re: starting investments

Assuming you are less than 30, I'd take a hard look at Vanguard Dividend Growth Mutual Fund - VDIGX, a 5-star with "low" risk and "high" return. I discount the 2008 crash and look at the returns for 2009, 10, 11 and 12.

Look at MSN money section to start research. You may want to also review WSJ or CNN or Yahoo Finance page or The Street to get a full perspective of this fund.

It may lead you to another fund to consider - VASVX.

ETF - look at VIG.