<prompt> Human: So Ive been saving up for a while and I eventually reached 1000 dollars. I was originally going to buy a computer, but I decided that investing would be a better idea. I know some finance basics, but would really like some guidance on where to start.  <response>: Good on you for not buying that computer. Putting the 1,000 away is a much better decision; one that most teenagers wouldnt even have thought of. Ive listed a few potential options below: High Risk: Buying specific stocks in a taxable brokerage account think E-Trade or Charles Schwab - I would highly reccomend against this, but follow the rules below if you really have to trade stocks:1. No penny-stocks. Period. This is gambling.2. No day-trading. Again, this is gamblingspeculative investing.3. Thoroughly research before making any investments. Considering your general inexperience with investing, I would stay with large-cap, established companies e.g. Google, Apple, Microsoft. 4. Before even opening an account, read about investing. I reccomend Benjamin Grahams The Intelligent Investor Medium Risk: Vanguard Roth IRA with VTTSX - With this, you would be able to grow money tax-free while still retaining the ability to withdraw all contributions. The catch is that youll need to have documented income from 20132014 for a Roth IRA. Low Risk: Ally High-Yield SavingsCD - This is similar to your checking account except with higher interest rates currently 0.87 APY on their savings 0.99-1.6 on CDs Keep in mind that you will need parental consent and signatures for opening up any accounts. I would pass any plans by them for sanity-checking; although it may not seem like it now, they probably have a lot more experience than you making financial decisions. Feel free to message me if you have any other questions. 