These accounts are completely liquid, meaning, if you need the money, you can withdraw it immediately, with no loss of principal. The risk associated with these funds is minimal. Your next investment will probably be the money you've put by for your Spousal IRA . If you don't understand what you're investing in and what it costs, then don't do it. Investment vehicles don't have to be that complicated, but you need to know exactly what you're getting into.
Many Web sites offer a wealth of information on personal finance.
The latter was recently rated one of the Web's best investing sites by Forbes magazine. There are also numerous personal finance magazines and countless books that can help foster your education, so you can learn at your own pace, in your own way. When that emergency fund socked away and your credit card debt is minimal, you're ready to start investing for the long-term. If you think you are going to need this money within the next three to five years, the stock market is not for you. However, if your time horizon is longer, the stock market has historically outperformed other investments.