Invest on my own or stock broker?

[David]

Whether you pay a broker/manager to do it or you do it yourself, either way you are "in" the market. If you want to be "in" the market, buy the Spyders, ticker symbol SPY. Trades like a stock, well diversified, and you can hold it 'til the cows come home or day trade it; you choose. You can also limit risk through position size and using stops; or just get out when risk is high, like now, and you've got good profits. Options are also available. Conversely, you have zero control over a mutual fund.

Stocks Basics: Introduction
http://www.investopedia.com/university/stocks/

Five Minute Investing: How To Evaluate A Trading Strategy
http://www.investopedia.com/university/f...inute6.asp

The Cardinal Sin Of Beginning Investing -- And How To Avoid It
http://www.investopedia.com/stock-analys...oidit.aspx