Investing is not an easy task, and it can take years of effort and experimentation before you feel comfortable doing it. That's why new investors shouldn't jump in with both feet. Instead, take it slowly while you learn by doing (and hopefully by reading a few investment classics along the way, like Benjamin Graham's The Intelligent Investor).

A good starting place is to buy the stocks of companies you know because you regularly use their products and services, such as Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST) and Procter Gamble (NYSE: PG).

It can be very easy to get caught up in the emotional side of Wall Street. That might have you chasing dangerous fads, like the meme stocks that blew up not too long ago. Or maybe today you'll be attracted to anything with an artificial intelligence angle even though there's no way to tell who the real winners will be just yet.

Continue reading

Source Fool.com