[tanderson92]

Lots of people are making money on stocks. But your overly broad claim that investing in the stock market is gambling is indefensible: when you invest in broad total market funds you are essentially betting on entire economies, because you are assuring yourself a right to future income streams.

How is that gambling?

By choosing proper low-fee funds you can minimize the brokerage fees (and you can buy securities at net asset value) so that half of your critique of long-term profitability is untrue.

[chillydawg]

If you had read my original comment you'd see that I said most people should never directly trade individual stocks. I completely agree that putting money into low cost trackers for things like the FTSE250 or S&P500 is sensible. You're giving your money to a pro, who then keeps your bets balanced and trades cheaply.

[tanderson92]

yes, apologies. I completely missed that.