Hello Folks at Seeking Alpha. I am a newcommer, though I have been researching your site for about a year now. I throughly enjoy the articles.
At the age of almost 73, I'm a bit old to be playing around in the market but here I am anyway.
I made my first stock purchase at age 21 or 22. My father died in 1959 and left me his life insurance policy valued at $5,000.00. Year 1961. Knowing that I might just put the money in the bank and spend it I asked my parents' lawyer to give me advice. These were his recommendations:
1000.00 in GM
1000.00 in IBM
1000.00 in Stand Oil of NJ, what is now Exxon
2000.00 in second trusts
When my children reached the age of 12 or ...More 13, I returned to work at EPA (1974). But didn't start doing much investing until IRA's were offered in 1982. By 1986 I was also able to contribute to the government's TSP plan.
Since I was rather young, I tired to follow my mother's sage advice: Set up a budget plan with different categories, dividing total income among each categorie each payday.
She and my dad's philosophy was this: Pay God (or charirty) first at 10% and yourself (meaning savings or investments) second also at 10% . The remainder to be divided among such categories as: housing, transportation, children, dogs/cats, gifts other than charities, food, personal, entertainment, and emergiences.
This method has helped me sleep at night.
I graduated from Penn Hall Prep School in 1958, attended GW University.
During my teen years I worked most summers in the Alexandria/Arlington VA area.
I went to work for the Joint Chiefs of Staff in late 1958, then at DIA in the 1960. Our first child was born in late 1963 so I resigned from DIA in early 1964.Our second son was born in 1965.
My husband is retired from the Air Force and the Postal Service. We have been married 50 years.
I retired from the Enviromental Protection Agency in 1995 (early out).
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Description: Occasional investor.
Trading frequency: Not Trading
At the age of almost 73, I'm a bit old to be playing around in the market but here I am anyway.
I made my first stock purchase at age 21 or 22. My father died in 1959 and left me his life insurance policy valued at $5,000.00. Year 1961. Knowing that I might just put the money in the bank and spend it I asked my parents' lawyer to give me advice. These were his recommendations:
1000.00 in GM
1000.00 in IBM
1000.00 in Stand Oil of NJ, what is now Exxon
2000.00 in second trusts
When my children reached the age of 12 or ...More