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Five Plus Investor
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Five Plus Investor is a business owner, stock market junkie and manager of a (9) different investment accounts of various flavors (brokerage, HSA, Coverdell ESA, 529 College Savings, Traditional and Roth IRAs). As a contributor, Five Plus Investor has three main goals: 1) Assist new investors... More
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YoYoMama Stocks
  • Where I Stand On Contributing 10 comments
    Apr 10, 2012 3:02 PM

    Dear Readers:

    It's been almost two months since I've submitted an article to Seeking Alpha. It's been several weeks since I've even commented on anyone else's article. Some of you may be wondering if I've had a heart attack...or fallen off a cliff...or gotten mad and gone away.

    The answer is - none of the above.

    Simply put, LIFE has happened, in both good and trying ways.

    First, the good. The business I run with my husband has really taken off. Financially, this is great news, but success comes with a price. That price tag is - I am *working* - A LOT.

    Second, the trying. I am the mother of three teenagers. Right now, all three of them, in their own way, are testing who they want to be. They are asking themselves - do I want to adhere to my parents' morals...religion...educational goals...work ethic...and have been acting out accordingly.

    Any of you who have parented teenagers understand the tremendous toll, emotionally and physically, this testing period has on you. There is worry, anxiety, plenty of discipline, and being hated and railed against by the very children you give your life to. Frankly, there are some days where it takes all my emotional strength just to get through the day with just dealing with my kids, never mind the workload I carry.

    In other words, I am no different than any other reader out there who is not a professional broker, analyst or financial advisor. I'm a real person, with a *really* demanding life.

    All this means is: I just haven't had time to contribute.

    My problem is: I spend LOTS of time composing articles. Each article takes me 10 to 20 hours of research and word-smithing before I submit. That's time I just don't have right now, and may not have again for quite a while.

    Still, I enjoy being part of the Seeking Alpha contributor community. So what do I do???

    Well, I do have a tentative plan, and here it is: I will continue to contribute, but the in-depth articles will likely not happen more than 1x or 2x a month. These will get posted to Seeking Alpha as premium articles {hopefully I stay in the good graces of the editors here :) }.

    I will continue series updates (Cancorps, 10x10xCC) but I really don't need to create huge articles for those. These will go on my blog: www.yoyomamastocks.blogspot.com. I will post an Instablog notifying you of these articles. I will also blog on other topics of interest. Any blog entry I make, you will be notified.

    I can't ask you to do so on direct links, but if you ever visit my blog, please be so kind as to click a Google link if it interests you. This will make it monetarily worth my while to continue the blogging journey.

    My mind brims with greater ideas than time allows me to communicate. But with your patience and support, I'll try to get back in the swing of contributing again sometime soon.

    Thanks and Happy Investing,

    Denise
    Five Plus Investor

    Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours.

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This post has 10 comments:

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  •  
    Hi Denise,

    Thanks for letting us know what is going on in your life. I have missed your contributions at SA. I understand you have been busy, and that can be a good reason to have less time to spend on SA.

    Welcome back!

    Robert
    10 Apr 2012, 03:19 PM Reply Like
  •  
    I don't comment very often (perhaps I am a lurker), but this hit home with me. I have missed your contributions, as I am pleased with my decisions based on your 10x10xCC info.

    My 19 yr. old drove me crazy until he moved out on his own. I just came back from UT visiting him, and he is growing up fast, making a lot of his own decisions. (I did have an awesome visit, perhaps both of us needed some time and distance.) The best you can hope for is that the important stuff has sunk in.

    In addition, the tolls of self-employment are great; I was SE for nearly 20 yrs. before deciding my industry was on the verge of collapse and exited. It did cost me my first marriage (don't let it happen to you!) and now I am in the corporate world with health insurance and a 401k. If you can make it long term both personally and professionally, my hats off to you. But in order for you to give to others, you have to give to yourself first. My thoughts (and prayers) are with you and your family.

    Karl
    10 Apr 2012, 03:49 PM Reply Like
  •  
    @Apfels - thanks for your comment. Is UT the University of Texas? I'm originally from Austin, so my blood is burnt orange, but my oldest is soon off to Texas A&M Galveston and is a major Aggie! Oh, dear. I really will try to support him :-).

    Thanks for the support. The month of March just about did me in, but I survived and hope to get back to SA this April.

    Thanks,
    Denise
    10 Apr 2012, 03:56 PM Reply Like
  •  
    No, as in the state of Utah. My son is currently enrolled in the School of Hard Knocks; working as a lift operator at a ski area and running tables at a restaurant at night..
    10 Apr 2012, 08:16 PM Reply Like
  •  
    5+,

    You're articles were some of the best I've read on here and they are sorely missed.

    Though I miss those articles, I wish you continued fortune in your business. As for the teenagers, while I am not a father just yet. My job has me responsible for 10 teens (many of which with no family). To say it is challenging is an understatement. I've learned that while there are disappointments they do tend to surprise you when you least expect.

    Best Wishes !
    10 Apr 2012, 08:50 PM Reply Like
  •  
    Denise,

    Thanks for the update, glad to know you are kept away by good things instead of illness, etc.

    Matt
    11 Apr 2012, 06:52 AM Reply Like
  •  
    Always happy to hear from you. Being successful in this economy is indeed an accomplishment.Great to know you are not only a good entrepreneur, and investor, but also a good parent, which is much more difficult.

    Continued success in all you endeavors
    11 Apr 2012, 11:23 AM Reply Like
  •  
    Thank you Denise

    I understand very well the difficulty of maintaining a regular publishing schedule along with a full plate of responsibilities elsewhere. Your articles here at Seeking Alpha have been very solid, well researched and reasoned. No doubt your contributions going forward will be up to the same high standard. I look forward to them.

    Best Wishes
    Harry
    12 Apr 2012, 09:15 AM Reply Like
  •  
    Denise -- I was just thinking of not having read any of your articles or comments for some time (following your bereavement and dust-up with your un-favorite character), so I put "five plus" in the search box...and here I am.

    Been-there-done-that with our own 2 than-teens, now in there 40s. You already know it passes, and I can tell you for certain...in a few years they will be amazed at how much YOU have learned in only a brief period.

    I very much look forward to your return.

    Rich
    14 Apr 2012, 10:25 AM Reply Like
  •  
    @rich - thanks so much. I watched Lawrence Welk today. It was a show from the late 60's. I lived with my grandparents (the "other" set) during that time. I remember so vividly watching that show with them during that decade. I cried like a baby. Sometimes I miss all my grandparents (who have all now passed away) so bad it hurts. How I wish I could rewind the clock, but time marches on...

    I have the 10 x 10 x CCC update ready. It will be Instablogged with a link to my blog tomorrow.

    Take care everyone!
    14 Apr 2012, 10:03 PM Reply Like
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