Help needed buying shares for a beginner

[Usman]

Hi guys, recently purely out of interest i've wanted to get into trading shares. Now, i dont have a clue how the stock market works or what any of the numbers mean printed besides company names. I've thought of attending these free beginners courses advertised in papers etc but i've never seen one in Manchester. Do any of you guys know of any free courses etc where I can get started and is there a catch to these "free" courses? Many Thanks

[ATM]

Usman said:

Hi guys, recently purely out of interest i've wanted to get into trading shares. Now, i dont have a clue how the stock market works or what any of the numbers mean printed besides company names. I've thought of attending these free beginners courses advertised in papers etc but i've never seen one in Manchester. Do any of you guys know of any free courses etc where I can get started and is there a catch to these "free" courses? Many Thanks

There is loads of information on the net. Some is good. Lot of forums too. Obviously you need to take everything with a pinch of salt and this is the problem. You never know who is telling you the truth and who is just a chancer. A lot of people make their money out of giving advice only. So why would you assume the advice is sound? You can make money and it is basically just gambling. You could have made a lot of money the last few weeks betting on anything going down. You could still make money doing the same thing next week. You could take a longer view that the prices are cheap now and bet on them going up say within 12 months. There is no end of opinion and options and no one can tell you where you should risk betting with your money. I hope thats confused you some?

[shadowninja]

As has been said many times, do your own research.

At best, those seminars will teach you about technical analysis which is all available online free of charge. Also, if you were able to trade successfully, why would you even bother running such seminars? You'd either (1) teach your mates free of charge (2) enjoy the massage by the big breasted masseuse on your yacht between trades (3) focus on generating profit and donating it to the charity of your choice.

They will also teach you a half-baked strategy that may work if you're lucky. Ask these people if you can speak to former students.

If you can find a mentor who will help you to develop your own strategy, you may save money and time, but it is unlikely that you will find a decent mentor.

Don't believe me? Do a search for Darren Winters or Vince Stanzione and Scam...

And the free ones are three hour sales pitches.

Edited by shadowninja on Saturday 25th October 10:15

[Eric Mc]

I often wonder why people decide to embark on an activity but admit that they "haven't a clue" before they start. If you were really interested in stocks, shares and the way the market actually works and behaves, would you not have gleaned some knowledge over the years already?

Personally, I think it is a bit of a mug's game and not too distantly related to what goes on at the bookies. Indeed, betting on horses is probably at least more fun.

You also have to take into account the tax implications of "trading" in shares.

Edited by Eric Mc on Saturday 25th October 10:25

[Percy Flage]

Share trading is a mugs game, there are too many sharks on the boards (ADFVN, MoneyAm, Fool etc) for the tips the boards offer to be relied on. The time you need to invest in research is more than likely better spent elsewhere.

However, if you've a wedge of cash spare and you don't mind losing it for a few years, now could be a really good time to invest. Banks, pharmaceuticals, commodities, food. All are worth a punt imo, with share prices on the floor as they are now (Barclays sub £2.00, for example!). Most share prices WILL come back - we are all royally screwed if they don't.

[shadowninja]

Eric Mc said:

Indeed, betting on horses is probably at least more fun.

I bet.

I trade Forex most days and it's quite a boring affair. Watching your money go up or down is not exciting, per se. Watching horses vie for position, or perhaps, F1, would be more fun/interesting (actually, it is... watching Hammy trying to win a race is definitely more interesting and I don't even have any money on the guy). You could even don a 1930s(?) dress and shout, "Move your bloomin' arse!!".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kBNr3djnZM

Edited by shadowninja on Saturday 25th October 10:48

[Number 5]

Reading between the lines and reading all of your topics/posts... i think your full of st!

Anyone that is disputing this, take a look for yourself... TROLL ALERT!

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loser

Edited by Number 5 on Saturday 25th October 12:02

Edited by Number 5 on Saturday 25th October 12:02

[speedy_thrills]

Usman said:

Now, i dont have a clue how the stock market works

Well you have some homework to do:
Buy and read this book. That'll get you started.

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

Number 5 said:

Reading between the lines and reading all of your topics/posts... i think your full of st!

Anyone that is disputing this, take a look for yourself... TROLL ALERT!

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

loser

Edited by Number 5 on Saturday 25th October 12:02

Edited by Number 5 on Saturday 25th October 12:02

Posting links that don't work puts you where in the PH gene pool then?

[shadowninja]

[Usman]

Number 5, an award is out to you in the post for D*ckhead of the Day!

[Number 5]

Usman said:

Number 5, an award is out to you in the post for D*ckhead of the Day!

I would rather be dhead of the day than Troll of the day.