Does anyone have any advice for a beginning investor?

I am a young college student who is interested in investing. I have thought about stocks and bonds, but I dont know which i should try. I am not interested in making a fortune quickly and am looking for something that could last a while and be profitable any suggestions?

Sure, first, remember the difference between investing and trading. The bulk of my money is invested, put to work for the long run and otherwise prettywell left to do its thing. But I do have money I trade with. The latter is a lot more fun (especially when I win), but inherently more risky. So I trade a little and invest a lot.

To start, secondly, pick up an issue (or visit their website) for one of these: Businessweek, Forbes, or Fortune. Solid companies, some new and some very old, are discussed with sometime impressive general picture or specific details. There you get the ideas of what the companies do, what they may be doing differently, and the kinds of people running them. Just look. Then, as your experience grows, you might finish an article with a search for more details because you are really interested.

Third, and finally, if you are really wanting to "invest"--then don't bother looking at stock prices. Be interested in how well they do what they do, especially in relation to their competitors. You will get a feel for which is more comfortable to you. For instance, once you see how Coke is run and then how Pepsi is run, you will have an opinion on whether you like the broader diversified interest of Pepsi or the considerably more narrow focus of Coke. Both have their advantages, and both have similar profit potential. You will have an opinion whether or not you have the slightest clue as to current prices, trends, momentum, or all of those other "trader" things. This is investing, and the same thing applies to cars, retail merchants, steel makers, or gold mines. Just casually, and carefully, read about companies. Then sometime next summer, start picking out two, three, or ten, that stand out above the crowd for their consistent profitability and growth potential. Whatever the price you buy it at, if the company continues to profit and grow, the price of the stock will continue to rise.

invest in something that'll get you rich.

Open a Roth IRA account with a discount broker like Etrade or T.D. Ameritrade. Put in the maximum each year and don't touch it.

Invest in a balanced fund.

Read, read, read. You can do yourself a huge favor by educating yourself on this subject. A little time invested in learning will be your best return on investment. You can buy or even check out the library.

An easy way to get started is mutual funds.

I suggest you read a book by mary buffett called buffetology this was written by warren buffett sons wife.She goes into great detail on how to start investing in a small way while you learn the ropes.This is the best blueprint into consumer monoplys .

Find a mentor. Learn a method then stick to it. There's lots of blogs out there with good content.

Here are a couple:
http://www.atradeaday.com (My Blog)
http://www.tradermike.net
http://www.stocktradingtogo.com

The best thing you can do is take ownership of your education, and don't invest a cent until you've done the research. You'll learn successful investing is more psychological than anything else.

educate yourself before you put money into the market.

Your on the right track, all you need is a little research and some good stocks to invest in. Try http://www.goldenbullstocks.com test drive their picks you will be impressed!