"How do I start?" --from a total newbie

[d4thun]

I've been a casual watcher of the usual money shows. I especially enjoy the presentation of Cramer's Mad Money. I tivoed a recent episode that essentially seemed to a guide for viewing his show.

This seems like the perfect entry point for me; however, I really need some help with how to begin. I couple of internet searches led me to this forum. (This seems like the place to post this question. I honestly did try to put it in the right place; forgive me if I did not.)

I am able/willing to take the time to do the homework. How is such done? Are there sites that reveal the type of stock information to get someone off the ground? (What are those sites?)

Also, where can these stocks be bought. I assume there are online trading sites that can help someone like me out. What should I look for, and how much money are we talking about?

Right now, I would like to go the route of 5 individual stocks. I probably won't be swapping them out weekly, but I would like a set up that provides the flexibility to trade, sell, or buy when as often as I'm ready. I'm looking for a good place to research stocks in general and a place where I can buy the shares in an honest and easy manner.

Thanks so much for any help you can offer this total newbie. 8O

Dustin

[JT914]

first of all you need an online account/ or broker
I myself chose sharebuilder.com They are a little expensive on the real time trades( Trades you want now) but the automatic investment is in my opinion the ****!!! Sharebuilder is easy to understand easy to perform trades and option's as well ( MUST GET APPROVAL FOR OPTIONS)
As far as your stock's you like or think you like or you just don't know
First know what the company is about. find out how much debt they have as you do not want to buy a company on the brink of extinction
Msn money has an investing tab click on it and look in the left column
They have a stock rating link hit that link , put your ticker symbol in and it will give you a 1 thru 10 rating 10 being best, then go back to that column and find out what the analyst are saying about it(ie buy hold sell)
yahoo finance will do the same(NO STOCK RATER THOUGH)
if you chose sharebuilder they have a premium monthly account you can get for 19.99 mo and it gives you a stock grade (Where aval.) A,B,C,D,E
A being best E being sell. And they have reports on those stocks ($25.) each but free with 19.99 mo package. this will give you more insight into your picks and the report's are from street.com (JIM CRAMERS WORLD).
I hope I have helped in some way
Remember any one or any web site that gives you advice on pick's at no charge proceed with caution. careful who you ask advice from as it might be in their best interest not yours.
I myself like to speculate but I like stocks with a proven track record and fat dividends are nice also.
Good luck and if you need some help your in the right place,
There are a few great investors in here ( AIKI14, SVENWULF) they will help you out if you ask and I trust these two guys they are great and always take time to answer my questions when they come up. And always feel free to contact me.
Bo

[JT914]

Oh yes No account minimum @ sharebuilder.com

That's what got me hooked, I then had all my funds for investing instead of in a minimum account balance.