Begin by building up cash. Ing Direct is a good place to start. For $25 you can open a savings or checking account. You can also purchase certificates of deposit for any amount through Ing Direct, whereas at other financial institutions, the minimum CD amount is at least $500. For inexpensive mutual funds, look at AARP Funds, where for a minimum of $100, you can buy indexed income, stock and allocation funds. You don't have to be an AARP member and, from what I gather from the website (www.aarpfunds.com), you don't have to be an older person. Savings bonds bought through Treasury Direct (www.treasurydirect.gov) are also a good start if you have less than $1000 to invest. I personally prefer inflation-indexed bonds (I-bonds) to EE savings bonds. Additional advice with web links can be found on existing hubs Investing Wisely and Investing in Rocky Times.