The first thing to get straight is that you need to move forward with stock market investing at your own pace.
Don't be fooled into buying the next big thing.
Don't rush into anything that you are uncomfortable with.
Take your time.
Do your research and studying.
Ask questions in forums online or with local investment clubs nearby.
Read books and magazines and join online forums about the stock market.
Authors and other experts with credibility are Peter Lynch and Warren Buffet (two of the biggest names because they have succeeded so many times).
Magazines worth reading are Forbes and Kiplinger's.
Next you need to know that there are two basic schools of thought when it comes to stock market investing.
One group of stock traders are the "buy and hold" group.
The others are short-term investors.
Both groups have good reasons to subscribe to their philosophy.
It is wise to learn about both methods and choose some investments using both methods to find out which one works best for you.
Buy and Hold investors are looking to hold on to their stocks for a long time - at least several years.
These investors do not worry very much about subtle market fluctuations (when prices go up or down), or volatility (when the prices can change dramatically in a short period of time).
Buy and hold investors look at the fundamentals of a business before they invest money into it.
Their theory is that fundamentally sound businesses always have better chances of making money.
They will look to buy "undervalued" businesses that have good fundamental financial data, but are selling at prices which seem low for their particular market.
When the business improves and its financials are better, the investors make money.
This is a fairly straightforward method.
The wealthiest people in the stock market made their money following this method.
Warren Buffett and Peter Lynch are both fundamental "buy and hold" investors.
Warren Buffett was named the richest man in the world in 2008.
In 2009 he gave away billions of dollars to charity and is said to be the second richest man in America.
Buy and Hold investing is his strategy for success.
Similar things could be said of Peter Lynch.
On the other side of the coin is short-term investing.
These investors don't pay as much attention to the fundamentals of a business before investing in it.
They pay attention to what is happening in the market by paying close attention to technical analysis.
These investors are often referred to as day traders or technical traders.
They have formulas that tell them when they should buy and when they should sell a stock.
This system is very mathematical and unemotional.
Many people have made a fortune very quickly using this method of investing.
Many people have lost a fortune in day trading, or technical investing.
This is the nature of technical investing.
These types of investors don't mind taking on big risks to have a chance at making big money fast.
Long term investors tend to "weather the storm" before they will sell their stocks.
Short term investors will sell at the first bad sign.
Which system is right for you? Study about them both.
Both systems have produced very wealthy people.
Each system has pros and cons.
In the end, you will need to choose the system which fits your personality temperament and your financial goals.
Once you have an idea of the things you'd like to try, and the financial goals you'd like to achieve, then you can start with the next step: "mock" investing.
Before you plunk down some real money into the stock market, try your luck with mock investments.
You can join several stock market simulation websites and even compete against other virtual stock market investors.
This is just like joining a fantasy sports league, except you are trading stocks instead of players! Play around with a fantasy stock market game for a few months.
Most websites will track everything for you.
This will allow you to see how well your portfolio performs for the short term.
This method will not allow you to test out your long-term stock market strategies.
Now you're ready to try your hand at the market with some real money.
Only invest money that you're prepared to lose! I know your goal is to make money, but you should only invest money that you do not need.
Don't spend this month's rent on the next "sure thing" - because if it falls through, then you will be out on the street - and you won't have any stock earnings to help you back on your feet! Whether you choose long-term or short-term investing you should first test the waters by investing small amounts of spendable cash.
Try out your ideas and see if they prove successful.
Learn from your mistakes.
Don't give up! Good luck to you in your financial journey!