You can join in any of thousands of discussion groups and bulletin boards covering the broadest or the narrowest of financial interests. You must be careful when doing so, however, because you never really know who is giving advice or what their hidden motives might be, particularly when people are recommending investments.

Perhaps the easiest place to get started in the online world is by subscribing to America Online (800-827-3338). AOL has prepackaged an enormous amount of personal finance resources under its Personal Finance Channel button, so that you don’t have to find Web site addresses on your own. AOL’s Channel is divided into many subchannels, such as the Insurance Center, the Banking and Loans Center, the Mutual Funds Center, and the Brokerage and Real Estate Center. Each center has an educational component that explains the basics and more sophisticated strategies to screen for stocks and mutual funds, or purchase home or car insurance, for example.