Archive for July 6, 2007

Stock Regrets

July 6, 2007 at 9:41 pm · Filed under investment, mental

I’ve made some good decisions on stock investing.  CEO is up more than 30% from when I bought it.  DELL is doing surprisingly well.

However, as I’m researching, I find that I missed on some good deals.  I should’ve bought Nintendo when I first started putting in money because the Wii sales actually is lasting a lot longer than I thought.  Instead of investing in a general international index ETF, I should have poured my money in a China ETF or an emerging markets ETF which are doing ridiculously well to the point that I can’t really afford it on my limited funds anymore. I really regret it but really, there’s no point in dwelling on regrets.

Mostly, I find that I shied away from amazing opportunities because I was afraid of the risk, afraid of making a wrong decision, afraid that at any second (as soon as I pour my money in) that the stocks will drop like a rock.   I must learn to trust my instincts more and give my intelligence more credit.

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Not being Dependent anymore

July 6, 2007 at 1:18 am · Filed under budget, family, mental, savings

It was such a great day graduating from college until I was hit by reality.  Now, I don’t count as a dependent so not only do my parents not get to have me as a tax deduction, I myself am not exempt from tax withholding anymore.  I have to purchase health insurance, auto insurance, and AAA membership since I’m not covered under my parents anymore. I have to save up for graduate school since I promised my parents I’d pay for that myself.
In a few years, I’ll be looking to buy a car and then take on a mortgage, cable costs, estate taxes, and the cost of maintaining my own home.  I’ll get married so I’ll have to juggle wedding costs, joint accounts and the taxes that come with that.  I’ll have kids which will entail life insurance, 529 college savings plans, family vacations, and the various costs that come with child-rearing.  I want pets so pet food, veterinarian visits, and flea collars.

On top of this, I have to save for retirement and possibly have to care for my parents as they get older.

It’s definitely not like what I imagined when I was little dreaming about a successful career with a lot of money.  Sure I’ll finally be earning a decent salary once I find a great job, but it’ll be eaten away just as quickly.  I finally understand why sometimes it’s just hard to get on top of the finances but I figure if I instill good habits with myself now, it’ll be much easier down the line.

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