text: I'd recommend holding off on the stocks until you build some diversification with your investments.  Try to build a nest egg of about $20K in mutual funds... trust me, you'll sleep better at night and not worry about a single stock plummeting on you.  Once you have that foundation of mutual funds, invest in one stock at a time... perhaps a $2000 total investment per purchase.  Buy three stocks... that's $6,000 total, etc.  Whatever numbers you decide are best for you, start with a solid foundation of mutual funds.... because here's the fun part: as you buy individual stocks as I suggested, eventually you'll own 50 stocks or more... that's your own mini-mutual fund that you've created!  Be sure your stocks are diversified... don't put all your money into stocks in the same industry.  Spread your money around... you'll be glad you did.  Good luck.