Does anyone here have any experience with precious metal EFTs? Trip reports, do's and don'ts, screens, etc? I’ve been reading a bit about the advantages of holding precious metals and that this was one way to do that (as opposed to buying stock in a mining company or buying actual coins and such).

Bump!

Nice work! I'm just starting to try to educate myself on the ways of the market. I would like to start making some smaller investments outside of my 401k. Any suggested reading?

Its hard to recommend and books without knowing how much you already know and what exactly youre interested in.

Here are the books sitting on my book shelf right next to me:

1) New Market Wizards....this is a long series of interviews with some of the best investors of all time. Its very interesting but wont give you any specific investing ideas.

2) How to make money in stocks....If youre interested in investing in individual stocks, this one is a very good book to start with.

3) Options as a Strategic Investment....the Options bible. Dont touch this one unless you are very math oriented and already well versed on how stock and the general market works.

4) Technical Analysis Simplified.....beginner book on chart reading and identifying good stocks thru chart patterns seen again and again. Some people think this is hocus pocus garbage and some live by it. Its interesting even if you never use it.

5) Wall Street Money Machine.....book about covered calls (option strategy). The strategy itself is a good one when used correctly but its written by a guy named Wade Cook who has a very bad "used car salesman" type reputation so the book gets bad rap.

6) Getting Started in Options....beginner Options book. Much easier to read than #3

I suggest going to the Motley Fool forums and browsing around over there. Lots of good people and good advice.