12 money moves -- in 3 hours or less

Is anxiety about finding the perfect investment -- high growth potential! low risk! -- keeping you from making decisions about where to put your money? Don't let it.

Studies by the financial consulting firm Ibbotson Associates show that swings in your portfolio value are due more to your exposure to the stock market generally than the specific stocks, bonds, or mutual funds you pick.

How to do it: If you want to fine-tune the mix, check out CNNMoney's asset allocator tool.

Or, for a more hands-off approach, go for a target-date retirement fund from T. Rowe Price or Vanguard.These invest in a preset mix of stocks and bonds based on how far you are from retirement, and automatically grow more conservative as you near your quit date.

NEXT: Cut the clutter