I wanted to respond on your results since taking over your mother's account.
Last year I had a 40% return using Aim which is great but the year before my returns were negative 20%. I used that as an opportunity as directed by Aim to invest more and last year's rise to rebuild my cash.
Neither result was due to my intellect but just due to the market and following Aim.
So the drop and recovery in your mom's account was probably due to market conditions as much as anything else.
Toofuzzy
Take the road less traveled. It will make all the difference.