Making Money With Stocks Is Not Easy
By DJ Raymond

Making money in the stock market has a very strong attraction. No doubt you have been on the receiving end of a conversation as friends related their story of how they made thousands of dollars on a hot stock tip.
Perhaps they have shared with you their secrets for making their fortune in day trading. The truth is you would like to make money investing too; you simply don't have the knowledge or experience to invest your hard earned money in financial markets.
Remember that every seasoned investor started investing as a beginner investor. Perhaps that is where you are now. Perhaps you know enough about investing to insure you will lose money if you take the plunge.
The number one falsehood about investing is that it is easy to make money. It is not. Investing properly in any stock or equity takes a significant amount of time and research. When you purchase a stock, you are not buying a lottery ticket. You are indeed investing in a company.
Many investors plunk down their money based on what people say, or perhaps what a stockbroker may suggest. The conversation goes something like this. Mr. Smith I

Local Stocks
The major U.S. stock markets took a tumble last week during news of disappointing earnings, led by International Business Machines Corp., and a negative consumer sentiment report.
U.S. Stocks
The major U.S. stock markets took a downward turn last week as investors continued to fret over rising inflation and the possibility of higher interest rates.
Local Stocks
New fears of inflation and higher interest rates drove the major U.S. stock indexes down last week. It was the third straight week of losses.
Local Stocks
The major U.S. stock indexes fell last week as rising oil prices took center stage.
Stocks
Stocks continued upward last week, driven by a better-than-expected jobs growth report that eased investors' fears about inflation and higher interest rates.
Local Stocks
Stocks advanced last week, powered by an upbeat report on economic growth and some consumer inflation data that didn't rattle investors.
Local Stocks
Renewed fears of inflation and higher interest rates drove the major stock indexes down last week, even as pharmaceutical companies scored gains.
Local Stocks
Blue chip stocks advanced for a third straight week, but a disappointing outlook for Dell and Cisco Systems held back gains in the technology sector.
Local Stocks
The major U.S. stock market indexes rose sharply last week as investors bet that a weaker-than-expected employment report could slow interest-rate increases.
Local Stocks
The major stock indexes eked out gains last week as investors weighed strong earnings reports and Procter & Gamble Co.'s proposed $57 billion acquisition of Gillette Co. against weak economic data and uncertainty over the elections in Iraq.
Local Stocks
The major U.S. stock markets took a downward turn last week amid news of disappointing earnings and a weak consumer sentiment report.
Local Stocks
Stock prices edged down last week amid rising oil prices, weak corporate earnings reports and a record trade deficit for November. But stocks in the Washington region saw gains.
Local Stocks
Major U.S stock indexes took a hit last week and local stocks followed suit after reports of disappointing holiday retail sales.
Local Stocks
The major U.S. stock market indexes lost ground last week in light holiday-week trading.
Local Stocks
Stocks rose again last week, both in the Washington area and nationally, as investors took a bullish stance on the economy's prospects for 2005. The government reported several pieces of positive economic news Thursday, the last trading day of a short Christmas week, including better personal income and durable-goods sales.
Local Stocks
Stocks advanced last week in spite of bad news on Friday: a jump in crude oil prices and a slump in the drug industry.
Local Stocks
Stock prices dropped last week as investors weighed positive news -- steadily dropping oil prices -- against a weaker dollar and a troubling report on inflation.
Local Stocks
Stocks continued upward last week, driven by a 14 percent decline in crude-oil prices. Technology socks, led by Intel Corp., the world's largest semiconductor company, were particularly strong.
Local Stocks
Wall Street resumed its optimistic streak last week as investors anticipated new data this week, on job creation and holiday consumer spending, that could strengthen the overall economy.

have a hot stock tip!
Company ABC is ready to take off, the price is 10.00 a share and I know if you invest $ 5,000.00 you can double your money in 6 months! If that sounds familiar raise your hand!
That is not to say that poeple do not make money this way. Money is made this way everyday, just not usually by beginner investors. The only people that make money on these kinds of tips are the brokers who take a generous commission on you buy order, and eventually on your sell order when it doesn't work out.
Another common mistake among novice investors is to invest in industries they know nothing about. This is common with all investors. For example a Lawyer might invest in an overseas oil refining company. What does he know about oil refining? Likely nothing.
The Lawyer is chasing the high flyer, just like many investors, especially new beginner investors.You probably worked very hard to put yourself in a position to save up money to invest to begin with. Work at least that hard to learn what you are about to risk your savings on, before you invest. Consider paper trading to learn how markets work.
To learn more about Stock trading on margin visit the Beginners Investing Guide