Where do i go from here?

[KSR2010]

Hey everyone im a high school student, i work a few random jobs so to speak. I work for my fathers sign company doing really what he needs at the moment, when i have time off from school. I also help out his employee maintain his large tomato garden where he sells fresh tomatos to local restarunts. My question is i feel like i work so hard but a am accomplishing nothing. I work more than anyone else in my grade or among my friends and just feel like im getting no where. I want so much out of life and don't mind working hard for what i want, im just kind of stuck at the moment. I have a few hundred dollars does anyone have any idea of what i can do to get more return. I've been learning about the stock market in economics class and find it very intresting and have a good understanding of it is the stock market out of the question with only a few hundred dollars? possible cheap start up business ideas? Any advice would be appreciated Thanks

[GuyBBY]

For right now, until I can think a bit more into it to recommend business oriented ideas, look at American Funds for some low minimum fee mutual funds. I did this when I was in high school and ever since, and it has been something I'll never regret. Makes a big difference a few years down the road!

Best
Guy

[rogercbryan]

You are in no way stuck. To few people your age are willing to work so hard. You have to ask yourself if you are learning anything from all this hard work. Don't just measure dollars. Is there an opportunity for you to take over your dad's sign shop some day? Does he own it? Do you have any ideas how to make the compnay grow or how to help it make more money. The tomato job- what can you do to grow that company (if the owner wants too). Take advantage of the opportunities you have now as they will educate you for the future.

While you are doing all this I hope you are planning on attending college when you graduate. If you were to combine what sounds like an excellent work ethic with a little education I think you will see many doors opening in your future.

Good Luck and keep on posting!

[clp11479]

if you only have a few hundred bucks I'd take a shot at starting something as opposed to investing it (a good return on a stock would be 15% a year, so if you have $500 you'd be making $75/year less taxes so it's not really worth it).

my suggestion is to find a need in your local area and see if you can fill it somehow. with the $500 you could buy some equipment to either do lawnwork, landscaping, raking leaves, attic cleanups, or whatnot. people will be apt to hire a young hard working person and your investment in some tools should be able to pay itself off quickly. if people like you and the job you do you could hire some classmates and expand. make up some flyers, put in them that you are a hardworking kid looking to make money to pay for college (this will appeal to people) and drop it off in mailboxes and wait for the calls to come in.

good luck.

[clp11479]

of course if you live in a City then scratch that idea, lol

[CIsaac]

Go for asset allocation funds--American or Hartford. Asset allocation is a revamp of mutual funds (they're mutual funds with less volatility). American definitely has lower fees. Be ready to keep it in for 5 years or so, if not, go with individual stocks but you might have to save a little more for that.

[RLorenzen]

You could do more than 15% a year in stocks if you invest for the shorter term. Even if you only buy and sell a few stocks a month you could do better than 15%, if you choose the right stocks. Do the research and you'll be surprised at the gains you can pick up. Of course, make sure you learn everything you can about the market before starting.

[KSR2010]

Just wanted to say i appreciate everyone's input and advice

[Squandered Halfpints]

Since you sound like a young financially driven individual with a minimal amount of income, I suggest you take some of your free time in developing your investment financial knowledge. This could be done very easily by reading books you understand that contain information on LONG-TERM investments. I'll give you some suggestions if your interested. Your young age gives you a tremendous advantage in developing wealth.

[GhostFac3]

This is just a suggestion. And I fully support you raising your financial IQ because you will be YEARS ahead of the game if you start now. My suggestion is to never overestimate real simple ideas. Really simple ideas can make it big if in the right situation.

For example, I'm from a small city name Tuskegee, AL, we have larger cities around us of Auburn and Montgomery, but specifically for our area, there is really nothing for highschoolers to do, so people I know would always have parties. The parties supported local Djs to help get them some experience, and also helped the guys with their promotion skills. They would rent out different spaces around the city to have their parties. The spaces cost about $300 max because it would be a second hosue that people had or a YMCA building. With $300 for a building and probably $200 for the DJ, if you got 200 kids coming and they are paying 10 bucks to get in that a nice 1500 profit.

So if you have some smaller scale ideas away from your future aspirations, don't overlook the possibilities of using those to springboard you to another level.

That's my 2.

[KSR2010]

[QUOTE=I'll give you some suggestions if your interested. Your young age gives you a tremendous advantage in developing wealth.[/QUOTE]

Im already partly through a book by Donald Trump "Think big and kick ass in life and business" and im planning on reading that book from the facebook co founder when it comes out about his success as such a young entrepeneur. I would like any other suggestions you may have though. Thanks

[RLorenzen]

KSR2010, I sent you a PM.