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Look into them. It allows the average investor to buy stocks directly and diversify. Also, the reinvested dividends gives you added purchasing power. The only downside is most of the companies offering DRIPs are major corporations - "blue chip" so you're not gonna get the huge capital growth as you would with small cap stocks. However, with homework it's actually a very safe place to invest (unless you think Coca Cola's going out of business anytime soon.) This is actually the answer for people who want the gains the stock market offers without a lot of the risk. It also allows you to capitalize on dollar cost averaging - a very important investment tool. This is the only thing around that allows "small fish" investors to actually have a stock portfolio.
http://www.fool.com/school/Drips.htm
http://www.directinvesting.com/drip_learning_center/index.cfm
http://www.fool.com/school/Drips.htm
http://www.directinvesting.com/drip_learning_center/index.cfm