Don't buy stocks that continually offer more shares, diluting the earnings per share. Don't buy companies that are taking on more debt. Don't buy companies that are increasing their current liabilities. Don't overpay for stocks. Sell stocks when they are over-valued.
Dividends are historically half the return, get high yielding, blue chip stocks.
Watch EPS closely. He tells the kid that when he gets back from his trip, he is going to want a recap of the fundamentals of the portfolio. And off he goes. It is now the summer of 1999. Our world traveler has been completely out of communication with his family for over 5 years.