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just to get your feet wet. The risk is lower than with individual stocks, and the returns can be just as good. You can buy them without a commission from Vanguard and Fidelity. Management fees at these firms are quite low, and the selection is enormous. You can buy stock funds, bond funds, funds that blend the two; foreign funds for all regions of the globe, large cap, small cap, sector funds such as defense, precious metals, banks or energy, tax exempt; there is truly something for every taste. Vanguard and Fidelity both offer tutorials, and it is easy to compare current and historic yields of various funds. Once you establish an account, all transactions can be done on line.
There are some limitations. There's a holding period when you buy a fund. With Fidelity that's 90 days. Trading in and out drives up their costs. If you sell within the 90 day period you pay a small penalty. Both firms offer brokerage service. Vanguard charges $25 per trade. Google Vanguard or Fidelity and you're there. Check 'em out.
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