Stop Helping Already!

It seems that every time somebody in Washington, D.C. opens his mouth to even sneeze a thought about how to help the economy, the stock market takes a dive. Why is this?! Every kind act, every bailout, every new government-sponsored policy seems to be met by "the market" with skepticism, worry, and doubt, so much so that the market always seems to decline immediately thereafter. In fact, yesterday's big climb was reportedly directly related to the fact that Ben Bernanke (the Chairman of the Federal Reserve) specifically told us what the government wouldn't do to "help" us (nationalize banks). So, it seems the best answer to fix the economy doesn't seem to lie in big government spending, or new programs, or additional oversight ... the best fix that I think Washington could provide to the U.S. economy is ... drum roll please ... to: stop helping!!

A Historic Day

It's a historic day. I hope we don't have too many more of these ... let's party like it's, um, 1997! People don't use the term "crash" very lightly in the financial world, but it is certainly looking like one. Maybe we need a new term, like, what, a clatter? A smashdown? Maybe a wham?

Stock Market Craziness

A little while ago I got into the stock market, and immediately lost money. And I've kept losing money ... a lot of it ...

But I'm not really panicked. I think I made some really good choices in the stocks I picked (solid companies with good reputations, deep pockets, and sound business plans) and even though the prices are still sinking, I have time on my side. In fact, my biggest frustration today is that I don't have more money to buy more stocks. As the prices keep falling, things are becoming better bargains, and the long-term prospects look brighter.

Wow, it really is true ... it's tough to make money if you don't have any.

The Stock Market

I am now officially a stock trader. I put in a few hundred dollars and purchased some stocks the other day ... and immediately lost $20. It seems like a good time to buy, with all the shakiness of the economy and all the stock values depressed. So I figured I'd throw my hat into the ring and see what happens. I won't be doing active trading, but just watching it carefully and when the stock value rises above a level I've already decided upon, I'll sell. Of course, that may take a few years ... or many years ... but it seemed like the right move to make.

And maybe there will be a surge after next Tuesday's election ...