I have an interest in futures, I watch what happens in the markets, etc., and have my eye on one in particular, maybe two or three others, but have no idea how to get started.

Do I have to have a broker? I'd rather not. I've done plenty of other things that people use mouthpieces like lawyers, (no offense to lawyers, they are necessary for some things,) for, and I'd like to know how I'd get started on my own.

I don't need to know what to invest in, just how to proceed, rules, etc.
Thanks in advance for the money I will make as soon as I find out how to get into the market.

__________________
~Sugarcoma
Now with more carbohydrates!
http://www.bethbrennan.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/o1o1o1o1

Try here
http://individuals.interactivebrokers.com/en/main.php

There's a few ways you can go.

You can go the dumb way, i.e. trade on margin. The vast majority of people who do this lose all their capital in about 3 months.

To do this, get a margin account with a broker or an FCM (there are many, RJO is one of the better FCMs), and lose your money by subscribing to a few exchanges and trading with their platform online.

The other way is to invest in an ETF or ETN. ETNs have a very different tax structure than ETFs so you'll have to look into that on your own. There are many ETFs in which you can invest, here's a list of some.

I would also suggest that you read Jimmy Rogers' book 'Hot Commodities' before you get started.

Be advised that you can expect 40% swings in the market in commodities – that is normal and playing these markets is not for the faint of heart, and investments therein should probably only be a fraction of your overall portfolio.

Good luck.

commodities??

youre better off finding some solid stocks imo

(Borrow Money) ---- (Invest in Commodities) ---- ? ---- PROFIT!

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You'll need a very large person banging into your abdomen repeatedly to obtain such numbness, which is connected to your inner thigh region

That's kind of boring.

__________________
~Sugarcoma
Now with more carbohydrates!
http://www.bethbrennan.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/o1o1o1o1

Ugh...I can totally see it now.

Woe is me, I was investing in commodities because it was the hot thing to do. I can't beleive I lost my shirt. Jump on the quick buck bandwagon. What ever happened to those guys snapping up tech stocks? Hows this, lets all head down to AC for the weekend and gamble like crazy. I figure that way, even if I lose money I'll still have gotten some free drinks out of the deal.

"The process of trading commodities is also known as futures trading. Unlike other kinds of investments, such as stocks and bonds, when you trade futures, you do not actually buy anything or own anything. You are speculating on the future direction of the price in the commodity you are trading. This is like a bet on future price direction. The terms "buy" and "sell" merely indicate the direction you expect future prices will take."

This is the problem with the American economy and the reason it will continue to decline. We no longer produce real goods and services, the economy is driven by reaching into the next guys pocket and extracting what you can.

Look at the banking industry and its current dilemna. Banks used to make money by providing the service of saving your money and lending money meanwhile collecting the spread on the interest as profit. The banks had an interest in making long term secure loans. Some genius decided theres more money to be made collecting fees. Therefore, they wrote as many as they possibly could. But the good borrowers quickly ran out...and so it goes and so it goes.

The shame of things is, while the profits were put in the hands of a few, every tax payer ends up paying for this folly in the form of bail outs.

I don't do anything because "it's the hot thing to do." I happen to have a knack for prediction trends- of all kinds. I always have. I've been following the market for some time, in particular, a few select commodities, and have a good idea what they will do, when, and why.
Other than my interest in this, I don't even buy lottery tickets- that's too much of a gamble, statistically speaking, but most don't think the way I do.

Certainly futures and speculation in them are not the ONLY problem with our economy! How about all the people who think they NEED to own a house, whether they could afford one or not, who let themselves be talked into it by sub-prime lenders?
Just another of many examples...

__________________
~Sugarcoma
Now with more carbohydrates!
http://www.bethbrennan.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/o1o1o1o1

Eh...I think its one thing to think people who took a sub-prime mortgage were foolish. Many consumers end up getting the short end of the stick.

I think the real spanked a$$es in the whole thing were investors who purchased packages of these things. I mean, who in their right mind would buy anything that had the label "SUB-PRIME" on it? Brings to mind images of rotten meat.

Oh by the way Coma, I don't see anything wrong with you personally making investments in anything you feel is worthy. Its more of an overall cynical outlook on the economy.

Well, I have to agree with you there.
But, in light of it, might as well do what I can to make the most out of it, especially since I don't think times are going to get any easier very soon.

__________________
~Sugarcoma
Now with more carbohydrates!
http://www.bethbrennan.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/o1o1o1o1