Understand the Stock Market: Trade Stocks, ETFs Mutual Funds
What you'll learn
- Develop an overview understanding of the stock market and how it works.
- Understand how investors make money in the stock market ; capital gains, dividends and options.
- Choose an online broker based on personal preferences and needs.
- Set up and fund a personal account.
- Know why you need to diversify your investments and two ways to do it.
- Use accurate stock market terminology to discuss investment choices.
- Learn from an experienced, retired teacher.
Requirements
- We start at the very beginning. No prior knowledge needed!
- You will get the most out of the course if you have at least $100 to get started investing.
- If you don't have money to invest yet, you can set up a paper trading account to practice.
Description
Do you feel lost when the conversation turns to stocks and investing? Have you been thinking about investing, but have no idea how to get started? Then this course is made for you. By the time you finish this short, introductory course, you'll be ready to select an online broker, and set up and fund an account. My next course, Choosing and Buying Stocks and Funds will help you decide what to buy with those funds.
Learn how things work before you put your money on the line. Grow your financial literacy and independence with an experienced, supportive teacher. We start at the very beginning.
You'll get a solid overview of the stock market to prepare you to participate in it confidently. I’ll define the terms you need to know so you can ask questions and understand the answers you get. I might even answer some questions you didn’t know you had.
You'll get answers to your questions such as:
What exactly is a share of stock?
Why can I invest in Coca Cola, but not LEGO?
What determines the price of a share of stock?
What is a stock ticker?
What is a stock broker and do I need one?
Exactly how do I make money with stocks?
What is a dividend and what can I do with it?
How do I diversify my investments (and why do I need to?)
What exactly are The Dow, NASDAQ and The S & P 500?
What is an index fund?
I give you step by step instructions with everything you need to choose a broker, decide what kind of account you want to open, and set up your first account.
We'll also talk briefly about the difference between buying individual stocks and buying shares of Mutual Funds and Exchange Traded Funds. We'll touch on retirement plans you may have available through your employers and why you should probably take advantage of them.
This course prepares you for Part B, Novice Investors' Guide to Choosing and Buying Stocks and Funds.
Who this course is for:
- The "stock market curious"
- Those who have some funds ready to invest and want to get started.
- Those who have an account, but who want to feel more confident understanding their stock market investing options.
- Investors who use a financial advisor or manager, and want to feel more confident discussing their investments.
Instructor
- 4.7 Instructor Rating
- 206 Reviews
- 881 Students
- 6 Courses
I'm Patricia Saylor, a retired educator turned investing teacher and the author of The Novice Investor’s Guide to Stocks, Funds, and Options. I specialize in making stock market investing and safe options trading easy to understand—even for total beginners.
My mission is simple: to help people like you invest with confidence by teaching the fundamentals clearly, patiently, and without hype. If you’ve ever read an article or watched a video about investing and felt overwhelmed or confused, you’re exactly who I create content for.
I'm the founder of Saylor Financial Fundamentals and Head of School at Solterra Way Cottage School, where I provide educational assessments, academic support (and swimming lessons!) to private students.
After retiring from a 30-year career in public education and administration, I grew both of my small businesses from side hustles into main gigs.
I have an MA in Linguistics from Gallaudet University and a BA in Spanish and Education from UNC-Chapel Hill. I'm conversant in Spanish and fluent in American Sign Language.
Unlike most financial educators, I was a teacher before I became an investor. I built a second career writing books, conducting seminars, and coaching students 1:1 from all over the world. I love hearing how my content helps people grow their confidence and build wealth through practical, low-risk investing.