A: Over the last several years the stock market has put together a track record of growth that rivals the Roaring Twenties. So why not invest in stocks? The question should be how do I get the returns the stock market provides without the inherent risk.

Most professionals have a tough time investing and they have workaholic staffs with fancy degrees to help them make sense of the thousands of stocks that are competing for your investment dollar.

The average consumer doesn't have the time, temperament or talent to invest. They are much better off with a mutual fund. This way they can get the diversification that they need to lower their risk. Also, it will save them the task of devoting a sizeable amount of their week to researching stock picks.

If you're still interested in stock picking, begin with what you already know. What industry is your job in? Most likely you're well aware of your company's competitors -- who's on top, who's struggling to catch up. Now look at the stock price of a couple of companies that impress you. If too many people have formed the same high opinion of a company as you, the stock may be considered overpriced, that is, so many people have bought it that its price has been artificially inflated and may have little growth potential.

You should try to buy a stock at the beginning of such a growth period, not the end. So do some analysis and investigate another solid competitor -- again, in your own industry or in an industry you know.

If the company has low debt, good earnings, a promising business plan, and a stock price that hasn't already reached the stratosphere, takes a chance.

Whatever you do, don't fall into the most common trap that gets first-time stock pickers: Listening to tips. If someone wants to own an individual stock, he or she ought to find out as much as he can about that individual stock.

Anyone who invests his money in stocks has to know that any money he invests, he has to be able to lose. If you don't feel that way about your first chunk of savings, consider investing in mutual funds or bonds.