Firefighter here to learn and talk about investing

Welcome Phillyfireguy!

You are coming in at an interesting time, the markets are getting whacked so shares are getting cheaper.

I would not be jumping into anything just yet, but when the defensive names (boring safe stocks that people rush to in time of trouble) start bottoming out and show strength, that will be the cue.

For example, Procter & Gamble, watch that dividen, when it gets up around 4-5%, thats a pretty dividend which attracts buyers.

http://finviz.com/quote.ashx?t=pg

Many mutual funds try match the index (S&P 500) and fail.

There are a lot investors that prefer to simply buy the index itself.

You can simply buy the SPY:

Then you can sprinkle on some addition equities or bonds, depending on your risk tolerance.

Just like that Cramer segment on Mad Money "Am I diversified", you can toss in 5 stocks, each a best of breed in their sector.

If you do not want to expose yourself to potential risk in equities, you will want to be more heavily weighted towards bonds.

I know this is probably a lot to take in, but keep reading and following along, soon we will be coming to you for investment advice!

(You might also want to consider visiting a local broker in your area and hearing his pitch, you are under no obligation to commit funds to him/her, but he will talk about diversification and show you a bunch of pretty charts to back his recommendations. Its all very educational!)

You came to the right place. Lots of good, knowledgeable folks here.

I was a firefighter myself! Did some time in the Air Force as a firefighter/EMT. Got certifications out the yin yang, but it's been so long that I've forgotten most of it.  It's different on the DoD side of things. With people deploying all the time it's perfectly normal for guys with 2 years in to be driving. Just within my first year I had all my driver/operator certs and was sent to technical rescue school so I could be the driver on the rescue squad. I already had my EMT so the assistant chief on my shift decided that I was perfect for the job. Plus I was pretty sharp troop, so that helped. Okay enough tooting my own horn. LOL How long have you been in the department? Do you drive or ride tail board, or are you a company officer or higher? Do you work shift or are you 8 hours? I'm assuming you're with Philadelphia FD. I'm a regular contributor to The Leary Firefighters Foundation.

Anyhow, nice to meet you!

Maybe it isnt the right thread for that,

but i thought it could be interesting for the firefighters here..

The old Firehouse last year. View from my parents window.

1.39 mil.€ later, this year. Spaceship arrived.

And the funny thing is. Thats in a suburb, former village, with a volunteer fire department

and btw, 2 weeks ago at the opening ceremony i met a ex soldier from Texas,

now here married with a German. Funny guy, he he.

We had here a big Us Base 15 years ago, now shelter for asylum seekers..

Hello to all. I guess an intro is in order.  I've been retired for 9 years..originally from New Jersey (a good place to be 'from') and now living in sunny Florida. Spent 33 years with the U.S. Postal Service as: accountant, data collection specialist, and procurement specialist. I 'cut my teeth' on the markets in the mid to late 70's and started again (with a passion) in the early 90's with the advent of on-line brokerages. Took some heavy losses while learning what was what but eventually gained them all back plus a lot more. I'm more of a fundamental analyst than a technician. I shop on fundamentals and invest using TA to determine buying levels. If I could ever figure out when to 'get out' I would truly have it made--lol.

My main interest, and whatever expertise I have, is in precious metals, commodities, agriculture, energy, and international stocks.

Spent 11 years on Raging Bull and finding this site was a revelation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stoneranger 

Hello to all. I guess an intro is in order.  I've been retired for 9 years..originally from New Jersey (a good place to be 'from') and now living in sunny Florida. Spent 33 years with the U.S. Postal Service as: accountant, data collection specialist, and procurement specialist. I 'cut my teeth' on the markets in the mid to late 70's and started again (with a passion) in the early 90's with the advent of on-line brokerages. Took some heavy losses while learning what was what but eventually gained them all back plus a lot more. I'm more of a fundamental analyst than a technician. I shop on fundamentals and invest using TA to determine buying levels. If I could ever figure out when to 'get out' I would truly have it made--lol.

 

My main interest, and whatever expertise I have, is in precious metals, commodities, agriculture, energy, and international stocks.

 

Spent 11 years on Raging Bull and finding this site was a revelation.

Stone, I think you know a lot of us welcome you and your friends. I noticed one (lol). Thanks for sharing and if you ever feel like it go to our 'Meet and Greet'.

I began swing trading in the 80's and I would pick my trades via info in the newspaper and then call the broker to buy and sell. I only lost on one buy of Dell but I got it back with one last trade of Danky which I bought to specifically make my 5K back and I did it so I can say I had never lost a nickel.

I have been trading full time for a year and like you said they were expensive lessons. This year starting in June I will once again start making money. Thanks to Ichi I have enough of the tools and knowledge to succeed trading futures and occasionally I'll still nab some options.

I do not believe in fundemental analysis pertaining to short term trading which is what I do. I see profits and the price drops and I see pizz poor reports and the price rises. I just can't figure it out but it looks like you have.

Bob

Bob..Whatever works! I'm more of a 'buy and hold' type. This doesn't work as well now but in the period from 2005-2010 I was heavily invested in PM stocks, mining stocks, energy, agriculture and commodities. That was a great time to be invested in 'hard assets'.  Now I'm looking more for trades and concerned with protecting my assets rather than making a killing.