Watercooler: Draw up a plan before your invest

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Developing an investment strategy does not come easy. So, understanding the basics can serve just about any investor well, whether a beginner or a long-term player.

To hone your understanding of the stock market and other investment basics, these Web locales might be worth a visit:

American Association of Individual Investors • Answers frequently asked questions on an array of topics, at http://bit.ly/1aQTj8P.

CFA Institute • Covers basics and insights, at http://cfa.is/f4jDrB.

Investopedia • Serves up Investing 101, broken into several categories, at http://bit.ly/6D9e19.

TheStreet.com • Features a primer to stocks, bonds, mutual funds, taxes and more, at http://bit.ly/nzLvVm.

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission • Offers a guide on avoiding scams and how to seek assistance, at http://1.usa.gov/H4YVfy.