Getting started
- Open a brokerage account (taxable, IRA or Roth IRA).
- Fund it by bank transfer.
- Search a ticker, review price, volume and fundamentals.
- Place an order and confirm the details.
- Track, rebalance and keep records for taxes.
Order types
- Market: buys now at the best available price. Fast, but the price can slip.
- Limit: buys or sells only at your price or better. Preferred for most trades.
- Stop / stop-limit: triggers when price hits a level, to cap losses.
- Day vs GTC: expires today, or stays open until canceled.
Core principles
- Diversify across companies, sectors and asset types.
- Broad index ETFs are a low-cost core holding.
- Size positions so one loss cannot hurt you badly.
- Dividend yield is only one part of total return.
- Only invest money you will not need soon.
Educational use only. This site is not financial, tax or legal advice. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal, and option strategies carry additional risks. Figures are illustrative estimates, not quotes or guarantees.