New year. New resolutions. New winning habits. If it hasn’t been on your list, investing some of your money in the stock market should be. People all over the country are making real money in the stock market every day, and you can too. Maybe you’re skeptical, having heard horror stories from others about large losses. Or maybe you think you need to know a lot or spend time or money you don’t have to be a successful investor.  Don’t let these thoughts and feelings stop you. Here are three things to think about as you consider buying your first share. Risk and Reward Few investment options rival the stock market. Some people, wary about its risks, park their money in savings accounts or investment properties. However, over time, the stock market has returned approximately 7% (post-inflation) each year since 1940. Compare that to a 1.5% post-inflation return for real estate. You can earn more than that by parking your money in certain savings accounts, and without the headaches of...