How does investing money in the market actually work? Do I need a broker?

You need a broker but you don’t need to pay a lot per trade. Somewhere between $5 and $11 is the most you should pay.

Google “online brokerage”. You’ll get a list of websites. Scottrade was the first on the list when I did just now. Good company. $7 per trade. Ameritrade is good, too. $11.

Pick one, call the toll free number and a nice person will guide you through opening an account. It's just like opening a checking account. You put a $1000 in an account and you’re ready to go. You click on the trading button, put in the symbol of the company you want to own, the number of shares, click market order and review and then, if it looks right, click buy.

The broker will immediately buy the stock at the best price and take the money from your account. When you sell the stock, they reverse it and put the money back in your account. Simple just like RULE #1.