Does anyone here have tips on buying stocks mutual funds etc... I'm not talking 401k ira's etc... investments I'm talking "private" investments. What companies/websites are better?
I know I should have a diversified portfolio, that is how my 401K's are set up

POT market. buy in sell before Trump crushes the dream.

What's a POT market? lol I got it now. You mean marijuana market.

boy I feel smart right now

I am fine with fidelity. I like low cost index funds ETF's

I am not too sophisticated but I like this one...like buying the whole SP 500. Very low fees too.

https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/SPY/

Buy low, sell high

Here's a tip: if you have debt, pay it off before considering other investments.

You may want to check out DRIP stocks. Dividend ReInvestment Plan

For mutual funds I will suggest Vangaurd.

What's your tolerance for risk?

I play the charts. Fundamentals are important, but being able to read a chart, and knowing when to pull the trigger is huge.

I relate it to baseball- Most people want to win the game by hitting a homerun or 2 and calling it good- finding the next Apple, Google or Microsoft. Too bad most homerun sluggers lead the league in strikeouts as well.

I play by trying to hit a ton of singles (get em on, move em up, move em in)- find stocks that are undervalued, buy them low, sell them on green and move on to the next one. Constantly taking profit off the table when it's there.

It's not for everyone and the learning curve can be brutal.

Lebowski I used fidelity with my last employer for 401k. I liked them at the time.
Lebowski, that makes it simile.
Pass-thru our debts are almost gone. I'm excited. Not planning on buying $1000+ worth. Just a share or few here and there. I know not a big money ticket out the gate.
Bob, what symbol is the vanguard your talking about? Part of my 401k was vested in vanguard and can't remember the symbol.
RKG I would say moderate. Like that analogy. Base hits win games.

Adam: I second Vanguard funds as a place to look into.

https://investor.vanguard.com/mutual-funds/

I use Scott Trade for my private stocks and have been real happy with it. I started direct depositing $25 a month several years ago, but am now up to $100 a month. I mostly invest in blue chips, but do take some risk from time to time with good research.

Get a solid foundation with a utilities drip fund as someone suggested. after you are solid, then you can play the riskier games.

I can make you a millionaire overnight. 100% guaranteed!!! Open a Scottrade account put a bunch of money into it and then do the exact opposite of what I do! If I invested in oil, Gas would be 5 cents a gallon the next day. If I invested in gold, someone would figure out a way to make it the next day. Yup, if you short sell anything I invest in, your money worries will be over.

When it comes to mutual funds why would you be excluding 401Ks or 403bs from what you call private firms or companies or funds? A fund is a fund it is how you set it up.
There may be some thoughts in looking at more longer term in a 401K if you are planning to buy and sell or move funds or accounts around a lot. If that be your case then mutual funds are less likely to be fast growers than stocks as they are managed to be more stable for the most part unless you invest in some of the funds that manage high risk or IPOs etc. One of the advantages of investing in non managed funds is that you don't have a manager buying and selling stocks inside the fund and those capital gains distribution taxes are paid by you, but then if growth is your goal you may want to pay the tax. Another way to do that is to invest your managed funds in your deferred funds and you won't pay any of those taxes until you start to withdraw and invest your non deferred funds in the non managed accounts and not pay tax until later or as much on an annual basis. It is not fun at times to pay considerable capital gains distribution tax for a given year even when the market had a negative return.

Bryce

I use Scottrade-soon to be Ameritrade.
I have been very lucky, but I got into trading for myself just after Obama took office and the growth since then has been GREAT. This has continued under trump.
I buy solid companies, most of which pay a decent dividend. I got tired of the low CD rates and, as they matured, put the money into stocks. It's grown over 300% in less than 9 years.

There will likely be a correction in the next year or so, so I'm looking for somewhere a little safer to park some of the money. I'll trade some growth for the security and buy back in when things get a bit cheaper. I haven't bought much in the last year or so.

Solid companies, with a decent yield, has worked for me so far-but what goes up must come down-I just hope it doesn't come down too hard.

Buy low cost index funds and plan on staying in them for the long term. They have very low fees which is important because they add up over time. I would try and bypass a financial advisor. They will be taking a cut and now the republican congress recently passed a bill that does not require the advisor to advise you to your best interest. It can be for their own interest.

I buy directly into the funds through my bank, USAA.

Oh and when the next bubble crashes our economy like the housing bubble did stay in and buy more because the recovery is where it is at. I bought heavily in the crash of 2008 and the market recovered 30% in the first couple years. That adds up.

Are you diversified? Bitcoin!!!!

I like and invest in financials

Etrade

thanks I got some digging to do to figure what would "work best" for me.
If you all got more advice tips etc... keep them coming or pm me

thanks again

pigs get fed, hogs get slaughtered !!

You said you are not planning on investing as much as a $1000 in individual stocks. If you are doing this for fun or for a learning experience, then OK. As an investment, that is not a good strategy for individual stocks. You will have to pay to buy, and pay to sell. So the key is volume. I would say at least $1000 per stock. But putting all the eggs in one basket is a bad strategy due to inherent risk. Good starting point is 10 different stocks. So a good entry point into the stock market for individual stocks is at least $10,000.

Otherwise, I recommend other strategies for investment: paying down debt, having enough emergency cash on hand to raise insurance deductibles (which saves a lot of money over time), paying down a mortgage...or if your rent, saving a down payment to buy a house.

When we had two of the most recent crashes I had made arrangements with a planner where I wanted funds to go when I determined the crash or drop was going to be significant. I moved about 40-50% of my securities and then re-entered the market when I felt it was growing and more stable. So I was able to avoid losing a lot even after paying the gain tax etc. I am currently doing my transfer plan now as I just turned 70 and I am not planning to ride out a large correction with all my funds. I am currently about currently about 65% in securities again. If inflation goes up then interest rates will probably climb as well.
As to paying down debt. I am doing the opposite to a certain extent. We have taken out 3 mortgages over the last 10 years and paid them down in 3-4 years. Interest was about 70% of what the market was paying and it was deductible as well. When I needed money it cost me a lot now when I don't need it they almost want to give it to you.
Bryce

The best advice IMO is to pay off debt first. While not stocks, I really like peer to peer lending, and $1000 will get you going. I'm averaging over 19% on mine.

Best advice by far.

Buy Low sell Hi

Don't try to Time the Market

Buy on Market Dips

Buy Stocks with a Good Dividend....Use dividend to buy more or reinvest in a Drip account which has a charge if you do it that way.

Remember Tips are for Waiters.

Research Stocks before investing in them pays off.

The Market has been very good for me...Been Debt Free for 10 years....Thanks to the Market to pay off Debt.

Just some of ways I've used for success in the Market.

I have a few accounts one is ameritrade that I only have 800 dollars in I use it for charting to pick my entry and exit points.I also have a robinhood account no fees you buy no fee you sell no fee ,day trader rules apply as with all accounts so if you buy and sell on the same day stay under 2 trades a week using the buy and sell same day tactics.You can make a good amount of money in robinhood swing trading that you couldn’t with a fee based brokerage house.I set all my grand children an account thru their parents and when you recommend a friend or family member you get a free share of stock and so do they.A few stocks I’m swing trading are jcp and ssc.another stock I’m heavy in is rite aid .Rite aid is a hold for longer term as a turn around play.I opened robinhood in sept and have managed a 38 percent return.If you want to learn the stock market you have to play in it,read a lot then get your feet wet with money you can loose.

Pass-thru, I was looking at about 12 company stocks and the total for a share with all of the 12 would be $150+- yesterday. I guess I just want to get my feet wet and see if a little will turn a profit in a certain time frame, say 3-6 months then decide what to do next.

I noticed that some of the DRIP stocks have a a minimum of at least $200-$1000 buy in while others don't. Some you can buy directly from the company others you can't.

LBEE when you research the stock are you looking at the past 3 years? The ones I've was looking at especially the medical marijuana ones have a steady climb over 3yrs. With their shares being low cost and steady climb I am considering them.

I wouldn't touch the MJ stocks. With the recent action by the DOJ it seems to me that there is far too much political risk in that sector. Just my opinion.

Pass-thru's post needs reading again.

If you buy just a few shares of something the commissions are just as much as buying a large number of shares. Your 'investment' will need to outperform in order to overcome the drag of the commissions.

His advice to pay down debt is a much better idea IMO if you are just talking about $1000.


Also, Bryce's comments about mutual funds and taxes on phantom income are spot on !


Personally I don't like mutual funds for the above reasons plus the ongoing fees every year. If that is the direction you are leaning.............I think you're better off opening a brokerage account and just buying SPY.

Adam,
Charles Schwab has an Intelligent Portfolio that handles everything for you. You take a test on your goals, level of pain, etc. Unfortuantely
you have to have $5000 to start this. Fortunately you can start investing in some REITs on your own for as little as a $50 start. Then after years
when you get to $5000 you can have them take over. I am pretty investing savvy and love this companies fees and ease. One rule many people have
and one of mine is to never invest in ANYTHING you don't 100% understand. I think this is very time consuming to understand every investment.
You have to make money while you're sleeping so good luck.

Sorry but buy low sell high, and buying on market dips are both examples of market timing. I agree limiting market timing is good in many cases but eliminating it is nearly impossible.

I have never invested outside of my retirement account and have been thinking about setting aside a small amount of money to play with. I know that the fees on small purchases would make real profits hard to come by, but is this a good way to start just for fun and to get a feel for it before investing serious money?

I buy Stocks after doing as much Research to help me make a decision to buy......I like good Blue Chip stocks that have a good Dividend That is used to buy more....Don't worry about drop in price which I have done by selling & later Kicking myself for the loss if I would have hung on....Works for me. LBEE

You will learn as you go....Sometimes Success....Sometimes Loss but not till you sell do you lose...Just hang on for the ride if you have done your homework it will Pay off in the long Run.

Dollar cost averaging, look it up and understand it.

Tip #1: don't take stock market tips from guys on a trapping forum haha!

100% agree with this

Ok I’ll post again robinhood trading absolutely no fees ! Free stock trades on the buy and sell.If you want a free share of stock send me an email address and I’ll send a link and we’ll both get a free share of stock from robinhood.I funded mine with 30 bucks but my niece funded hers with only 20 dollars.I got a share of Siri’s satellite and she got a share of Groupon .Both my kids joined and also we all got free stock.

Look at student bus transportation stock stb is the ticker monthly dividend of .03 stock is a little over 6.00

I have made a lot of money from tips that I got on this very forum. The better case would be pay attention to whose tips you listen to.

Yup its all about who you listen to. that's part of why I love tman. We have people in various skill sets.

I don't know a thing about the stock market, so no help here. Learn, study, and learn more. The only stock I have ever owned is in the company I work for. It has increased in value every year, but one, since I started buying. We have had steady growth in volume, for the last 20 years, and continue to do so. Our stock is not publicly traded, and only employees can buy in. So, our stock value is controlled soley on what we are doing.
Good luck in your pursuit, I hope you are the next gazillionaire!!!

Or any where else for Tips....Do your own research before Investing .

GPHOF graphite mine coming to western Alaska.

Uhh no thanks !

Tip: Do not invest your money into things you do not understand. There are very few things I would invest in just because money can be made. Where money can be made, money can usually be lost even faster by not understanding the ins and outs, and when I say understand, I mean it. I don't mean to just have a general idea.


Also, beyond the risks and rewards of the investments, I feel it is a good idea to make sure the broker is honest. Actually honest, not "honest on paper." I can't imagine how people feel when they realize their life savings were stolen by someone that was supposed to be making them money.


That's all I have. Good luck

I wish some one would give me some money so I could Invest. LOL

I was told a long time ago always use some else's money. That's probably good advice.

Investing and trading are different minds sets. You can do both but don’t confuse the two. Never trade with money you can’t afford to suffer a loss on. With stocks you don’t have gain or loss until you sell. Then it is realized gain or loss.
Any advice would be best given or taken after asking some real hard questions. How is your debt? Not all debt is bad. Do you have investments? Savings? Do you need a house ? Or a car?
I was born as poor as any body in this country and worked hard and saved and lived frugal for many year. I was able to put some money in the market in my late 20’s. Not buying new vehicles and wasting money you can find some to invest. I started with$25 per pay period and put every raise I got for over 15 years in the market in investments not trading. I am retired now at 52 . Invest first over time then when on your feet good trade a little . Do not lose what you have gained or get greedy that will sink you. Don’t worry with timing the market but spend time in the market with sound investments based on your risk tolerance.

If you like the medical advice you read here, you should be just fine with me the financial guideance as well. Prayers sent. Start a go fund me for yor old age. Consult at least two professionals. Start when you are young, stay the course, and save all you can and then some. Compounding is the key. Got to be in the game to win.

Watch the bond market.

Discount brokers such as fidelity. TD ameritrade, etrade etc.. are all worthy of brokering stocks, mutual funds, etf, bonds etc.. Just open an account and start with an amount you are comfortable with. Some accounts require a minimum to open an account but no minimum amounts on what you buy or sell. Just get started with an amount you can afford in something you like that has decent value

One reason you don't have any money is you sold to Groeney. LOL

Here is a tip for you all,"plant your corn early".

Buy low - sell high. Should be buying up all the raccoon skins you can!

I haven't been buying much over the last year or so. I have been just watching the value grow and reinvesting most of the dividends. Buy good, solid companies. My best over the past few years have been Boeing, amazon, lockheed

Boeing boeing boeing


A deal went through a few months ago that cut Bombardier out and out Boeing in a great position.

Visa Visa visa !

Anyone who invested in Canada Goose would have made good.

Berkshire Hathaway B. Look it up.
I highly recommend Ameritrade.

Interactive Brokers. No other !!

Ameritrade is awesome love their think or swim platform ,charting is awesome and there option fees are very good.

might want to look here


https://www.interactivebrokers.com/en/index.php?f=1340

don't gamble with more than your willing to lose....... only advice I found truly useful!

Possums.....now is the time to stack possums. HUuuuGE pent up demand for possum. These prices are going to go through the roof.

Lol tweed
BIRDDOGS, that's solid advice

The biggest issue I have had with my stock, is with accountants. Ours told us last year that our K-1 form is very extensive, and takes a lot of though to get the returns figured out. Mine is different, due to owning stock in an S-corp, which I work for.
Tweed, if the money is in grinners, I could be a millionaire pretty darn quick. It has taken 40 years, but I have perfected the perfect possom set.
Adam, the best advice I have seen in this thread. Do not gamble with money, that you can't afford to loose. Loosing that money hurts the most!!!

This is great advise.

K-1 forms add very little complexity to a tax return. In fact, Turbo Tax will handle K1's with no problem at all. The biggest hassle with a K1 is that they are usually close to or after April 15th before you get them. Consequently, an automatic extension is usually needed. You CAN download the K1 on a timely basis depending on the issuer. The other thing to watch for is that LP's that issue a K1, are sometimes cumbersome in a tax deferred account like a IRA or 401K etc. due to UBI. "Unearned Business Income". There is a limit to how much UBI can be generated annually in a tax advantaged account. So you are better off holding those types of instruments in a taxable account.

Other than that, K1's really aren't much hassle

[quote=white17]K-1 forms add very little complexity to a tax return. In fact, Turbo Tax will handle K1's with no problem at all. The biggest hassle with a K1 is that they are usually close to or after April 15th before you get them. Consequently, an automatic extension is usually needed. You CAN download the K1 on a timely basis depending on the issuer. The other thing to watch for is that LP's that issue a K1, are sometimes cumbersome in a tax deferred account like a IRA or 401K etc. due to UBI. "Unearned Business Income". There is a limit to how much UBI can be generated annually in a tax advantaged account. So you are better off holding those types of instruments in a taxable account.


Other than that, K1's really aren't much hassle [/quote

I'm thinking the problem with mine is in estimated tax payments. The company I work for, and I'm also a stockholder is an s corporation. We decided to change from a c corp, to an s corp, so we can make tax payments on behalf of the stockholders. So basically, they pay thier taxes , or a large percentage, through the stockholders. each stockholder has a percentage of the available stock, which is only 49% of the total. We will never let the company itself own under 51%, for obvious reasons. A percentage of the profits, which corrispond with my stock ownership, shows up as additional income that is added to my gross income. Thus, becoming my adjusted gross income. Throughout the year, estimated tax payments are made on my behalf, then tax time comes, and most of it is in my return. I still don't understand how it works, but I understand money in the bank. For years, our accountants tried to talk us into doing this. So the chage from a c corp to an s corp was made. The downfall is, where the company does work , I have to file for that state.

Sounds messy !!!! I see why you use an accountant

Every year since the corp change, it has been a nightmare. Our accountant does work for a lot of the bussinesses in our town of around 7000 people. See's many K-1s, and cringes when we walk in.

Adam , do you even have possums there. If not, come visit me, you could be the next gazillionaire

Are 2017 1040's out yet?

I think blue chip stocks are a good investment there returns are 9.96% over the last 10 years. My wife's were 35.82% this year she done very well. Jp Morgan also did well with a gain of 42.14%. If they get a infrastructure bill passed steel,cement,and equipment to do construction will go up. Caterpillar stock also done very well but most say that it is to high and stands for a correction but it might be a gamble.
I am going to talk to my guy at Edward Jones tomorrow about more investments. He is going to call me at 4 pm on a Sunday could not believe that.
If your a young man put your money in a Roth and do not mess with it. We lost a lot in 2008 but it has rebounded and surpassed were it was. Get a good investment person you trust and do your home work before you hand out your cash.
And as been said before pay your dept first.
A old man told me to take $10 a week and invest it and you will be a millionaire when you retire.
I wish I would have listened to him that was 40 years ago.
Make sure you diversify your investments such as 29% large cap,27% international,19% bonds, etc
Hope this helps.

A lot of info to digest.
Hrdtoflw, supposedly there's some on the nm TX boarder. I'll go to MO to catch them for a million I'll move there for a billion

I had a little with Edwards Jones for a short time. At that time, I thought online trading sounded a little too high-tech for me.
A friend told me Scottrade was easy.

When I set up the account with ST and saw how easy it was to buy and sale, at only 7 dollars no matter the number of shares I bought, I transferred all the stocks I had through Jones into Scottrade. At the time Edward jones was charging 2.5% for everything I bought and another 2.5% on any gains I received when I sold.
Switching to Scottrade has saved me thousands.

BTW, ST is being taken over by TD Ameritrade. So far everything is the same and they say it will remain so.

I can guarantee, if possums were worth anything, the hillbilly's here would have them gone.

I opened brokerage accounts for my granddaughters at Scott Trade. It's fine if you don't have much activity in your account. I use Interactive Brokers. It's far cheaper than just about anything else available and the technology is the best available. Scottrade's platforms absolutely suck IMO. Maybe once the switch to Ameritrade is complete it will be better.

Beav use all that yote and rat $$$$$$ you made this year.........to invest......