How do I get started with stocks? Or any one time growing investments?

I've got some extra money and want to let it grow somewhere! It's not a whole bunch, but it could have potential!

I suggest you to open a brokerage account in Scottrade (I asume you have less than $2,000)

If you have more than $2,000.00 you can drop me a line to suggest you a better broker for you.

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short answer-- call Merril Lynch, Schwab, or whoever you prefer, tell them you want to open an account. they will assign you a broker. send in money. call broker, ask his advice, instruct him to buy you XXX shares of XYZ Corp @$XXX per share.

best answer-- for now, put your money in a savings account. then educate yourself, take investing courses if they are available. read books about investing. learn the terminology. watch financial networks on TV. read Wall St Journal. talk to friends, preferrably age 40+, about it. then do the short answer part. also, invest for long term, do not expect quick riches, be patient, divirsify, begin with safe stocks.

I'll point you in the right direction, but you need to do your own research. Unless you have an awful lot of money to invest, mutual funds are the only way to go. If you invest in single stocks, the transaction costs are terrible.

I say open a share builder account if you have less than 10k, if more than 10k open a Schwab one account.
More than 50K you might consider an Account at Brown & co. they have some of the best research tools.

Start with a couple of mutual funds. I would suggest Vanguard.

https://flagship4.vanguard.com/VGApp/hnw...

First, I would make sure you have at least 3 months salary saved up in the bank or in a money market fund for an emergency fund. Financial disasters like getting layed off or sick happen to all of us.

Second, I would pay off all high interest debt. Pay off everything you can except the house mortgageand student loans. Paying off debt is one of the best investments you can make. You will have more money in the future because you won't have credit card bills to pay.

Third, if you have money left, start investing in stocks, bonds, and money market funds. You want to buy a diversified portfolio of stocks, as individual stocks are too risky. For most folks this means buying mutual funds. I like Vanguard.com, other people like Fidelity, TIAA-CREF, and DFA. Buy no-load, low cost funds. If you are like most people you will invest part of your money conservatively, in money market funds and bond funds, and part aggressively in stock funds. Vanguard.com has an on-line questionnaire which will give you an idea how aggressive you want to be.

Investing in a mutual fund IRA for retirement may give you an income tax break. Talk to your tax adviser. You may also be able to invest in a stock mutual fund via a 401K plan at work.

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