Or alternatively, a good investment with a risk worth making? I would consider stocks and shares if only I knew where to start with it...
123151
There is not enough information to answer your question.\n\nHow much is a large lump sum?\nWhat is a good investment?\n\nThe highest return is always the highest risk \nThe minimal risk is always the lowest return (Goverment Bonds get you 4% a year with minimum risk)\n\nYou can start by opening a brokerage account at ameritrade.com\n\nDrop me a line if you need detailed information about investments in the stock market.
586586
First, let me commend you for making a wise decision.  The idea to invest is always intelligent.  Of course, there are many challenging decisions now facing you about how to do it, but taking the first step is often the hardest part.  Many people much older than you are still dithering over whether to start investing or not.  So you're already ahead of the game.\n\nThere are two things you gain from making investments at this point in your life.  The first is earnings.  The second is education.  While you may not believe it now, the value of educating yourself about investing will pay off for you far more than the amount you'll earn from gains on the portfolio.  This is true because, later in life you'll have a lot more money to invest than $1500, and you'll already know what to do, while many people in a similar situation will make stupid mistakes and lose it.\n\nThis is important to understand, because it is very possible that you WILL make mistakes the first time you try investing.  Whatever happens, don't let that sour you on the idea.  Take it as a learning experience.  Most of the best investors had some ups and downs in their first investing experiences.\n\nSo, with that in mind, I'd say the best thing for you is to think about investing in stocks.  Mind you, that's not investment advice, that's education advice.  You don't have enough money to be fully diversified in stocks...in fact, you barely have enough to make a reasonable investment in one single stock.  And unless you're well-diversified by holding a bunch of different stocks, you're taking a lot of unnecessary risk.  However, at some point you'll need to learn how to pick stocks if you want to be a successful investor, and there's no time to start like the present.\n\nHowever, it's important to research and plan before you invest.  And while you're making plans, I suggest putting your money into a mutual fund.  That will provide you with the diversification that you need, and also give you some growth.  Mutual funds are also much simpler to understand, and you won't have to read a half-dozen books to understand how to evaluate them.  \n\nBut if you're going to do any serious study of stock market investing, your first job is to read, read, read.  I recommend 3 books: "Stocks for the Long Run" by Jeremy Siegel, "One up on Wall Street" by Peter Lynch, and "Intelligent Investor" by Benjamin Graham.  If you understand those, you'll be a better investor than 90% of the people out there, and your future will be bright!\n\nIn order to buy into any stocks or mutual funds, you will need a parent or guardian to act as your "custodian" for the account. This is the law, and it is because minors cannot legally make contracts for themselves. However, stocks that are held in custodial accounts DO have your name on the account, and when you turn 18 (21 in some states), the custodian's name can be removed and the account is in your name. Until that time, however, you need to be sure that you have a custodian that you can trust, even when they might run into financial trouble.\n\nAll you need to do to start is get an application filled out with a broker to open an account. Someone like Ameritrade or Scottrade are two of my favorites (because they don't charge as much to buy stocks...about $10 per trade plus whatever the cost of the stocks you want to buy). Then you and your custodian (probably a parent or if that's not possible, some very trustworthy adult, perhaps a grandparent - whoever you think is best) work together to fill out the form, and send it in to the broker with the money to open the account. Then you can get set up to do the trading online very easily.\n\nBest of luck to you.
551705
Investing is a risk, do so with insight!
347705
Personally, I'd prefer prosper.com. But it depends upon how well established you are and what's your risk tolerance. If you're well established with a good foundation and are willing to risk it all, the sky is the limit. But if you're like most, I'd start with maybe 50% in VFINX (index 500 fund, 10% avg return) and the other 45% Internationals. perhaps 1-5% in high risk high return stuff. Repeat until you get comfortable enough to understanding risk before you venture out to deeper waters.
270815
I suggest you to keep saving until you have at least $500.00 which is the minimum to open a brokerage account.\n\nThere are no safe stocks.\n\nIf you want to invest in the stock market you need to be willing to risk some of your money.\n\nFor example, if you have $500 and you decide to risk 20% you could lose $100.00
4719
I would open an account with sharebuilder, there are very cheap and you do not have to buy tons of stocks. They have good investment tools also. In my opinion, the most important thing is to be consistant and make sure you are putting something away every week or month. It becomes a good habit and the money starts to pile up.
131302
I'm usually a great advocate of buying stocks, but you shouldn't be buying stocks right now because they are too risky, considering you need all your money right now to support yourself.  You would be trying to gamble your way out of a bad situation.
306302
You may want to take a class on investing at a college.\nNot one of those fly by night things.\n\nAny ways you can buy stock directly from a company on a dividend reinvestment plan.
270304
One day the Iraqi currency MIGHT be worth something....but....good grief....aren't there enough high risk investments likely to wipe you out out there already?\n\nOf course, if you're looking for a good investment I happen to be the owner of London Bridge and I could sell it to you for a very reasonable price.....\n\n:-)
164394
The best advice I can give you is to consult with a financial professional.  He can do a risk profile on you and help work with you to invest your money in a way that best suits your needs.
538738
you'll need a brokerage,,,,fidelity is my preference..then do some homework. why are you investing, how much can you invest, and how much risk can you tolerate......educate yourself before making decisions, or you'll end up paying for services or products you may not want or need
409995
before trading the real money, use an assimilated program that will allow you to learn without taking big risks.  It is also wise to take courses in investments and learn as much as you can before you start playing with your life savings.
653527
The only "risk free" investment is Treasury bonds.\nTime shares are not nvestments.
101345
growth or value?\n\nI've looked at this one.  It might be something that I'd consider, if I was looking for another fund.  Though its a bit toward growth.\n\nhttp://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=PISRX&d=t
675614
YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING !!!   No one should have more than 5 % of their total investments in any one stock.   If you purchased it at $ .50 (total investment = $ 5,000 ), wait til it hits $ 1.00 and then sell off half.  You now have all of your investment back and no matter what happens,  you are safe.  If it goes to $2.00,  sell off another half.    Then just sit back and hope that it goes to $ 10 and splits.  In a few years, you could have 10,000 shares worth $ 100,000 but, in the meantime, you have had no sleepless nights worrying about it.
91309
well you should start investing small amounts of money.. probably at most US$5000, and trade through online brokers such as Trade King, Ameritrade, Scottstrade, etc. Organize your portfolio in such a way that at least 50% of your stocks are in stable, blue-chip companies. Invest about 35% in mid-risk stocks and check these more frequently. Lastly, invest around 15% in high-risk stocks (usually penny stocks work very well, especially in the biomedical or biotechnological areas) and be sure to check these VERY frequently. Remember, high risk means high potential gain, but it also means high potential loss.
485146
Frankly, if you are asking people for favourite stocks, then I think it is time you take a step back and improve on your financial literacy and investment education before you attempt to invest in anything. \n\nWho in today's dynamic society can guarantee that starbucks will last forever or at least until you retire? Who in today's dynamic society can guarantee the survivorship of any companies and hence their stock for 50 years until you retire? Who in today's dynamic society can guarantee that the stock market will not crash when or just before you retire? \n\nListening to free, off the street advice is an expressway to disaster and there is never one "God-Given-Sure-Shot-Highway-To-Freedom" Stock. \n\nRemember, just buying stocks and holding on does not make you an investor and does not guarantee you a nest egg... your nest could break faster than you expect and will hardly last your lifetime if you do not have any investing knowledge.\n\nIf you want to just invest monthly and forget about it hoping that someday in the future you will have enough to retire on, then you probably want to look at some investment linked endowment plans with a financial planner instead. The stock markets is no place for amateurs with completely no knowledge.\n\nRead more good books and articles on investments to expand your vision and horizon before you decide to go deeper into the subject. For some of the best investment books that I have ever read, please visit http://www.bestoptiontradingbooks.com and for some of the must-read investment articles that I wrote personally, please visit http://www.mastersoequity.com/articles.htm\n\n\nHope these information helps and good luck on your journey to financial excellence.\n\n\n\nhttp://www.mastersoequity.com\n\n\n\n\n.