now that the banks are beginning to show signs of life again, and with the huge return on invest Goldmann Sachs showed, a well as a few other well known banks, including Bank of America, i figure it's time to take advantage of the market lows. My next big poker cash-out is going to go directly into the stock market. My question(s)to all of you is/are:

1) Do you currently own any stocks?

2)Did you own them before the market crashed or after?

3)Do you have any wise words of advice for a first time trader?

i currently have mutual fund shares which are beginning to slowly rise again, however, the return on investment X the amount of time waiting for the gains, just doesn't seem like anything to me. I also am not planning on buying into already proven shares of big product companies such as google, microsoft, and apple for a few reasons and heres why...

a)google is rediculously overpriced and EVERYONE has google shares(google is a great product and something i use everyday but i will not invest in something that's close to reaching its peak at 400+ a share)

b)microsoft has been around the block but I feel like ever since they ditched XP, it's been downhill...i am using vista right now as i type this and it's not at all user friendly...also, google is planning on launching a brand new software product to rival MSFT office and within a year or so, launch an entirely new operating system...AND ITS GOING TO BE FREE! go google, i'll use that sh!t!!!!!!!

c)Apple macintosh, been around forever, always makes a new product every year, and if i had a sh!t ton of money to invest with, i'd def go for apple, they've practically monopolized mp3 players without actually doing it, by making the Mini's affordable. this one hovers around 150+ per share, not too exp, however were talking about me investing roughly $1K to start....