The 'stock market' is an exciting place, it can be very addictive, and it is guaranteed to take you on a 'rollercoaster' ride through every emotion .. the 'market' can be very kind, but more often than not .. it is very cruel.
I could fill several pages with words of advice to someone starting out, but really its something that you have to find out for yourself .. you have to learn from your successes, and from your failures .. especially from your failures, because there will be plenty of them .. everyone has failures, even the most succesful professional traders.
The best advice that I can give to someone just starting out is "Don't rush in, and don't use funds that you can't afford to lose".
Setting up a 'fantasy portfolio' is a good way of 'testing the water' for a while, whilst you learn the basics, and the BB's can be an excellent classroom in which to learn .. identify the 'knowledgeable old timers' who are willing to exchange information and knowledge, and never be afraid to ask questions, no matter how basic .. everyone has to start somewhere.
When you start committing money, start with small amounts, and don't put 'all your eggs in one basket' .. take things slowly until you decide on the best methods to suit your own style of trading, and to meet your own needs .. cos every trader has their own agenda.
I had better shut up now, or I will end up filling those several pages :-)
