After you've set your objective, understand how your tax return impacts your investment selection . The tax implications differ for tax qualified retirement accounts and other investments. To answer these questions, ask your tax preparer, CPA, or investment advisor about how to calculate your tax-adjusted investment rate. Invest where your after- tax return is the highest. Tips on the golf course or beauty shop don't count.
Many Internet sites give great advice on investments.
Follow up your on-line research with time honored research and investment publications. Study independent reports, read the prospectus, match the goals of the investment to your objectives. Lastly, before you invest on-line ask yourself if you can sleep at night through the stock market jitters, whether the Dow is up or down. If you can't sleep, get professional help. Many investors start with professional guidance, educate themselves along the way, and then decide to go it alone.