[Teck]

I'm 26 and here is what I have learned.

Unless you have a good match a roth IRA should be first priority before 401k IMO. If you have a match contribute up to the max match available then use the other funds to fund a roth ira. Remember roth's are funded with after tax dollars so you will never pay tax on them. Also you can never go back to fund prior years in a roth. Best investments in the roth are income generating vehicles for example I try to put my reits and div. bearing instruments in the roth when I can. Also as oppsed to a 401k your principle can always be withdrawn in a roth just not any of the gains if you have an "emergency". With a 401k there will be penaltys and tax consequences for any withdraw.

Also the sooner your money is in the account and invested the more you will make. Dollar cost averaging is bogus over a long investment horizon if your diversfied.

Make sure to choose low expense ratio non loaded funds if your gonna go the mutual route. As soon as it is plausible I will be switching to an all ETF portfolio. Always stay diversified!! If your not inclined to create your own portfolio target funds are a great easy way. I own some fidelity target funds for my projected retirement year I know that vanguard also offers similar funds. Start with the minimum and then use auto purchases to directely purchase monthly.

If your going to trade individual stocks make sure you know how to use stop losses. Another great feature many borkers also have now is a trailing stop so you can lock in gains and trail up as the market moves but you will get stopped out at a certain % if it starts to come off. I'd have as ton more moeny today if I had of used stops on all my positions in the 00' crash. I just sit and let all my positions trail down always thinking/hoping they would come back. Lesson learned.

hmm i could go on forever.........