[Mike Lowe]

I'm in the early stages of *thinking* about getting into the stock market. I do not have much to really put in and am actually thinking of spending the next few months "simulating" putting money in; seeing what I would have/could have made.

For starters, I'm looking for 3 things:

1) Advice on do's and do not's especially for those just starting out

2) Stock Market simulation software which I could use to practice

3) Software that could be used to monitor stocks much like you can buy software to help with fantasy football, for comparison sake, once I begin to buy/sell for real.

*Perhaps 2 and 3 could be the same software?

I'd also be interested in hearing thoughts on mutual funds etc.