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birger · 11-08-2006, 11:24 AM

My first advice about the stock market, or any other investment involving risks is don't try it if you can't afford to loose the money! If you get a bad stomack and a headache when your stocks go down 50%, don't do it!
Nothing is worth risking your health for.

I started out much like you did, read on and off about stocks for a year, and then decided to dive head first in it. I put around $1500 in my trading account, and invested in one company. I'm speaking about the norwegian stock exchange here, but I guess it's pretty similiar over there.

At the stock exchange the broker is responsible for selling and buying stocks, and all stocks are realized in "round lots", wich are roughly equal to $1500 (it may well be $1000 in USA, but the same logic applies) worth of stocks. These are generally easier to realize than bying in "odd lots", some brokers don't even bother to sell or buy "odd lots"... So my second advice is to stay with "round lots." I'm not sure what 45 days of free trading equals, but usually there's a fee when you buy and sell. So you may buy lot of "free" $100 lots now, but you'll have to pay a fee if you sell them after 45 days I guess?

Over the last two years my trading accounts value has increased something around 22% annually. You may be lucky and find a fund that gives you better ROI and less risk, but it sure beats the bank, and it's way more exciting!

And last but not least, I wish you good luck toasterwater, I look forward to seeing how things progresses for you!

11-08-2006, 11:24 AM	#23 (permalink)
birger Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Norway Posts: 26	My experience and a couple of advices My first advice about the stock market, or any other investment involving risks is don't try it if you can't afford to loose the money! If you get a bad stomack and a headache when your stocks go down 50%, don't do it! Nothing is worth risking your health for. I started out much like you did, read on and off about stocks for a year, and then decided to dive head first in it. I put around $1500 in my trading account, and invested in one company. I'm speaking about the norwegian stock exchange here, but I guess it's pretty similiar over there. At the stock exchange the broker is responsible for selling and buying stocks, and all stocks are realized in "round lots", wich are roughly equal to $1500 (it may well be $1000 in USA, but the same logic applies) worth of stocks. These are generally easier to realize than bying in "odd lots", some brokers don't even bother to sell or buy "odd lots"... So my second advice is to stay with "round lots." I'm not sure what 45 days of free trading equals, but usually there's a fee when you buy and sell. So you may buy lot of "free" $100 lots now, but you'll have to pay a fee if you sell them after 45 days I guess? Over the last two years my trading accounts value has increased something around 22% annually. You may be lucky and find a fund that gives you better ROI and less risk, but it sure beats the bank, and it's way more exciting! And last but not least, I wish you good luck toasterwater, I look forward to seeing how things progresses for you!