Making Money with Stocks??? (Beginner)?

How does it even work? Like if I wanted to buy one share of Google for example, or Wal-mart, how do I even do that??? Its not like I can just go to walmart and ask for one. Also for a first time buyer, what stocks are "Safe"? Thanks!!!
Additional Details
Im thinking Investing with a Oil/Gas company, if the prices are so high, they have to be making a killing on consumers right???

It's not really possible to buy a single share of Google or WalMart - you generally need to buy in "round lots" of 100-1000 shares, which you can buy from any licensed stockbroker/securities dealer.
This usually isn't a good idea for small (under $500,000 to invest) investors. You really need at least twenty different shares to get the best benefits from diversification.

For a first time buyer or for any small investor, I'd tend to recommend a low cost index fund - you'll get both market returns and diversification at a low cost.
If you can participate in your employer's 401k or 403b, that would be even better!
Stocks are not guaranteed investments, so they're less safe than bonds or savings; however, they will also (over 20 years) provide a higher return, which you'll need to participate in to beat inflation.

Most professional money managers, who actively seek to "beat the market," fail about 70% or more of the time.

These are people with Ivy League degrees in economics, finance, and accounting, as well as the most current research, news, financial software, etc. And those 70% of asset managers are awfully tough to beat themselves.
Also, try to find a trustworthy, qualified investment advisor and consult them before you buy anything.

Addndm-
I'd focus more on investing than trading. Most traders lose their capital or don't make much, particularly after commissions you need to pay brokers and taxes (20%) on any capital gains. (Dividends are taxed at the rates for "ordinary income" - one of the reasons why dividend paying stocks are in the minority.)

i,e., buy, hold, and monitor.

You could invest in energy stocks, but that ship may've sailed; this illustrates a central point in investing/trading/ speculating - a company that's thriving, that has high earnings and strong growth potential, will already be trading at a high price. You don't want to buy high and have to sell low!
It may not appreciate much (it may even decline in value) because all of the future earnings and eps growth are already priced in.
It's not really about how well the firm does; it's about how much you paid for the stock. No tree grows to the sky!!

Remember, too, there's lots of people who'll be more than happy to take your money - and in doing so, they won't feel bad.
Some methods of investing to avoid are : "technical analysis" or "charting," (largely discredited), "dollar cost averaging/averaging down," or any magic or gimmicky method.

And to really understand investing and the capital markets, you MUST know about financial accounting and fundamental analysis. Take some classes, study for the CFA, or read up on it as much as you can.
It's the only way you'll know how to interpret financial statements (10-K's and 10-Q's), which are the primary sources of info for all investors.
Good intros are the books "The Number," by Alex Berenson; and "The Intelligent Investor" by Benjamin Graham. (Graham was Warren Buffett's business professor at Columbia and was a legendary analyst, investor, writer, and academic.)

Or you could simply buy a low cost index fund that tracks the S&P or the MSWCI and you won't (at least) do much worse than the market as a whole.

Other writers, investors, and academics you should read include: Harry Markowitz; Abraham Brilloff; Modigliani; Miller; Scholes; Peter Bernstein; and Phil and Ken Fisher

Checkout learning guide in this investment blog: http://investment-blog.net/where-and-how-to-invest/

Just visit our blog. We can help. Read all you can at:
www.beanieville.blogspot.com

Of course your can buy one share of Google! You can even buy fractions of shares of certain stocks. Don't listen to people who don't know what they're talking about. You can open up a trading account, which is essentially like an online bank account. Simply look one up on the internet (i.e. Scottrade or E*Trade), download the forms, mail them with a check and sign in with your password. Type in the "buy" square, GOOG (which is the symbol for Google) and enter number of shares as "1". Within half a second you will have bought one share of Google. When their stock price goes up, your account goes up in value. GOOG went up 10% last month. It's easy, and with a good deal of study, will help you grow your savings bigger than you could ever do on your own. Good luck!

for good stock picks try http://www.goldenbullstocks.com test drive their stocks you will be impressed!

If you want to buy 1 share of stock, try oneshare.com. Your share will come in a cute little frame. But if you would like to buy more than one, there are many online brokerages. Just turn on CNBC and watch some commercials. Some of the safest stocks are from the 30 companies that make up the Dow Jones. A quick google search should reveal the company names. Good luck.

You must open a brokerage account if you think you will be trading often. You can also buy shares through direct purchase plans. I use Etrade and TD Ameritrade. Both are decent pricing for trades. You can check out www.computershare.com for direct purchase plans. I use that site also. They have a multitude of companies that use computershare to handle direct investment. This is for long term investing and dividend reinvestment plans. Lots of great companies with great plans. Some with no fees for purchase, and a discount for shares purchased with company dividends. There is a search filter at the site to narrow choices to low minimum and no fee purchase, as well as discount purchase....but remember, think long term.....

Look into mutual funds. Also think long term, and consider a regular purchase program, such as so much a month. None have any guaranty.

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