10k to invest

depaolilover · #1 08-06-2007, 06:48 PM

I'm going into my second year of university and I will have approx. 10k of idle money sitting around. I'd really like to invest this in the stock market. I want to be somewhat active in my investing (maybe 10-20 trades a month?) so I can start to learn about stocks and the market itself. I'd like to know if anyone has any recommendations of what company or website to invest through, what types of investments I should be buying or any general advice.
Thanks in advance

mtgordon · #2 08-06-2007, 07:01 PM

Zecco.com has free trades so if you're going to be trading that much it's probably worth it.

Humble Pie · #3 08-06-2007, 07:30 PM

Learn about the market w/ someone elses money. Put your 10K into a CD or secured bond.

mtgordon · #4 08-06-2007, 07:35 PM

Yeah, I would suggest putting you money into index funds and find a site that allows you to have a virtual account and learn that way.

depaolilover · #5 08-06-2007, 08:59 PM

Would I put my money into index funds through zecco? or is there some other way to do this. Im obviously new to this whole investing thing, Im just trying to get my feet wet.

Also, Im canadian and would like to trade on the TSX. Does zecco let you do this?

gull · #6 08-06-2007, 10:38 PM

Good job for accumulating some money and wanting to get it invested.

Like mtgorden, I recommend investing your money in index funds, which are much more diversified than individual stocks.

Zecco would be a fine brokerage to use. Brokerages are one way to put money in index funds - you can buy ETFs. Investing directly with fund companies is another good option. If you choose this option, I would recommend Vanguard. It has the cheapest, best funds (available to individual investors).