Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Painless Investing Strategies For Beginners

By Harold Glisson


People want their money to work for them instead of working for money, especially these days. Corporate downsizing and self-employment are increasing daily and people are starting to realize that government and corporate retirement funds may not be there in the future. Fortunately there are alternative ways to ensure that you can retire in comfort. Investing for beginners can be simple.

One investing option is real estate; however, it is expensive to get started and will require a big down payment of 10% or more of the purchase price. If you decide to fix it up and sell it, or 'flip' it, you could quickly go over budget and not receive the return you wanted. If you deal with tenants, it can be difficult if they keep calling you to fix various things like the furnace, plumbing, etc. It is also very difficult to evict them.

Stocks offer a much more viable investment, as it doesn't require a lot of capital, and if you choose wisely, can offer you a stable and predictable income. You can choose to hire a stockbroker to make informed choices for you, or you can choose to make your own stock choices. If you hire someone, be aware that they will take a fee out of your profits.

You will save money if you invest in stocks that you choose yourself. If it seems a little intimidating, don't worry. With some knowledge and education, it doesn't have to be. Anyone can learn to invest in stocks and become successful at it.

A good first step is to buy some books on the subject, written by accomplished investors. Warren Buffet is a leader in the investment world and he has written many how-to books including tips and strategies on how to make stock investing a lucrative venture. Peter Lynch, Derek Foster and David Chilton have also written books on the subject that are easy to read and understand.

Once you've read some books, you will want to conduct your own research. Pick some companies that you are interested in and look them up on the Internet. Learn more about their business and what they do, who their customers are and what their yearly earnings are. If you can't find enough information on the website, contact them and ask them directly.

Once you have decided on a few companies to invest in, the next step is to put some 'fake' money into it. This means either trade on paper for a month or so to see how it does, or you can open a trial account online. This way, there is no risk with your own capital and you will get a feel for how the stock market really works. Trial accounts online will also give you tips and strategies and education on how best to choose and trade your stocks.

Now that you have a good idea of how to trade, what companies to look for and how you make money, you are ready to invest with your own funds. If you are still a bit nervous, start with a small amount until you become more comfortable with the process. Soon you will have a diverse portfolio and you will be at ease knowing your retirement fund is growing. Investment for beginners is not that difficult at all.




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