Originally Posted by markdunlap
I went to my local EDWARD JONES investment consultant with $20,000 I had been given several years ago. He helped me set up a diversified portfolio. From then on I put 5-10% of my earnings into a 401 and then transferred to an IRA at Edward Jones when the company I worked for for 15 years went broke. I also put any extra money that came my way into that portfolio. If you do that early enough in your earning career, you may very well have enough to retire on no matter what the economy does.
I rolled my money from Great West to Edward Jones. I really like my agent, but Great West did a better job of making me money. But, all in all I've been pleased with 'em. They'll do automatic drafts out of an account every month and it is tax deductible at the end of the year too.
If you're more into saving it and not gambling with it have them invest a good bit of it into bonds.