Falling stock markets - Help!

Oh, a nice long reply. Thanks. :)

Well, I don't know much about the whole thing, so I'm not going to invest huge amounts from the beginning. I guess I have about £500 to play around with, and I have never used an ISA account, so putting all my profits into one of those seems like the normal/sensible course of action. :)

I can put that money away forever. I'm happy as long as the value doesn't dramatically fall, but shows signs of increasing over time. 25 shares at £20 in the next "Microsoft", for the win. Just a matter of finding them first though, eh? :p

Not too sure what you mean with hands on/off approach, but I'm guessing one is more "involved" than the other; and I guess I'd like a more hands-on approach than letting some geezer/computer do it. At least I can only hate myself for it when I lose all £500. Again, I don't really know what I'm talking about, but I think I have the idea.

I think I'll read a few more guides and purchase a book before I start investing any money.

Thanks for the help,

Phil.
 
As someone above posted, fool.co.uk is a nice site with lots of information. For most people investing in the stock market is a long term affair, don't go in thinking you'll make a killing in the short term, you'll only burn youself, if it was so easy we'll all be warren buffet. Follow the practical advice that site offers, namely clear your debts first, set aside some money that's liquid for a rainy day, and believe in the miracle of compound interest :p

Myself i'm a long term HYP'er (high yield portfolio) :D and this is a good time for me. United utilities yield is near the 7% mark, better grab me some whilst there's a slight dip :p
 
My dads down about 10grand, he was in hospital for a week and was unable to check his shares before going in he sold about 30 grands worth of shares as he was thinking that they were a little too risky to keep hold off. Lucky for him otherwise he would be out of pocket a lot more. He's not going to sell up but is looking to invest more.
 
If the price is falling, switch to a cash fund, then keep an eye, wait for it to bottom out and start to rise again, then switch back in, and buy more...

The recovery will make up for what you lost...

However, you are in high risk funds (by sector and geography) so you can expect some wild fluctuations..

:eek:
 
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