(homeland threats, oil, government...) that plagues us today, the stock market is pretty much like a Pandora's box. It's hard to make a judicious choice to find that happy medium between stocks and bonds. As a rule of thumb, low interest rates equates to stable bonds and volatile stocks. High interest rates equates to unstable bonds and less volatile stocks. Experts suggest invest 2/3 bonds and 1/3 stocks. This might be somewhat overboard at the low end but at least it's safer than the alternate.

From the continuing and contradictory crap I read from business week and so on, I think we should be looking at total returns between 8 to 10% in the next few years. We will see.

The 529 College Plans I have for my 2 boys, I have selected an investment porfolio that is from conservative to mildly aggressive. Investors say invest for the long term. Ride the ups and downs and you will eventually come out ahead in the long run. That maybe the case but considering what I said in my openning remarks, I don't have much faith on returns that are labeled "long term returns" but this is my personal opinion.