Best way to get started investing $$ ?

[Barnaby W. Füi]

CDs? Bonds? I don't really know, but I have started saving money, and I figure I should do something with it instead of it sitting in my room

Say, $500 or so to start.

 

[PsychoAndy]

Long term or short?

 

[Sluggo]

Do lots of reading and studying, decide how big of a risk you are willing to take.

Jump in.

 

[Steve819]

Try here

I'd invest in a good savings bond until you can figure out where you want to place your money.

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

PsychoAndy: Long term, assuming I don't run into any sort of financial crisis, this theoretically will be the start of the money I will use to retire.

/me bookmarks fool.com

 

[fatbaby]

just pour it all in gold

 

[PsychoAndy]

Originally posted by: BingBongWongFooey
PsychoAndy: Long term, assuming I don't run into any sort of financial crisis, this theoretically will be the start of the money I will use to retire.

/me bookmarks fool.com

Set up a Roth IRA. Bonds are way too conservative.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

I dunno about CDs... I just download mp3s.



:Q

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis
I dunno about CDs... I just download mp3s.



:Q

Me too, that's how I actually have money to save

edit: 6000 posts, damn :Q

 

[AnyMal]

Originally posted by: PsychoAndy

Originally posted by: BingBongWongFooey
PsychoAndy: Long term, assuming I don't run into any sort of financial crisis, this theoretically will be the start of the money I will use to retire.

/me bookmarks fool.com

Set up a Roth IRA. Bonds are way too conservative.

I agree, go with Roth IRA. You are limited on contribution but earning interest tax-free is damn nice!

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

lunchtime bizzump

 

[MrBond]

Pick up a copy of this book. I got it a few years ago, but only now do I have some cash for investing. It explains all the major types and their pitfalls/potential.

A very good read, I highly reccomend it.

 

[stockjock]

Go and setup a Roth IRA and buy yourself a good long term growth fund like Americas Fund' Investment Company of America. Managers have been around for a long time and it has a good long term track record.

Just an idea

 

[Salvador]

I've got a great investment for you. Get a hold of me and I'll give you the address on where to send the money and who to make the check out to.

I'd think that stocks might be a good choice at the moment. The economy is down, which means that hopefully, it can only go up from here. I'm no big invester though, so don't listen to my advice.

Sal

 

[Wolverine27]

Diversify, diversify, and diversify. Determine what your time horizon is and your level of risk tolerance. If you're just starting, I'd recommend opening a savings account...look into INGDirect.com They are currently offering 2.2% interest, no fees, online money transfers, and no account minimums. They'll give you $25 to open an account through a referral also.

Once you start saving more money, you can start thinking about investing in other vehicles such as stocks or bonds. Mutual funds might be a good place for you to start. After you become more comfortable, you can look into online trading of individual stocks. As others have mentioned, go buy a book or find a financial website such as fool.com and learn as much as you can on your own. Don't take investment advice from anyone without researching it yourself...you only have yourself to blame if you lose money. And never ever risk money that you can't afford to lose. I.e. don't risk money that puts food on the table or pays the bills.

Good luck!