A long while back in late 2007, the younger me decided he wanted to start investing some of his extra money in stocks. Just to play around a bit to see what happened. I invested $65 dollars (after fees) and had my account set up to do this each week.
Well, that week i got laid off from my job and in the next few months the "recession" was in full swing. I canceled the automatic investment plan and just let that money sit there.
Since that time i have periodically checked the value of my tiny little investment, it has fallen to the upper 30's and slowly climbed its way back up and for the first time since the initial investment it is finally up over $65 (by a whole 57 cents)
I just thought it was strange to watch this piddly amount bounce around and think about how people had tens of thousands of dollars or more making the same moves. unfortunately for them, those moves were relative, not equal. I would have been sick to my stomach if it was me. But it was a fun little experiment to me and little more. Heck, i would still lose most of my money just trying to sell the darn things. So for now they will remain sitting there. Making me at most pennies a year. actually they will probably just get added to an IRA when i finally get this debt paid off and start investing for the future.
But...it does show that things (stocks) have gotten back on track, or so it may seem for now.
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Comments: 39
Sounds like a solid test to me.
I got an inside tip once, and invested... and lost. urggg... no more stock tips for me.
Also a BAD IDEA to start an IRA that holds stocks, bonds or mutuals
401-K w/employer matching MAY BE another matter
Invest in your own community; find an entrepreneur and WORK with him while the two of you make a decent profit on that investment.
Or find a renter with a decent career outlook/potential for advancement & reasonable security in his company; help him become a homeowner[while real estate is down] & help him put in the sweat equity that could quadruple your investment.
I will be sticking to mutual funds and the like in the future, as soon as my debt is gone that is. Just paid off half of my last credit card with my tax refund, so i am within a stones throw of being credit card debt free!
By the way, you should have changed your W-4 last year, so you could take home more money and pay down your debt faster, rather than waiting until March 2012 with your tax refund.
you will owe a broker 5.95 in fees for investing that nickle...geez...you dont know nothin' bout nothin'
; P
Sometimes I do warn people that in a year, they'll OWE money, but that just tends to scare 'em and I hate to take away that simple joy of a nickel.