As stock prices have plummeted during the past 18 months, not everyone just held
on and took the pain. Many people sold their stocks, and stashed the money into
savings accounts and CDs. So, there's a bit of a bubble THERE too now. So, don't
have too much of your savings in one area. Slowly spread it out between savings
accounts/CDs, stocks, precious metals, real estate... There are plenty of places
to put money besides banks and stock markets. Take advantage of them all, at the
opportune times.

Won't hesitate to share with you the idea and understanding that handling your
money is a lot like education - it is forever as well as a way of life.

Of the earnings you take in, x% would go towards your retirement account first
and then y% to your personal portfolio.

As for addressing the issue of your personal portfolio, consider an investment
plan as provided by M Riepe/CFA....

http://www.stockpickr.com/members/blog/5426/

The outline provided is just that, an outline which you can tweak along your
life's journey. The most challenging part, though rewarding and enjoyable
aspect, is developing your personal, specific strategy/plan of investing (or
trading).

You can do better in the casino then in the stock market!!!Put your money under
the mattress or go on vacation-spend it-have a good time!!If you don"t have
money,Obama is going to take care of your problems!!! No longer pays to work and
save!!!

The goodness here is that you waited until now to start. You didn't suffer the
fat most of us did. If you do start now, go slowly. Don't get in all at once.
That way you can average your gains or losses.

well, im not going to suggest a strategy because thats based on the individual.


i will say there is much reading required. i would advise **at least** three
books, but three separate authors. ideally, people who disagree. I say this
because you want different perspectives.

i could tell you to buy an index fund to track the major averages, to pick 6
companies that you know and have a feel for, to trade pork belly futures on a 5
minute chart.

all of it is useless unless you know what you want. unless you know yourself
(and the stock market is an expensive place to find out if you dont know. but it
will teach you)

I do like the paper trading recommendation. though ive always found people
respect it more AFTER theyve traded and know what it feels like to make and lose
money based on their 'intelligent' decisions.

so maybe start off with $500-$1000, and just get a feel for it. then do some
paper trading. youll make mistakes, probably every one of them. but thats just
part of it.

reminiscences of a stock operator is a must read for me. i come back to it again
and again. its like a favorate drink. i dont get tired of it.

the bloomberg bookstore is a good place to get started as well.

i agree with the answer below and would add that while you sit in savings and
possible index on a long term future(understanding that the index could drop
another 30% this year) you take the time to start learning about the stock
market reading books, blogs, financial news, etc. Then start a paper account
where you just invest/trade with a set amount of money you would invest into the
stock and see how you do testing out strategies in preparation for the time when
you do actually become comfortable moving into the market

CD's. Definitely NOT in the stock market. If anything you do this. Say you
have 10,000$ saved.

Put 500 into the S&P 500 index fund this month.

another 500 next month. You dollar cost average. You will hear the argument
stocks are cheap, etc. Yea well stocks can hurt you a ton still.

Save your money in CD's or over the course of a couple of years enter the
market.

DO not be herioc and put it all in at once. if your looking to use the money 25
to 40 years from now, the warren buffet way, then yea the market looks good. 5
years out? better to be in cd's