Looking to invest but not sure how- I'm confused.?

I m looking to invest some $$ each month but I m just confused on what road to take for what I want to get out of it.
1) I m looking to start my daughter who is 2 in investing, to start $50 or $100 a month (will increase it as months go by). Kind of like a trust fund and she can access it when she is ready to retire or is there a good fund to invest in when she is 30yrs old for example.
2) Looking for some type of investment for myself (I already have a trad IRA/401k) that I will be starting out with $50 or $100 a month (will increase it as months go by) that I can access when I retire or I can open it up when I am 40/45 (I am 33 now) for a beach house downpayment....
I would appreciate the help/guidance

daughter = you can open up a mutual fund in her name with you as the trustee no co owner -- she can back up to 1600 a year of unearned income before it applies to you taxes!!!

same for you i would go with mutual funds but i would also put some money in a Roth IRA -- it is for after tax income but you do not have to pay taxes on the interest when you withdraw

any broker can help you with these -- i use Edward Jones mainly because they have little offices through out the USA and i like to go face to face when i am doing investing and they like the little investor!!! it was pleasure to answer your question i am so sick of seeing nothing but questions from people going bankrupt and in debt over their heads!!!

check out mutual funds, avoid buying individual stocks.. do not invest in anything you don't understand or you will lose money

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Recommend that you do a few different things. All of them are educational.

First get yourself up to speed on some investing basics. You asked the question here, so good start. Now, go to the Vanguard education center (link below) and get yourself educated. Also, believe it or not, the Personal Finances for Dummies book is pretty good, and will provide you with enough education to start on your way to financial freedom

Next, and this is very important. NEVER invest in anything that you do not understand. If you cannot get someone to explain it to you in a way that you fully understand it, then it is not the investment for you.
Equally important. DO not invest money in stocks that you cannot afford to lose. Stocks have risks built into them, if you need the money to pay the bills for the month, you cannot afford the chance. For every day trading success story, there are a thousand failures.

Last, save your money. You cannot invest what you do not have. If it is a choice between buying that double shot espresachinalatte or investing, it is your call. But, one choice will disappear in a few minutes, the other could make you rich.

Best of luck

Don't get confused try mutual fund it will be safe & easier