Investing 102

[GregWeld]

There ya go SCOTT! See -- we're more capable than just what size carburetor you need!!




So when looking at these companies --- remember BALANCE --- and to COMPARE the names that you've listed with their competitors! Remember to try -- key word there "TRY" to find the best of breed in the sector that you're looking at. It always amazes me when I THINK (another key word huh!) I know who's doing what and who's best -- and then stumble into who's really kicking azz in a sector. It's not always who you think it is.

You're post is EXACTLY why I continue to try to just talk stuff out on here... even exposing things that most guys never really discuss... using myself as an example which is not to be self serving but I can really only first hand knowledge my own situation. I hate it when guys post up on a "how do I do "X" thread about something they read about once.... It's like "DUDE!" I don't want that kind of info -- I want someone that's actually done the install or used the part.

I'm so happy that we can spur each other on - collective skills... used to the benefit of all.

[GregWeld]

Just one more caveat --- don't pull out all your savings and then just go on a big azz stock buying spree....

Tip toe in -- watch and learn - scale in your buying. Get a feel for it (the market and also how YOU feel when seeing your stocks go DOWN as well as up). Learn to buy on the scary days! Not the big up feel good days... set your names -- and work into it.

Ya didn't build your first car all in one day. Don't try to build a screaming perfect stock portfolio all in one day either.

Depending on your AGE --- you may want to take more "risk" with the 401K since it will be in for a longer period of time -- and the company should be a contributor to it as well. People tend to be too conservative with their 401's.

If you have 15 or 20 years til retirement - and plan to live for another 20 after that -- that's a 40 year horizon!

[Bucketlist2012]

ProTouring73..

If One person gets off their butt this year and does something, the thread is a Success..

And Greg's last post is critical. This is no get rich quick thread..Far from it.

But good to see more than the "Core" group talking and acting...

[protour73]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

There ya go SCOTT! See -- we're more capable than just what size carburetor you need!!




So when looking at these companies --- remember BALANCE --- and to COMPARE the names that you've listed with their competitors! Remember to try -- key word there "TRY" to find the best of breed in the sector that you're looking at. It always amazes me when I THINK (another key word huh!) I know who's doing what and who's best -- and then stumble into who's really kicking azz in a sector. It's not always who you think it is.

You're post is EXACTLY why I continue to try to just talk stuff out on here... even exposing things that most guys never really discuss... using myself as an example which is not to be self serving but I can really only first hand knowledge my own situation. I hate it when guys post up on a "how do I do "X" thread about something they read about once.... It's like "DUDE!" I don't want that kind of info -- I want someone that's actually done the install or used the part.

I'm so happy that we can spur each other on - collective skills... used to the benefit of all.

When I started to COMPARE, it was an eye opener, and you can find a better performer that you may not have even expected. That was the cool part!!

On the 401K I'm looking at this one: Spartan Extended Market Index Fund - Fidelity Advantage Class (FSEVX)

[WSSix]

I believe Jose had that Spartan account. It sucked, lol. Kind of like my current mutual fund account does. I know the thread is many pages long but it would be good to read through most of it, at least skim it anyway. Lots of good advice and examples. As well as examples to further prove why Greg hates mutual funds

[protour73]

Originally Posted by WSSix

I believe Jose had that Spartan account. It sucked, lol. Kind of like my current mutual fund account does. I know the thread is many pages long but it would be good to read through most of it, at least skim it anyway. Lots of good advice and examples. As well as examples to further prove why Greg hates mutual funds

SEE!!! this is why this thread kicks butt!!! Previous experience!!

Any help, suggestions, opinions on a Fidelity 401K fund would be WELCOMED

and yea Greg ....... the wife won't let me pull all of the cash out of savings!!!

[dhutton]

Originally Posted by protour73

SEE!!! this is why this thread kicks butt!!! Previous experience!!

Any help, suggestions, opinions on a Fidelity 401K fund would be WELCOMED

and yea Greg ....... the wife won't let me pull all of the cash out of savings!!!

You should be able to buy individual stocks in your Fidelity 401k by opening a brokerage link account. Trades only cost $7.95 and you get access to some good research tools.

Don

[WSSix]

That's what I have done with my Roth through Vanguard, and eventually, when I can find the time, I'll call Fidelity and do the same with them as they have my 401k.

[protour73]

Originally Posted by dhutton

You should be able to buy individual stocks in your Fidelity 401k by opening a brokerage link account. Trades only cost $7.95 and you get access to some good research tools.

Don

No sh*t........I had no idea you could do that.

[BC69]

I know Greg doesn't mean to say its the end all be all in getting dividends, but a couple responses to his point made me want to just highlight; Just remember, you are the equity owner, the last in line to get paid, and the first to miss out! So companies do cut dividends. In 2010 these big boys all cut dividends by some amount.

– Bank of America Corporation (BAC)
– General Electric Co. (GE)
- The Home Depot, Inc. (HD)
- Johnson Controls Inc. (JCI)
- Pfizer Inc. (PFE)
- US Bancorp (USB)

With the point about liking dividends, remember the point about balance!! Bonds the coupon is coming no matter what, stocks its not - but growth can! Its all about the right balance for your age and your goals, and understanding the risks in each area you invest. If you want true gauranteed income streams, its fixed income and annuities. If you want fairly stable income with some risk, but some upside potential..dividend stocks. [Taxes exluded because its account dependant]


Tim