Wall Street Or Perfecting The Art Of Taking

May 18, 2009

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September 15, 2008

What's a girl to do who wants to make some BIG money in the stock market today?

It's Monday; Lehman is going into bankruptcy, BoFA is buying Merrill Lynch, and AIG troubles abound-- for which there seems to be some promise by the Governor stepping in to help without using taxpayer dollars.

Really?

How clever is that?

Our Mayor says, everybody's got problems so just get on and deal with it!

The President on the other hand, is taking a more macro-view of the situation and has stated his sympathy for the employees who are losing their jobs.

Some facts about the current marketplace (as I see it):

1. Certain people are likely to make a lot of money from this downturn;
   
2. Lots of scared people will not make money, they will lose because fear always loses;
   
3. Some dumb people are also likely to make scads of money because it's all about speculation; meaning that speculating is simply how you think it'll all pan out in the long/short-term.
   
4. So since it's all a roll of the dice, dumb people can turn out to be lucky people!

I don't know which of the above is true about me, but I do know that I'd like to be smart about what I'm doing here. I have the same access as everyone else (supposedly) to current events.

While traveling, when I didn't have that access because my Internet availability was spotty, I pulled out of the market.

Yep, sold it all!

Now that was smart because looking over that portfolio, today I would be down -20%.

Instead I got to keep that 20% so maybe I'm on the way to perfecting the art of taking gifts from Wall Street?

I had to start from scratch, renew my understanding of what had been going on with the markets. It took me several weeks to get comfortable about buying.

The new portfolio which now consists of exactly 5 companies has stayed healthy. No huge earnings, but no losses either.

That is until today.

Now I'm down -3.12.

Not bad considering that the Dow plunged 300 points at the start of the day.

I'm not panicking so is that smart?

What I want to do is make enough moves during the course of this volatile period that will result in profit and grow my principal many times over.

How the heck do I do that?

I'm a newbie to the market; this is a time for research/study/learning.

In a way I consider myself very fortunate that I am invested in the market during this hap-hazardous period as it's probably the best time to truly find out about myself in relationship to risk and volatility.

But is it also true to believe that's good to know as long as I don't carry that same trading philosophy over to better times?

Or, does that need to change?

During a short course taken last year in basic investing, the instructor said, “Buy and Hold,” and also, “Buy more when the price drops-- think of it just like a sale at Macy's!” These clichės are the backbone of advice given to investment novices.

I think this is very damaging advice because no one is there to tell you when to sell and buying is so easy-- that is if you have the cash.

Nevertheless, today, I'm looking at possibly buying more shares of what I hold because there will likely be some discounts at the end of the day. Maybe I shouldn't wait until the end of the day, but I'm certainly in no mood to give any of my money away to the next guy playing this game!

I suppose Suze Orman would call that attitude the warrior within me?

Thinking about it further, I see what I will probably end up doing is:

1. checking the closing prices at the end of the day,
2. putting in order(s) tonight with the brokerage to buy in the a.m. at the opening,
3. at a yet to be determined price below the closing price because there is a good chance as things stand today prices may drop still further, so I will cover myself with an escape hatch that allows me to cancel or change the buy orders.

Now, this may seem like a lot of stuff to remember and do, but the idea is that I'm learning how to do my homework, how to be disciplined about my choices, and best of all, how to call the shots fast!

So repetition of the process is what makes it possible to be decisive instead of pondering whether or not you're on the right track.

That is: as long as you're still in the game (yippee!).

And... Wall Street Goes Shopping In Washington

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Wall Street's personal shoppers Bernacke and Paulson are sitting tight; they know that their shopping list is in big trouble. But they never came to Washington for the gifts they say in their proposal they want expecting to get $700 Billion. They came to go home to Wall Street with much, much more. The plan is that they will be happy to take even $1 Billion as that will open the door to the $699 Billion and more. Once the door is opened it will be difficult if not impossible to close it on Wall Street's insatiable need for cash.

Will the shopping list be approved. Will the American citizens allow this absurdity, this mugging to take place? I don't want to believe it possible.

To approve billions of dollars for speculating purposes is what Paulson and Bernake represent. That this should even be up for debate is a sad day for our country. It's time to stop this nonsense. It's time to call what Paulson and Bernake represent by it's real name: gambling, gambling with our limited resources. Gambling on our freedoms by going into debt with our adversaries in all that we hold sacred.

It's a Wrap! Unusual Gift Wrapping Ideas

If you're looking for an unusual gift wrapping idea, here's one I came across: "Wife of Washington Lobbyist Uses Money as Wrapping Paper".

To access this article, go to: http://www.luxist.com/2008/09/08/wife-of-washington-lobbyist-uses-money-as-wrapping-paper/?icid=200100125x1208887806x1200543517

Would love to hear about any strange, unusual, money saving, or fun ideas that you may have.

Back on the A Train

You haven't heard from me since May because I've been having such a fabulous time traveling in Europe. Took my laptop with me with full intention of keeping in touch, but except for the occasional email sent back home, there simply was no time to write.

When there was time, for instance, during my stay in Carcassonne (France) in the country-side there was no internet connection available which is just as well as there were too many beautiful, medieval villages to visit and breath-taking country-side to see. Saw lots of places, took thousands of photos, and had the most terrific time which I hope to be sharing with YOU as soon as I chill out.

Still slightly burned out from the fast pace of the final weeks-- but getting there--back to normal!

The Eurail Global Pass is a fantastic idea for someone like me who doesn't like to plan her travel. At the same time I love having lots & lots of options! This ticket included access to over 21 countries-- perfect for me because many times I was able to let my heart dictate direction & spontaneously hop aboard a train.

Oftentimes, simply choosing my destination right off the information boards in the station.

Must mention that a good part of The Netherlands are ideal for spur-of-the-moment travel as many of the countries and cities are within reach in a few short hours or less.

This was not the case everywhere else. Other places, like Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Milan and in some others it was not possible to jump on a train without making a reservation. Obviously, once the vacation season kicked-in at the end of June, it was best to reserve ahead of time because I couldn't know if there would be an available seat or not.

Anyone considering using the Eurail Passes for travel in Europe should be aware that it's a "pre-paid" ticket for all the countries you purchased on it, but a separate reservation may be needed or even mandatory. This will require in most cases going to the train station. Forget about thinking you can do this on-line—it simply is not a service that Eurail Pass holders can enjoy. On-line reservations are available, but only for individual ticket sales.

Anyway, back home, yesterday, 3 weeks after my return, I got on the subway and took an A train to join a friend for dinner in midtown Manhattan at Café Cielo on 8th Avenue around 53rd Street.

By the way, this is a great pre-theater restaurant/bar with fantastic service and delicious Italian food! I had my usual Veal Picata and my friend enjoyed his fresh grilled tuna very much.

After not using the subway system for almost 4 months, and managing to avoid mid-town for the past few weeks, I definitely felt like a tourist in my own city. The intense heat in the station was not much fun though-- probably well over 100 degrees!

Oh! How I miss those 1st Class European trains and lovely, huge, clean stations!

The noise level and endless procession of people are like nowhere else that I've experienced this Summer (well, maybe in Venice minus the subways).

It definitely felt like an underground inferno! I had forgotten how much I disliked the entire process of using the subway, especially in Summer-time during rush hour, which in NYC is almost all day long and into the evening.

Yet, there is another side of the city below the pavements that sometimes catches me completely off guard and it includes Music! On the 59th Street & Columbus Circle platform there was the most incredible sound coming out of a box with its owner singing along to the Temptations hit, "My Girl".

This box-- whatever it was-- had the best speakers I ever heard-- definitely concert quality!

Despite the heat, grime, fried food odors, and stinky sweat from homeless and home-bound humanity, this mind-blowing, life-saving sound blasted at amazing decibels dissolved the anger, angst and apathy off the faces of even the most jaded commuters.

That is except for the young woman on the bench sitting next to me reading her book.

Suddenly, magically, it was a party! Everyone looked more relaxed and maybe even a little bit in love. Smiles started to appear ... riders momentarily in the station that I could see through the open doors and windows of their train cars looked like they wished they could get off and join the fun.

What does it take for a New Yorker to give up their seat? Maybe the right kind of music? Well, that may be stretching it a bit, but everyone sure looked happier to me.

I know I was.

Walking uptown on 8th Avenue from 50th Street, I realized how tall, magnificently tall the buildings are and understood for the first time why visitors would find NYC enthralling.

These are the real thing baby! Real skyscrapers scraping and scratching the clouds! Yes, I was very impressed not having seen a really tall building in months I had forgotten about them and their power to make you look up with respect.

Below them on the street, people were dashing around like crazy and walking right into me because they were focused on getting as quickly as they can wherever it is they are going. I almost got mowed down twice by pedestrians on one block. I suppose it'll take me a little while to get my NYC walking feet back in gear.

But I do have to say that the cars, here, in comparison to anywhere else I've been this Summer are far more predictable. Dublin should get first prize for the worst drivers anywhere-- they plow into each other when traffic is at a standstill! Tell me, how is it possible to have a car accident when no one is moving and the entire street is bumper-to-bumper?

Saw it—just as my friend B said it was about to happen-- couldn't believe it!

OK now about gifts: Lucky me, I received some lovely things from my friend. & yes, of course, I had a gift bag to give as well of many souvenirs specially chosen for him from my travels.

Let me brag for a sec about the goodies I received: flowers (I love flowers, especially roses!); huge box of Godiva chocolates (I love chocolate!); and a very sweet, soft teddy bear. Wow!!! Thanks J!

As you may suspect, I believe that giving, and receiving gifts are among the most important activities we do in life (thus this blog!). I love thinking about selecting them, giving them and equally receiving them.

It's good to remember to never say no to a gift-- no matter how small it is, no matter how much you believe the giver may need it more than you do because the good feelings generated from giving and receiving are most important.

Do the right thing: just take it and say: Thank you!

Or...

Just give a gift today, and spread the happiness!

Preparing To Travel Europe - First Stop London!

FYI: The next gift on the list is for me -- A Gift of Fun!

In about a week and a half I take off for a 3-month trip to Europe!

Very excited, but still don't feel it fully. Need to pinch myself to get out of the state of mindless day dreaming in order to get back on track with the planning and prep.

The suitcase is partially packed with absolute essentials which will have to be reviewed for their worthiness several times over. I did say "partially" because there's about a trillion things I'd like to bring with me.

I keep looking inside of it, willing it to expand into more space, and to evaluate what else I can squeeze into it.

There's just a tiny bit of space left-over to use which makes me wonder-- WHERE'S ALL MY STUFF GONNA FIT????

It seems my "must haves" which exist to satisfy my need for battle-readiness exceed the possible.

My biggest hurdle is putting aside the idea that I already have so many terrific useful and useless things. And, that unless I bring a good many of them along I will end up buying again at higher prices.

For instance, in a panic, I've thought what if they don't give me a towel? Who knows where I'll be staying; hotels, castles and convents are all possibilities. Even though I do love my towels I've come to realize, so what? I can always use t-shirts if need be.

Seeing how flexible thinking can lead to unusual solutions-- the other 999 things on my packing list should be a breeze.

Of course, it's easy to get all freaked out by reading about travelers who are constantly getting mugged in one way or other: like paying $29 a pound for cherries, or 4 times the cost of shampoo. At those prices, I'll be lucky to last a week before needing to add panhandling to my skill-set! (Note to Self: add to phrase list: how do you say "can you spare an euro" in Italian?)

Have purchased the Eurail Global Pass for 20 countries which will hopefully help me to contain costs! Will I get to see them all? Probably. Including some places which aren't on the pass like Morocco and Prague.

Figured the pass a good investment since I can always sleep on the trains to save a bit of money on hotels whenever possible.

Gee, I sure hope, like everybody says it's so -- that European trains are wonderful compared to Amtrak which will never see me again after my last trip from NYC to Chicago. What a mess! 18 hours late, no food, no water; I think you get the picture. Though I must say the crew did come out at one point to hand out M&Ms only to the kiddies.

How I managed to get my hands on a pack out of their limited supply was a miracle; probably because of that strange child sitting next to me.

Another item on my to do list: I need to figure out how to use that useless looking train time-table. It's all in tiny print (why? do they have something to hide?). Planning to blowup the whole brochure into larger more readable pages. That should help? At least I'll be able to see what I don't understand...

It's no wonder tourists have the dazed/confused look of where am I?—it's from continuously staring at tiny print in their guides that does them in. I used to think it was the fanny-packs cutting off their lower body blood flow, but now know better.

Did splurge on a new "Jeep" brand suitcase at Wal-Mart. Only $50! What a great steal; well made, sturdy —the wheels are incredibly flexible making turns easy as butter!

Yet, there's a part of me that wishes I didn't need a suitcase at all only because there will be plenty of times when I'll have to lift it due to unanticipated situations such as having to use stairs. Also, traveling with a large suitcase is not safe in my estimation when it comes to protecting my most valuable belongings which are in my shoulder bag (money, passport, cigarettes).

Considering that I will be using the trains a lot, must plan for securing the luggage as I hear that there are professional thieves that hop on and off trains just to grab bags from the holding areas. I've decided my best bet is to order a few bicycle flex cables and use padlocks to tie everything down including the carry-on bag at my train seat so it'll stay put when I doze off.

Also, am counting on these cables to act as handy deterrents when leaving stuff in hotel rooms or other places where I'll be lodging in case the maids have sticky fingers. After all, the best security is got to be motivating thieves to move on by making it all just a big hassle getting through locks. Especially when they don't even know if you've got anything in the bag aside from your stinky socks and undies!

Great prices on cables in various lengths can be found at Sunrise Cyclery (New York). The only problem with their check-out is that there are no indication that it's a safe shopping site. Instead, I will call them and try to place the order by phone.

Unless I see security certifications that say "Hacker Safe" or otherwise, I always resist using plastic on-line.

OK—now a few thoughts about Mr. Money. If you're thinking about traveling overseas, you've probably got him on your mind, too. Needless to say, just about everyone is thinking about the dollar because I constantly hear how it's worthless junk and that this is a bad time to take a European trip.

True the dollar is struggling -- but when is it ever the best time to travel? Something else could easily get in the way...like not enough time, or conflicts galore!

Personally, I believe the best time is when one is ready to go. I'm ready and feel the need to explore the world on the other side of the planet—just for the simple pleasure of rambling.

No big plans for self-improvement; just to have some fun.

Nevertheless, I've been keeping an eye on the global exchange rates over the past week and finally found a decent entry point for ordering some British Pounds with XE (they claim to be the world's "favorite" exchange site or something like that). So far, I believe them; they have been extremely helpful and nice and would recommend them to anyone who needs to do a quick currency exchange in order to arrive with pocket money at their destination.

Still to do: have to pickup a barrel of Euros from my bank. Practically, all the countries I'm visiting are on the Euro. When I first asked at my bank the manager told me they wouldn't charge me anything for the exchange: zero, nothing, zilch-- they promised.

What a joke that proved to be. I'm still learning that there are infinite ways in which lies can be presented as the truth. LOL!!!

After sorting out the double-talk with them they still persist in claiming that they do not charge me a fee.

From my perspective, this is not complicated: when you don't hand over the full value of my money there certainly is a fee, or charge, or something, no matter what you want to call it. But, please don't call it "free".

OK, so, they are at liberty to give me whatever conversion they want to, at whatever exchange rate they wish to set! I'm not unreasonable-- just tell me how much it's gonna cost and I'll decide whether or not I want to buy it.

Makes you wonder if these people ever heard of the word "disclosure"?

Yes, knowing they will rob me just a "little" is less painful than getting ripped off for a lot in the long run. I do admit: despite all the smoke and mirrors their exchange was the very best I could find.

Still: Yikes!

What a letdown!

I wanted it to be free because I wanted to believe them when they said I was a "much valued" customer!

Also, mostly, because I love gifts and freebies are always gifts. So much for appreciation!

For a moment I thought I was finally getting a "free lunch".

Still waiting.

Maybe next time?

PS: For a little bit of British Humor and to see a very funny painting of Hitler in his underwear visit: http://bloggavinit.blogspot.com/

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