New to investing (need help)

Ok I talked to a financial consultant about investing and he said mutual funds would be good for me. He mentioned the investing firm Federated? and listed some funds to invest in. (SVACX, ICFFX, KAUCX) Again this is all NEW to me and I am just learning about this investment stuff. So I guess my question would be is this a good company/funds to invest in? Also, is there any recommended reading out there that would help me out?

New2Dis,

Investing in mutual funds to some extent can reduce your risk. Using a mutual fund you will be invested in many companies at one time.

Is this a good fund company with which to do business? I don't know.
I recommend you get your hands on a book that I refer to from time to time, The Sound Mind Investing Handbook by Austin Pryor. The book deals with many financial issues from getting out of debt, insurnace, saving for your next big purchase, and investing using no-load mutual funds. Check your local library and ask them to get a copy if it is not available. Or you can purchase the book at Amazon.com for $15: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=austin+pryor&x=20&y=22

Before you invest in any mutual fund check out Kiplinger's top 25 mutual funds here: http://www.kiplinger.com/magazine/archives/2008/05/best-mutual-funds.html?kipad_id=48
Keep track of this group of funds because the names on the list change over time. Kiplinger's top 25 funds maybe a good list of funds to use for your investing.

If you are willing to read and learn new things, you won't need the advisor. I suggest finding some more active forums than this and reading there about no load funds, asset allocation and risks.

Thanks for the info. Any more valuable information will be appreciated as well.

I have not heard of federated. Vanguard, Fidelity and T Rowe Price are among the largest providers of mutual funds. Check them out.

The stock market crash already started, and there might be serious double-digit losses from here. I would stay away from the stock market for a while.

Before making a mutual fund purchase, review your account statements and those of your family to find amounts of investments in a particular mutual fund or family of funds to see if these transactions can be combined to obtain a breakpoint discount. Don't limit your review to accounts at a single securities firm. You may have related mutual fund holdings in accounts at other securities firms or with the mutual fund company itself that can help you reach a breakpoint discount.

After you purchase a mutual fund with a front-end sales load, check your account statements to make sure you received the appropriate discount. If you didn't get the right breakpoint discount, immediately contact your broker.

Moreover prior to investing on a mutual fund (http://www.franklintempletonindia.com/) it is always advisable that you go into some market research.Every functional unit in the investment sector will promote their business.What matters here is the offer document that is provided to you at the time of the deal.Always remember that Mutual Fund Investments are subjected to Market Risks,hence it is important that you read the offer document carefully before you invest.If possible take the help of a financial adviser,may be that will help you to understand things in a clear perspective.