outcastsearcher

Early 50's. Recently retired. Steady DCA from salary and reinvest dividends investor since I graduated from college in '81.

Have enjoyed investing, studying about investing, and helping friends with making relatively shrewd financial decisions all my adult life. Grounded in financial common sense from my parents, who's financial prudence was shaped by their living through the Great Depression as children.

There's nothing I enjoy more than some friend telling me (for example) "Thanks so much for convincing us to use a 15 year mortgage and buy an affordable house. We just paid off the mortgage -- we want to give you a case of your favorite beer". Or "Thanks so much for reminding us to stay ...More diversified during the tech bubble. We're fine, but we have friends who say they may NEVER retire as their tech stocks are down 80+%. What kind of dinner would you like?"

I'm a great believer in asset allocation, diversification, and in understanding the risks of your investments, so you can take INTELLIGENT risks.

I do trade a SMALL part of my portfolio actively to earn option premiums and buy on dips, but the large majority is simple asset allocation, patience, and reinvesting dividends. A bonus of this is the opportunity to use low cost and tax efficient funds like Vanguard.

I'm a geek, so I actually enjoy reading the WSJ daily, the "Economist" magazine weekly, and various investment books as the financial landscape evolves and becomes more complex.