A good place to start is the Vanguard 500 Index Fund (NYSEMKT: VOO) , which invests in S&P 500 stocks. If you want to increase your chances of outpacing inflation and enjoying a financially comfortable retirement, you need to give your money a real opportunity to grow by putting it in stocks. Finally, while it's always a good idea to keep tabs on your investments, if your stocks are part of a long-term strategy, don't spin your wheels checking your portfolio balance on a daily basis.