What is the best one of the best things to invest in for a first time investor? Stocks, bonds ETC.?

There is most likely some difference of opinion on this question. My opinion is equity based mutual funds or index funds for young first time investors. The advantage of these is that they minimize specific risk and can be purchased with a relatively small initial investment. Some mutual funds to check out are found at these links.

T Rowe Price

http://mutualfunds.troweprice.com/?rfpgi...

Royce Funds

http://www.roycefunds.com/funds/index.as...

Fidelity

https://www.fidelity.com/

For relatively small initial investmetns of at least $250 American Funds but the class A shares which have the lowest expense ratio carry a 5.25% load.

http://www.americanfunds.com/default-hom...

For index funds that are traded like stocks check out

http://www.etfconnect.com/

Mutual funds would be my recommendation for someone starting out. They offer good diversification and lower volatility than owning individual stocks when you are just starting out.

Bonds and bond funds will be more safe than both but will most likely underperfrom stocks and equity based funds in the long run.

I'm partial to the american funds, but vanguard, fidelity and many others have good options too.

Good luck.

Invest in yourself by learning everything you want to know about investing.

Learn how to read and understand the financial sections of the financial newspapers.

Buy some financial books. {At a used bookstore.} I have one called,"The A To Z of Investing".

Try to understand interest & compound interest math problems.

Personally I invest in appreciating physical Gold and I'm way ahead, right now.

You can buy small amounts of Gold in coin or bar form from any coin dealer in most u. s. cities.

Kruggerands usually can be bought very close to the spot price of Gold.

I wouldn't suggest numismatic coins because they may take a loooong time to appreciate.

Good Luck!

Try US Savings Bonds first. Lend Uncle Sam some of your money. He always borrow money with "guarantee" of paying back.

Try walking in a full service bank and ask on how you can buy US Saviings Bond.

They will issue you a piece of paper with a "face value" of twice what you have given them, i.e. if you give them $50, the "bond" they will issue you have a face value of $100.

That $100 happens to be $100 (or more) in some future years when you cash it. Since the interest rate is not constant the number of years it will become $100 is not the same too. Oh yes, you can cash it any time and have it back no lesser than your original money.

Reason why I recommend you this so as you'll be curious and may have interest in learning more on how different investments work. This one is the easiest of them all.