Investing in Stocks

Examples to Start With:

• Large, stable companies (“blue chips”) like Apple (AAPL), Microsoft (MSFT), Coca-Cola (KO), or Johnson & Johnson (JNJ).
• Beginner-friendly ETFs like S&P 500 ETFs (VOO, SPY) if you want instant diversification.

Where to Buy:

• Robinhood, Webull, M1 Finance — all offer free stock trades.
• Fidelity or Charles Schwab for beginner-friendly tools and research.

Key Considerations:

• Commission fees (most are $0 now).
• Minimum purchase is the share price, unless you buy fractional shares.
• Taxes on capital gains when you sell for profit.

Starting Amount:

• $50–$500 is fine to get started with fractional shares.
• Focus on learning how buying/selling works.

Goals:

• Build familiarity with how the stock market works.
• Start small; focus on learning, not big returns yet.
• Hold long-term; avoid day-trading early on.