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HarryCarysGhost (99.78)

Why I continue to invest.

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October 15, 2011 – Comments (11) | RELATED TICKERS: SPY

WARNING!-

This blog will be conducted as if I were sitting next to you in a local saloon. So if I let an F-bomb drop sorry, but that's just how I talk in real life.

One more point before we start. I will not be using $5 words with multiple syllables, and will lay low on the acronyms. Reason being I tried teaching my work buddy Poncho about stocks and the economy and his response was- Harry explain it to me in English or Spanish, but I did not understand a word you just said.

My arguments against the bearishly inclined-

#1 If everything goes to hell and a handbasket, like certain bloggers have been telling us for the past 3 yrs.(cough, cough.. alstry)  Does it really f*cking matter.

#2 It's a fiat currency which means it isn't backed by anything but the Governments word and we all know how reliable that is. Why would'nt you pick a dividend payer over that.

#3 Another bear argument is were borrowing from our childrens future, which is absolutley correct. That's why I chose not to have kids.

Bullish points

#1 The market outperforms all over time. If you have kids set them up in a drip, they will prosper.

#2 Started with 3 figures currently at 5

#3 It's Fun :)

Cheers

 

11 Comments – Post Your Own

#1) On October 15, 2011 at 7:45 PM, truthisntstupid (95.29) wrote:

#3 It's fun

Beats the hell out of any other way I've spent my time and my money during my life.  Hobbies usually cost money.  This is money I might have blown on a never-ending revolving inventory of must-have artificial lures (I'm a helluva good fisherman, too BTW).

At one time, whenever I wasn't working, I was either fishing or in my car, driving around looking for new fishing spots.  I had dozens of favorites...some of them 200 miles away.  Hint:  Between Table Rock Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, Truman Reservoir, the White River, and many other bodies of water, there's hundreds and hundreds of miles of shoreline...and I've never had a boat.

I don't miss fishing at all.  I haven't been fishing in years.  

This is a lot more fun.  Everyone needs a hobby.  If investing becomes your hobby, then how can you lose?...since you're investing money you would have blown doing anything else, anyway?

Besides...I'm good at it.

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#2) On October 15, 2011 at 8:07 PM, HarryCarysGhost (99.78) wrote:

Truth,

wassuup!

My old hobbie was pool shark. I was pretty good at it the problem was I had to spend all day in a bar.

You know the term weebles wobble but they don't fall down.

That was me.

(p.s) ad 2 KO po.

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#3) On October 16, 2011 at 3:55 AM, walt373 (99.85) wrote:

If everything goes to hell and a handbasket... Does it really f*cking matter.

I hear this argument a lot and I get the feeling there's some rationalization going on. If civilization literally ends, then I guess it does not matter. But there are some very bad scenarios that are not quite as absolute. The stock market fell nearly 90% from 1929 to 1932. Then, it rallied over 300% as the Great Depression continued on. During this time, life was much harder if you did not preserve or your wealth.

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#4) On October 16, 2011 at 9:58 AM, dbjella (< 20) wrote:

Harry -

So if I let an F-bomb drop sorry, but that's just how I talk in real life.

Do you think swearing is a choice?  I don't mean to come off as holier than thou, but I am trying really hard to teach my kids that life is more of choice than they realize.  When people say this is how I talk it kinda irks me.  I'll get over it :)

For what it is worth, I have enjoyed your comments and exchanges with Truth, 

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#5) On October 16, 2011 at 10:21 AM, HarryCarysGhost (99.78) wrote:

Walt

Yes I understand that, but I've been hearing that same sad song for the past 3 yrs.

How would being out of the market preserve my "wealth" during that time period. And what if I were all in cash and Mr Market remains flat for the next 3 yrs.

In that scenario would'nt I be better off collecting my dividends, and reinvesting them into ownership of great companies.

Btw- I do own some pm's so it's not like I don't get the bearish point of view. Although in the case of financial meltdown I suppose the Government would seize all Gold and Silver so thats really not a safe havan either.

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#6) On October 16, 2011 at 10:48 AM, HarryCarysGhost (99.78) wrote:

dbjella-

Do you think swearing is a choice?

Absolutley, everything one does in life is a choice.

And you did'nt come off as holier than thou :)

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#7) On October 16, 2011 at 12:05 PM, Teacherman1 (49.10) wrote:

Good morning all.

I agree with #3 whole heartedly, and it's even more fun if you can make some money while you are doing it.

Even more than making money, I like to keep my "brain tuned"; which is important at my age.

 I also get to learn, maybe help some others to learn occasionally, and even get to share my beliefs from time to time; hopefully in an unobtrusive and non-offensive way.

Good luck to all of you as we continue on this "wild and wooly" rollercoaster ride known as the market.

Remember, "balance in all things".

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#8) On October 16, 2011 at 12:35 PM, mm5525 (< 20) wrote:

Investing is fun. To me, it's like a soap opera for men. There's always controversy, plenty to look forward to, and uncertainty at every turn keeping you begging for the next chapter! Earnings season is a perfect example. Dividend declaration dates for dividend hounds like me is exciting. How much will they raise compared to my calculations? Will so-and-so buy so-and-so? Will they close the deal? Will this CEO step down? Always something to look forward to.

The money is good, too.

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#9) On October 16, 2011 at 3:28 PM, walt373 (99.85) wrote:

HarryCarysGhost, don't get me wrong, I agree with you basically. But I'm just singling that one point out, because I think sometimes it makes people do their analysis less thoroughly for worst-case scenarios.

Teacherman, great point about learning. Investing is one activity where it really makes you do deep critical thinking in so many different subjects, I mean you can pick almost any topic and it's probably relevant to investing somehow. It's definitely made me a more knowledgable and thoughtful person.

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#10) On October 16, 2011 at 6:09 PM, HarryCarysGhost (99.78) wrote:

Thank you all for your thoughtful replies

This has inspired an idea for this years Foolanthropy-

HarryCarys tavern-

Stop in have a drink, and say what's on your mind.

Just a collection of views from a diverse group of folks.

No Arguments just what your thinking.

And I promise not to swear :)

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#11) On October 17, 2011 at 8:18 AM, lemoneater (88.21) wrote:

What I like best about investing is the people I've met here.You all remind me constantly that people are more valuable than anything else. 

Sometimes I wonder if I invest partly because when someone asks me about my hobbies and I say investing the look of shock is priceless. I guess I don't look like an investor should :)

Besides, investing is an outlet for my natural curiosity. Why did the price of gasoline go up? Why are Gold shops appearing like mushrooms on the commercial landscape? I don't have all the answers, but at least my guesses are more educated than they used to be.

Have a great day! May your portifolios be green and the wind be at your backs. (Ancient Irish Blessing) 

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