The young woman who approached me for financial advice was adamant. As we talked, I realized she meant she wanted to invest only in double-digit return stocks. Double-digit returns are not guaranteed, I warned her.
All stocks are risky.
It's the nature of the beast. She wouldn't listen. According to conservative financial professionals, you should keep three months to a year's worth of expenses in a very safe, liquid account before you begin investing. You should also have your debt in a manageable and prudent position. Don't forget to include the 401K plan provided by your employer as part of your stock portfolio.