What is BID?
Think of the BID as someone raising their hand and saying, "I'll pay THIS much for that!" It's the highest price someone is willing to pay for something, like a toy, a candy bar, or even a share of a company's stock.
What is ASK?
The ASK is like someone saying, "I'll sell this for THIS much!" It's the lowest price someone is willing to sell something for. So, if you want to buy something, the ASK is the lowest price you might have to pay.
Key Differences
The biggest difference is who is using each one. The BID comes from the BUYER, the person who wants to buy something. The ASK comes from the SELLER, the person who wants to sell something. The BID is the highest price someone will PAY, and the ASK is the lowest price someone will ACCEPT.
Another difference is what they help you do. The BID helps you sell something for the most money possible. The ASK helps you buy something for the least amount of money possible. They are opposites, but they work together!
One more thing: the BID is always lower than the ASK. Why? Because if the BID was higher than the ASK, someone would buy and sell right away and make a profit!
When to Use Each One
Imagine you're selling your old video games to earn some money. You want to see what people are willing to pay for them. You'd look at the BID prices on a website like eBay or a used game store to see what the highest offer is. That helps you decide if you want to sell it at that price.
Now, imagine you're saving up to buy a brand-new video game. You'd look at the ASK price at stores like GameStop or online to see the lowest price you can buy it for. That helps you decide if you can afford it and where to buy it from.
The Bottom Line
BID and ASK are like two sides of a seesaw. One is for buying, and one is for selling. If you're selling something, pay attention to the BID to get the best price. If you're buying something, pay attention to the ASK to save money. They're both important for making smart choices with your money!