[Cajundaddy]

Your approach to investing really depends a lot on your goals, time frame, and risk tolerance. I know several people who are daily traders and make a pretty good living doing just that. I know some investment counselors who have made a lot of money for their clients and themselves. I also know several people who lost everything they own in the market.

Personally I don't play the market short term. I feel my odds are better in Vegas. I tend to buy and hold long term (10 years or more) individual stocks, mutual funds and Vanguard index funds and really only make portfolio adjustments once or twice a year. I avoid "hot stocks" like the plague because those are the only ones I have been really burned on by trying to chase past performance. I make all my own choices and trades but I do pay close attention to what Buffet and Bogle are doing.