Long-term Investment Strategies For Beginners

By Harold Glisson


People want their money to work for them instead of working for money, especially these days. Corporate downsizing and self-employment are increasing daily and people are starting to realize that government and corporate retirement funds may not be there in the future. Fortunately there are alternative ways to ensure that you can retire in comfort. Investing for beginners can be simple.

One investing option is real estate; however, it is expensive to get started and will require a big down payment of 10% or more of the purchase price. If you decide to fix it up and sell it, or 'flip' it, you could quickly go over budget and not receive the return you wanted. If you deal with tenants, it can be difficult if they keep calling you to fix various things like the furnace, plumbing, etc. It is also very difficult to evict them.

Stocks offer a much more viable investment, as it doesn't require a lot of capital, and if you choose wisely, can offer you a stable and predictable income. You can choose to hire a stockbroker to make informed choices for you, or you can choose to make your own stock choices. If you hire someone, be aware that they will take a fee out of your profits.

You will save money if you invest in stocks that you choose yourself. If it seems a little intimidating, don't worry. With some knowledge and education, it doesn't have to be. Anyone can learn to invest in stocks and become successful at it.

First, purchase some books on stocks and investing, and make sure they are written by successful investors. Some well-known authors and investors are Derek Foster, Peter Lynch and of course Warren Buffet. They have all written books that are easy to understand and read, as well as giving solid how-to tips and strategies on how to make stock investing work for you.

Once you've read some books, you will want to conduct your own research. Pick some companies that you are interested in and look them up on the Internet. Learn more about their business and what they do, who their customers are and what their yearly earnings are. If you can't find enough information on the website, contact them and ask them directly.

Now that you have an idea of what companies to invest in, you can invest by paper trading, or artificial trading. This just means that you keep track of the prices on paper for a month or so; or, even better, open an account online on a trial basis. There is no risk to you or your money this way. Also, an online account will give you many strategies and tips on how to choose your stocks for better results.

Now that you have a good idea of how to trade, what companies to look for and how you make money, you are ready to invest with your own funds. If you are still a bit nervous, start with a small amount until you become more comfortable with the process. Soon you will have a diverse portfolio and you will be at ease knowing your retirement fund is growing. Investment for beginners is not that difficult at all.




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