I've been using Stash to invest in some EFTs. I've only put in $50 to date and will put in more since the market is doing well but I did it more as a learning experience.

What would be the best way to learn, for someone looking to invest $500+, who's never done much investing before?

Outside of ~10 shares of Starbucks stock given to me when I worked there in 2001, this has been my only experience.

P.S. Those Starbucks shared have been long-lost - somehow they moved them from Schwab to another company and no one told me where/how). I forgot about them until today.

EDIT: Looking at my docs, I bought 7 shares at $18.275 in April 2001. The stock price is $60.55 today. I need to figure out who holds these and see what I can do to reclaim them.

EDIT2: I found them. I found where the original account was, called them and got the details. Sadly, the account was marked as dormant and I learned about "Escheatment". The stocks were cashed and the amount is now held by my state and I have go through several hoops to reclaim.