By MSN Money staff

The editors at MSN Money have put together this Beginner's Guide to Investing to help you start putting your money to work:

• How much should you invest?
• Start with a single mutual fund
• How to build a portfolio
• Follow a guru
• Open an account and get started

There are different account types for different investing goals. Is this fun money, set aside to build a vacation fund? Or will you be buying groceries with the investment returns when you're 85?

Here are your main options (also described in the videos to the right):

401k

If your employer offers a 401k or similar plan, make sure to take full advantage, especially when it comes to the free dollars available in the form of a company match.

Individual retirement account (IRA)

Make the maximum contribution to an IRA, which allows you to put some of your income into a tax-deferred retirement fund to grow tax-free until you retire. You won't pay taxes until you withdraw your funds.

529

Start a 529 plan to save for your kids' college expenses. Be warned that these plans don't always live up to the hype. Though they remain a good choice for some. Check out this interactive tool to help you see the pros and cons of 529s.