I don't have time to address every "I said, You said" in your message, so let me summarize my thoughts:

> You said Invest and did not say it had to be
> simple.

> Now the thing about your question is, you
> wanted to know the fastest way from an
> investing point of view - as I understand it
> because you used the word invest.

> Remove the "invest" term and open
> the question up to making money fast and the
> alternatives are many. With $500 there are a
> plethora of businesses you could start.

I didn't realize anyone would get so hung up on the word "invest".

My original question was:

"Just what would you think would be the fastest (and generally safe) way to double these amounts if you had them to invest?"

To me the term "invest" simply means I have the money and I want to commit or spend some or all of it to make more money -- period.

I can "invest" in paint and painting tools to start a house painting business, or in a ladder and whatever else to start a gutter cleaning business, or in stocks, or WHATEVER.

The term "invest" DOES NOT limit me to buying and selling financial instruments, real estate, or anything else.

Would you rather I used the word "spend"? To me it is THE SAME THING.

> Hugh Gaugler's Gutter Cleaning thing is a
> classic example. For about $500 he started a
> business which landed him 90 customers right
> off the bat. At $100 a service he grossed
> $9,000.

So he INVESTED $500 in his new business. I just don't see your line of reasoning . . .

Best,

Paul