Playing the stock market?

[Finnyhaddock]

I would like to have a bash and would be willing to try out 5k. I’m seeing a bit about platforms but does anyone have any advice?
I do have other savings but am retired and think it would be fun.

Fun? Because you like risk taking?
Well, as long as you know your investments may go down as well as up

I think there are ways of reducing risks with stock market investing, but it sounds like you're after a bit of a gamble...

Don’t bet money you can’t afford to loose.

With 5k, you need to think about how to diversify. You don't have enough to buy a range of individual shares - the commission charges would likely outweigh any gains. Look at funds and ETFs

How risk averse are you? Some penny shares are a more like gambling - maybe that's what you are after? Read fool.co.uk and shares magazine to get some ideas.

Hi Finnyhaddock, I think you must read this article: en.samt.ag/11-biggest-investment-mistakes-to-avoid-for-your-capital before starting, it will help you to take a clever decision.

I started investing a small sum with HL a few years ago. No regrets but everyone will tell you that there are cheaper platforms.
From the very little I know my advice would be put your investments in a isa. Choose at least five funds in different sectors .Look at tracker funds. Start with the minimum investment (£100) in each, and set up monthly top ups.

Also pay any charges monthly with a debit card ( I paid around £1.60 this month on £4500).
No expert as you can see but thats what I'd do .Good luck

Agree, get a tracker through Vanguard via an ISA (if you have not maxed it our this year). Go for one of the world funds to give you coverage of the global market - hence inbuilt diversification. VWRL is a staple in lots of portfolios. You won't get the rush of the market however!

With 5k I would probably invest 1k in 5 different funds. Agree with a PP that trading fees would eat your profits if you tried to do shares.

Stock market is always cyclical. What goes up will come down at some point. You are gambling on the future success of a company essentially. You can do research, be well informed and so on, but chances are you will lose money at some point. I think it is for long-term investors, who can diversify, so if I were you and could happily leave that money tied up for at least 5 years, I'd by £1k of stock in different companies, which gives you 5 chances of success at any one time (or 5 chances of failure) but probably you'll end up somewhere in the middle.

I use nutmeg to invest in a stocks and shares ISA. I found out about it on money saving expert and really like it because it takes all the guesswork out of picking things to invest in.
You pick your risk level or do a quiz which will help determine it and then it automatically invests your money in lots of different things. You can also adjust your risk level at any time or withdraw your money too.
They charge a small fee for this but if you sign up using this link then they will waive the fees for the first 3 months: bit.ly/nutmegm

Its a small sum. Dont buy individual shares, buy collective investment vehicles such as ITs,ETFs,"funds".

Is this going to be a long term investment? If so think about mitigating charges.

Id buy one or two investment trust,,im thinking SMT in particular..