People want their money to work for them instead of working for money, especially these days. Corporate downsizing and self-employment are increasing daily and people are starting to realize that government and corporate retirement funds may not be there in the future. Fortunately there are alternative ways to ensure that you can retire in comfort. Investing for beginners can be simple.

Real estate investing is an option, but it does require a big outlay of capital for a down payment (often 10% of the purchase price or more) and it is an expensive investing option. Dealing with tenants can be difficult if you need to evict them; you may find yourself getting called every day with reports of broken furnaces, air conditioning, plumbing, etc. Refurbishing and flipping a property can quickly get you over your budget and give you very little return on your money.

A better investment is stocks and options, as they don't need a big outlay of capital and can offer quite a lucrative and stable return if you choose them well. You can choose the stocks yourself, or you can hire a stockbroker to make informed choices for you. If you hire someone, keep in mind that they will likely charge a fee, and that fee will come out of your pocket.

It is much better to be able to invest in stocks of your own choosing. If that seems a bit intimidating, it doesn't have to be. With a bit of education and knowledge, anyone can become successful at stock and option investing.

A good first step is to buy some books on the subject, written by accomplished investors. Warren Buffet is a leader in the investment world and he has written many how-to books including tips and strategies on how to make stock investing a lucrative venture. Peter Lynch, Derek Foster and David Chilton have also written books on the subject that are easy to read and understand.

Next, you will want to do some of your own research. Start with the internet and check out some companies that you are interested in. Learn more about what they do, what their earnings are. You can request information from the company if they don't have enough on their websites.

Once you have some companies in mind to invest in, you can paper trade or use 'fake' money. This simply means that you are going to keep track of the stock without using any real funds. You can do this on paper, but it is better to open a trial account online to keep track of them. There is absolutely no risk, as you aren't using your own money. You will get a better idea of how the stock market works and you will gain some tips and knowledge on how to choose your stocks wisely.

Now that you have a good idea of how to trade, what companies to look for and how you make money, you are ready to invest with your own funds. If you are still a bit nervous, start with a small amount until you become more comfortable with the process. Soon you will have a diverse portfolio and you will be at ease knowing your retirement fund is growing. Investment for beginners is not that difficult at all.