What your kids need to know about investing

Magister Mike Stathis reveals the basics:

For anyone who might counter by saying that it's good for kids to learn about investments, my response is that you've been brainwashed by too many E-Trade and Schwab commercials.

If America's youth spent more time learning chemistry, physics and math and less time on myspace, playing Warcraft, and watching porn, America might actually have a bright future.

But one thing is for certain. They are much better off wasting time online with games and myspace than gambling in the stock market. And this is exactly what this ad is designed to do - sucker them in. Investing in the stock market by anyone other than experienced professionals is no different than gambling. As a matter of fact, the gaming industry has much less fraud (excluding online). The less experienced one is, the more investing in the market resembles gambling.

In fact, you'll probably have better odds in Vegas. And you're sure to have a much better time and lose a lot less money. Most people don't realize this because they fail to understand that Wall Street has always been and will always be designed to take your money. Just remember that the next time you think you're doing well in the market.

And remember this - gambling is addictive. That's why so many people claim they "love" or "are obsessed" with the stock market.
...
Investing is the most difficult task to do well and consistently on earth. Period. Anyone who says it's easy or claims to have a system or set of "resources" that makes it easier is either naive or looking to sell you something, whether it's products or services. more >>