not seem like a big difference, but 1% is 1%...

3. For mutual funds, Bob Brinker really knows his stuff, and by the way, Vanguard funds fill about half of Brinker's list of favorite funds.

4. Past performance is not a guarantee of future gains!

[Locutus]

I recommend you seek financial advise from a financial expert and not on an airsoft forum.

[TheBanker]

I recommend you seek financial advise from a financial expert and not on an airsoft forum.

The best advice yet!

[DemonicUnicorn2]

a little history on mutual funds

they have averaged just slightly under 12% rate of return since the late '20s. that is all mutual funds, not just a few, or the elite.

dont have to be 'managed' like a regular stock would, meaning you dont have to look at the paper every day and decide when its time to pull out your money, or push more in.(like it was stated, put more in when the prices drop. the market has never hit zero and never will so you're almost guaranteed it will go back up)

and my last bit of advise is to diversify between domestic and international funds/ stocks. right now China, Mexico, and India's economies are booming while the U.S. is doing decent.