Proof of Transformation

[sabrinamari]

So while I've been sad, sick and depressed (over the last 2 months or so) I've been spending my free time reading and studying. That's been about all I've been able to do, frankly.

The great thing about reading and studying is that you can do it in small spurts and stop whenever you get tired or feel too sick to continue.

So I've been teaching myself investment and finances. Over the last couple of months I've tackled Modern Portfolio Theory, Asset Allocation and Morningstar's free online Mutual Funds and Stocks curricula.

It's been a transformative experience and a way to express and empower myself.

Clearly, it's working.

I just found out that the Dow Jones dropped 416 points yesterday, and that some are prognosticating a longer-term 'market correction' (in other words, the stock market may drop and stay lower than it has been in recent months).

My thoughts: "Oh goody! (drool, drool)...A great buying opportunity for someone with practically no money to spend! Hee hee!"

It's kind of creepy. I'm suddenly very cheerful, since a bad market is just perfect for a new, broke investor.

I'm hanging over here with all the other vultures, happily imagining all the prime pickings that will be left behind just for me in the wake of a sustained drop, as panicky folk sell off their funds and stocks and flee the field, dropping prices further for me...

I guess it's just proof of my ongoing transformation.

Heh, heh...

Comments

[jasminewind.livejournal.com]

I thought of you when I saw the news report, I'm glad you were gleeful!

I'm going to look at the Morningstar curricula and get started reading. We have 3 more months of preschool tuition, then I'm going to have some income to invest, I want to be ready!

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Cool! : )

[rio-luna.livejournal.com]

been missing you on the friends page, glad you are doing better.

finances are the big topic around here too. I just got into a 401K thru work and I have a small bit from a 401K rolled into a simple IRA a few years ago. And Aaron has one too from his enw job which has just started, so all of these funds are a bit puny right now.

The good news is that we have paid down our debt by 12K since I moved in, and moved a couple more grand high interest to 0%. baby steps, but that's how you move forward.

congrats to you! i think 2007 is going to be a great years for you.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

"we have paid down our debt by 12K since I moved in, and moved a couple more grand high interest to 0%. baby steps, but that's how you move forward".

Those aren't baby steps...that's huge! Damn fine work, in my opinion. I'm impressed, honey.

[rio-luna.livejournal.com]

we hav been disciplined with this, but 12K is not even one-third of thwe debt, It's a good start. we're proud of that.

this is a resally good thing for all of us to be aware of.

[flamespirit.livejournal.com]

Hey! Nice to see you again :-)
Slowly, slowly I'm getting back into this stuff again. It can be really exciting ;-) Also kicking myself that I didn't sell my stock options a week ago. I have to sell them before I leave XYZ in April, so I'm praying the market picks up again in a month or so.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

It can be exciting, I agree. And I think the market will rise a bit here and there---I hope you will be OK to sell before April, my dear.

[elphaba-of-oz.livejournal.com]

Hey there Ms. corporate raider.

My stocks bounced back a bit today. So that's good. I'm really not in a position to buy right now. :(

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

It's OK. This is a long-term game, anyway, and unless you sell, those losses are paper losses only. Over the long term, your portfolio will keep gaining.

[elphaba-of-oz.livejournal.com]

Are you kidding me? Hold, hold, hold baby! I don't sell at a loss unless I think a company is tanking. One of the stocks that went down is an income stock. If I had a huge pile of money sitting around right ow I would buy more of that stock. At the current price the return is very attractive.

[padmaclynne.livejournal.com]

computers did it:

http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-fi-glitch28feb28,1,293219.story?coll=la-headlines-technology

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Oooo, cool tip. Thank you.

[skyefyr.livejournal.com]

Well, if we can get the settlement on the house, maybe I'll be over for a crash course in investing. Would love to invest about half the cash coming in and see it do good things.

Have I mentioned how nice it is to be with someone who sees value in saving for the future and making plans for long term financial success. We might not be able to put money away now, but I know once the money situation improves I won't have a daily fight on my hands to get it saved and invested. NICE feeling!