New Year 2009: Half-hearted resolutions, etc.

I graduated from BYU. Alumni, that’s me.
I hold a Bachelor of Science degree
(capitalization = looks more impressive)
in
Clinical and Developmental Psychology
w/ a minor in Business Management.
I sold back my books, and old textbooks I had been hoarding away, and all that’s left is to order my cap and gown and walk in April. Under [...]

Life Update

Undergrad
So I’m sitting at my desk with my Gmail Calendar open with House episodes in the background. Best show ever. Anydangway, I’m making sure that I have all the assignments from my classes on my schedule. Business Management? Check. Organizational Behavior? Check. Psychology of Personality? Check. Introduction to Sociology? Check. Introduction to Social Work? Check. [...]

Uncertain times call for diversification and going Long

Well I managed to be rather risky in the storm of the past 3 weeks and came out ahead. On the downside I tried to sell my 100 shares of Washington Mutual mere hours after the Feds seized it (thus ceasing trading and I’m stuck with 100 shares of nothing and my money magically ceased [...]

Emergency Economic Stabilization Act: Draft

The purposes of this Act are— to immediately provide authority and facilities that the Secretary of the Treasury can use to restore liquidity and stability to the financial system of the United States; and to ensure that such authority and such facilities are used in a manner that— protects home values, college funds, retirement accounts, [...]

US Economy Collapses

I don’t even know what to say… My mind has been absolutely racing all week. For the past 2 weeks. The Economy is collapsing following the largest bank failure in US history:
The financial system could face a meltdown of 1929 proportions unless US politicians succeed in their efforts for a $700bn rescue [...]

Scottrade: “Settled” Accounts

I’m frustrated. When I opened my Scottrade account I was looking at this market and drooling. There are great deals to be made buying and selling actively (once the market settled down in a year I’ll develop a more long term approach. So I had bought Proctor&Gamble (PG) and Johnson&Johnson (JNJ) and then a few [...]

Wall Street Crumbles as a Dozen Banks Fail

Pete sakes alive! Has it been an exciting week on Wall Street! Banks are crashing left and right. BANKS! First it was Bear Sterns that went under, Freddie Mac and Fanny Mae, Indy Mac, JPMorgan helping out with government assistance. Wachovia is looking for a sweetheart deal, maybe with Morgan Stanley. Then we had Washington [...]

Last Semester Kick-off

 
I know I haven’t blogged in forever. And I’m not going to tonight. I’m too tired to write a decent comprehensive update on what’s been going on. For now I’ll just catch you up a bit.
 
I went to Jamaica, the Caymen Islands, and Mexico on a cruise and liked it a lot. If you’re a [...]

Stock Update

It’s tough when you have to get a fantastic (15%+) return on every investment just to break even since I have such little money to throw around that commission costs are a big cut. Heaven forbid a stock loses me money! Then my good stocks have to be GREAT just to break even. Man oh [...]

the Stock Market loves me

Would you pay 413 dollars to get 656 back? I did! It was easy, and I’m just getting warmed up.

I’m no Warren Buffet, but I’m doing just fine for a novice. In 10 days I’ll hit my 2 month mark of investing. I went ahead and sold my VSEC stock for a loss. [...]

Diversify your Portfolio

Aside: I really don’t know why you still read my posts. I wouldn’t read them. The #1 rule to interesting writing is to write for the audience, not for yourself. I hear people tell stories that are great for them because they’re reliving some great moment. But as the audience you couldn’t care less about [...]

My Two New Loves: CNBC and Buffet

Well here’s brief update on my interests. I’ll be succinct.

Stock game plan- On Hold
I’ve found that my mock portfolio is quelling my investing appetite for now. Given that I don’t have much to invest, I’ve decided to hold off on the real deal. I have my watch list, I’m reading books, reading online, and [...]

Let’s Check my Stocks

Well, I’ve had my mock portfolio up and running for a while now and thought I should hold myself accountable by reporting back to my loyal subjects how I’m fairing.

So, on June 17th I bought 1351.35 shares of Origin Oil at 37 cents. Which cost 500 bucks. I sold all shares 1 month 1 day [...]

Do Not Read: Investing Pre-Game Show I

I’m serious. Don’t read it, It doesn’t make sense after a while because I stopped working on it and just wrote whatever I was thinking in the moment. The following are my rambling in trying to decide between Zecco, Scottrade, and Tradeking brokerages . I looked at A LOT of factors. All you need to [...]

SINE

CRAP CRAP CRAP!! On Fool.com I checked out how my mock stock picks were stacking up. I find out my SINE pick was the second highest gainer today!!!!! Number two out of over 1,000 stocks!! I would have gained 61 bucks today on that stock!!! Add in my original purchase of Origin Oil and I [...]

Indymac- Socialist Banking

Holy Cow! Now Indy Mac went under a few days ago. I thought this was ridiculous:

On June 26, 2008, several letters by Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, chairman of Congress’ Joint Economic Committee and the third-ranking Democrat in the Senate, were released. These opined that “The possible collapse of [...]

My Stock Thoughts

Hmm.. A good idea is to buy stocks cheap. When the economy is hurting (like it clearly is) everything is undervalued– meaning that in 5+ years they’ll be worth much more once the economy turns around. Like it always does. That’s right people, markets cycle like Nephites. Buy low sell high? Right now it’s low. [...]

Wealth Management

Between homework and class, here’s what I’ve been thinking about today…

I found out a few days ago that I will become financially on my own in January. No more ‘Parent Life Scholarship’ to pay for everything. Although I will receive a few subsidies, for the most part I will be on my own. Therefore I [...]

Rich Dad, Poor Dad

My first book review is posted on my “Books” page (the green tab at the top of the blog). Enjoy!

Investing: My new Hobby

Here’s the skinny my loyal followers.

Background
I have always known business to be very important (hence my minor in Business Management), but I do not enjoy it. My brother and my father are both accountants. They enjoy the workings of a business. I do not. I enjoy people. Ok, I’m getting way off topic. What was [...]