I would not recommend investing 2000 dollars into something you have not taken the time to learn. There are many people in this world who don't understand the stock market and thanks to a rise in online brokerages; we have a new breed of investors who think it can be a "get rich quick scheme". Sharebuilder is an excellent start for you to learn to invest money. The commissions are far less than ameritrade and sharebuilder is designed for new investors. If trading stocks was a guaranteed gold mine, then everyone would do it and be rich. Who would work? lol Times have certainly changed but in general the stock market is a tool for the wealthy and everyone else should just invest to save in the long run. You may make some short-term money at first, but I assure you that it will catch up with you. Some of these posts seem to imply that you can just spend some time on research and make a job out of it. Being trained professionally in financial matters is just as important as being trained to be a doctor. I don't think you want ahmadckf performing surgery on you, so think about that before you take that advice and go into this blindly. Also if the stock you wish to purchase isn’t found on sharebuilder, you probably shouldn’t be investing in it. If for some reason you decide to invest the whole 2000, make sure you diversify your selection and don’t play a gambling game on a couple of stocks going up. Contrary to ahmadckf’s assertion you will not make an “easy” 50 grand off a 2000 investment unless you have some extraordinary amount of luck. New technology in investment opportunities has opened new doors for many people, but don’t let that fool you into thinking you might have an upper hand to the people who actually went to school for this. There is nothing wrong with consulting a financial advisor.