DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Everything Else... Starting an Investment Account

I'm finally at the point in my life where I can set up a true investment account and not half-ass it. I'm already putting the max that my company will match in a 401k.

My dad is into investing and he's told me that safe stocks that pay good dividends are the way to go. ("Years of trial and error" he says)

I'm just wondering if anyone else here has some advice for investments. I'm not looking for risky investments, but I'm looking for the best risk/reward ratio.

I can not, and will not, give you any advice on what, when, etc.

But I CAN, and WILL say: do it. Start putting the money away - learn to live without it. The sooner a person starts, the better off they are. Find a trusted professional adviser that, preferably, was recommended to you by someone unrelated to that person.

I agree with arch on putting money away and the only other advice I have is to make sure things are diversified so you don't have all your retirement eggs in the same basket (and that means not everything in the stock market if you can help it along with diversified in the stock market)

I've opened a TDAmeritrade Account and listen to my father with most everything. He tells me when to buy and when to sell.

If your father is into investing, one thing I'd recommend you do is always have money on hand to invest. I always try to make sure that I have money in my Ameritrade Account available and have an Ameritrade App on my Blackberry.

He calls me and tells me to buy, and I can buy immediately.

I'm 26 and one thing i've learned is that my parents are usually right. I've taken this advice with the stock game too, especially since he follows it the way I follow the Browns. My stock account has done nothing but grown.

I have thought about opening one of those IRA's that can't be taxed (Roth?) in the next year or so. They're supposed to be very safe. But I think there's a limit to how much you can put in per year (and have it non-taxed)

I learned about capital gains tax last year and it really ruined my day. Just the principal of it drives me up the wall. Taxing money I invest that was already taxed in the first place (on my income taxes)!

I'm smart enough to live a frivilous lifestyle and take the money I am able to save up and invest it toward my future (and into businesses that help the American Economy!) because the older generations have voted in these politicians who've turned Social Security into a pawnsee scheme that will never come to fruition when I'm ready to retire; and they're going to tax me on that too? It's very upsetting.

But anyway, I bought a company called drg company called DUSA a few years ago at about 1.40 and it's now at 4.85 (Down from like 6 dollars, but on the rise again). I bought another drug company called QLTI a few years ago at 4.90 and it's up to 7.07. Along the way I've bought more, sold some when I need cash, and I've made a much better return on my investments than any savings account

So my recommendations, listen to your father if he's big on investing/made money in it, and always have money on hand and ready to go so you can buy when the opportunity is right. I try to keep 1,000$ in my TDAmeritrade Account ready to go at all times. It's not that much, but for how much money I make, it's a decent amount.

A roth IRA is a good choice

Capital Gains are only taxing what you made from the sale of a stock and/or dividends earned during the year. Money you had NOT yet been taxed on.

I am not going to give advice, but I will say I only buy(for the most part) stocks I can see.


I buy McDonalds,Exxon, Wal-Mart, McKee, Walgreens, and don't buy companies who supply them.....for the most part...I was heavy in to Cicso at one time, you can't see that.


I like to be able to look at a parking lot and say the stock is doing well today/ tonight.

A Roth IRA is a great idea. You pay the taxes now and then all gains are nontaxable. Most people increase their earnings as time goes on, so pay now at lower rates rather than when you need it at retirement and your tax bracket is higher.

Also, Roth IRA distributions do not count as earned income at retirement as a regular IRA account would. The max contribution per year is $5000.

Very great idea, especially for younger people.

I am in a smaller investment club. We are in Scottrade and I also have my own personal there. Thebest time to stazt saving is now, today. I recommend decent dividend payers (look at ConEd, Pfizer, Boeing, Verizon, Cat, Deere for a start). Then buy some and invest proceeds. I am retired and we also have acquireds and will continue to accumulate more muni bonds in a mutual fund. Good luck.

Talk to a Professional.

Some of the advice here is good. Some is not.

That's all I can say