Have you ever thought about playing the stock market? Many of us dream of hitting it big by investing $100 and earning $100,000 within a few years. But the system doesnt work that fast. Generally speaking, the market will continue to pay dividends over time, but the path may get bumpy and you could even lose part of your investment in a bear market. Never invest more than you can afford to lose.

The flip side of investing is that many people have earned comfortable dividends that built a retirement fund, put kids through college, or financed a new home. However, it takes time for an investment fund to grow, and the sooner you start, the better. Here are some tips for opening a fund that could pay off big as time goes on.

1. Start young. Open an investment account for your children and continue adding to it as they grow. Although you may want to maintain bank savings accounts as well, an investment fund is apt to grow more quickly and can provide needed funding for their adult years. Ask relatives to consider giving mutual fund shares as gifts instead of an overabundance of toys or clothes that wont get worn. A person who invests $2,000 by age twenty may have nearly $100,000 at retirement age.

2. Make automatic deposits. Set aside $25 to $50 each month for your investment account. You can have it deducted automatically from your paycheck so that you never see or miss that money. When you get annual raises or bonuses at work, consider adding a portion of those amounts to your investment fund, as well.

3. Choose a responsible broker. Do an online search or contact the Better Business Bureau to find a suitable agent to handle your account. Make sure that the person is someone who is willing to keep you informed and who shares your values and philosophy on investments. Schedule an annual consultation with your agent for a review of the previous year and a preview of the year to come in terms of what you might expect from your investments performance.

4. Take an investment class or at least buy the book. Learn something about the way the stock market works both in your country of residence and the world economy overall. Dont become wholly dependent on an agent who may not be able to fully explain your account or plan strategic moves without your permission, which requires either your understanding or your trust.

Be patient. The stock market can play funny tricks on investors. Prices soar and plummet by turns, and your investment may look great one day and dismal the next. Keep in mind that the general performance trend since the market began is to pay out consistently over time. Dont panic when conditions get rough. Hang in there and stay cool, and you will likely be glad you did.