Comments on: Eight Steps to Seven Figures by Charles Carlson

By: Josh Sowin

Josh Sowin — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 15:27:38 +0000

Things go up and down, and adjustments happen. That’s the nature of things. I’m in for the long-haul.

By: Artie

Artie — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 08:43:51 +0000

On the day you posted this, the Dow was around 12,000. Today it’s clawing it’s way back to 10,500. I hope you’re beating the market averages by big margins.

By: Josh Sowin

Josh Sowin — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:52:01 +0000

Still with it. I’m doing very well with my portfolio based on this method and beating market averages.

By: Artie Turner

Artie Turner — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:19:27 +0000

Any second thoughts on this blog entry, Josh?

By: Josh Sowin

Josh Sowin — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 18:19:43 +0000

I tend to be an pessimist by nature, so any optimism from me is quite amazing. I have read Berry’s “Thoughts in the Presence of Fear” and much else. I think he has lots of great things to say. I believe and support in local economies and agriculture, but I also know that it’s not likely going to go back to that completely. If it does, great.

I’m taking a long-term approach. If it doesn’t work out and inflation skyrockets and our economy collapses and we’re all dirt poor, then I’ll be the same off as everyone else. If, however, everything continues as it has the last couple hundred years (with ups and downs), then I’ll be in a good position.

I also live on some land so if it comes to it I can hide out in a bunker and live off squirrels, coons, and lizards.

By: Artie Turner

Artie Turner — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 18:09:15 +0000

I admire your optimism and confidence in the economy. I fear that we’re nowhere near the bottom yet, and that picking stocks now is a little like walking in a mine field.

Are you familiar with Wendell Berry’s “Thoughts in the Presence of Fear?” http://www.orionsociety.org/pages/oo/sidebars/America/Berry.html

Since 9-11, my financial planning has been strongly influenced by Berry’s ideas on local economy and agriculture. Good luck with your investments. I hope you’ll post here and let us know how your strategies are working.

Artie

By: Josh Sowin

Josh Sowin — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:02:16 +0000

There are always fluxuations. Things right now are not even as bad as in the 80s, yet we went through that just fine. In my financial life, I’m assuming a 11% average is certainly realistic. And if the US market scares you, invest in the world market. Lots of funds there are doing 20-30% increases per year. Wowzers.

My philosophy is that this is a great time to get in, while the market is down.

By: Artie Turner

Artie Turner — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 15:55:38 +0000

I find this an odd choice of topic, Josh, with all the gyrations in the markets these days. The dollar is tanking, we have a negative savings rate, foreign investors are buying US assets at fire sale prices, oil and gold are at record highs. In short, if a 20-something has $67 a month to invest, I’m guessing there will be a lot of competition for in other arenas for that money. Who can say with a straight face that 11% annual return is realistic anymore? Bear Stearns, the whole bank, just sold for $236 million.

Now that last item – Live a simple and stable life – is good advice for anyone.