Anyone play the financial markets here? I'm keen to get started - help appreciated

[Newbie 0]

Guys i want to try and plan for the future a little and invest in equities. I have always wanted to do it, but never really got around to it. I'm now determined to try and set aside £100-200/month (about $200-300) to invest.

I have always followed the financial news and the markets from the sidelines, but never specific companies really, unless i happen across reading about them in a story. I never have spent time looking for "tips" or anything like that, but i have started reading the FT, WSJ (online) and Investors Chronicle.

I'm wanting to get in and make some long plays and just ease myself into it and basically not get burnt. If anyone here can help me out in any way - advice, websites, stories about your own experiences etc - i would massively appreciate it.

Although the amount of cash i'm looking to expose each month is pretty small by most standards, it actually represents quite a lot to me and i really want to put this money to good use rather than fritter it away.

I have ordered a copy of the Naked Trader, by Robbie Burns which came recommended, and am reading Rob Schillers "Irrational Exurberance" to help keep me grounded and to give me some history.

Many thanks to anyone that can help me out!

"Skydiving is a door"
Happythoughts

[Sockpuppet 0]

1st Rule: Dont invest anything you are not willing to lose.

I'd get a personal investments advisor who will take this money and invest if for you. Probably a better bet if you are starting out.

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Two of the three voices in my head agree with you. It might actually be unanimous but voice three only speaks Welsh.

[The111 1]

Trying to "beat the market" is gambling, unless you have some information that most don't have. And by definition, "information that most don't have" will not come from a book, magazine, spam email, or cracker jack box.

Invest your money in a market index fund. Getting rich slow is much easier (and common) than getting rich quick, and less of a headache. My opinion. Of course, I'm not rich yet, but I'm also still very young, so I've got plenty of time.

The term "playing the market" is the exact opposite of "planning for the future," in my opinion. Do you really want to plan your future around a game?

www.WingsuitPhotos.com

[Duckwater 0]

Read Rich Dad Poor Dad 10 times before you do anything.

Cash flow is King.

Stocks are bad for several reasons...High Risk, Short Term Capital Gains Tax (40% or so),,,,,

Buy a Walgreens Building and Lease it to them for 50 years...

[The111 1]

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Read Rich Dad Poor Dad 10 times before you do anything.

I've read it a few times, it was the first investing book I got.

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Cash flow is King.

Cash flow is actually my goal. But I don't have the means to start right now (and a Walgreens building is certainly out of my league ), nor is the market at this moment conducive to purchasing for cash flow - though I predict it will be within 5 years or so. "Irrational exuberance" is an even better definition of the real estate market in the few years AFTER that book was written. Cash flow is king, but only if you can afford it. There are many people today with condos on their hands that they CANNOT cash flow, because of their irrational exuberance going into the purchase.

The RE book which interests me most right now is Deals on Wheels by Lonnie Scruggs, someone who quit the cashflow business (notice I said business, not game) after 30 years to buy cheap mobile homes and sell high interest notes on them. Until I can afford a Walgreens building, I think Lonnie's method may be a good one. I'm young and need to start somewhere.

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Stocks are bad for several reasons...High Risk, Short Term Capital Gains Tax (40% or so),,,,,

The only thing I am putting in stocks is my 401k, and the only reason I'm doing that is because of the match from my employer, which is a huge bonus.

www.WingsuitPhotos.com