We have brought together in this site most of the investor tools you will need to make decisions affecting your financial investments. Below we set out the process necessary to be undertaken when considering making a financial investment in the securities market.

Before starting, you should be familiar with the language of investment terms. Read the Glossary of Investment related terms and the ABC's of Investment Terms which will give you a good basis from which to start the investment process. Read the financial section of your newspaper to familiarize yourself with the language and terms being used. Watch financial programs is another excellent way to learn. There is plenty of information on the internet and in magazines and newspapers that will assist you in getting up to speed.

Once you have familiarized yourself with terms, decide what you want from your investments? What are your financial objectives? Do you want growth, income or both? Think long term since over the long haul stocks will rise but in the short term your stocks will rise and fall depending on many factors over which you have no control.

Determine what your temperament is. Are you averse to risk? How do you react to bad news and seeing your stock plunge in one day? If you can't stand to see stocks rise and fall quickly then you might want to invest in mutual funds that provide the benefits of diversification and professional management. If stocks are not what you want but you want a fixed income, you might want to invest in the money market fund such as treasury bills, bonds, etc.

If you wish to purchase stocks, the first question is through whom are you are going purchase stocks. Will it be full service brokerage or a discount brokerage. The difference is that the discount broker does not give investment advice while the full service broker determines your financial objectives and gives you advice. However, because of such advice and service, the full service broker's commissions are higher than those of a discount broker. Visit our Broker Centre to read more on this topic. We have also provided comparison charts for both US and Canadian Brokerages for your convenience.

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