Finance Devil |

Anything about the stock market?

Essentially all the companies listed are publicly traded forms of a joint stock company. Whereby the company is run with the shareholder's interests in mind. The companies issue shares at a certain price to raise capital and people either buy it and drive up the price or they don't. There's different kinds of shares, but they all basically confer partial ownership of the company which is why you can sell your shares to other people in speculative efforts. Anyway, could write 10 pages about it so look on wikipedia for further clarification. I'll just say there are other regulations like Mutual funds can only own a certain percentage of companies which prevents billion dollar funds from engaging in takeovers.

Also, what is better, stocks or bonds, and are they wise things to invest in? How can you tell what stocks are good?

A great resource of specific financial definitions, and encyclopedia-type explanations, is Investopedia.com
http://www.investopedia.com/

Go to your local library and walk down the row upon row of books on these subjects. One beginner's book on investing will answer all of these questions in detail. If you have problems or don't understand, then ask a question. You've asked a question "How do I build a house?" Way too broad and general. You do the work first, then we help.

Try to determine your time horizon. Short-term, long-term?

Take a look at charting and Technical Analysis for following trends in the markets. Why would you own a stock that is in an obvious decline?

Realize right away there are two sides to the market, not just the upside. What goes up, eventually comes down at least part way.

Learn how to analyze risk, and make this your primary approach, not by compounding profits and erroneously analyzing how much money you can make. For example, most traders don't make any money at all; more than 80% blow out.

Learn about money management techniques, and maybe you'll stick around awhile.

Try to find these books:
They say "Buy and Hold" for the long term is better, but that depends on when you get in, and what your definition of "long term" is. The phrase "Buy low and sell high" infers that you buy after a decline; but how much of a decline? If you had bought after a 1000 pt decline in the Dow in 2000, you would still be waiting to get back to even, six years later in most stocks.

How to start trading online:

http://www.bernanke.cn/stock-trade/……
http://www.stock-trading.jims-info.com/….
http://money.howstuffworks.com/………
http://www.investopedia.com/
http://sharebuilder.com/
stockcharts.com

Beginner’s Books on Investing

"Which Is Better, Buy-and-Hold or Market Timing?"

"Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Market Timer

The Beginner's Bible in Technical Analysis is:
Edwards & McGee"Tech. Anal. Of Stock Trends"

Droke, ClifTechnical Analysis Simplified

Kahn, Michael N.Tech. Anal. Plain & Simple

Kamich, Bruce M.How Technical Analysis Works

Lefevre, EdwinReminiscences of a Stock Operator

If I purchased a multi-unit investment property as a means of creating passive income would the lenders still need to see steady earned income in order to allow for lending? If financing is allowed than to what extent will they finance the property up to? What is the metrics they are measuring it by. i.e. I want to purchase a property of 400K but only have 225K liquid.

You would need part of your assets for a down payment, not all.
If the property is showing a positive cash flow, with tenants, that will be beneficial. You may be able to obtain 75 to 80 % financing, more or less.