1. Before you invest, educate yourself. You need to understand what investment options you have, how to read financial statements, how to analyze stocks (for quality, valuations, financial strength, growth potential, etc), as well as how to avoid investment scams and pitfalls, and where to find information.

• Warren Buffett, one of the most successful investors ever, had read every investment book he could lay his hands on (at least 100 books by his count) before he turned twenty.