[QUOTE="Acstudio

And I think one would learn much more about investing by losing 2500$ in trading than they ever would by just buying something and holding it for 10 years. The lessons you learn will be worth much more over a lifetime than just holding it.[/QUOTE]

I disagree. But I suppose it depends on the individual.

If a complete beginner, which is what this gentleman sounds like to me, tries to take $2500 and just learn. All he or she is going to learn is that he/she should have used that $2500 to educate him or herself before they started messing around with something that they truly don't understand.

That's why I suggested gold for the person. Because it WILL go up in value over 10 years. And it won't burn and be lost if there's a fire. Unlike the cash he stated he has stashed under his bed.