When is the time?

Timing the market is a bad idea generally (though we are all tempted).

Buy broad based low expense funds starting now until you retire.

Picking individual stocks is very difficult even for high level managers with lots of resources.

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The best time to invest in the stock market is 25 years ago.

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I wasn’t alive 25 years ago, drop it a tad and we’d be golden.

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If I was trying to purchase stock based off of who I thought would win the presidential election

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I would say that is called gambling and more than likely you are going to lose money. Majority here would tell you that it is a bad idea.

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I saw the other day that the stock market is expected to tank in 1st quarter of 2025.

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I saw the other day that it was going up big! Nobody knows the future..

If you want to gamble stick to lottery tickets.

If you want to invest either stick to broad low cost index funds. Or invest in companies you want to hold for many years. Trying to time it is basically impossible, and will eventually cost you

1) don’t worry about timing it. No need to get cute when just getting started.

2) the amount you put in will be the #1 determinant of your wealth in the long run. Focus on that and lesser on the “perfect” investments.

3) use tax advantaged accounts like 401k/IRA. No, the government won’t take it all away.. but have enough cash quickly accessible that you don’t have to raid these accounts.

Start with something simple and low cost. ETFs are likely the best starting point.

You’re a new investor. Trying to pick a “stock” is a stupid idea. Buy an ETF and keep putting money in it every payday. Look at it in 20 years and grin.

The time is always now.

If you're in it for the long haul you'll either win or everyone will lose.

OKE, BLX, GIS, HRB, NAT, TAP might be a good starter pack. Diversified across industries and includes a foreign stonk.

You can use a stock screener to filter stocks. Use Marketwatch to view the company's financials.

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What advice would yall give to someone younger who would want to put little bits of money into the stock gradually over time. Mostly safe with a little bit of high risk stocks every now and then.

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Sink your money into some aggressive mutual funds or buy some tech stocks. And dont touch the money till you age 60. Be aggressive you have long ways to go before you retire.

Thank you all for the wisdom! I appreciate the time yall took to give advice!

You've been given some pretty good advice. Invest consistently in broad low cost funds. Those based on the S&P are a good place to start.