Before You Begin
Most investors are anxious to get their money into the markets. They want a few hundred dollars to start changing their life. With that attitude, you might be heading toward failure. You should always start with no money and zero risk. Paper trading is a wonderful method to see how much you would have made (or lost). There isn’t any rush to skip this step, because the penny stock market will always be there waiting for you. You do not need fancy software, the best broker tools, or the latest apps. You need a pencil and a piece of paper. Paper Trading, instead of jumping in before you can demonstrate (theoretical) profits, is and will be the single best decision you will ever make in penny stocks.
Avoid Common Risks
Risk Money
You have probably heard about using “risk money” with speculative investments. Risk money is money that you would be okay with losing 100% of when investing. Beyond the obvious reasons to keep your rent check and grocery money out of the latest five-cent stock, there is an abstract benefit that is widely unknown. Investors who feel stress, frustration, impatience, and obsession with their investments tend to act emotionally rather than meticulously. Trading decisions are typically made for the wrong reasons and bring the wrong results. Risk money, on the other hand, results in looser, more patient, and wiser behavior. With this attitude, better decisions are made.
Discount Stock Broker
All you need in order to trade shares of any kind is an (online discount) stockbroker. Opening an account typically involves filling out a few forms, and most people are up and running within days. Depending on the policies of the broker you choose, there is a required minimum amount of cash which needs to be deposited, ranging from zero to tens of thousands of dollars. Once the money is deposited, and your account is set up, you will be able to use those funds to buy and sell stock, which leads us to the most important part of trading penny stocks.
Risks of Penny Stocks
Penny stocks can be very risky. These are low-priced shares of small companies that are not traded on an exchange or quoted on the Nasdaq. Pricing can be unavailable, and there is a risk that you will not be able to sell your shares. These securities can also be susceptible to pump-and-dump schemes, unusual auditing issues, SEC trading suspensions, and situations in which assets are large but revenues are small.
Start Smart
Start smart, use only risk money, and learn how to find the best stocks before you begin. Trading is simple, and even better, it is fun. When you turn a few dollars into something more substantial, you will be absolutely hooked!
