Question - Getting into investing...

[mackenzie]

If you go the Roth IRA route you can go to a brokerage firm etc. and set up a self directed IRA account. That way you can put the money where you want i.e. stocks, mutual funds etc. My account is with Scottrade where you can open an account with $500.00. That's a minimum that has to be maintained. The only drawback is that you won't be able to touch the money, without penalty, untill you are 59 1/2. If you think you'd be interested in following the market there are two shows on CNBC that are informative and entertaining- Mad Money&Fast Money. 5 & 6 PM .

[saltfly]

alot of towns have "continuing ed." classes at night during the winter and spring months.They usually run from 1or2 nights or 8 to 10 depending on the class.there is always a finance,stock,fund etc. in the mix and they're about $40.

[The Iceman 6]

Mutual Funds...

[PaulS]

No load mutual funds.

[The Iceman 6]

Yes, no load.

[spence]

Hey? Didn't we already discuss this?

Assuming you already have a money market account with 4-6 months living expenses and no credit card debt.

Then invest in a no load Index fund (like the Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund or something similar) and contribute monthly if you can.

If you get that down, then divert a small amount of your stock money, say 10-15% to invest in individual stocks if you want to play around.

But unless you have some skin with a company or want to do your homework, the Index funds are pretty brainless.

-spence