I've never invested a penny in stocks, but my friend has and has his ups and downs..but is currently down..about $13,000 (he is your age). I highly recommend you do as others have mentioned and INVEST IN YOURSELF, not someone elses business. But if you insist.. I recommend you NOT be like every other "average investor" and have a read at what tim sykes has to say about it all ... http://timothysykes.com/