I posted similar advice in thread from earlier this year - probably applies in your case also:
General Investing Advice- Begin by focusing your investment goals:
1) What is my goal? (retirement, college for kids, new car in three years...)
2) What is my time horizon? (2yrs, 5yrs, 15yrs, 25yrs?)
3) What is my "risk tolerance" (usually less than most people immediately think)
4) How much am I going to need to achieve my goal?
5) How much can I afford to invest per period to achieve that goal?
8) Will I need to consider tax implications of my choice?
7) What vehicle (individual stocks or bonds or mutual funds, etc.) is best for MY goals, time horizon, tolerance, and $$ ?
8) What are the costs/fees (12-b?, load? etc.)
For start-up advice on long term retirement accounts:
* Choose NO-LOAD funds
* DIVERSIFY!
* Lean towards LOW COST INDEX FUNDS
* Dollar-Cost Average (DCA) your investments.
* Don't put more than 5-10% ("play money") in individual stocks.
* Load up your ROTH IRA to it's annual max - any extra goes into your 401k.
Learn more through many sources:
Best books IMO are anything by John Bogle:
"Winning the Loser's Game"
"John Bogle on Investing"
"Common Sense On Mutual Funds"
John Bogle is the "Father of Index Funds" and probably the most [u]sensible[/u] voice in investing out there.
Also, head on over to Morningstar site at
[url]http://www.morningstar.com/[/url] and check out their forums - EXCELLENT place to begin learning about investing.
Also good is Motley Fool site at
[url]http://www.motleyfool.com/[/url]
they have good newbie advice and also put out a several good beginner-books.
Be sensible with your money, don't expect miracles - Good luck.