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Following the last post about self-investing, I would like to start exploring other areas of investing probably considered more conventional.

I will be researching, writing and calculating how to invest. Assuming you are below the age of thirty (>80% of my investment funds will be in stocks), have some money to invest (meaning, you can afford to lose it) and are willing to accept more then average risk, these posts will apply to you. I have a fairly high level of risk tolerance and will invest accordingly. I understand the average investor will fail to beat the market and most are better off putting a portion of their paycheck every two weeks into an index fund, but this is not where I stand. I believe with the right system, earning quadruple what the S&P500 did this past year is not fantasy. (YTD percentage yield, as of today, the Vanguard Total Stock Index Fund (VTSMX) has lost -7.52%, so even index funds are prone to significant loss).

My plan right now is to save and start investing. I opened an e-trade savings account to help me do this, earning 4.01% interest at the present time. I have right now about $600 and will accumulate until I reach $1,000. At that point I will begin to experiment with different investment vehicles while sharing my gr0wing pains and results with this blog. I will choose stocks based mostly on my own level of confidence with that company's product, while supplementing decisions with a combination of fundamental and technical research.

I will begin investing within the next three weeks using Zecco as my preferred trading tool, chosen based upon it's reputation for free trades.

Investing In Yourself

The first place anyone should begin their investing career is in themselves. This phrase may sound cliche but the rewards are often more concrete.

Ways to invest:

Going back to school

Beginning your undergrad, graduate or even professional degree pays dividends for decades after achieving that success, and once achieved, it is impossible for this investment to be lost. I would also like to state that the rewards of a higher degree are not always monetary, benefits can come in unexpected forms, like respect.

ABL

An acronym for "Always Be Learning." The learning process in your life never ends, so you might as well learn to enjoy the learning experience. Learning anything will improve you and is always a great investment since there is so much to learn and so much of it is free. (Internet, library etc.)

Get Out of Your Shell

"Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action"
-Benjamin Disraeli, former British Prime Minister

"Named must your fear be before banish it you can."
-Yoda, from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

I had another quote I really wanted to post which basically stated; one's success can usually be measured by your willingness to step out of your comfort level. I wholeheartedly believe this and are constantly challenging myself to step out in certain situations . I identify these situations simply by identifying discomfort and pushing myself into the situation and using it to not only confront the fear, but also to familiarize myself, so next time I won't hesitate.