The Roth is solid advice, and so far this year it would be a very nice gain if you had a Target Date Fund, ETF that follows the S&P 500, etc (granted we are still in July).,The market is still risky, but assuming diversity in a long enough time line it will rise as long as no horrible downfall of society in a way never before seen. It's really just a matter of who will hold, who will sell. There's been days where I've lost money, but in the long run I've earned it. I agree completely with the part about knowledge. It seems to many of us the biggest mistake was not getting into the markets sooner. I wish I had gotten in 10 years earlier.

There are some people though that get convinced penny stocks are a good option for a big payout. The risk there is much different than investing in a long term fund and it borderlines on going to a casino and gambling. I cringe when I see a 20 year old with 1000 in savings to their name wanting to chance it. The best advice to me is contribute, sit on it, contribute some more. That first chapter in The Bogleheads Guide to Investing is a real eye opener for those that don't understand the benefits of compounding interest which I think everyone should learn about. Extra money is fine for playing the stocks game, but I wouldn't do it until I've maxed my 401k and Roth.