Why did you become an investor/trader etc?

I was wondering today the reasons people get into investments and stocks, tell me about your personal experience,

1.- where did you learn?
2.- do you read investment books? which ones?
3.-who inspired you?
4.- are you doing ok? or are you totally broke?

1. I first started to learn from my dad (used to be a stock broker). I have learned more from articles online.
2. No, but I get the info from online
3. Dad and Grandfather
4. I would say I'm doing well. I'm 15 years old and well on my way to a financially successful life. I have stocks of my own, I have a part-time job, and I'm saving a lot more than I'm spending.

Started seriously saving money in 1986. Only invested in CDs until 1996 and then started with Mutual Funds. Opened up brokerage account in 1997 and started investing in stocks too. Then everyone "thought they knew" it all including me, because everything I touched turned to profit....Then came the bear market of 2000-2003. I lost 65% of all my profits/money (paper loss)...I didn't sell anything ...I continued to buy more and held on.....Now, that bull market is back , I am back in the money and doing very well.....The best thing that could have happened to me was the bear market. It humbled me and taught me the dynamics of investing. I am not afraid of the market anymore and am especially not afraid to take a profit when needed. I also am more diversified now...... The next bear will happen....sooner or later....be prepared.

Invest when you have enough to cover all of your immediate living expenses. If you do, then:

1) start reading all you can about finance, loans, stocks, mutal funds, etc.; from books, friends, co-workers, internet, etc.
2) investment books are one step higher and discuss advanced methods to increase large sums of money ($100k+). stick with the basics first (back to 1).
3) who inspires us all? material goods, friends, family, etc.; find/use anything to inspire you to save, learn, and invest. maybe a car (bmw), a huge 6 bedroom house, a beautiful girl, etc.
4) i try to pour my money to 2 - 3 of my best stock picks. go for a duration of about 3-9 months and pull my profits. take these profits and re-invest into new stocks. doing pretty well.