rowdawg,
Congratulations on your desire to invest, especially your interest in using index funds, the most efficient way to go.
When you invest, you need to literally, intellectually, and emotionally own your investment choices. That is why you have to decide. Personally, I like the Bogleheads' site (
http://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Bogleheads®_investing_start-up_kit) as it gives clear guidelines as to how they invest, right down to sample fund choices, naturally using Vanguard. Before you invest, though, you should have an emergency fund and a budget worked out. Again, Bogleheads has that at:
http://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Bogleheads®_personal_finance_planning_start-up_kit
The Bogleheads site is straightforward and all organized so you could work through that quickly. You did not say what type of investment vehicle you want to use. Is it through work, like a 401k, or are you doing a Roth IRA or a taxable account? Each vehicle type is better for different kinds of funds so you need to figure that out too.
Read up some more now. It will serve you well in the future. When you get your ideas down, if you want to, post them here and people will give you input about your choices. Don't get discouraged and walk into a main street brokerage office. That move, IMO, will not be a good choice for your financial health.
Welcome to the forum!