What is stock? It is one company based, short thing[one can buy and sell freq.] If company is doing, your stock will do good, but if company bankrupt, you will also. The risk is very high. What is mutual fund? unlikely like the stock, one m/f represent 0ver 400 company with small portion, and some company doing well, some company doing not well, so every you can be OK. must be long term to gain, good for young people, plan a head. One example: My friend has stock worth 1 million cash and show me off how she can make $$$ in front of computer, sell and buy. I thought she is smart until her cash value down to less than 250k. she can handle the loss, so she stop for a while, but now she does again. I believe it is good for not to get dementia to get stimulated your brain. Know what you can do, if you have extra 10k, then start and learn the game. I donot like to do.