Is it a bad idea to invest in stocks right now with the economy the way it is?

I am talking about long term investments. I am 31 and my husband is 32.

We are considering Franklin Templeton Investments. We will be leaving 75% of our money in a CD. CD rates are very very low right now.

sure, just don't put all your money in stocks

spread it around to other investments.

and of course you should be funding an IRA account and taking advantage of any 401K or savings plans your employer offers.

any time your can get your company to match your investments or take money out b4 taxes that is a bonus.

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It is a good opportunity for long-term investing in quality stock or low-cost mutual funds.

Actually, it's probably the best time to invest because you can buy very low at the moment and they should go up. They cant drop much more. I'd say go for it .

it is actually a good idea to invest now, provided you're in a longer term time horizon. there could be more downside coming but some high quality stocks have taken severe beatings and represent good value.

If you're looking into long-term investments, you might prefer to purchase Certificates of Deposit or bonds from your bank or credit union. If you plan on investing money and not needing to withdraw it in case of emergency, I highly suggest a CD with a decent interest rate. Both options are a lot safer than the stock market. If you're still interested in stocks, I would go with Blue Chip or the very safe mutual funds.

Well what my family is doing is putting stock into things people will always need. Like medicine , food, And tobacco .

Because people won't stop smoking you know?

An people Need food and medication .
The name of the new medication were investing in I forgot.
Sorry, hope i helped .

Try something you know people will need in the future, buy low sell high. It's good to buy now... but your taking a risk ... but I'd reccomend you try places with new innovations out or scoming out soon. Because the future's gonna need that. and money value will be m ore for those stocks later on. If this fails... then I'm sorry

No it's not a bad idea but you need to be extra careful about it. Those companies that survive the current shakeout will end up being the growth stock of tomorrow.

One piece of advice I like is invest in things you either know something about or are products you personally like.

What kind of stock(s) are you looking to invest in?
This makes all of the difference in whether it is a yes, or a no.

If you can locate a company, or a sector that is sitting in an optimal situation and ready to make good profits over the next [set of time].... Then, yes, it is always a good idea to invest in them. If not, then no, it is never a good idea to invest in them.

Lots of people bought into the invest for the long haul, and mutual funds are wonderful and they ALWAYS make money.

That is a truckload of @#$$%!

Alot of good people lost alot of money by following that strategy.

If you cannot locate a sector or a company that is about to boom (and most of us cannot) then pay down your DEBT!!!

The single most effective way for most people to increase their worth is by reducing their debt. Pay off the credit cards, pay off the car loans, pay off the seond mortgage, start making bi-weekly payments on your home mortgage, put together a "slush fund" for emergencies, etc...

Remember - the great depression - lots of people borrowed money to invest in the wonderful stock market and things turned sour. When we owe money on credit cards and cars and invest in the stock market, we are essentially doing the same thing.

Enjoy the ride!

Right now, companies are decided to admit to yearly losses to repair any padding of the books they have done (aka Enron type actions) over the years to unjustly inflate their stock prices so that directors got bonuses & stock holders got dividends. Therefore, stock prices will continue to drop as they are corrected to where they should actually be.
Investing right now is like flushing it down the toilet.

Wait at least 6 months. Stocks will continue to fall. Watch the Dow. When it drops to around 11,000, that ought to be the bottom, unless we end up in another Great Depression.

It'll be at least 6 years before the Dow gets back to Dec 2007 level. And then, due to inflation, your money won't be worth any more than it is now.

Anyone that tells you to buy now is out of their mind. Buying low is not a problem, but you will DEFINITELY be able to buy lower later this year. We are in a bear market. Most people in the financial world know this, but for them to make money they have to sound bullish by saying "buy low". Ignore them and wait a little longer. This financial mess is nowhere close to being over.

I like to recommend DRIP Plans as an inexpensive, yet powerful way for individuals to build wealth.

They are seldom recommended by brokers due to the low rate of commissions received. However, these
reinvestment plans can be very powerful long-term investments. Studies have shown that DRIP's are one of
the best strategies on Wall Street.

They are inexpensive and easy to start. New investors to the stock market should definitely consider a DRIP Plan.

Companies like Toyota, Royal Canadian Bank, Sony, Bank of America, General Electric and many other Blue Chip
Stocks can be purchased through your DRIP Plan, with as little as 1 share in most cases.

These long-term plans are great for beginners as well as veterans. Check them out.

Best of Luck