Sometimes the best thing to do is nothing. The alternative could be expensive.
I began my investing journey in August 2007 with a few hundred dollars and big dreams. I was already convinced that the stock market was a far more effective vehicle for achieving financial independence than simply socking away cash in a savings account — though I’m also a firm believer in a well-funded emergency fund.
After establishing a brokerage account and having my first monthly installment transferred, I was ready to buy my first stock. I had $250 in my account, which was all I could afford at the time. I poured over a list of stocks recommended by The Motley Fool and settled on my very first investment: Netflix (NFLX -1.22%). My discount brokerage allowed the purchase of fractional shares, so I spent the entire $250 on Netflix stock, and after the $4 commission, I was the proud owner of 14.385…
