Thread: Investing Advice

I know that a lot of people here at TTP are older than me and have more life experience, so that is why I come here to ask about problems instead of going to a bunch of my looser friends. So here is my problem/question this time:
I would really like to begin investing in stocks/bonds/etc. (basically whatever you invest in and can give advice about) and would like to do it online myself without paying some accountant or financial person an insane percentage. I would like to learn how to invest online and what I should invest in. If you have any information or tips please post here and let me know. I promise that if I become a millionaire (which I really don't anticipate happening, but I can dream, can't I?) you will get a piece of the pie.

Originally Posted by asianator365

I know that a lot of people here at TTP are older than me and have more life experience, so that is why I come here to ask about problems instead of going to a bunch of my looser friends. So here is my problem/question this time:
I would really like to begin investing in stocks/bonds/etc. (basically whatever you invest in and can give advice about) and would like to do it online myself without paying some accountant or financial person an insane percentage. I would like to learn how to invest online and what I should invest in. If you have any information or tips please post here and let me know. I promise that if I become a millionaire (which I really don't anticipate happening, but I can dream, can't I?) you will get a piece of the pie.

I am interested as well, I remember ranger mildly told me about blue chip stalks...

mutual funds...let guys that know what theyre doing do it for you... :P

a downside to mutual funds though are that sometimes the initial investments arent always cheap.

Originally Posted by asianator365

I know that a lot of people here at TTP are older than me and have more life experience, so that is why I come here to ask about problems instead of going to a bunch of my looser friends. So here is my problem/question this time:
I would really like to begin investing in stocks/bonds/etc. (basically whatever you invest in and can give advice about) and would like to do it online myself without paying some accountant or financial person an insane percentage. I would like to learn how to invest online and what I should invest in. If you have any information or tips please post here and let me know. I promise that if I become a millionaire (which I really don't anticipate happening, but I can dream, can't I?) you will get a piece of the pie.

I work at a bank and help people trade billions (yes with a B) of stocks and funds each and every day. Long story short for you man...there is no good advice or stock tips to get...from anywhere. Think of it this way. Let's say I own 500 shares of ABC company that I paid out like 50 bucks a share for. Rumors start to circle around that ABC company's CEO may be coming up for an investigation into creative accounting practices. Those investors that have heard this information start to jump ship and the stock tanks...its only worth like 3 bucks per share now. You come in here and ask for a stock tip. I say, hey ABC company is awesome, you should buy some of that and it is only 3 bucks a share. You go and buy a shitload of ABC company stock because it is so cheap and you got a "tip". You share your awesome tip with friends, family and any other fellow investors that you know, the price climbs back up. I sell my shares before everyone figures out the company is going under. I make my money back and then some and you are left sticky, broke and confused.

The ONLY way to get trustworthy investment advice is to follow the news, wsj.com is the best source for investments really, click on Markets on the left hand side and check the headlines, daily. Monitor what interests you for a while and when you see something that is pretty steady buy a small amount and build up from there.

How do you buy it? What do you do?

Go open an account with an online brokerage firm or work with an investment officer at your bank. My advice would be to work with the investment officer for a year or two until you get your feet wet, then open an online account and play around a little. Once you get comfortable with it and have an eye for the way things are most likely going to turn out, trust your gut and buy. Next thing you know you will be here in Omaha kicking it with Warren Buffet and Bill Gates. Best of luck man.

OK... here is the advice that will truly help you retire with some cushion.

Start investing now. My question is, do you have a job?, then does your job have a 401K program? If yes to either than start adding the matching amount to your retirement fund IMMEDIATELY. If your job has a 401k matching program, that is YOUR money that they are not paying you because you are not putting in. 6% of you income can seriously add up and I will prove it to you.

My wife has worked for 1.5 years at around 33,000 gross. not that much but with only 6% taken out over 1.5 years she has saved 3300, and with the company match that just started in January its 4000. in 10 years with cost of living and raise increases and roll-over investments from your 401k, you are talking about 60,000 easy. In 30 its 250.000. A quarter million, just sitting their, not including SS or retirement directly from your employer.

That is the key, start now. Unless you have a decent amount of money or get lucky, putting a couple hundred dollars into stocks is going to do nothing for your future, but setting up a monthly amount that is automatically taken out can mean the difference between retirement and working as a Walmart greeter when you are 75.

If you chose this another word of advice. Get involved in your retirement fund. Its all online and set it up like this. All pre-tax, because you save money that way, and set it up to be invested in 25% Bonds and 75% in a high yield high risk stock, i usually go with the international because it usually has the highest rate of return. But every 401k program has different sets of stocks to chose from so do a little research. When you get older you can move it all into the more safe bond stocks but for now it is OK to take the risk and use the high risk options.

I would agree with sacred on this one. If your company has a 401K, get into it. It will be worth your time and once you are vested it is yours, all of it. I have been with my company for almost 20 years and have been investing in my 401K for about 15 of that and let me just say it is well into the 6 figures right now. Most of the investment options are mutuals. Have balance, but the younger you are the more agressive you can be. Also don't do a lump investment. Have it spread out with each paycheck. That way you can take advantage of the lows and the highs. If you do a lump you are stuck at the price you paid on that date with no ability to buy when it is low.

Originally Posted by w4jchosen

I would agree with sacred on this one. If your company has a 401K, get into it. It will be worth your time and once you are vested it is yours, all of it. I have been with my company for almost 20 years and have been investing in my 401K for about 15 of that and let me just say it is well into the 6 figures right now. Most of the investment options are mutuals. Have balance, but the younger you are the more agressive you can be. Also don't do a lump investment. Have it spread out with each paycheck. That way you can take advantage of the lows and the highs. If you do a lump you are stuck at the price you paid on that date with no ability to buy when it is low.

Good advice...start putting it away NOW...I would not advise watching the market, but do put it away...yes you can be more aggressive the younger you are...but don't put 100% into something more risky such as stocks...

If your company does a match, put away enough to take advantage of their maximum match...there's nothing like free money...

Stay there if at all possible till you're vested...

And NEVER cash out...there are penalties on top of regular taxes to pay if you do...

Start a IRA or a 401k ASAP.