Posted on May 29, 2008 at 8:32 pm I'm sorry but just can't get into the investing thing.  I owe so much, I'm behind in everything and there is just nothing left to invest.  Will somebody please tell; me how to get started?  How much do I have to have to invest? In what do I invest?  How much of a chance do I have to take?  Help, Help, Help.

Posted on May 31, 2008 at 11:47 am Maybe raven ought to answer your questions. I believe she did real well following one piece of advice and at the time had absolutely zero dollars and was deep in debt.

Posted on June 8, 2008 at 9:16 pm I know I have to start investing to prepare for my old age retirements.Yet every month, I find that I am out of money after  spending all my salary on expenses and  debts. I  read in The  Richest Man In Babylon that mentions one should pay yourself first. This idea sounds perfectly logic to me except that where do I get the money to pay my expenses after saving a certain percentage of my income. Theory is easy but when it is put into practice, it is not easy to be done. If it was as simple as that, there won't be poor people in this world.

Posted on November 1, 2008 at 7:31 pm I think paying off your debts before saving makes perfect sense!  I mean, if you have a credit card for 15% APR or a car loan for 9%...  Each time you pay on those, you basically invested that amount of money into your future...  at the APR of the debt.  Try making 15% APY in a CD or Money Market.  Not to mention.  It will be a lot less stressful once those debts are paid! 

Posted on November 2, 2008 at 3:30 pm I never had the time to review individual stocks but I never met a stockbroker or financial planner that did not have a hidden agenda to make money off of me. Of course if an investor has no financial background or understanding of the stock market then they need to seek professional advise. However, I began investing in mutual funds on a regular two weeks basis in 1978. I have continued to invest in good times and the bad times as I have long been a believer in dollar cost averaging. It has paid big dividends for me over the last thirty years. Investing in mutual funds takes some research as well but the big advatage of mutual funds is they automatically spread your risks over many different stocks that make up the mutual fund. Do you homework and stay the path and it should pay dividends for others as well.

Posted on November 6, 2008 at 9:07 pm I personally believe that one should be completely debt free (mortgage excluded) before even thinking of investing. Outstanding CC debt or car loans should be tackled first. I have been investing since I was 15 yo. I started w/ a mutual fund in a joint account w/my old man years ago, and have since transitioned into a balanced portfolio of stocks, bonds, mutual funds and money markets. If you are a parent, I would recommend doing what my Dad did. It is a great way to teach your kids the importance of saving for the future. Investing takes discipline. You must do the research first and continue to invest on a regualr schedule regardless of the state of the economy. With the advancements in technology, you do not necessarily need to go through a broker anymore. I "fired" my broker a couple of years ago and do all of investing myself via an online brokerage. I do a minimum of 5 hours of "homework" a week when it comes to my investments. I am very hands on. Not all folks have the time or desire to, so a financial advisor is not a bad choice. Just remember to research an advisor and "interview" any prospectives to make sure he/she has your interests in mind, not commisions, before commiting funds. If you are a beginner, I would recommend purchasing a mutual fund in a Roth IRA. Most have $1,000 to $1,500 minimum start up, w/.$100 minimum additional investments. Mutual funds are a good start because they are (in theory) already diversified.  

Posted on December 19, 2008 at 12:58 pm If I were you, I'd recommend going to Dave Ramsey's websitew www.daveramsey.com and seeing one of his sponsored providers.  To be on his website, the servicer must accept any amount of cash as a starting point, so no matter how small an amount you have to start saving for the future.  You will be able to accomplish it!

Posted on January 2, 2009 at 2:47 am There are so many different ways to invest that I honestly have to say "There is NO right or wrong way to invest". There is only the way that is comfortable for you. Last year I was in so much debt it was scary. My ex-husband left me with a debt mountain that I thought was impossible to ever clear it. But I found a house for sale in foreclosure. The sale price was well below the appraisal value. I knew my boss was looking for an investment property and he knew I was in serious trouble financially. I spoke to the agent and told him I would offer $5,000 below the asking price. He seemed keen. Then I rang my boss and told him there was a great investment property for sale that was priced well below the appraisal value. I told him a price of $15,000 over the original asking price (which was $20,000 higher than my purchase price). I told him I was flipping it quickly and why - and I also explained that his purchase price was still considerably below the appraisal value, so we're both winning. He agreed. Then I rang the agent, signed the purchase contract and ran straight to my boss's place. He signed a purchase contract from me at the higher price. On settlement day, all closing costs were paid by my boss. The agent got the amount of money he wanted, my boss got the investment property he wanted - and I got $20,000 for my efforts. I had no money, no savings and huge debts. But this little investment taught me that there's an easier way than just getting by on a day job wage. I've been doing them ever since. I don't have a day job any more. I work at home now. :)

Posted on March 13, 2009 at 6:49 am James, I don't even live in the USA, so San Diego is a LOT closer to the action than where I am. I'm in Australia, yet the house I bought and flipped so quickly was in California. I've never even seen it. I did all my research from out here on the internet. I spent $50 on a phone call to the agent to ask questions. He emailed me a lot more stuff after that. The deal worked. I've done another since in New Jersey and I'm negotiating one right now in Las Vegas, Nevada. I kept the one I bought in New York city and I may still keep another in Dayton, Ohio because these two are rented at such high profit amounts they're not worth selling.  I still haven't left Australia to accomplish these flips. I had zero savings when I began. I had HUGE debts when I started.  

Posted on March 22, 2009 at 10:39 am An Investor should have willingness to take risks.He should understand risk and know/learn how to manage risk.Investor should take responsibility for all his actions.