well, my dad and i are pretty gung-ho into investing in some stocks right now (we're n00bs to investing), i appreciate the tip about transaction fee/commisionary brokers John i will look into that.....we're going to call Charles Schwab or somthing like that....Bill, is your fiancee a broker?

thanks for the tips....i am going to start out small, and then try and build up, then maybe invest in some real estate like u guys said