While the dot.com meltdown may have sobered up investor expectations as well as lightened up brokerage account balances, the interest in stocks, bonds and mutual funds remain. However, the one thing that has not changed is determining what the best approach is to investing. Should an investor just buy an index fund? Or, would selecting individual stocks or offer a more profitable path?

To evaluate individual stocks, you can read Value Line at your local library. Or, your brokerage might offer complimentary Standard and Poor’s Stock Reports. You may also consider one of the many investment newsletters available. Regardless of which approach you take, and you don’t have to abide by one approach only, track your results.

Quicken is an outstanding product that helps you manage your personal finances. One outstanding feature is the ability to group your stocks into goals. Instead of grouping stocks by growth or income, you can set up some new categories such as where you obtained your stock tip. If the tip came from a television program, a web site, a friend or through your own research, assign that stock to the source of the tip. Then, when you view your portfolio by goals, you can see whether you are a better stock picker than your favorite financial program or the writers of whichever newsletter you subscribe to.

More Resources

• Fool.com Offers stock market news, investor advice, and subscription newsletters.
• MSN Money – Investing Offers stock quotes and market reports.
• NASDAQ Offers stock quotes and market data.
• NYSE Offers stock quotes and market data.
• SEC EDGAR Offers securities filings.
• Yahoo! Finance Offers stock quotes, company profiles, and stock screeners.