Playing the stock market.

It was merely a game when playing Monopoly or Pit as a child — the only things at stake were flimsy pieces of paper money or pasteboard cards.

But in the real world, it’s risky. The drops in the stock market over recent weeks are enough to scare any investor, according to Charles Jones, an Edward Gill professor of finance.

Here are some tips to keep in mind to invest with confidence.

Choosing an investment

For those who want to brave the market, Jones said it’s best not to go it alone.

By purchasing mutual funds, he said, one not only invests in the market, but also purchases someone to do it for them.

“You are buying the professional management of the fund,” he said.

And while these managers are usually impersonal and don’t favor hand-holding, Jones said, it is possible to set up a meeting with a representative to discuss the funds if necessary.

What’s the cost?

Most mutual funds cost a minimum of $2,500 to $3,000, according to Jones.

Minimizing risks through diversification

Diversification, Jones said, means owning 15 to 20 stocks instead of one. Holding at least 20 stocks is good, he said, because it spreads the risk over a large number of stocks.

The purchase of a mutual fund entails the purchase of 100 to 200 stocks, he said. The account manager decides where to invest them.

Preparing to go it alone

When someone has enough money and wants to invest on his or her own, education is key, Jones said.

He suggests reading self-education books to get a feel for markets and stocks.

Other ways to invest

Starving college student mantra aside, Jones said it is best to start saving money early for tremendous payoffs in the long run.

The money will compound and accumulate, he said, and the earliest one starts out, the better.

Jones suggests disciplined, long term approaches to saving, such as investing a certain sum of money every quarter.