Newbie help

if you have no financial background, best advice is to find value based ETFs across the board...some large cap, some mid cap, some small cap, some intl

contribute a little bit each month (auto-deduct) and distribute your money into those 4 areas and then

FORGET THIS ACCOUNT EXISTS

seriously...the little guy can only win one way...buy and hold

over 5% for a money market acct...no minimum

MWC,

I get where you are coming from..I have been in the same boat where you have a certain ammt and have the ambition to really turn it into somthing large..and you see these stocks moving all over and you cannot catch a wave so to speak.

I have to be honest with you that the safe route is for your wife, the 5% savings route, but if you wanted to try and make a big hit you need to take a risk and healthcare and communications arent the ones you are going to see move.

In my opinion, in my past..I made the most money with the smallest ammt of capital (when in your position) by watching movers, high gainers early in the session and try to run with one, catch it early and make a few good trades. I would avoid catching falling knives even if it seems tempting because that kind of trading takes longer time and can zap your account easily.

The other choice is options..but I suggest if you arent 100% comfortable with the theory behind options and the risks involved that you steer clear of them.

It sounds like you need somthing a little safer than high risk capital..you might think it is play money, but I gotta think (from experience too) that the wife doesnt see it that way.

Not trying to steer you towards a 5% account because I really think after inflation a 5% account is for old farts or ultra conservative investors, but in order to really make a huge move in the market in a SHORT period of time you have to be willing to take big risks....        

MWC,

Before shutting it down, what have you been doing and where do you feel you are failing? Learing is crucial to making a profit in the market..this doesnt have to be such a negative event losing 600 bucks..