And, if you SELL stock before you've owned it for at least a year and a day, you're going to be giving away much more of your "profit" to the Government. Depending on your tax bracket, this can be a HUGE hit to your pocketbook.

Please take the time to learn about the difference between tax on long-term capital gains and the tax on ordinary income.

- Jack

 

That's good advice.

Also remember 1 word: dividends. And now, unfortunately, Chinese stocks are paying better dividends than most domestic equities.

Due diligence pays, literally. www.europac.net is a great place to invest with if you are up for investing in foreign stocks.

 

True story, back in the mid to late 90s I put away $250 a month into IBM stock saving for a truck. I invested about $15k, sold the stock the end of 2007 for $33k, and bought my current truck for $29k mid 2008. Then later in 2009 got sacked with the taxes on those gains.

I would do the same today, but I don't have enough confidence in the market.

 

When your buying shares you have to believe your smarter than the person on the other side who is selling, and when selling believe your smarter than the person buying.

Sometimes your right, sometimes your wrong. I've been both.

 

Ford stock is like $9.00 now . I wish i had bought some when it was $ 2.00

 

Here's a current favorite stock in my portfolio....it's a Canadian company based in Alberta that has proprietary technology that increases the efficiency of oil recovery, applicable to a very large fraction of declining oil fields. They have recently dealt with Encana and signed a letter of intent with Pemex in Mexico. I really don't know where the share price could go (as far as an upper, ultimate limit), but long term i think it's up, and up big & it will move big on any positive news which is inevitable at this stage. I am not affiliated with company, but work in the industry and have gradually accumulated a large share position i'm staying 'long' with. Fwiw.

Symbol is 'V.WEE' on the 'Toronto Venture Exchange', ie TSX-V
Here's a link with some info, charts & news releases...

http://www.stockhouse.com/tools/?pag...26table%3DLIST

 

appreciate the advice, is there anyway to know what penny stocks will come out of bankruptcy and which most likely won't?

 

CDs are not paying anything right now. I make 3% on my checking at my credit union! were is the best place to get started with buying stocks with little to start? i have found scotttrade.com you only need $500. anything better?

 

I'm wondering too. I have about 1700 in a CD @ 1.2 % and would love something better than that.

but that looks really good compared to my savings account, for a buffer/rainy day, its at 0.1%... yeah i get a farkin penny every month... is that keeping up with inflation? lol

 

....one of the simplest ways to get your feet wet would be to just use the online brokerage that your bank would provide. If you just set up a trading account with your bank then you could diy trades online, easily transfer money between it and your bank account & there shouldn't be any minimum dollar amounts either. Also, trading commissions might be cheaper.

 

You guys are on the ball. I've read some stuff I hadn't considered. I was leaning toward a CD, but the returns are ridiculous. I may wait it out, but I don't want to miss a good opportunity on something one of you may have heard of. - Og

 

Invest in loan sharks. The economy hasn't hit bottom in many parts yet. Those out of work will continue to be out of work & need cash. The ARMs which were made in ''06 and '07 are beginning to reset & folks will try for a year to stay in them, selling stuff as they spiral down.

My fav: FCFS, Up 14% since December 1st.

 

You can start a Dividend ReInvestment Program (DRIP) or Direct Stock Purchase program for as little as $25 per month. Ford is on the list at Computershare. The Ford plan starts at $50 per month.