Ouch...I've taken a major hit in the past 6 months to say the least. Although, I then reminded myself that I'm not retiring for probably another 39
years (age 26 now, retire at 65) and I'm invested in all high risk stock type funds so it doesn't affect me in the slightest short term. In fact the
economy taking a nosedive actually helps me in the long run because it increases my buying power for number of shares shortterm which increases my potential
profit over the long term. (College Econ classes paying off). Then I relaxed and I'm promptly forgetting my log on and PIN for my 401K. I'll check it
in a couple of years to see how it is then.
Minister of Propaganda, Minister of the Armed Forces
Theoryland: Reinventing the Wheel (of Time)...By adding corners!!
Because I do the payroll here (among other things) I have to check the values of our 401(k)'s funds each week. So... for three years I've been pretty
pleased with the steady upward trend in value. However, about two-three weeks ago I finally pulled all my money out of the various funds and dropped them in
two very stable funds. Since then, I've not gained much, but I've not lost anything, either. At the end of 2007 I had an "annualized return
percentage" of 24% -- not bad. As of last week that was 3.3%...
The very first time I ever invested money was in 1999 -- I started my portfolio with $15,000 -- one month later it was worth $7800. It finally climbed back to
$15,000 in 2007 -- and now it's lost a few again... Sigh.
My only question is ... when will I know to take the money OUT of the "safe funds" and return to high-risk and high-yield? If I wait until
they're booming, then I've screwed up. "Buy low, sell high" is marvelous advice... but useless in any practical sense.
Bonded by PD ("I have a dragon and I'm not afraid to use him!") Protector of the Scale Call me "Tru" -- Tru'Taer
First-sister to Terez Warder sister to Cary the Fairy - Defender of the Flame ~a-chOO~ Member of the TCA and "Keeper of the Books" Where the Weirdos go! or the OTHER place
I'd keep an eye on real estate. When the prices start going up, shift.
Incidentally, I got ONE share of Harley Davidson stock for my Bar Mitzvah when I was 13. It was worth $25 at the time. After several splits and no further
investment, I have 8 shares of Harley D worth $40 apiece (last time I checked). Not bad at all. I wish I'd gotten 1000 shares instead.
Camel
-----
"Nice try, Jack!" - Robert Jordan (to Camel)
Camel: "Oh, I get a question. Right. Do you remember Emma? She's my 12 year old sister, and Mother wouldn't let her come see you unless I came, too."
Jordan: "Oh yes, I know all about Emma."
"Camel must be the coolest Theorylander ever, by now." -GLotD
Sorry Tru, but at your age, you're past the high-risk, high-yield phase. Talk with your advisor about the best risk level for you but I'm thinking
less risk, moderate growth trending toward income securities such as bonds.
Tanaww
Mother
of Chaos and Debauchery
"It's the thought that counts and so far the
count is at zero." - Stephen Colbert
"Always start a story with 'No shit! There I
was...' or else no one will believe you." -
1SG "Under certain circumstances,
profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer.”
- Mark Twain "Tana, you are just so
freaking cool!" - Ishara
"Tanaww is right." - Bryan
Blaire You know you want
to...
That's worlds apart! Lightyears! Lengths of time unknown to man!
Well, maybe not. But I'm still planning on doing the ear-thumbing, finger-wiggling "nyah nyah nyah" at you. Cause I'm older, and therefore,
more mature.
I will be 28 in April...I guess that means you are all more mature than me??? nah...couldn't be!
This topic was funny because we were talking 401k and retirement time today. One lady that is probably in her 40's said she got a statement from SS and to
receive her full benefits she will be 72 when she retires.
That doesn't say much for the age we will retire with full benefits (assuming we even have SS benefits).
28 in November. Damn we're all a close bunch. Cept for old fogies like Frenzy. And young whippersnappers like Dav. (Let's not talk about the Olde
Phartes. "Good Ol' Day" rambles would start soon after, and you don't wanna go through that any more than you have to.)
And no worries on your part, JWB. It's well known that a common detractor effect on maturity is the overstimulated use of emoticons. In that regard,
you're around -38 Aeons by now.
You guys are starting to make me feel like we're all just growing old together! ~wipes tear from eye sarcastically~
I'll be 28 in May, and slowly working on increasing my immaturity. Maybe I should take JWB's route on that, if it works like DT says.
Oddly enough, all the women in the three house cluster we live in are all older than their husbands, and they are all the same age as Gil, and none of them
remember how old the others are.
Warder-Husband to Gilshalos Sedai,
Wolfbrother,
Commander of the Far Rahien Drin