Would it help if we told you that it gives lots and lots of other intelligent, sane people the heebie-jeebies, too?

Or maybe it would help to know that, although you shouldn’t be immobilized by fear, a certain amount of respect for the risks and dangers of investing is a good thing. It’s like the water: if you learn how to swim before you jump in the deep end, you’ll find that it’s not nearly as scary as you maybe thought. If you leap off the high dive board before you learn some basics, well, that belly-smacker could hurt. Bad.

Consider this the guppy class. Read what we have to say, follow some of the links we’ve collected for more in-depth ideas and advice, then find a reputable financial consultant for more help. We can get you dog paddling and tell you how to avoid some of the sharks, then point you toward other coaches and lifeguards. Now let go of the side - you’ll be glad you did.