Investing for under 18s?

[BioSpherical]

Hi,
I was just wondering if there are any opportunities available for under 18 year olds to invest in stocks/shares? I know to be able to do it 'properly' you have to be over 18.
Is there such a thing as the above?

[Lloyd]

I don't think there would be an age limit although I could be wrong, a young person under the age of 18 is perfectly capable of, as you put it ''doing it properly''.

[astj]

You just have to remember that under 18 can't sign any contracts which is a big obstacle. As long as you get past that you can invest pretty much anything.

[radreality]

You just have to remember that under 18 can't sign any contracts which is a big obstacle. As long as you get past that you can invest pretty much anything.

That is pretty much the only obstacle. But that can be overcome by just having it under a parents name, and the just rolling it over to yourself when you turn 18. As long as you can trust your parents.

[The Stealthy One]

Hi,
I was just wondering if there are any opportunities available for under 18 year olds to invest in stocks/shares? I know to be able to do it 'properly' you have to be over 18.
Is there such a thing as the above?

You could open an account in your parent(s)'s name.

[Bestmiler]

Like everyone said, you can open an account under your parents name with etrade, scottrade, etc

[chanson]

eek careful.. open an account IF you know what your doing.

If you want to make money i wouldnt recommend just diving into the stock market. If you wantto learn and have xtra cash then definately.. heads first

[cocaine]

Think smart, when using the stock market, 10% of the people in stock make 90% of the money, 90% of the other people make 10% of the money,

why? because people don't think or know what there doing.

If you are new, i would suggest using an online simulator stock game.

[BioSpherical]

Ok, thanks for the replies. I was interested if anyone did actually know of any programs which under 18s could participate in in their own name or which were even specifically for under 18s. I wasn't expecting anyone to know of such a thing as there most likely isn't.
I do know a bit about the stock market through reading about it and like you mentioned cocaine participating in an online simulator stock game.

[Lloyd]

I agree with cocaine a stock simulator would be ideal for someone looking to enter the investment 'scene' it would give you a general insight towards everything surrounding the issue and hey it could even be fun.

[DJ Samson]

I would like to add to this question. What would be the best website/book that explains everything from options to investing strategies to chart reading?

[chanson]

investopedia.com

[ikon]

I opened an account under my mothers name when I was 16 and searched for penny stocks and cheap IPO's then did alot a research and read about 4 books from basic online trading to technical analysis... I had the time cause I was home schooled by this point (I was dating this chick something i pissed her off or something and I got shot at and robbed a few times.). Anyway do your research and try managing an imaginary portfolio for a month or so and see how you do. Google Finance works for test runs and imaginary portfolios. Also dont jump in trying to be a day trader cause you will end your run the first day. Take your time and have fun.

I started at 16, then mom transferred it all to me on my 18th birthday... Google was starting to blow up so I dumped everything in there and sold when I was 20 to get into my house... during that time I still day traded from time to time. but the day trading mistake showed me first hand the amount I was loosing compared to just relaxing.

Hope I was of some help.