Okay, so I am thinking about trying to invest some money, obviously to try to make more money, as I come up short every month now. I have never invested before and don't have much money to get started with. What would be the best, safest way to try to start out investing?

What are your objectives? Are you looking at an IRS for retirement or saving money for a future purchase?

You focus will determine the vehicle.

For an IRA some blend of mutual funds will probably be the best choice. Look for low or no load funds with a good long term track record.

If you're saving for a purchase, you probably don't want to deal with any vehicle that exposes you too too much risk. If you want to save for a house or something, i would be conservative and use one of the high yield savings accounts you can get from HSBC, or Citi. They pay up to 4.8% and are totally free.

Skull Pilot has hit it on the head. With the internet it's easy to do research on mutual funds. Just look at their track record 1 year, 3 year, 5 year,etc...Fidelity has some great performing funds and a ton to choose from. And make it a no load as Skull Pilot said (this advice is for long term objectives only).

Thanks for your advice. I am actually looking to have money for retirement, as I lost my 401K when I quit my job to be a stay at home mom/work at home mom and am also looking to save money to have another baby, so I have a couple of things in the works I'm looking at. Again, thanks for your advice and I will see what I can find.

I'm inclined to agree with Skull Pilot and Harley as well.

The only thing that I'd add is to focus on low risk investment. If you dont have much to invest, the last ting you want is to lose it on high risk investments

I don't know if you know this but you could just roll your 401k over into an IRA at your local bank or credit union.

Somehow, there will always be a way to spend money. Whichever comes first, it depends on our priorities. If we are determined to invest, we'll have to find the way with whatever we have on hand but if some other matters arise, then we'll just say ... next time.

I think if you do not have a great deal of money to start with, then Sharebuilder is a good place to start. You can buy percentages of shares and add to it or change it how often you like. I had plenty of questions before using them, but I am completely happy thus far.

What would you recommend for someone lacking in discipline (like me)? I don't need to have easy access to the money.

Perhaps a good way would be to google up money management sites
And it's good to know that you know where your weaknesses lie and from there, you'll decide on what to do.

Since it sounds like you don't have anything to lose, you should go the safest route possible which would be a CD or even a savings account (practically worthless, the latter). Talk to an advisor and check it out.

I went with a mutual funds that wasn't taxed deferred. I don't want the government telling me WHEN I can retire. By not making it specifically a retirement account, I control my future.

I am reading some post and you guys have give me some good ideas. I know that I am very young but it isnt never too early to think about retirement.

you could try buying CDs if you find a good rate at a local bank, definately worth checking out.

I think that being a Stay at home mom raises new challenges and investment may not be the only option to live comfortably off. Rising cost and inflation are already eating into what profit you make from safe investment options such as a CD or bonds. Mutual funds are not entirely risk free.

So it seems a solution to your present circumstances would be to increase your earnings, spend less and invest wisely.

Its going to take quite a bit of thinking and planning.

If you're coming up short, I would target any existant debt before I started investing. Do you maintain credit card debt, or have loans at a significant interest rate?