[tabascobobcat]

Nathan's Dad,
Thanks for taking the time to pen such a response.

Sounds like a good plan to follow.
Baring anything catastrophic, I do not plan to need the $$ for the next 5 years. It won't kill me to loose the money, but I do want to take a reasonable amount of risk, balanced against reward of course. I had been doing the Index 500, but at some point got a little frustrated with myself for settling for mediocrity. Maybe I was too hard on myself.
I'd still like to be a little more aggressive and try to beat the market by a little, and can accept loosing to it by a little while trying if I have too. I just don't want to loose a significant (25%+)portion.

I am not planning on carrying any of this as cash. I do have a separate lump all ready for that. About 6 months worth in CD's.

Of the mutual and index funds that you invest in, are they US market based or overseas?? I guess that I still like Wayne's strategy.

I too would get a kick out of managing my own $$, but would hope that a pro could turn it into some sort of wealth.