Buying shares-where do I start?

mrshappy

Hi,
I'm not sure that I'm posting in the right area, apologies if I'm wrong!
I am thinking of buying some shares as a gift for my husband for our wedding anniversary (1st anni so paper gifts) but I have no idea how to go about this at all, normally I would ask my better half but that would ruin the surprise! I have some ideas of which shares I would like to get but it would only be a couple, is there a minimum amount of shares I would have buy? How do I go about it? :doh:
Any advice would be much appreciated, thanks

Loughton_Monkey

Very nice idea, Mrs Happy. Not sure on practicability, though.

Most share purchases are done on the Internet, these days. Cost typically £15 (or have heard as low as £7) per transaction. So buying 1 share, or 1,000 is the same cost. Buy shares in two companies and you've doubled the cost.

But doing it on the Internet is not really 'paper' is it?

You may be able to do it 'over the counter' at Halifax, and you can probably get it in Mr Happy's name if you wear a false moustache and can forge his signature. Even then, not always normal to get the share certificates - which is presumably your objective. People normally leave the papers with a nominee.

Maybe a copy of the Financial Times (correctly dated) containing a cheque with which he can open an Internet Share Trading account might serve just as well.

Anyway, I'm sure what you originally want IS possible, but maybe someone will be able to give a more sensible answer than mine.

Happy anniversary, anyway!

gnvqsos

I am about to use Jarvis which charge £7.50 per trade so you really need to spend around £100 to make it worthwhile.Pick a company you believe in: many do perks for shareholders.I know people who have had a M&S hamper at Xmas and Ann Summers can be obliging.I am about to buy some shares in a small publishing company for which I have been given a hot tip.They lost some money last year so they may be undervalued at present.Buying a unit trust is safe and sensible-a habit I am trying to break.good luck and do try the Halifax money-builder if you need a little guidance or PM me if you wish.

Reaper

gnvqsos wrote: »

I am about to use Jarvis which charge £7.50 per trade

Just before you do make sure you check out X-O, they are an offshoot of Jarvis and cheaper still. They only offer the basics though.

getzegold

Reaper wrote: »

Just before you do make sure you check out X-O, they are an offshoot of Jarvis and cheaper still. They only offer the basics though.

why not open an online trade account in a joint name(im sure you must have most of his details) and then buy some shares but leave some money in the account so he can choose a few shares of his own? he might enjoy share dealing. heres a link to an mse artcile about the best share brokers

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/savings/cheap-online-sharedealing

sabretoothtigger

Could buy a share in warren buffets company, Berkshire which would only take one share and cost over fifty. Alot of the brand names under Berkshire are well known like Coke.
I think most banks would deal that one share for you and give a certificate I think

http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=BRK-B

I'm fairly sure Mr Buffet writes to his shareholders, getting a letter from an investing legend every year is a pretty good anniversary present I would guess

Loughton_Monkey

sabretoothtigger wrote: »

Could buy a share in warren buffets company, Berkshire which would only take one share and cost over fifty. Alot of the brand names under Berkshire are well known like Coke.

What we have is Mrs Happy about to launch Mr Happy into the world of Share Trading and the risks that involves.

You are now blatantly suggesting that he carries a currency risk as well!

One step at a time, please, sabretooth!

wriggly

As you may be seeing, there's a few flaws in your plan.

A single share, or a small number of shares isn't really a worthwhile investment, as the trading charges will eat massively into any potential profit. Don't forget you also pay the charges to sell! And how would you feel if he did sell it!

Also, to get an actual paper share certificate these days costs even more.

I suggest buying tickets to a show.

Or buy a book on investing and plan your financial future together in a rational unemotional setting.

mrshappy

Thank you all very much for your advice, I have had wee google and have decided to get him a share in his fave footy club from a site such as buyagift or similar. I would love to have the savvy and finances to set up some kind of portfolio, however, the site I mentioned does individual gift pack shares which would be ideal, not an investment I know, but a nice pressie. thanks again for all the info

sabretoothtigger

You are now blatantly suggesting that he carries a currency risk as well!

All shares have a currency risk in that sense. FTSE 100 companies gain most of their profits outside this country, many of them have no operations in the uk and exist in name only here just because London shares get much better money for the same company then many other stock exchanges

The advantage of a share is you exclude yourself from currencys , similar to owning a house. If the currency falls the price usually rises is something I realised in recent years. If the companies good its good forget the currency

How about Zimbawae currency, it doesnt exist any more. Unbelievably their stock market is still ok. Mexico had a failed currency, their stocks kept their value

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/2542445.stm

Loughton_Monkey

sabretoothtigger wrote: »

FTSE 100 companies gain most of their profits outside this country, many of them have no operations in the uk and exist in name only here just because London shares get much better money for the same company then many other stock exchanges

Might be true, but sadly not enough to stop the dire hemorrhage in our balance of payments!! But that's a completely different story.

Anyway, it seems Mrs Happy is happy, and Mr Happy is bound to become Mr Delighted. So we are all happy.