I'm sure I'm preaching to the converted, but here goes. Don't even think about beginning investing if you have unpaid credit card balances - pay off the cards first, then start investing. The reason is that the card companies unfailingly charge you 18-24% interest on your unpaid balances. You have to be a very astute investor, or just have a lucky break, to make a 20% return on your investments as a newbie. So, it doesn't make sense to make, say, a 10% return on your investments, but pay 24% on your card balances - please pay off the cards first!