How should I invest?

[Thom]

Time is what you invest in your children and those you love. When mine were growing up we took vacations, camped out, went to all of their activities. Most of this doesn't require much money. Time can never be reclaimed.

Be sure you give of yourself to God, family, friends and those who are less fortunate. The dividends are eternal.

We still talk about some of those good times when I share the results of a good savings plan with my children and grandchildren staying at a 5 star resort or just bumming around in the good ole USA.

[crappiefisherman]

I figured i was wrong

[Thom]

Crappiefisherman:

Sounded to me like you were pretty much right on. Every one has a little different way of getting where we are going and when. What works for you is what counts.

Material things can be taken quickly but your family and how you relate to them is very important.

[troutchaser]

At 21, you can afford to be a little risky with your 403(.

The typical formula for investing in retirement is 10% of your gross income annually, invested with your age as the percentage of the money invested in a safer fund. For you, this means 21% of your money should be in a money market or domestic blue chip fund (your investment paperwork will outline this for you), and the rest in an aggressive growth fund. I'm 36, so I have 36% in a blue chip fund and the rest in a global growth fund. It's a good formula to start with, and you can always adjust it as you go.

That's just my advice. It's free, and you get what you pay for, you know.