My employer does not match my 401k contributions, so there's no free money to be passing up. The only advantage to maintaining a 401k then would seem to be for the immediate tax savings -- in addition to the potential that exits to borrow from this fund for a mortagage (is this type of borrowing also possible with a self-directed IRA?).

Is it advisable to abandon the 401k for a self directed IRA, where I could implement 2,2,3,4,5? If so, this raises other questions, like isn't there a rather low ceiling on annual contributions to an IRA, which would limit the growth I might expect from the Foolish 4?

If I should not abandon the 401k, and just accept the Vanguard Index growth of 10.5%, and whatever growth comes from the Crabbe Huson small cap fund, what advice would you have about starting a Foolish 4 portfolio? Inside an IRA? Not inside?

Thanks. I'm new to investing and trying to fashion a sensible portfolio in a Foolish mode.

Hank