How does a layman like myself purchase ';oil futures?'; In other words, how does one bet on the price of oil?

If I thought that the price of oil would be $75 by February 1, what would be the best way to make money on that knowledge? How does an individual investor ';speculate'; on oil?How does a layman like myself purchase ';oil futures?'; In other words, how does one bet on the price of oil?
You find an honest and competent broker who knows the oil business. Otherwise, you will get your a** wiped. And most of these brokers will tell you to 1) invest for the long term and 2) make a variety of different investments.How does a layman like myself purchase ';oil futures?'; In other words, how does one bet on the price of oil?
As said, you can buy an ETF like USO, which is directly related to the price of oil and gas. Yet it does not track exactly, since it also invests in gasoline, fuel oil, and other products. You can find a commodities broker and invest in oil futures directly. You need about $15,000 in margin per contract, and a $1 move in price is $1000 change in your account.
You can buy an ETN such as OIL or USO through a brokerage the way you can buy shares of any company.


http://www.unitedstatesoilfund.com/


http://www.ipathetn.com/OIL-overview.jsp