I think that is my plan. Prudential says they have a program where somebody will constantly move stuff around and babysit it for me. I am clueless when it comes to this stuff, so I am excited about learning about it. Can't thank you guys enough for your help.
Actually, I know nothing about investing. And it's because I know that I know nothing, that I have an advantage.
I really think you might want to check out syndicated columnist/radio guy Dave Ramsey. I've read some of his stuff and heard his radio program, and he's got some great financial advice for noobs. (He tends to inject a little Christianity into it here and there, which I don't really care for. But whatever.) I happened to look up his site and noticed he's giving a lecture in Portland in April for $20, which seems reasonable: http://www.daveramsey.com/live/city/city/Portland/date/20110409 Anyway, maybe check out his book. I haven't read it, but I've heard some good things about it.
I don't think I am. But I've researched it over the years and studied it in college a little, and the basic principles are pretty much universally agreed on, as far as I can tell: 1. Don't put it all in one basket. Diversify. That includes not just stocks, but real estate. If you have $100k in equity in your house and $3k in your 401k, you are not diversified. 2. Invest conservatively if you need access to money in the short-term. 3. Go aggressive if you are a long way away from needing your nest egg. 4. Nothing is a "sure deal." When you hear a lot of people saying that, it's probably time to worry. Nobody notices a bubble until it explodes. 5. Index funds match/outperform managed funds over the long haul, but have much lower fees and so are generally a better deal. 6. When the stock market takes a dump, think about other things and leave your money where it is. Think 20 years, not 2 days. 7. Buy low, sell high. But it's hard to know what "low" and "high" really were until it's too late, so again think long term. None of those concepts are really that controversial in the investment world, I don't believe.
