Robert's Story

I used investing magazines to generate ideas, and then a spreadsheet to screen beyond that. I would then do a deeper review if it looked interesting.

Yes: 1) it has enabled me to build much more sophisticated screens. 2) I am able to screen many more companies. 3) while I still read investing publications, I am also confident generating my own ideas from the screens and then researching them 4) I also get ideas from the discussion boards - especially the daily Small Cap Value Report 5) When I have identified something I want to research more closely, I use Stockopedia to drill down on the detail - the layout makes it really easy to do so.

My results have definitely improved. For me that is down to Stockopedia and the fact that I have stopped working full-time, so that I have more time to research. When I was working full-time I was missing opportunities as I didn't have time to research them.

I cannot recommend Stockopedia highly enough to investors.

• Join your company pension and make sure you are taking all the money that is available. For example, many companies will match payments up to a certain amount.
• Set up some kind of regular investment plan into an index fund/ETF first.
• Use your ISA allowance if you can.
• Read something on investment basics (I remember reading "Investment for Dummies" when I started out) that gives you the basics on balance sheets, cashflow statements etc.
• Find a regular publication/discussion board that works for you - remember that people are much generally keener to tell you about their successes than their failures!
• When you have amassed some money in your index fund, think about making your own investment choices - maybe start with 10% in two shares.
• Make sure you can deal with losses emotionally - be honest with yourself.
• Focus on keeping losses small - use alerts and stick to them.
• Make sure you enjoy the investment process.