Thanks for the insight, I really appreciate it.

I paid off my private student loans (they were like 8%), and now the federal ones I have left.. I think they're around 4%?

I think for the short term, I will open a savings account with Ally until I open the Roth IRA.

Many suggest to go to Vanguard for a Roth IRA, what are your thoughts on where I should start with that? Is there a best time to open one? Do I contribute money all at once and max out or periodically put money in? How do you choose which fund to put it in?

I appreciate the advice on the stocks, hopefully I can get to the point of deciding what to do with them if I stay long enough for all of it to vest!