Settle down people, what I said was to get people's reactions. To show that everyone is different. Shop around and interview some financial advisors. Be careful some can be quite the salesmen. Everyone is different when it comes to investing, what worries one person does not worry another.
Sit down with an advisor and make a financial plan, everything starts with that plan. Find someone you trust. Dollar cost averaging is a good way to start. It doesn't give you the highest returns, but does a decent job in buying both high and low. Never be a lump sum investor! Reason being if the stock or mutual goes down then you have no money left to by at bargain prices. The philosophy buy low sell high always applies. In the current market I would by more. So if you want to invest $200 a month that is great, but as the prices go up, why not invest $150 a month and buy use the left over to buy the investment at a lower price.
The only way to learn is go out and do it! I have a friend that is a financial advisor and the company he worked for was trying to make him sell money losing mutuals, most of his clients were friends and family so he quit. My warning is be careful, you can never become to careful with your own money at first, when seeking an advisor. And never fall for investors showing you that this stock went up 200% in one year and that you should buy into it. If the investment went up that much, chances are it will soon be on it's way down.
Remember everyone is different when it comes to money. Some like to hold more cash others more equity. You have to choose what best fits you. Good luck!