For my 16th birthday, my dad gave me some penny stocks. I can’t remember their names - it was back in the 1980s - but some were junior mining stocks. The account was in his name, but over the next two years, we followed the stocks together and decided whether to buy, hold or sell them. On my 18th birthday, my dad gave me the option to sell the stocks and take the cash, or transfer them into my name and let me manage them going forward. I’d like to say that I stayed invested and made a fortune.
Also, don’t buy stocks based solely on trends you see in the headlines. By the time you’ve read about it, the event that led that stock to be in the news has already happened. You’re probably too late.This interview has been edited and condensed. The Globe is looking for Canadians to share their first stock stories, including lessons learned and how that experience shaped how you invest today. If you’re interested in being interviewed for this feature please email us at: