To be an informed investor you will want to gather as much information as you can to make intelligent decisions, improve your chance of success, and match your risk comfort level with your desired rate of return. Many women find it hard to see themselves as financial experts. But by spending only an hour a week reading financial information, most women will find they have entered a fascinating new world and gained a great deal of confidence in their abilities.

Successful investing requires time, research, planning, and common sense. By researching before you buy you should be able to select a portfolio that gives you a favorable return at moderate risk. Stockbrokers and fund managers like to tell of their many successes, conveniently forgetting their losses. You have one big advantage -- you care more about your money then they do.

Your public library has a wealth of information to guide investment decisions. There are many books on investing, plus magazines that specialize in personal finance: Forbes, Kiplinger's Personal Finance, Mutual Funds, Money, Business Week, Barron's, Fortune, Worth,and Smart Money regularly carry information for investors. The Wall Street Journaland Crane's Chicago Businessare also excellent sources of up-to-the-minute information.

Your librarian can also direct you to reference books such as Standard & Poors Stock Reports, Moody's Investors Service Reports, Morningstar's Mutual Funds,and Value Line Investment Surveythat provide in-depth information on individual stocks and mutual funds.

You might find it helpful to listen to weekly radio and television programs on investing, subscribe to an investment publication, and/or join an investment club. Noncredit courses at community colleges and night schools can also give you a working knowledge of investing and a basis for sound decision making.

Many people find it fun and educational to track a few stocks and/or mutual funds for a few months before deciding which to buy. Contact companies that interest you and request a prospectus and annual report. Don't let anyone rush you. It should be your decision, because it's your money.