[gull]

If you are willing to take a very high amount of risk for high return, then I'd recommend concentrating your asset allocation into the highest performing asset classes: emerging markets, US small value, foreign small value.

1) Because it's impossible to get access to DFA funds without a boatload of money, your best option for emerging markets will be Vanguard's VWO. For small value, there are a few more options. RZV is a super small, super valuey ETF. It's rather new, though, and it's not heavily traded so it has a high bid-ask spread and may have an uncertain future. Other options include VBR (Vanguard's small value which isn't very small or valuey, but it's very cheap with a .12% ER). Without DFA funds, there aren't any real foreign small value choices. Even so, you can probably replicate it with a mixture of foreign small (like DLS) and foreign value (like EFV). All of the funds I've listed are ETFs, and will be rather tax-efficient and best suited for taxable accounts. Additionally, buying ETFs will allow you harvest tax losses.

2) I can't predict the future. Historically, emerging markets have beat other indices. I don't know if emerging markets will continue to overperform in the next 20 years as they have in the past 20 years, but I don't see any reason for them to inherently underperform.

3) ifa.com has a good explanation of investing. If you want to read more advanced articles, altruistfa.com/readingroom.htm has a nice, organized collection. If you want even more technical writing, look at some financial journals.

Good job for getting started and educating yourself. I sort of glossed over the details above, so just ask if you want me to explain something I mentioned. Also, I don't think $1,000 is too trivial to be investing with. However, it is especially prudent to minimize commissions with a small amount.