Get into some high quality, dividend paying stocks, and add to your total investment funds slowly. Think big brands like johnson and johnson, proctor and gamble, mcdonalds, ge, caterpillar, exxon mobil, etc. They may only pay 1 to 4% annual dividend, but it beats savings bonds, cds, etc.
Getting caught up in penny stocks or flavor of the week stocks are a way to lose a ton of money fast.