Step Two: Reading Books
We've got some real estate in this step, because, let's face it, you can't make informed decisions without being spoon-fed by someone who clearly knows what they're talking about (i.e., us). Start with the classics.
1. "A Random Walk Down Wall Street" by Burton G. Malkiel
2. "The Little Book of Investing" by John C. Bogle
3. "The Essays of Warren Buffett" by Warren Buffett
4. "The Intelligent Investor" by Benjamin Graham (Note: Not actually intelligent, just really old)
And, of course, "The Financial Planning for Dummies" series, but let's be real, that's just a given.
Once you've read all these, you'll be a certified financial expert, or at least, you'll be able to fake it until you get to the bar.