HOUGHTON -- The stock market can be as surprising as the weather.

After last month's Dow Jones plunge, many are worried to test the waters in investing.  But some experts say the risk is worth taking.

"As an investor you really have to ask yourself, ‘Is the true value of the companies that I’m investing in really going up and down by three to four percent a day?’ and I think for the most part, people answer that question:  no, they're not," said MTU Finance Professor Dean Johnson.

But the risk doesn't mean jumping on the bandwagon.  Successful investing means thinking outside the box.

"If you think about where you spend money, this will give you confidence.  Did you buy gas this week, did you pay your electric bill, did you buy food?" said Edward Jones Financial Advisor Bob Nelson.  “All those areas you can invest in are traded in the New York stock exchange."

First-timers should always determine the risks in investing.  If you're buying a house or a car in the near future or you are in risk of losing your job, dabbling in the stock market may not be the best move.  If you are ready, look at companies that are universal.

“There are many companies out there today that everyone knows that drive most of their sales and income from outside the United States, so it's a global market; so you want companies that are global," Nelson said.

If you're thinking about investing, it’s never too late to start, however, experts say starting young is your best bet.

"Time is the biggest asset a young person has and the ability to compound money over time," Johnson said.

If you're not sure where to start, Johnson says look at Roth IRAs.  They have a lower tax bracket, and profit can be withdrawn tax-free.

"For young people in particular, Roth IRAs are the perfect vehicle to start saving for their retirement," Johnson said.

Experts say stocks and bonds are a good way to start, before you move on to real estate, gold or commodities.