[Never_Enough]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

Invest in real estate and stocks. My house I brought in 2012 has appreciated over 200K. My brokerage account is up 55% since I opened it in 2015. Cars generally speaking are a bad investment, but that's now what I brought mine for.

Yea, I don't think I'm buying a house with the whole $7k from selling the car. I'm obviously talking about stocks, but just saying "stocks" helps no one.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by TrAcK TRaP

That is very simple. Answer is GOLD..

Gold Rush ?

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by Never_Enough

Yea, I don't think I'm buying a house with the whole $7k from selling the car. I'm obviously talking about stocks, but just saying "stocks" helps no one.

Have u opened an online brokerage account ?

[Never_Enough]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

Have u opened an online brokerage account ?

Of course. I'm not new to the stock market. Just looking for new opportunities...

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by Never_Enough

Of course. I'm not new to the stock market. Just looking for new opportunities...

I own Apple stock. Like Warren Buffett. That's what's allowed my portfolio to almost double in 3 years.

[DETRoadster]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

I own Apple stock. Like Warren Buffett. That's what's allowed my portfolio to almost double in 3 years.

I've been very pleased with both my Apple and Amazon stock over the last 7ish years.

[Never_Enough]

Originally Posted by DETRoadster

I've been very pleased with both my Apple and Amazon stock over the last 7ish years.

But is now the wrong time to buy them? That is the question.

[qba335i]

Originally Posted by Never_Enough

But is now the wrong time to buy them? That is the question.

We are 9 years into this bull market. Is this a good time to buy anything?

[Never_Enough]

Originally Posted by qba335i

We are 9 years into this bull market. Is this a good time to buy anything?

My point is they are both up pretty high. Normally, the time to buy is not at the top.

[kivyee]

I've had good results buying Tesla whenever it drops and waiting for Musk to do something crazy and get everyone piling back in. I think my lifetime return on the stock is about 80 to 90% over the last 3 years.
Of course, YMMV. My biggest regret is locking in my gain in Amazon...Sold at 300 and made a good return...Look at it now...

Given the questions you've asked and knowledge you currently posses, you're already on the right track OP.

I'd open up a Vanguard account and go through their list of ETFs:
https://investor.vanguard.com/etf/li...th-end-returns

If you want something more "stable" the Mega Cap Growth ETF (MGK) and Growth ETF (VUG) funds more or less follow the S&P 500.

If you want something more focused, the Information Technology ETF (VGT) and Consumer Discretionary ETF (VCR) funds typically outperform the market and have shown strong YTD gains thus far.

Not sure why peeps keep referring you towards an "expert" though; any/all data you need on the stocks mentioned is all at your finger tips. All an "expert" will do is steer you towards something like American Funds which are actively managed funds with crazy high expense ratios.

My only other suggestion is to pick one and leave it. The more you obsess over looking at gains/losses every day and/or try and shuffle funds from one to the other all the time, you're not gaining anything.

[DETRoadster]

Originally Posted by Never_Enough

But is now the wrong time to buy them? That is the question.

If you are looking to make a quick buck over the next 6 to 12 months, then yes, now might be the wrong time to buy. If you are in your 30s and saving for retirement then jump on in. Trying to time the market is always dangerous. Dollar cost averaging over a long period of time is about a foolproof as it can get, though still has risks.

I still remember my stepdad proclaiming that Microsoft stock was at the peak and it was time to sell. That was 1995.

[PoorLurker]

Why are people boasting about stock or real estate that they purchased in the last 5-6 years? We've just left one of the largest economic downturns in the history of the US and have had one of the strongest bull runs ever.

The barrel was jam packed with fish... this doesn't make you an expert.

Now with that said... too bad I couldn't accumulate anything in that time... I remember looking at places to buy in 2011 but I never pulled the trigger.

*kicks dirt because I can't afford the doctor's visit when I kick rocks and stub my toe

[Never_Enough]

Originally Posted by DETRoadster

If you are looking to make a quick buck over the next 6 to 12 months, then yes, now might be the wrong time to buy. If you are in your 30s and saving for retirement then jump on in. Trying to time the market is always dangerous. Dollar cost averaging over a long period of time is about a foolproof as it can get, though still has risks.

I still remember my stepdad proclaiming that Microsoft stock was at the peak and it was time to sell. That was 1995.

I don't plan to leave this money in retirement so this would be for making a quick buck in the short term.

[tdott]

Have some decent gains on my investments, holding my current portfolio and waiting on the sidelines for something to happening before doubling down and jumping back in. Making sure if another 2008 happens, I am ready to capitalize.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by Never_Enough

I don't plan to leave this money in retirement so this would be for making a quick buck in the short term.

Brokerage non retirement account is how you make a quick buck in the short term.

[DETRoadster]

Originally Posted by Never_Enough

I don't plan to leave this money in retirement so this would be for making a quick buck in the short term.

Ah, OK. Sorry, I cant be of help then. All my investing is focused on the long game. I wouldn't know where to start with trying to make a quick, steep, return on a short term gamble, I mean, investment. Vegas sports book, perhaps?

[NoMoreAudi]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

Invest in real estate and stocks. My house I brought in 2012 has appreciated over 200K. My brokerage account is up 55% since I opened it in 2015. Cars generally speaking are a bad investment, but that's now what I brought mine for.

Cars are the most important investment for us - our mental health. Finances are secondary to well-being (physical/mental health) and happiness, wouldn't you agree? I mean, what other ways can you spend hard-earned money and get this much satisfaction?

[RSAUTOSPA]

Bitcoin for sure

[DETRoadster]

Here ya go: https://jalopnik.com/classic-german-...ock-1827479489

Just find 10 or 20 friends who also have $7k to invest and go in together on an air cooled Porsche.

683% return over the past 13 years.

[kivyee]

Originally Posted by PoorLurker

The barrel was jam packed with fish... this doesn't make you an expert.

Now with that said... too bad I couldn't accumulate anything in that time... I remember looking at places to buy in 2011 but I never pulled the trigger.

No one is saying they are geniuses and were the only ones to make money. Sometimes it's about pulling the trigger instead of talking about pulling the trigger.

I purchased a presale condo when I was taking temp jobs due to my company suddenly withdrawing support for my MBA program. A prudent man might not have done the same but i saw it as a good opportunity. In the end it worked out for me. Was I a genius? No. Did I have "balls"? I'd like to think at least a hemisphere`s worth .

[JamesWWIII]

Originally Posted by kivyee

Sometimes it's about pulling the trigger instead of talking about pulling the trigger.

Yep.

I wasn't exactly flush while in grad school, but I scraped and saved $5000 to buy my initial stake in AAPL (something I'd been wanting to do since Steve Jobs returned as CEO in 1997). I've added significantly more over the years, especially during dips, but I'll let anyone interested do the math on what that first 5 grand invested in late 2001 is worth today after splits and dividend reinvestment.