2. Consider opening a discount brokerage account. A discount broker doesn't offer all of the services of a full-service broker, but you can still purchase shares of stocks. Some accounts require a minimum initial deposit.

• Until you have enough money that you can consider investing a few thousand dollars in a single stock (which means you would have many thousands to spread over a number of stock picks, thus spreading your risks), don't try to profit from short-term price swings. Brokers' commissions will make this unlikely to work well for you. Instead, with a limited amount to invest, plan to hold your investments for a long time (a few years) and pick companies that represent "value." (Value investing involves picking stock in companies that are under-appreciated by the market and are expected to increase in value once the market better understands their worth.) fundamental This tactic will expose you to company-specific risk, so don't use it as your primary investment strategy -- focus on index and other mutual funds (plus bank deposits).