If I had a nickel for every time I've been asked this over the past 6 months...

My answer to this question is always the same: "GET IN !!!

My guys are in Century City and smart (I have never minded thier fees and now I know why). Still, in the Sping of this year, I decided to take a more active roll with investments. I had some background in finance though Factoring in the 80's, so I wasn't a "babe in the woods". However, since I'm an Ol' Geezer, I had to relearn strategies and quick-study New Market basics. My decision was to take "mattress money" and invest it myself w/o a coach. To date (7 months) I have a net +247% in these portfolios and I chase a 20% minimum gain.

I had my entry into the Market on March 30 of this year. RAD @ .35. I rely heavily on empirical intuition for my trades and haven't had (much) bad "luck" since. I'm more of a "Cowboy" in my trades, but I'll (and do) match my +percentages w/ any "Serious Investor". I have a group of people I now advise and they "ride" with me on my trades.

HEREIN, I will be giving my Strategies and Trades. Maybe they will help you in your Market Experience.

I set up accounts at Edward Jones Investment, Scottrade and TD Ameritrade. I have two accounts w/ Ed and three each at Scott and TD. Edward Jones is a full-service brokerage and it is important to have some longer-term stocks under this type of advisement. My opinion is that it's worth the full-service commish for Trades over $2500. Ed can't assist you in stock selling @ less than a buck. So, go ahead and get a Scott or TD account; especially if you're just starting out. You'll need these account for Playing, anyway.  Another reason Scott and TD are great is that accounts can be opened for $200 and $500 respective minimums. These are excellent platforms to offer opportunity for the beginning investor (as my nephew can attest).  

I categorize accounts thus:

      "HOLDING" Accounts are for long-term stocks which won't be in play until, at least, next year. Any dividends from these are rolled over into more shares. This year, the stocks have done so well, I have taken profits on them (F,FDX,WFC); but, generally LEAVE THEM ALONE.

     The second category is "WORKING" Account. These are the stocks I take cash from in dividends and profits, or even sell them when I think they're done (or need CASH!).

     The third category is the "COWBOY" Account (yes, they're listed that way---something fun). It may have a fun name, but this account is where the game is played. The stocks in this account are for short-term (a month or less) gain; in-and-out.  Since the Trade Turnover is high "On The Range", only Scott and TD have a Cowboy. *There is the occasional gem, which I transferred to a longer-term account.

Our GAME is the Market. Yippykya!

More later. For now, let this be my preamble.

I had a built-in Investment Clique at the local pub (others joined, later). It is important for me to have like-minded people around me to discuss strategies and trades with. One can not live in a vacuum when they're investing. Wherever you hangout (bar, coffeehouse, student union, sewing circle), someone there must be interested in The Market.

Now, here is an example of where "friends and family" are imperative: We often set up "syndicates" to make trades. Why make 5 trades @ $100 with 5 broker fees, when your group can pool money and make 1 trade with 1 fee. The principal works for our trades in the thousand$, but is just as applicable @ $200. We contract and legally commit to terms, but this can be done with a handshake (or, does anybody do that, anymore).

Then there's the factor that you'll have someone to celebrate rallies with or someone to help you drown the sorrow of a correction. 

There are many of sites I access for R&D, but these are a few of my favs.

1. This IS number ONE: GOOGLE Finance. Can not tout this enough for quick reference and knowledge. They have done a good job, there, of making the site concise and easy to use. A 7-year-old could easily bring up info.
2. NASAQ. Once one is accustomed to the system, it's fantas. The technicals are great.
3. Motley Fool. Love the guys there. Very good techs, but opinions galor (even your's will count). Used mostly by me for Performance Charts, but a good all-round site.
4. MarketWatch. Great for techs and currents. It's various affiliations (Wall Street Journal, Barrons, Smart Money, etc.) make for an exellent research tool.
5. Last, but by no means least: YAHOO! Finance. The best thing about the sight is "Market Tracker". Now @ $40 a month, you may not need this app, but pity the Cowboy riding without it with the brokerage on speed dial!

They all offer you free Portfolios which you can set up for stocks you own or create watchlists. I have set up three @ each with these tags: 1 "CURRENTS" (for stocks I currenetly own). 2 "SPOTLITE" (stocks for perspective trade in the next two weeks). and 3 "WATCHLIST" (duh!)

I have several sites I go to, but keep those proprietary to my Investment Clique. Search the web and develope your own favs which are comfortable for you to use.

If you want to succeed in The Market, your must have knowledge. There are numerous, not unlimited good, means of thus obtaining; the television is a good tool. Commentators can bring attn to stocks you're unaware of and give a better viewpoint to the ones you already know. They often expand on an article previously read in the Wall Street Journal. So I am advocating T.V. as a learning tool.

So what to watch? Of this, I will give you my favs and you can do your own surfing with the remote.

As for Networks CNBC and FOX Business are the my two favorites. CNBC wins out because of their format (easier on the eye). CNBC's M-F Daily Schedule is great and you'll need to find shows which mesh w/ your personal viewing times. You may find their ticker at the bottom of the screen useful. As I have the access (and time), it's in the background from the time I get up (often at 4A for Europe) until Cramer is over at 7P.

Saturday morning, set your vid rec to record FOX News from 10:30-12PM.

1. "Pigs Starve": Greedy Bastards, like myself, love the prospect of a 2 Week/100% Gain. If your luck is good enough to do this more than twice in a Quarter, I'll hire you. Truth is, I am happy with a short-term 20%. This is my hallmark and if I choose to retain the shares, there is a trailing stop-loss put on them. When the stock has risen 20%, think about getting out and moving on to the next. Don't be so greedy you get caught in a downward correction waiting for the next 5% day; you may miss your next 20+% runup in another stock.
2. "CANNIBALIZATION": Eventually, you will have enough equity on your balance sheet for your portfolios to begin giving you the CASH you need to buy. This is done by taking profits or blowing out a stock which has done well. One does not need thousands of dollars to begin this; indeed, this is a way to make your port grow into thousands.
3. Always (ALWAYS, ALWAYS) keep a watchlist of stocks to BUY. Anticipating your next move is imperative forsuccessful trading.
4. "PARKING": I am always IN the Market. This is a contra move to what many Financial Advisers advise, but it's MY preference. If you have cash from your Accounts that you just don't know what to do with (or have cashed out and waiting for your move), "Park" it in a stable stock. I use one of two vanity stocks, RUTH or MRT. I wish they would move up, but I don't worry about them losing too much. If I need the cash, I sell. My mother uses DUK for her parking space; trouble is, she likes to do dividend grabs and won't move it until ex. date (and that's not too bad of a strategy, either). ***Do Not Go Parking $100!, the fees will tear you up. This is only for REAL cash. If you're just starting out w/ limited assets, get some success under your belt before using this strategy.

I'm going to give a little "Robby the Robot" advice, here. There is a tool which I never use .

I have a cumulative $57K offered to me for a 6-8% per anum from the brokers of my self managed accounts. All I need do is access it for a Stock Purchase and it's mine. This would be called "Buying on Margin" and it's always available. It will remain thus, because I would sell half my portfolio to avoid using it. DON'T BORROW MONEY TO PURCHASE STOCK!, even if it's from your account w/ your friendly broker.

Here's why. I have a buddy who has been active in the Market much longer than me. He used this for alot of trades while things were flying. Wow, [FREE] CASH FOR THE TAKING! Then the Fall of 2008 rolled around. He and his family has found out how to cram 4000 square feet of furniture into the new 1800 square foot digs. True story. He's just now getting back to picking up a few beer tabs when The Clique gets together at Carlisle's.

Margin trading is terrif as long as the market is going UP. Let us have a downturn like the correction happening this week, and that friendly broker will be on the phone and in your e-mail to collect. And if you don't have the cash for the call, you'll have to sell three times the amount of the call in stock to satisfy the debt.

Check with your broker, but heed this advice: if you use it, ask yourself is you think you're savvy enough to throw the the dice. You may even win!, but be aware of the flip side

Think you know nothing about picking a stock for investing? You may have already helped make money for me.

Take a look around you...

What toothpaste do you use? How many products around the house are made by the same company? Soap? Laundry Deterent? Dog Food? How many people do you know using the same products? Maybe that's a company whose shares you should own. (PG)

You and your friends are wearing the same brand of clothing?. You shop at the same store, and it's busy every time you're there? (LIZ/TLB/SMRT) Who owns the Mall or Shopping Center you freqeunt? (CBL)

LOOK, you've already got 5 stocks to check out.

Then there's Our purchase of Ford Motor Company (F), earlier this year. We were loyal to Ford to begin with. When it was apparent that it hadn't gotten itself into the mess GM and Chrysler had, we decided to buy the stock. The first buy was @ 6.08. Stock fell and we reupped @ 4.87. All this, based on our faith in the company. 3 Months later, we took profits @ 8.40! and are now Holding it for a couple years.

Sometimes, you can just have a good "vibe" about a stock. You'll still need to do your R&D, but you have the idea.

You may ask a question in the "COMMENT" App near the bottom of this Hub. Leave an e-mail contact address for reply (it will not be published). Either I or someone in my Investment Clique will answer. Your query may be used as a discussion point.

Best "Free" Tracker: Cy. Scottrade offers "Scottrader" Streaming Quote. It's cool. The downside is that one's Account must remain accessed while in use.

Where BUY Money Can Be Found: Michelle asked a good one. I started out with a good "nut"; I cannibalize and sell for the great % of my Buy money, but I will go into my pocket for a a Stock I consider worth it. We have someone in our Clique who takes a bit of her paycheck each week to ride with us. If one can open an account for $200, there's the start. "GET IN".

I'm single: Thanks, Robin. I'm a "confirmed bachelor" and I think you'd be getting the "wrong end of the stick". [sorry for getting off topic, guys, but this one was too good not to answer publicly]

Finding time for R&D: Now let's see. Hmm... If one is watching "American Idol", "So You Think You Can Dance" or "America's Got Talent", instead of allocating time to The Market Experience, then I would consider them a lost cause. One will find plenty of time if they redirect thier schedules away from mindless activities such as "reality t.v." trash and video games. You will find that the Reality is that you'll be making money and, I'll state it once again, "The Market Is Our GAME!". I can never over-express the importance of R&D. If you aren't willing to put in the time, keep your money in a savings account and thank the "Big Bad Banks" that you're getting 3% a year. I wouldn't click onto a website (using a shortcut) for 3%! P.S, this is a hot button topic for me; almost as irritating as the "not having enough money to Get In" thing.

Not 247% on a Single Stock: Wow, John, I wish. My % is based on money gains. It has been achieved by chasing stocks. Selling and Buying, Taking Profits and Buying, Buying. Lately, we've taken some Long Positions, but my money has tripled in Trading. Also, maybe I am a Greedy Bastard (have referenced, thus), but that hasn't stopped guys like you from seeking advice! Who had you rather invest with, a "Greedy Bastard" or a "Dumb Bastard"?

My "Associate Blog" Won't Give Details Re: Trades: