Thanks, glad you enjoyed reading. This year I'll probably pop in at least once a month to do a check-up on my $25k progress plus if I'm lucky enough to move up to the next stake, I always post about that, too.

As for cashing out, my feeling is that you can do it whenever you like, BUT if you plan to spend that money or take it out of your bankroll, then you have to win it back @ the tables. As a simple example, you've got $2,500 in your bankroll playing $50NL and are eager to play $100NL, where you need at least $3,000 (30 buy-ins). You withdraw $500 to spend on a net-book. Now you have $2,000 and have to win $1,000 more instead of $500 before you can think of playing $100NL.

To this point, I haven't really withdrawn any money because I want to keep moving up. I personally think withdrawing money slows down players' progress because withdrawing the money is basically like losing it. However, a separate issue to consider, I'm at the point I have so much money online, I'm considering taking some of it out, but not to spend it, rather to put it in the bank where it's safer and can draw interest, but also be available to me to deposit if I need it again. If you withdraw in that sense and don't spend it, it's fine and still part of your bankroll.

It's also acceptable to "pay back" your bankroll if you want. So, if you bought a $500 net-book, you can then make $500 from your day job and later redeposit it into your bankroll if you have it and want to replenish it. That's acceptable, BUT you can't lose $500 at the tables and redeposit $500 to make up for THAT $500. The only money you can "pay back" is money that was withdrawn.

Good luck @ $5NL and moving up the stakes.