Investing 102 - Lateral-g Forums

Vegas69 · #1 10-22-2013, 08:44 PM

How do you guys sleep at night investing in a company like that?

**GregWeld** · #2 10-22-2013, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegas69

How do you guys sleep at night investing in a company like that?

So seriously -- Gwen and I HATE HATE HATE smoking.... it's just a disgusting habit. And of course - as many know here - I haven't had a drink for 29 years now.... (quit at 31 and just turned 60 -- oh yeah - I quit smoking at 21 and took up drinking!). We're in europe and EVERYONE there smokes --- and she starts bitching about it... and all I said was "honey -- you should hope they KEEP smoking 'cause they paid for your trip!"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Vegas69 · #3 10-23-2013, 07:11 AM

It was on my buy list and Kelli talked me out of it this round. We both hate it with a passion as well.

**Sieg** · #4 10-23-2013, 07:22 AM

Haters will hate and profit takers will take.

CRCRFT78 · #5 10-23-2013, 08:30 AM

I just noticed in my portfolio that holdings with dividend reinvestment position programs have some listed as Long and others listed as Short. Anyone have a quick explanation as to why this is. I plan on looking into this but I'm standing on the freeway dodging traffic working.

**GregWeld** · #6 10-23-2013, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sieg

Haters will hate and profit takers will take.

I used to subscribe to the statement "nobody ever went broke taking a profit".... but then I realized that now I have the cash -- but now need to invest it - which usually meant just buying some other stock which has also already gained in share price. Now I have to pay taxes on the gain - and I've raised my cost basis.

I've learned to "trim" rather than just sell.... which means -- let's say I have 1000 shares @ cost basis of $50 a share.... it's now $60 a share which means I have 10K gain. IF I need the cash for something -- I'll sell just 100 shares and hold the 900. I don't do this very often - and usually reserve those trimmings for when I have a really outsized gain... and have my eye on some other investment *use for the cash gain*.

What I've "learned" is that I feel better long term about my NET WORTH growing --- and NOT paying taxes --- and just collecting the income and living within my means and only spending the income rather than the income and the "gains". Taking the gain only felt good temporarily - kinda like a drug addict - then there was the downer that came afterwards which was the tax due - and the "stress" of having to buy some other investment with it. Now I pretty much just let it ride.

**GregWeld** · #7 10-23-2013, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegas69

It was on my buy list and Kelli talked me out of it this round. We both hate it with a passion as well.

When I was in "sales" ---- there were customers I couldn't stand but had to work with anyway. I justified it mentally by thinking that there's one way to get even with them - and that was to sell them something. Made it all mo beta.

People are going to smoke - and they're going to drink - so I might as well make money off them. It's called "laughing all the way to the bank".

**glassman** · #8 10-23-2013, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregWeld

When I was in "sales" ---- there were customers I couldn't stand but had to work with anyway. I justified it mentally by thinking that there's one way to get even with them - and that was to sell them something. Made it all mo beta.

People are going to smoke - and they're going to drink - so I might as well make money off them. It's called "laughing all the way to the bank".

Greg, that is a great way to put it. I have customers that i DONT like, but, the price is reflected in it. Good way too look at the stocks...

Vegas69 · #9 10-23-2013, 06:14 PM

I completely agree and almost wrote something similar. It's their life and choice. I'm certainly not fanning the flames, you taking advantage of an opportunity. I did read that the number of smokers are diminishing some, that was also a factor.

**GregWeld** · #10 10-24-2013, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegas69

I completely agree and almost wrote something similar. It's their life and choice. I'm certainly not fanning the flames, you taking advantage of an opportunity. I did read that the number of smokers are diminishing some, that was also a factor.

So without "pitching" a particular stock -- as this is NOT what this thread should turn into...

I hold Altria (MO) because they're terbacky AND booze... Great brands in both. In fact I added 3000 shares this morning - and now hold 23,000 shares. :>)