If you think a professional's expensive, try hiring an amateur.

[Doug Smith]

I've been seeing a lot of posts on BP lately akin to "I want to remove my own appendix. Should I use a butter knife or a steak knife." It's one thing to want to gain knowledge about investing. It's totally another to do too much on your know when you're not ready. I can't tell you the number of times I've had people call me to bail them out of a jam that they got themselves into because they tried to take on too much DIY. For instance, I get calls often where someone buys a property in a flood zone without knowing about the FEMA 50% Rule (if you don't know...look it up. It might save your bacon). There is no shame in asking questions to learn or progressively take on more and more responsibility. The key word here is "progressively". If you attempt something you're not ready to do, you'll cost yourself a lot more in the long run. I've been a lender for more than 30 years and I am still learning every day, but I didn't tackle the cash flow spreads on an office building my first month on the job. I implore you not to get out over your skis. Remember what Lincoln said, "He who represents himself has a fool for a client."