Companies like Charles Schwab, Ameriprise and Fidelity Investments will be happy to provide you with free investment advice, usually in the form of a brief report. While you wouldn't necessarily want to base specific investments on these publications, they can help education you on the process and give you a place to start.

Your bank or credit union is a good place to start when looking for inexpensive investment advice. Keep in mind, however, that most financial institutions have a stake in pushing particular stocks and funds, and consider carefully before taking them up on a particular offer.

Wherever you get your investment advice from, remember that you don't have to take the advice of anyone if you're uncertain about it or simply disagree. This includes high-priced advisors and brokers who might threaten to drop you if you don't listen to them. Let them; there are other fish in the sea.