Want to learn the stock market

[RustyJC]

At age 58, I've been investing for quite a few years. I recently learned that the objective is to buy low and sell high, which explains a lot regarding the performance of my portfolio!



Rusty

 

[RGardner]

One other thing to consider for the long run is the contrarian view. Sometimes doing the exact opposite of what all the others are doing is the right thing to do. An example: I talked to my broker and wanted to buy DCX (chrysler) they said all their experts thought that ford was the buy. I said ok lets split it and buy 1/2 and 1/2. Well the DCX has more than doubled and still pays a good dividend and the ford has lost over 1/2 its value. (Althought I think that ford is approching a good buy point). I guess what I am saying is that the experts don't always know what they are talking about. One other point to remember is that IT IS NEVER WRONG TO TAKE A PROFIT! Too many people let greed get the best of them and think that a particular stock will continue to go straight up like a rocket and hang with it all the way up and all the way down. Don't get greedy!

 

[JCasper]

Any good suggestions for IRA

Does any one have a company they are happy with. I need to rollover a IRA, and possibly open up a Roth for my wife and I. I thought about Scottrade, Is anyone experienced with them. How about Thrivent Financial, I have a Money market account with them along with my life insurance, just not real sure that I like their local rep.



In the future I need to also open up college savings accounts for my two girls. I was thinking of the 529 plans. Any Suggestions there.



Thanks for all the advice.



Joe

 

[HEMI®Dart]

I use Ameritrade. If I had to do it again I would use Scottrade in a heartbeat.



A word of caution if you invest in individual stocks. I used to get mad when I came home from work and logged on and see that I am -$1000 today. I still table pound sometimes.

 

[RGardner]

Check to see if your state has a state sponsored 529 plan. Some states give tax breaks if you use them.

 

[rbattelle]

I like Vanguard. Lots of people do.



-Ryan

 

[abdiver]

I use Ameritrade. If I had to do it again I would use Scottrade in a heartbeat.



A word of caution if you invest in individual stocks. I used to get mad when I came home from work and logged on and see that I am -$1000 today. I still table pound sometimes.

I am curious and would change to scottrade if I could see and advantage



Why do you like Scottrade?



I am using Schwab and Ameritrade also use gainskeeper.com to do my schedule D and keep track on my brokerages.



Vanguard and Schwab are good for new investors lots of educational material



Schwab offers more offices in most areas and now they finally lowered there fees for trading to aprox 12 bucks Ameritrade is 1 buck cheaper