I have been in the "market" in some fashion for over 40 years...remember the old financial pages in the paper?
There have been so many changes over the years that I stay mostly in funds and other vehicles (401's, etc.) and some stuff for the kids. I don't actively manage anything at this point, I'm too far behind the practical drivers for sound investment so I rely on a professional.
Tax posture is very important and drives investment as well.
I think I have told this story here before, but in the '80's I actively traded stocks, which I very much enjoyed and did well. Nothing spectacular, my hero in those days was Andrew Tobias who preached slow and steady. His software program, Managing Your Money, would become a key component in my money management.
I was single and stationed at NAS North Island in San Diego. I was headed out for my second long cruise (six month deployment) and decided to move all my money from stocks into a CD...I just didn't want the hassle of trying to mange a portfolio from afar and I had had a poor experience with a mutual fund provider.
Simple is good from a Frigate in the Persian Gulf.
So on Monday, October 19, 1987 just after a port visit to Australia, we are underway headed home. Black Monday occurs and the markets crashed.
Better lucky than good
