[SP Wild]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lazarus Short /img/forum/go_quote.gif Why would anyone be in stocks at this time? Run away.

I sure hope you're wrong. Here downunder - I have quit my daily job and ran towards the stock market with open arms.

 

[Lazarus Short]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SP Wild /img/forum/go_quote.gif I sure hope you're wrong. Here downunder - I have quit my daily job and ran towards the stock market with open arms.

You are quite mad.

 

[lmilhan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nealric /img/forum/go_quote.gif Index funds

X 1,000,000,000


Specifically LOW COST Index Funds.

Check out Vanguard, they have the lowest costs for index funds in the business. Get your asset allocations figured out (stock to bonds ratio appropriate for you and your situation), and then put everything on auto pilot. If you want to win in the stock market (over the long haul) dollar cost averaging in low cost index funds with the proper asset allocation is the only way to fly. Then sit back, enjoy life, rest easy at night, and get rich slowly.

Here is a great place to start learning about modern portfolio theory, and indexing:

Bogleheads


If after doing some extensive research regarding indexing you still feel that the right way to go is stock picking and brokers, then Scottrade is probably your best bet (especially to keep fees down).

Good luck.

 

[SP Wild]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lmilhan /img/forum/go_quote.gif X 1,000,000,000 Specifically LOW COST Index Funds. Check out Vanguard, they have the lowest costs for index funds in the business. Get your asset allocations figured out (stock to bonds ratio appropriate for you and your situation), and then put everything on auto pilot. If you want to win in the stock market (over the long haul) dollar cost averaging in low cost index funds with the proper asset allocation is the only way to fly. Then sit back, enjoy life, rest easy at night, and get rich slowly. Here is a great place to start learning about modern portfolio theory, and indexing: Bogleheads If after doing some extensive research regarding indexing you still feel that the right way to go is stock picking and brokers, then Scottrade is probably your best bet (especially to keep fees down). Good luck.

What!!! I took out a massive loan from the bank, quit my job, and tossed all that money into the stock market.... and I have no idea what you're talking about.

Perhaps I over estimate my entrepreneural capabilities...or sanity............................................ .................................................. .....................

 

[lmilhan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SP Wild /img/forum/go_quote.gif What!!! I took out a massive loan from the bank, quit my job, and tossed all that money into the stock market.... and I have no idea what you're talking about. Perhaps I over estimate my entrepreneural capabilities...or sanity............................................ .................................................. .....................

............................ or both.

Click on the link I provided, study the information you find at that incredible resource for a few hours, and take a deep breath - everything will be ok and you will get your fair share of market returns (over your working lifetime up until you retire and beyond) if you follow a modern portfolio plan - pick an appropriate asset allocation (which gets more conservative as you age), rebalance to maintain your asset allocation once per year, buy low cost indexed funds and own the entire market, put everything on auto pilot, dollar cost average, don't panic when everyone else does (and sell low) because the news is telling you that the sky is falling and our economy is collapsing. And then stay the course through the good years, as well as the bad. Diversify, diversify, diversify!

Day trading, stock brokers, stock picking, purchasing single stocks and buying actively managed funds will scramble your nest egg.



P.S. It was foolish to quit your job, take a loan, and go all in, all at once into the stock market. Dollar cost averaging FOR THE WIN! I would define what you did as gambling. I prefer to invest (not gamble with) my retirement monies.

 

[SP Wild]

Cheers for the heads up. I will study the link provided - as the stock market is now my chosen career path - I feel so alone in this world with no one to share experiences and you do seem knowledgeable so I am grateful to have met you. I am following a simple pattern of up and down on a single stock where I throw all my cash and withdraw in the space a few days. So far it pays my wages *knock wood*.

I hope to be able to converse with you at a more elaborated level in the near future. Cheers.

 

[JadeEast]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SP Wild /img/forum/go_quote.gif I am following a simple pattern of up and down on a single stock where I throw all my cash and withdraw in the space a few days. So far it pays my wages *knock wood*.

 

[SP Wild]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif X2 Check out where Option-ARM, ALT-A and commercial mortgages are right now. Things are going to get ugly in 2012 and into early 2013. Nothing is going to "recover" until real property prices stabilize. I think they're still overvalued as much as 75% in some markets. That's also when a lot of corporate bonds come due.

This is a real fear for me... that Sydney property prices are over-valued...If they are and the bubble bursts I will be in the ****. I am hoping that immigration will continue to increase demand and stabilise these high prices.

I also keep a watch full eye on China's economic boom - and hope they do not cool down anytime soon - applying demand for Australian commodity resources and maintaining the recovery momentum.

The US as always dictates all global economic activity - I hope the property prices there retain it's high values - dictated also by population.

My over-riding guiding principle is supply and demand *knock wood*.

 

[The Monkey]

Yeah, property values here are doing just great...

 

[Jon L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif X2 Check out where Option-ARM, ALT-A and commercial mortgages are right now. Things are going to get ugly in 2012 and into early 2013. Nothing is going to "recover" until real property prices stabilize. I think they're still overvalued as much as 75% in some markets. That's also when a lot of corporate bonds come due. The bailout funds sure haven't gone to increase credit or build businesses. Most recipients used the funds to go right back to the casino. I'm dumping my stock holdings for cash and real property in markets where rents are covering mortgage payments. And a few tangible assets, too. If you must buy stocks, I'd go with utilities and heavy industries. Anything else is a gamble.

Unfortunately, you are absolutely right, which is very sad for the country. So many states, especially my own California, and the federal government are still on drunken-sailor spending binge on borrowed money. Add to that the trillion or more $ needed for Obama healthcare and increases taxes coming, not to mention the inevitable VAT needed to make any kind of sense on the balance books, and the current optimism on Wallstreet just puzzles me.

In addition to all that, commercial properties defaulting on their payments and empty storefronts are increasing alarmingly, which will come to critical mass soon. Banks have also so far held on to foreclosed houses, only selling slowly in order to avoid instability in the housing prices, but they can only hold on to so many properties for so long.

To add to the injury, coincident with federal government stopping to buy mortgage-backed securities by end of March, mortgage interest rates have definitely taken a trajectory up, which will put added pressure on the housing market and adversely affect "economic recovery." Many experts predict current 5-5.25% 30 yr rate to reach mid 6's within a year or less.

Having said all that, all this presents an opportunity for those with the will and money. The huge opportunity for commercial property investment is coming, and billions will be made..

 

[chesebert]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lmilhan /img/forum/go_quote.gif X 1,000,000,000 Specifically LOW COST Index Funds. Check out Vanguard, they have the lowest costs for index funds in the business. Get your asset allocations figured out (stock to bonds ratio appropriate for you and your situation), and then put everything on auto pilot. If you want to win in the stock market (over the long haul) dollar cost averaging in low cost index funds with the proper asset allocation is the only way to fly. Then sit back, enjoy life, rest easy at night, and get rich slowly. Here is a great place to start learning about modern portfolio theory, and indexing: Bogleheads If after doing some extensive research regarding indexing you still feel that the right way to go is stock picking and brokers, then Scottrade is probably your best bet (especially to keep fees down). Good luck.

Bogleheads is a great website.

Index is not for all circumstances, but it sure works well for 529, IRA, 401k or pretty much all tax deferred account with limited yearly contribution limit.