Help....Getting started buying individual stocks

[JBob44]

I have a broad investment portfolio but would like to dabble with buying individual stock.

Looking for recommendations on brokerage firms, do's and don'ts, and lessons learned.

I do not intend to start off with more than a couple hundred dollars until I get comfortable with the process.

Thanks for any insight.

 

[The Old Jaybird]

I tried this, my advice is don't.

Stick with mutual funds where the brains and professionals at Vanguard or Fidelity have the resources to do the job.

I had some decent stocks, Microsoft, Berkshire Hathaway, Intel, Steak n Shake and losers like Montana Power....look that one up. I was in for 4k, cashed out at 40 bucks, lost 99% of value.

 

[fast306stang]

I played with $10K several years ago and basically lost every penny...bc I didn't stick to MY PLAN and I started chasing! But it was a $10K lesson that I couldn't have learned any other way.

Fixing to jump back in it again and apply what I've learned. Every single stock I bought except for one would have made me a bunch of money. So the main thing is, (blanket statement) you'll usually never lose money unless you sell. In other words, you might have to hold onto your stocks for longer than you want. I was bad about selling for a loss bc I wanted the funds for the next big thing.

Something I've been thinking about lately...what are my goals? Yeah I want fast money, everyone does. But the big picture is how much am I going to invest (initially), am I going to constantly add funds regularly (couple hundred a paycheck?), and what am I looking to achieve in the next 12 years (which is how long I'm looking to play until retirement).

It sounds silly, but I'll buy 1 share of a stock to have it in my portfolio just so I can watch it until I decide if I want to buy more or not.

You can google highest paid dividend etfs also. Some of them pay pretty well.

 

[alexs2006]

Don’t. Just don’t. Buy gold or hold on to the cash

 

[moosensquirrel]

Don’t. Just don’t. Buy gold or hold on to the cash

"take the cash and let the credit go, nor heed the rumble of a distant drum"

(The Rubiat of Omar Khaayam)

 

[AmbiEncE]

Don’t. Just don’t. Buy gold or hold on to the cash

Yes, metals and cash.

 

[medium187mph]

If anyone is considering spending 10k or more I’d suggest looking into an apartment syndication with ownership percentages, high yield returns, and locked in quarterly annuities with an exit plan under 36 months after property reappraisal!

 

[eightnsand]

Wait to invest after the Black Swan event. It’ll be pennies on the dollar. Just be ready.
GLWStocks.

 

[thevalueman]

your not smart enough to "dabble" in the stock market!!!
I'm not smart enough to "dabble" in the stock market!!!
Nobody is smart enough to "dabble" in the stock market...except Nuke & Juke....and he'll be more than happy tell you that
my advise is the picture....Fidelity low priced stock fund it was, before a few days ago up almost 14% since December....down a bit after these last few days....pays a dividend as well....has a multi year record of better than 10%....typically around 14%

 

[TheGman]

I have a few drip accounts , Aflac, Coca-Cola etc a nice way to do it