Most people recognize that the most practical way for middle class America to make a fortune is either in real estate or stock market trading. Unfortunately, while most people understand how to make money in real estate few have the money, and likewise while most have the money to make a fortune in stock market trading few understand how it works.

This article is geared towards those who really don’t know anything about the market, so please excuse me if you’re an experienced trader and I over simplify things. Let’s start with the basics. What is stock and how do you trade it? "Stock" is actually a partial ownership in a company. What you actually buy is a share of that ownership. Let's say a company divides its assets into 100 equal shares. If you buy 1 share you technically own 1% of the company. 

Covered Calls are a conservative income strategy and as such, provide limited protection against a fall in the underlying share price.

To place a covered call, simply follow these rules:

1. Look for either a range bound market or a bullish trending market where you anticipate a steady increase in the price of the underlying stock.

2. Examine the options connected with the stock to ensure there is enough liquidity.

3. Review premiums and strike prices for call options no more than 45 days to expiry.

The global crisis of 2007-9 was, actually, a confluence of unrelated problems on three continents. In the United States, investment banks were brought down by hyper-leveraged investments in ill-understood derivatives. As stock exchanges plummeted, the resulting devastation and wealth destruction spilled over into the real economy and caused a recession which is bound to be mild by historical standards.

Depending heavily on imported energy and exported goods, Europe's economy faced a marked slowdown as the region's single currency, the euro, appreciated strongly against all major currencies; as China, India, and other low-wage Asian countries became important exporters; as the price of energy products and oil skyrocketed; and as real estate bubbles burst in countries like Spain and Ireland. Additionally, European banks were heavily leveraged and indebted - far more than their counterparts across the Atlantic. Governments throughout the continent were forced to bail out one ailing institution after another, taxing further their limited counter-cyclical resources.

It is possible for children to purchase stocks as investments. However, they have to have an account called a custodial account. This type of account requires that an adult, or one of the child's parents open the account for the child. Nevertheless, the same fees are involved when purchasing the shares. In the case of a child, searching around for ways to save on the transaction fees it advisable since the amount invested will be relatively low compared to adults.