Investment games like the stock simulator offered by Investopedia and other sites can help you learn the basics of stock market investing and what works best for you—without the risk. As RJ Safra writes on MintLife, investment games can teach you about your own investment style and possible red flags:. I dumped a few other stocks I had collected along the way.

I realized that I was holding them waiting for them to go back up. And it occurred to me that this had become my favorite excuse: Then I hold the rotten stock even if my rationale for buying it proves flawed.

Knowing yourself means you become your own worst critic when it comes to your money. Once that stock is sunk money let it sink.

A practice run can help you learn not to go all out on buying stocks or warn you against buying the wrong kinds of investments just because they're available to you. Use an investment simulator to develop the patience and prudence you might not get from trading with your own hard-earned money.

Morningstar 's investment portfolio tracking tools, mentioned in our guide to painlessly planning your retirement , can also help you get started or progress further as an investor. Do you have other investing learning tools or tips?

Investopedia Stock Simulator

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A Step-by-Step Guide to Painlessly Plan and Vet Your Retirement Planning your retirement seems boring. But whether your retirement is five years away or fifty,… Read more.

Learn How to Invest in Stocks - Virtual Stock Market Game

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