This is dedicated to all readers for whom this day is not a day off. May you be successful in attaining your dreams, with your health, your relationships and your families intact. It is always a bit more demanding to write about individual stock and bond selection simply because the overwhelming majority of investors, I have worked with over the past decades have tended to cluster in one of four types of investors:

Completely self-determined, and confident in their security selection, regarding the whole process as a game that they will win over time.

This group of investors does not need any assistance and represent a small minority of the individual investor universe.

The somewhat indifferent investor, but generally a very diligent saver. This group often surprises me because they work so hard to accumulate financial security, yet don?t hesitate to relinquish control to a trusted advisor.

The sophisticated investor with no time, used to taking risks as well as understanding volatility in capital markets, again willing to cede management to competent peer group portfolio managers.

Expectations for service and performance are high for this group.

The small investor who is testing the water, willing to learn, a bit frustrated with current investment knowledge level. Might be willing to try a few small stock purchases, but will consign the majority of assets to a core capital preservation portfolio.

There are other reasons that I?ve lost enthusiasm for recommending individual stocks to investors wishing to explore:

Cost of settlement charges to acquire and sell

Lack of diversification ? consider that it takes at least 30 stock positions to even begin to create a diversified portfolio, the cost of a hobby soon becomes quite expensive, especially if original great picks head south.

Amount of monitoring and research required to actually profit from the positions at the right time, every time.

The infinitely small number of investors that I have seen who have truly surpassed average market performance, meaning they made money!

Should this deter you? Of course not! If you really want to learn about stock selection and markets, there are two painless ways to accomplish this. Set up a mock portfolio on paper, theoretically invest X amount, do the research over the internet and track the progress (gains and losses) over say six months to a year. You should decide on a process, perhaps selling (on paper) all shares that gain twenty percent or lose ten percent of the initial purchase price.

Be sure to include the cost of these trades and remember to annualize your performance.

The second way to have a bit of fun without all the paperwork is to engage in a mock trading platform courtesy of www.investopedia.com.

Under the section called Investing Game, there exists an excellent simulated stock investment game, for both Canadian and US markets; this is a fascinating way to explore market dimensions.

In Investopedia?s words, ?The Investopedia Simulator is one of the most realistic stock market simulations you?ll find anywhere. Our virtual investing game has been live since 2003, helping more than 250,000 users learn about the stock market through paper trading.

Gain hands-on knowledge of the financial markets without putting your own money at risk! Hopefully, these experiences will encourage you to learn more.

www.SmartMoney.com/University is designed so that beginners can begin at the beginning and investors that are more sophisticated can pick and choose.

Rather than hold you to some rigid course structure, they?ve built the site in modules so you can self-select, jumping in wherever you think it makes sense.

This is your homework, parts of which may be included in your financial literacy test. While there are many more articles, selected below are the basics to be covered, right from Smart Money:

Stocks go up. Stocks go down. We all know that much. However, to make money in stocks, you have to understand what drives their behavior and use it to your advantage. This course will take you from start to finish.

Taking Stock What Is a Stock Anyway?

How Stocks Behave

Technology Stocks

How Much is This Stock Worth?

Bonds You?ve heard the mantra: When prices go up, yields go down. Don?t worry, you?re not the only one who finds it confusing. This course will have you talking ?coupon rate? and ?face value? in no time.

Who Needs Bonds?

What Exactly Is a Bond?

When Price Goes Up, Yield Goes Down

Investing in individual securities can be expensive for the small investor. It can also be rewarding and emotionally exhausting. So what if you do still want to try your hand at investing in single securities, then consider the following: Pick blue chip stocks, Dow Jones Industrial Average or S&P 500 type varieties Investing in dividend paying stocks.

For a cost of 115 USD per year, you can receive superb advice (and an awesome performance record) on tracking of dividend paying stocks from Investment Quality Trends, www.iqt.com Purchase Class B shares of Berkshire Hathaway.

With more than seventy individual diverse companies under the holding company banner. Investing in shares of company chaired by a man who has given away more than 90 percent of his personal fortune for the good of our world, cannot be bad.

Besides Warren Buffet is the epitome of the savvy long-term buy and hold investor. He has never sold any of his shares from the day he started the company.

Buy exchange trade shares Otherwise, mutual fund index funds are probably the most economical way to go, and have patience, be willing to buy and hold or fold, with no regrets.

Two weeks to go for the financial literacy test. September 9 will feature the final article in this series. September 16, the test and the rules to compete will be displayed. Don?t worry, it?s supposed to be fun and I hope you will all plan to take it. Prove to me you understand your finances! It?s in your best interest and a better life!