This isn't the ideal way to do it--I don't have a lot of ready cash right now, and had to use the cash reserve already in my IRA account. So no tax deduction, either.

The best way to stay ahead of the game is to invest a steady amount every month regardless of what the market is doing. There's a term for that, but I don't know what it is.

A good rule of thumb is that if you expect to need your money in less than five years, it shouldn't be in stocks (at least most of it.) The longer the run, the better your return.

I'm in pretty good shape, thanks. I haven't done anything stupid in investments or mortgages, so my house is still worth a lot more than I owe on it. Of course, the lenders tried to push a much larger refinance on me than I wanted, and I can see how even normally-frugal people would be tempted.

In fact, they're still trying to push a refinance on me. Got another offer from my lender today. I don't know where this "credit shortage" is coming from. God knows enough people are trying to get me deeper in debt.