25, 2000$ extra, now what?

[chatfouz]

As of July 17 I will of paid off all my student loans (YAY!)
I am 25, work, and have a stable career
I live and work in China (US Citizen)
I have 2,000 USD a month that is not requried for living.

My current plan starting next payday:
$1,000 USD to go into a bank as short term emergency savings, until a balance of 10,000 is reached
$200 USD to stay in China bank as emergency savings until 2000$ is saved
$800 USD to *invest*

now the *invest* part is as far as I got. After 10 months and if things go well i will start investing the whole 2,000 a month (+ any raise I get)
I currently hold ZERO investments, have 20 USD in the bank, and the most assets I own is half an OZ. of gold I bought 2 years ago.

I assume the basic goals of investment are
1. Short term goal: House payment savings
2. Medium Goal: Nest egg for family or moving back to the USA (god knows I don't plan to stay in China long term, maybe another 5 years max)
3. Long term goal: Retirement

But is there any advice, blogs, articles, websites that ya'll could suggest to help me put actual plans, ideas? I started listening to half a dozen podcast with the words economics in it, but none seem to have anything to do with the average person investing.

I don't expect to turn into richie rich, i remember the HS econ teacher going on that only dumb people put all their money in the bank and think investing is only for hte super rich. (didn't listen past that...)

Thanks

[snafu]

NieHaw, we found it nearly impossible to actively manage and function investment accounts when when we were working in GZ,PRC. If you return to USA for holidays you can set up an account with a low fee provider like Vanguard. They have DCA programs [Dollar Cost Averaging] with a set sum transfered monthly from your accounts to buy a variable number of units depending on closing market numbers. It's a painless way for average people to build wealth one step at a time with managed risk.

Hope you're enjoying your China adventure.

[feh]

But is there any advice, blogs, articles, websites that ya'll could suggest to help me put actual plans, ideas? I started listening to half a dozen podcast with the words economics in it, but none seem to have anything to do with the average person investing.

Start here:

http://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Getting_Started

http://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Bogleheads%C2%AE_investing_start-up_kit