Ok well my mum has a lump sum of cash and doesn't know what to do with it because we're spending it very fast, and asked me how she could invest it. I suggested shares and she wants to buy some shares and do it all online, but can barely use a computer. I said I'd help do it but have been looking at the site www.iii.co.uk but it looks quite complex.

For anyone who buys/sells shares is it quite easy to get your head around? What sorts of sums of money are normally involved? And any tips or help would be highly appreciated.

Thanks :)

when they're low, that's when you buy them. and when they're high, well that's when you sell them, you see.

I personally don't like to trade below $5000, but you can do it. Keep in mind though that the smaller the sum, the higher are the fees in relation. If you trade too often with too small sums the fees will eat up your profits.

Keep in mind that while shares offer quite high returns in the long term, a bear market can last very long, 5 years or even more in the worst case. So be prepared to sit that through if you timed your buy wrong or missed the right point for selling.

Regarding the current situation, I think it is quite dangerous. I would probably not invest more than 50% in shares. The rest should be put in bonds. I don't trust commodities like gold either because they have shown a crazy run in the last years. And real estate is out of question anyways as it is the source of all coming problems. And if you invest in shares, have a look at index fonds. Few people manage to beat an index like the FTSE, so why should you be the one? If you invest in foreign assets, pay attention to the currency risk. And if you neverthless want to invest abroad, DON'T INVEST IN THE US - who knows what happens to the dollar if the Chinese or the Arabs freak out, a danger you don't have to risk.

Invest in biotech.

And if you invest in shares, have a look at index fonds. Few people manage to beat an index like the FTSE, so why should you be the one?

Exactly - I'm investing in an index-tracking ISA at the moment, and I worked out the other day that if I'd been putting my monthly payments in a savings account instead, it would have to pay 12.1% net...

The ultimate fun is selling your own company. Funding other companies' businesses is indeed of risk and often not getting you enough revenues. But in general, oil and banks are safe. You could join, say, the forum of the FT.

The ultimate fun is selling your own company.

Eusebious is right, it is a very good way of making alot of money. It does involve lots of hardwork in developing your own company, but if you love what you are doing that isn't a problem.

Re shares I'm hopeless JDRS, so can't really offer you much help.

I honestly wouldn't even touch shares. Just learn how to resrict your spending, shove it away in a High intrest savings account. She should really give it to you for uni fees etc :)