Agree Moby it needs timing, $2000 into RIO at $120 odd turned into owning 15 shares worth a few hundred not long after, and holding til now you'd still be down over half with a possible pullback to come... compound interest even at the recent dismal rates would have you way in front.
But if you shorted RIO down with your 2k as leverage (CFD 5% 2k = 40k shares) you might conservately have made 20k, then long from say 30's to 60's doubled up again. Not as easy as it sounds but trading instead of holding could have you way in front. (if you used leverage and messed it up your 2k would evaporate pretty quick too.)
Good on you for starting young kingc, div's aren't everything (telstra good example) if we have a big low next yr or 2 some cheap opportunities might make you rich as by 29 or before... little things can grow into big things and many your age wouldn't know what the hell a share was (I didn't).
