11/6/08

Buy Low. Sell High.

I was feeling pretty smug on Tuesday, since I had thrown a fairly substantial pile of coinage into the market on Monday.

Wednesday and Thursday haven’t been as much fun.

My last foray into non-401k investing – March 2000, 100% internet stocks – was a complete disaster (the portfolio lost over 90% of its value). So, if I offer you any investing advice, like this, you can simply respond, “Thanks, but no thanks”.

6 comments:

Emily said...

Is that you talking or are you quoting the guy you linked to? Hope it's the latter.

Happy happy birthday! Now YOU can be president.

pam said...

I am always full of after the fact advice, like you should have put your money in Monday morning and taken it out Mondeay evening, etc. and you would have made money. But at least after a couple of bad days, it was a little better this morning. Who knows what will happen next. Anyways, we hope you have a happy birthday and send our love and appreciation.

Nancy said...

sorry about the investments I try not to follow that kind of thing! Happy Birthday anyway! Have a great day, I sense there is a sweet sugary steak in your future.

Anonymous said...

Sorry I missed your conference call invite a month back--I was back East for vacation and didn't see your email for an entire week.

My stock picking approach is simple: stocks are great over the long run, but impossible to predict over the short run. I only believe in buying unmanaged index funds, like those that track the S&P, Russell or Wilshire (small cap).
I wouldn't get too down on your recent performance, though, as few traders can really time the market. The only score that really matters is the final score--when you actually sell and realize your gains. Chances are good that in a year or two you'll be glad you jumped in when you did.

Jared

Richard said...

Jared -- I agree on all points.

I spread the love around and bought some QQQQ, IWM, SPY, VT and...just for fun...GOOG. Much more SPY than anything else.

I figure I'm in for at least a few years on this set. Since everything is selling at 1998 prices, I just couldn't pass up this opportunity.

I just wish I had more discretionary funds to throw into this market...

Richard said...

...Jared, we missed your input on the conference call. I was fun to talk to old friends. Your insights would have been most welcome.

BTW -- Why the heck don't you have a blog? For crying out loud, you right essays for fun in your spared time!

The world needs direct access to your wisdom.