Option one: Use software.

There are some software programs developed to help you manage investments, for example, Quicken 2008 Premier has a section for investment managing in addition to the budgeting and spending functions it offers. These software programs are set up in a way that make managing your investments fairly simple, as the complex algorithms, and formulas are programmed in, so all you have to do is punch in numbers, and look at charts, etc. Choosing the right software for you is a matter of your computer savviness, your budget, and your time. However, in general investment portfolio software can help you to better manage your portfolio and have a clear idea of how diversified you are, what your portfolio value is, etc. Most investment portfolio software is designed to help you achieve goals, control risk and get the most out of your investments. Many have functions that allow you to see detailed reports, or individual stock parcels and transactions.

Option two: Professional management companies.

If you have money to invest, and would rather trust an expert then manage your investments on your own, you have that option. There are countless companies out there that offer to manage your investments, etc. for you. Of course you are going to pay a premium for this, and you should never simply turn the fate of your money over to someone else, rather educate yourself as much as possible, and make decisions based off not only their advice, but also your own knowledge. Hiring a professional investment managing company alleviates you of the burden of tracking your investments, and evaluating values, risks, etc. but it does not remove the responsibility of making your own investment choices. So, be careful that you have a clear understanding of what they will do for you before hiring any particular company.

There are other options, but these are the most common. However, when you manage your investments, be sure to focus on things like managing the risk. Set up your portfolio in a way that your risk meets your risk tolerance, and not exceeds it. In order to do this, and better manage your investments, you need to take the time to determine what your risk tolerance is, what you can honestly live with, and how hands on you are going to want to be with your investments. If you can't stand risk, and would check your stocks daily, and panic at the first sign of a decline, then it would be smarter to leave the managing of your portfolio to a professional. However, if you want to be independent of that, and not influenced by someone who is making money off you, then manage it yourself and use software to help you.