the best / safest way to invest 10k  + good credits?
961417
You can place the money in a long term, tax deferred annuity retirement account and pay the taxes on the earnings as you are paid the profits.
615545
There's been some incredibly bad advice so far, so I will try to set the record straight and help you out.  Bonds are not a better long term investment for someone who has young kids or for someone who IS a young kid.  What bonds are, principally, is a safer, lower-yielding alternative to stocks.  What they SHOULD be, is part of anyone's, at any age's diversfied portfolio.\n\nSecondly, in no universe is Microsoft a big-dividend stock.  It has a yield of 1.56, which you might recognize as being less than your savings account.  Considering the S&P AVERAGE dividend is 1.8, that makes Microsoft a BELOW-average dividend stock.  Bad avice there as well.\n\nUGMAs and UTMAa are fine if you're okay with your kids buying a motorcycle or whatever else they want when they turn 18 (or 21, depending on your state).  They are in irrevocable gift to the minor, and they can spend it as they see fit.\n\nSome parents would rather keep some control over it, and put it towards college.  A 529 plan would be the best way to do this.  In addition to a wide variety of fund choices, if used towards post-secondary education, any and all proceeds are federally tax free, and in some cases, state tax free as well.\n\nBut how to invest?  What to buy?  You can start for as little as $100 a month at most firms, investing systematically, month after month, which is the smartest way to do it by the way, whether you have $100 or $100,000. Actually, I know at Edward Jones you can start with mutual funds for as little as $25 a month, and that counts for 529 plans as well.\n\nWhat to invest in? I'd suggest buying a diversified series of mutual funds. If you want to keep it simple, most 529s have age-based allocation funds that get more and more conservative as your child gets older.  If you want to get a little more actively involved, then make sure you hit all the asset classes, like Large cap stocks, small/mid cap stocks, international stocks, emerging markets stocks, government debt, corporate debt, hi-yield debt, foreign debt, emerging markets debt, real estate, commodities, and precious metals. That's 12 categories right there, and there are good mutual funds that allow you to invest in all of those.  Again, an asset-allocation portfolio could be a simpler way of accomplishing the same thing.\n\nThen sit back and rebalance each year, back to your original percentages. This is called asset allocation. The thinking being, what's BEEN hot is more than likely not going to STAY hot.  No one can predict what's goigto be big next, no matter how much they say they can.  Cause if they could, they wouldn't be saying, they'd just be doing it.\n\nThis sort of portfolio should average 8-12% per year, so just split the difference and say 10%. Will it do 10% EVERY year? Of course not. I'd be surprised if it ever did EXACTLY 10%. That's an annual average. With that average, your money should double roughly every 7 years.\n\nSo, if you start with $1000 and never add to it ever again, in 7 years you should have about $2,000\nin 14 years you should have about $4,000\nin 21 years you should have about $8,000\nin 28 years you should have about $16,000\nin 35 years you should have about $32,000\nin 42 years you should have about $64,000\nin 49 years you should have about $128,000\nin 56 years you should have about $256,000\nin 63 years you should have about $512,000\nin 70 years you should have about $1,024,000!\n\nA long time to wait to become a millionaire, impressive as that compounding is!\n\nOf course, if you keep adding money in systematically like I suggested earlier, say $100 a month, you'll become a millionaire MUCH sooner. The key is discipline, and sticking in when markets are up OR down. Don't try to time the market--you'll NEVER get it right.\n\nHere's a handy formula:\n\n$100/month x 12% return x 20 years = $100,000. \n\nSo if you want $500,000 20 years from now, just save $500 every month, and go with th
1172693
A bank or better yet a credit union (the fees are less expensive in the long run, and seem to be more trustworthy lately) - be sure to put it in a type of account or program that earns short term interest.  Some pay higher interest than others.  Not only would you be earning interest, you will also be helping build your credit and future credentials by showing the potential loan provider that you are a responsible person who can indeed build savings.  Someday you may want to make a major purchase (car, home...) and what you do now could very well make a difference in your credit rating later.  A safe does nothing for you but sit there.  You may as well put it in the mattress.  Be smart and let your money work a bit for you.
985987
I think the best way to invest is to first see what the best traders are buying and selling.  Then use that knowledge to hopefully improve your portfolio's return.  This is the idea behind the site http://www.top10traders.com - this is a free site that lets you create a portfolio of stocks with $100,000 in "play" money.  Each day the site ranks the best performing portfolios, so you can see how your picks perform compared to other investors.  You can also read posts on investing from the best traders, as well as share your own investing ideas.\n\nHere are this month's best traders:\n\nhttp://www.top10traders.com/Top10Standings.aspx\n\nGood luck.
673311
Getting an education is a great investment in yourself, and being cautious with your investments is wise, but don't ever let anyone tell you that low income families shouldn't invest in the same types of opportunities that anyone else could.\n\nPeople with very low incomes have made themselves into millionaires by a combination of responsible spending and thoughtful investing.\n\nThe best place to start with small balances is mutual funds.  As long as you stick with mainstream funds, you should be fairly safe.  Don't expect a straight upward line, but over time, on average, you should expect the long-term results to be strong over the long run.\n\nMeanwhile, as you build up your portfolio, you can be reading and learning more about investing for the future. By the time you outgrow mutual funds, perhaps you will know more about the different stock market decisions you will need to make.  Perhaps hiring a financial advisor would be wise at this point, or perhaps you can go on your own with your newly acquired knowledge.  \n\nConsider books by Peter Lynch, Jeremy Siegel, and Benjamin Graham as some of the best sources.  \n\nBest of luck to you.
408301
10 times double, huh. Talk to a stock broker. Futures in food and gold are good but that's a pretty high goal to obtain. Good luck.
779691
To keep it simple: Better safe than Sorry.\n\nYour money/finance and all related stuff just depends. For myself, I am trying to come up with my own monetary ideas but since anything is possible it is best to always have some kind of back up plan. Typically your retirement money (enlisted) is not a WHOLE lot (granted you do get benefits) so anything else you do to provide your self with more money is a plus.
977479
Although some might have a 'get rich quick' scheme, the best way is to be patient.  Invest like you could lose your money, keep part of it 'safe' and put at risk what you can afford to lose.
1158763
You can honestly do it trading options.  You could get a margin account which would automatically give you a $20000 account, $10k yours and $10k borrowed.  Then buy "calls" on stocks you think are going to go up and "puts" on stocks you think are going to go down.  If you chose wisely you will get rich quick, if foolishly you will be over $20,000 in debt in a matter of days.
765057
Before investing in anything I'd suggest at least getting a basic understanding of mutual funds and investing (in general).  If you're too lazy to learn & just want a quick investment....\nVanguard Funds would be the best choice. Do the S&P500 Index Fund or the Total Market Index Fund for diversification & low cost(no commission).\n\nA Brokerage may charge account fees for such a low balance. \nFor $3000 go direct to a good no-load mutual fund company like;\nVanguard\nFidelity\nT. Rowe Price\netc.
922472
The best relative safe one that I have found is a Bond fund that Charles Schwab has--it currently pays 5.8%.  I have some funds in it and did a lot of checking before going in that direction.  Schwab is a good Co. to deal with --no conning or high-pressure.\nRemember the "rule of 72" says that your 5.8% compounded and reinvested will double in 12 and 1/2 years.
1030765
look for a financial advise, look at mutual funds, initial investment  between 2000-3000, careful with front load or not-load, loads=management fees and maintenance fee
1130120
The best way for you to invest depends on a lot of things.\n\nFirst, if you don't have an emergency fund worth 3-6 months of expenses, establish one first, maybe in a money market fund so you can get at it in an emergency. It won't pay back much, but it's better than having to borrow money in an emergency and getting into debt because your money is locked up.  Nor do you want to sell your investments during a temporary downturn to pay for something like a new roof.  Then you'll have lost that money permanently.\n\nNext, if you haven't done the 401(k) thing and the IRA thing, do it. Tax-free or taxed deferred savings are good.\n\nFinally, if you've already done all those things and still have $400K left to invest, there's still more stuff to think about. Long term, stocks will grow faster than anything else, but can be very risky short term. They're a terrific investment if you're young and have a long time line. If you're older, you have to think more about safer investments, because you don't have as much time to recover from a downturn in the market.\n\nAnyway, there is no "best" way to invest a sum of money. What's best depends on a lot of different circumstances. If you really want a good investment, go buy a book on investing so you can decide what makes sense for you. Sure, you could give your money to a financial advisor but how do you know he's not just in it for the fees and commissions he charges you? How do you know his advice is any good? You need at least a foundation so you can make an informed decision. Personally, I like "The Only Investing Guide You'll Ever Need" by Andrew Tobias. It'll give you the basics. Good luck.
317907
The best way to do anything yourself is to learn something about it first. You'd be surprised at the thousands of books available on this one subject at your local library.\n\nBut most people spend more time deciding the color of their new car, than they do on a mutual fund advisor, for example. \n\nAre you really wanting to do this yourself, or are you asking about someone who is an expert who can do it for you?\n\nIf you invest in the stock market right now, or just buy into all the ETF's you can afford, it's a crap shoot, like rolling the dice, and the odds are probably not in your favor, whether you have an expert fund manager or not, because mutual funds are always "in" the market.\n\nThey say "Buy and Hold" for the long term is better, but that depends on when you get in, and what your definiton of "long term" is. \n\nThe Dow is now approaching all-time highs last seen in Jan 2000, so if your long-term definition is more than seven years, then you won't mind waiting another seven years for a profit. There have been periods of over twenty years when the Dow went nowhere. This is not investing, but rather blind hope.\n\nFor most people, the name of the game is capital preservation. When the risks are high, like right now, you get out of the stock and bond markets and park your cash in a interest bearing money market fund or CD or Treasury Bill.\n\nThis is simply not a good entry point for investors. Be patient, wait a few months, and you'll be able to buy much more stock a lot cheaper, the risks will be lower (even though they will seem higher), and your chance of success greater.\n\nIf you wish to research the “Buy and Hold Strategy” further, or perhaps trade yourself, I recommend two book titles. One is called "Which Is Better, Buy-and-Hold or Market Timing?" The other is "Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Market Timer?" They will give you plenty to think about.
669211
www.prosper.com is the best source for raising capital, in my opinion. It lets you suggest an interest rate and people can look at your story and decide what kind of risk you present.
126822
Get one that makes you pay in full every month (like American Express.) And use it only if you can pay it off every month. Otherwise it is a black hole that will suck your financial house dry. You absolutely must set limits for yourself. People get in $30,000 to $100,000  without even noticing. And don't fall for the transfer for 0% scheme. The first time you are 1 day late the rates go to the maximum (over 25%).When you buy on credit you pay more for what you are buying. Why pay more?\nTo establish good credit have no more than 2 credit accounts, never ever be late with a payment, and pay off as soon as possible (not the minimum payment--you'll be a slave to it for the rest of your life). If you do that it makes sense to have credit so you have a good credit rating for big purchases like a car or house that you cannot pay in cash. But the less you spend on credit the more you have to spend without all the interest--or better yet, talk to a financial counsellor or just save in an interest free retirement or investment account. No matter what your age.
983540
Go to Vanguard.com, they have many good funds index and otherwise and you don't pay a fee to invest with them