Beauty seeks Brain….

[Priceless_PrincessNYC]

Beauty seeks Brain….
Don’t get me wrong…I’m no dupe! I just would like to make some changes and get some unbiased feedback….
My ex-husband recently sold some of our mutual real-estate
So I suddenly have some extra cash to play with.
I mean…I didn’t exactly hit the lotto…LOL I just have a few thousand dollars.
But instead of running out here getting some unnecessary cosmetic surgery I would like to invest in the stock market or do some possible Day Trading…
I am exceptionally clever but have no experience with the market and I am smart enough to ask for help
Does anyone with any knowledge about the stock market have any tips or suggestions?

I am also looking to relocate.. I am on the east coast (ofcourse the T-girl community is strong in NYC) I just hate the winters! LOL I am looking for something on the west coast or possibly Florida. Know of any areas where there is a sturdy TS community and good weather?

[Quinn]

As someone who actively day trades both stocks and currencies, let me give you one piece of advice: Do not, under any circumstances, engage in day trading unless and until you have a lot of experience in the markets. You may get lucky at first, but, rest assured, you will lose your money.

I would recommend doing some research on mutual funds and selecting a nice growth fund that focuses upon East Asia. Why? A lot of investment opportunities that look great in the U.S. right now aren’t going to look nearly as good by late 2007/early 2008.

Best of luck,
-Quinn

[specialk]

Well, Im not going to portray myself as an expert on investing, however I'll lend you my opinion based on my own experience. I do have money invested in a retirement account. It tanked, in 2001 through 2003 as did most every other investor. Then in 2004 I moved it over to a fund available to me, in real estate. It returned 12% in 2004, and 14% in 2005. Currently, it's on track for 12% this year. I'm investing with TIAA-CREF.

As far as Wall St. is concerned, I feel it's as crooked as The Wicked Witches nose. Insider trading, bogus quarterly reports from crooked CEO's (Enron Worlcom to name a few). People on the inside usually are the only ones cashing in because of inside info. Although, the Dow and Nasdac are enjoying a recent up tick, God only knows when the next terror attack might hit here to mess things up, not to mention the economic situation here at home.

The reason real estate was a big winner is simply interest rates being so low. The "real estate bubble" is starting to deflate as rates slowly rise. My suggestion would be to own a piece of real estate, since prices are moderating and rates are still affordable. At least YOU control this investment!!! You make sure the mortgage is paid, the place is kept up, taxes are paid, you control your own piece of the Big Pie, instead of crooked or stupid CEO's your hoping will do the right thing for the investors. Yeh, you can say I don't trust too many people in this world, but I will have a retirement cuz' of my cautious nature and unwillingness to always follow conventional wisdom. Anyway, good luck Priceless and be carefull!!

[Quinn]

Well, Im not going to portray myself as an expert on investing, however I'll lend you my opinion based on my own experience. I do have money invested in a retirement account. It tanked, in 2001 through 2003 as did most every other investor. Then in 2004 I moved it over to a fund available to me, in real estate. It returned 12% in 2004, and 14% in 2005. Currently, it's on track for 12% this year. I'm investing with TIAA-CREF.

As far as Wall St. is concerned, I feel it's as crooked as The Wicked Witches nose. Insider trading, bogus quarterly reports from crooked CEO's (Enron Worlcom to name a few). People on the inside usually are the only ones cashing in because of inside info. Although, the Dow and Nasdac are enjoying a recent up tick, God only knows when the next terror attack might hit here to mess things up, not to mention the economic situation here at home.

The reason real estate was a big winner is simply interest rates being so low. The "real estate bubble" is starting to deflate as rates slowly rise. My suggestion would be to own a piece of real estate, since prices are moderating and rates are still affordable. At least YOU control this investment!!! You make sure the mortgage is paid, the place is kept up, taxes are paid, you control your own piece of the Big Pie, instead of crooked or stupid CEO's your hoping will do the right thing for the investors. Yeh, you can say I don't trust too many people in this world, but I will have a retirement cuz' of my cautious nature and unwillingness to always follow conventional wisdom. Anyway, good luck Priceless and be carefull!!

SpecialK, in this instance, I respectfully disagree with your recommendation – at least as it relates to this lady's circumstances. If she's looking at moving to the West Coast or Florida, those are markets she shouldn't make an initial, entry-level real estate purchase in at the moment. Under normal circumstances – or in a different region – I would absolutely agree, but right now is not the time to buy in those regions.

-Quinn

[thmack]

chicagos weather suck

but i would love to have you here

[specialk]

Well, Im not going to portray myself as an expert on investing, however I'll lend you my opinion based on my own experience. I do have money invested in a retirement account. It tanked, in 2001 through 2003 as did most every other investor. Then in 2004 I moved it over to a fund available to me, in real estate. It returned 12% in 2004, and 14% in 2005. Currently, it's on track for 12% this year. I'm investing with TIAA-CREF.

As far as Wall St. is concerned, I feel it's as crooked as The Wicked Witches nose. Insider trading, bogus quarterly reports from crooked CEO's (Enron Worlcom to name a few). People on the inside usually are the only ones cashing in because of inside info. Although, the Dow and Nasdac are enjoying a recent up tick, God only knows when the next terror attack might hit here to mess things up, not to mention the economic situation here at home.

The reason real estate was a big winner is simply interest rates being so low. The "real estate bubble" is starting to deflate as rates slowly rise. My suggestion would be to own a piece of real estate, since prices are moderating and rates are still affordable. At least YOU control this investment!!! You make sure the mortgage is paid, the place is kept up, taxes are paid, you control your own piece of the Big Pie, instead of crooked or stupid CEO's your hoping will do the right thing for the investors. Yeh, you can say I don't trust too many people in this world, but I will have a retirement cuz' of my cautious nature and unwillingness to always follow conventional wisdom. Anyway, good luck Priceless and be carefull!!

SpecialK, in this instance, I respectfully disagree with your recommendation – at least as it relates to this lady's circumstances. If she's looking at moving to the West Coast or Florida, those are markets she shouldn't make an initial, entry-level real estate purchase in at the moment. Under normal circumstances – or in a different region – I would absolutely agree, but right now is not the time to buy in those regions.

-Quinn

Hey Quinn, you've picqued my curiosity with your last comment. Perhaps you can elaborate a little.

[Quinn]

Hey Quinn, you've picqued my curiosity with your last comment. Perhaps you can elaborate a little.

Sure, no problem. To begin with, I share both your skepticism of Wall Street (and adjust my trading strategy accordingly) as well as your preference for real estate investments. After all, you can always live in a piece of real estate, even if it's next to worthless. However, in the case of the lady we have both addressed, I would recommend caution and patience when it comes to purchasing any real estate in the two markets she mentioned (West Coast and Florida). By any definition, the aforementioned markets have some of the most overvalued real estate in the nation:

http://money.cnn.com/2005/12/29/real...kets/index.htm

Though the "experts" – most of whom are worthless – differ as to the degree of correction they are expecting, I believe we shall see a correction of from 25-45% over the next four years in those markets. As such, anyone making an initial purchase in either market – at this time – will likely be left holding a mortgage that, in not too many years, will be more than their house is worth. By comparison, other regions – like the Southeastern U.S., excluding Florida – are relatively undervalued and offer an opportunity to build equity that can later be used to purchase properties in more expensive markets that have declined. For my part, I have ceased purchasing anything in the Northeast and am putting my real estate dollars in the Southeastern U.S. or overseas.

-Quinn

[specialk]

Hey Quinn, you've picqued my curiosity with your last comment. Perhaps you can elaborate a little.

Sure, no problem. To begin with, I share both your skepticism of Wall Street (and adjust my trading strategy accordingly) as well as your preference for real estate investments. After all, you can always live in a piece of real estate, even if it's next to worthless. However, in the case of the lady we have both addressed, I would recommend caution and patience when it comes to purchasing any real estate in the two markets she mentioned (West Coast and Florida). By any definition, the aforementioned markets have some of the most overvalued real estate in the nation:

http://<br /> <br /> http://money....kets/index.htm

Though the "experts" – most of whom are worthless – differ as to the degree of correction they are expecting, I believe we shall see a correction of from 25-45% over the next four years in those markets. As such, anyone making an initial purchase in either market – at this time – will likely be left holding a mortgage that, in not too many years, will be more than their house is worth. By comparison, other regions – like the Southeastern U.S., excluding Florida – are relatively undervalued and offer an opportunity to build equity that can later be used to purchase properties in more expensive markets that have declined. For my part, I have ceased purchasing anything in the Northeast and am putting my real estate dollars in the Southeastern U.S. or overseas.

-Quinn

By and large we are on the same page here Quinn. There is no shortage of overpriced properties in this country. The West Coast however, covers a lot of territory. My guess is that Oregon and Wash. could still have some reasonable value to be had . Cali. is another story. Not a good choice for the entry level investor what soever, at least with only one pay check coming in. Colorado is getting out of hand, and Vegas is a boom area just not sure about their markets. Fla. although is over inflated along the coastal resort type areas, inland is certainly a different story. It's known for a reasonably affordable place to live, in terms of real estate, taxes etc. And, as we all know there are GOBS, of Tgirls in Fla. The key here as always in real estate is to be able to weather and down turn in the home value OVER THE LONG HAUL. Flipping property right now could be a nightmare, just ask my brother in law.

[MoonAndStar]

My advice..... go to a casino.... play some roulette.... and bet on black...

;~)

[Ecstatic]

Though the "experts" – most of whom are worthless – differ as to the degree of correction they are expecting, I believe we shall see a correction of from 25-45% over the next four years in those markets. As such, anyone making an initial purchase in either market – at this time – will likely be left holding a mortgage that, in not too many years, will be more than their house is worth.

Quinn, this happened to me in the overvalued Boston market some 15+ years back. In 1987 I bought a condo for what at the time seemed a very reasonable price, but 2 or 3 years later, the bubble burst, and the condo value fell to half its purchase value. Instead of moving on in five years as originally planned, my wife and I were stuck there for 12 years, owing more than the condo was worth and lacking the fiscal means to extricate ourselves. We finally sold in '99, technically for a 15k loss over the original price, but with sufficient money for a down payment on a house which has since more than doubled in value.

Now the Boston market is once again overvalued (though not -- depending upon which "experts" you ask -- as much as the So CA or FL markets, and they are expecting a 20% correction in the next couple of years. We're 40 miles west of the city, and the correction here (since this area didn't inflate as much as the metro Boston area) is expected to be more in the 5%-10% range. In any event, we can weather this coming "correction" a whole lot better, still retain far more value than cost, and the house will be paid for in 8 years. But I certainly wouldn't advise anyone to buy into the Boston market these days. From what I've read, the same holds true for NYC, DC, LV, SF, Sac, and several other areas. One plus for Boston and NYC however is that property values have been historically high compared with the rest of the nation for decades, so the coming correction shouldn't be as sharp as in areas which have experienced tremendous market inflation over the past 10 years.