Question: I'm 28 years old and looking to invest some extra money that's come my way recently, $10,000 to be exact. Any suggestions? - Brandon, Charlotte, NC

Answer: It's always a challenge trying to figure out the best way to invest a windfall. But the task is even more daunting when you're dealing with a rollercoaster market like the one we've had in recent weeks, where big sell-offs are followed by hopeful rebounds that give way to more unsettling downdrafts, creating a climate of fear and uncertainty all around.

So I'm happy to weigh in on this issue. I'll try to answer in a way that can also give guidance to others out there who are unsure how to navigate a market like this, whether they're investing new money like you or considering what to do with the money they've already invested.

The first thing I think you need to do is be wary of some of the advice that's already floating around out there. I don't want to say much of it is flat-out bad. But I