CoffeeSnob, may I say "Well Done" on being different to most...

CoffeeSnob, may I say "Well Done" on being different to most people and actually having the guts to go and start investing. You are already different (in a good way) to most people who think / dream about building wealth (usually through no effort like the lotto or pokies (!) ) and I would guess, probably very different to your young peers who just want to blow it on travel or cars.

Good job on your part. I started 3 years ago with a $1000, because that's all I could afford, in a blue-chip stock. I now have a bit more of a 'respectable' amount across various assets :)

Once you start, you will learn more as time goes on. Read as much as you can - books, newspapers etc., listen to people and seek out groups of interested, like-minded people who are into investing and shares. They DO exist - Australian Investors Association and Australian Shareholders Association are two 'community groups' to consider - i.e. they won't try and sell you investments !