Inflation.

You can deposit that money into CDs, earn a slightly higher than regular saving account interest. Or, you can invest in mutual funds, it won't be that high riskier than other stock option though. You might have to pay a little bit of management fee to those brokers who manage your funds.

I am a lot like you in that I have absolutely no knowledge at all about the stock market. However, I do have some money that is invested in the stock market. The way that I've been able to do this is that we get into mutual funds that break our money down into being in thousands of different stocks. Yes, there is an annual fee to being involved in the mutual funds for our retirement, but I think that it is well worth it in the long run because of the fact that we are earning more money on our deposits than we would be doing in other forms of saving at this point in time.

I think IRA's are a great way. If you have a good job they will match you up to a certain amount that way you can get alot of money put away monthly, plus it isn't all yours. Your employer is also adding to this account. SO that is really something to thing about. SOmething to think about anyway.

This is why I have a financial adviser, I have mutual funds which invest in the stock market. I chose one that fit what I believe in and it has been good ovre the years, it's nothing flashie but just has stead growth. I also invest in company stock for a company I respect, again it has not had any great gains but rather a pretty steady rise. Unless you happen to know something and get in on the ground floor I don't think you can make a lot. I am very conservitive.

I do like shares so I would suggest investing in a tracker if you are not inclined to do the research however commodities are also an inflation hedge and their are bonds with inflation linking.

WHat do you want to do? Buy stock at this time when the inflation is high and sell when the inflation is low. It sounds like a good financial decision, but myself. I do not know or have any idea whatsoever about this. Take as much advice as possible before you make a decision to invest.