Thread: Any investors?

Bring on the books! It took me forever to find one that went over the fundamentals of stocks and bonds without all the get rich bs that so many are full of. It is immensely helpful to have someone who's already read them and knows which are worth the time and which aren't.

I also have a degree in finance. I have been involved with ordinary equity sort investing. Rule one is 1: Education ain't free. Rule two is get some education. Go read ten books on investing in the manor or subject that is interesting to you. After that you will make good choices and will pursue the sort of investing you are interested in. Investing usually takes some of YOUR money. Save! If you cant live on a budget and save you may be pressed to be a good investor. Capital preservation is Rule 3. That is what I can contribute to the conversation, as broad as it is. Also, clear your mind of these infomercials on TV and try to stay away from the network finance shows for a while. Do some reading...

I don't have the finances to invest as of yet, but my pretend ports are doing quite well.

Read a lot of the motley fool before creating that fake port. but first as said earlier I want to pay off the CCs before I put real money in.

I've done well in the market. But not quickly, and not without temporary setbacks. And I don't have a finance degree, just some wise parents and grandparents that gave good lessons (learned in the depression) by example.
Time is your friend, combined with compounded annual growth, reinvesting tax deferred in a 401K and/or self-directed IRA. Even starting small will result in a very nice nest egg over 40 years if you invest 50% of salary increases and bonus rather than spend them. Add a monthly or bi-weekly automatic investment of at least your employer's matching percent (free money) and forget the daily movement in the market. Rebalance annually taking profits and moving them to another investment. Make sure you have good diversity and don't invest in anything you don't understand or does not make good common sense.
Watch the expense ratios on mutual funds, use dollar cost averaging, and look at the long term. It's not how much you make, it's how much you save and wisely invest that will determine what your net worth will become. Basic stuff.
And remember, there is room in the market for bulls and bears, but not pigs. No tree grows to the sky. The house always wins, you have to be willing to stick it out.

Originally Posted by Quick Orange

Bring on the books! It took me forever to find one that went over the fundamentals of stocks and bonds without all the get rich bs that so many are full of. It is immensely helpful to have someone who's already read them and knows which are worth the time and which aren't.

If you are motivated to follow the path that Warren Buffet took (Buffet actually offered to work for Graham for free just so that he could learn about investing) and learn from the best than you need to at least read this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Intelligent-In...8925545&sr=8-1

I have read many books on investing and securities and this one is by far and away the best (and most challenging) It is a tough read with no "get rich quick" B.S. but it will teach you the fundamentals. Another classic which I have not yet read (studying for the CPA exams takes all my reading time right now) is this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Security-Analy..._sim_b_title_4

Investing is tough and if you only have partial information then you will get hurt. Just like with dieting, there are no "get rich quick methods".

Originally Posted by Hawkeye5

I've done well in the market. But not quickly, and not without temporary setbacks. And I don't have a finance degree, just some wise parents and grandparents that gave good lessons (learned in the depression) by example.
Time is your friend, combined with compounded annual growth, reinvesting tax deferred in a 401K and/or self-directed IRA. Even starting small will result in a very nice nest egg over 40 years if you invest 50% of salary increases and bonus rather than spend them. Add a monthly or bi-weekly automatic investment of at least your employer's matching percent (free money) and forget the daily movement in the market. Rebalance annually taking profits and moving them to another investment. Make sure you have good diversity and don't invest in anything you don't understand or does not make good common sense.
Watch the expense ratios on mutual funds, use dollar cost averaging, and look at the long term. It's not how much you make, it's how much you save and wisely invest that will determine what your net worth will become. Basic stuff.
And remember, there is room in the market for bulls and bears, but not pigs. No tree grows to the sky. The house always wins, you have to be willing to stick it out.

Good advice

Take a look at quickenonline.com It is cheap to use ($2.99 a month) and will give you a good view of how you spend your money. Once you know how money comes into your life and how it goes out you can start making decisions to help you save more.

If you don't have a 401k or your employer does not match look into an IRA setup with a low fee market index account (Vanguard). It may be a long time until you can get your money back out but it is a good way to get started.

SAVE SAVE SAVE!!! Money- there is never enough no matter how much you make. The goal to freedom is learning how to spend less and enjoy what you do spend more.

Originally Posted by Quick Orange

Besides that, I just want to understand what in the heck is going on in the world.

Please let us know when you find out what's going on...

That should have have said that I want to know what's going on in the world of investing, but I'll still work on the world in general

Originally Posted by Kees

Always distrust a Vegas man offering help in financial matters. He'll take you to the casino and bankrupt you.

I presently reside in Vegas, but I could have asked the same being located anywhere in the world.