NevBlog

Neville's Digital Surrogate Brain

Neville

SCON

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Bought on September 13th as an experimental trade, SCON turned out to be quite a loser. The original investment was a paultry $387, so I decided to let it stick around to see what happens. The company had a decent product aimed towards the telecommunications market and a lot of good press. The last few weeks the stock slowly started rising, jumped over 30% in one day, and today finally hit my target sell price of $1.40.

Today marked the day when Superconductor Technologies (SCON) finally paid off. I was originally trying to just break even, but it paid off holding it. It at least paid off the loss I made on JBL two days ago.

Jabil Technologies (JBL)

Bought 45 shares at $25.84 one day, sold the next day for $25.35 when the stock started slipping despite a slightly better than expected earnings report. -$22.05

Leaving for the Big Expensive Apple

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I’m going to New York tommorrow for two weeks. I will continue to update the site from there (it will be especially important to keep track of my spending while visiting).

As for now, here are my current account balances. By the time I get back, the spending account may very well be $0.00 !

General Account: $1,108

Business Balance: $2,422

Spending Account: $503

Investment Account: $1,044

Permanent Savings: $5,221

Stock Portfolio Value: $8,134

Credit Card Balance: $0

Total Assests: $18,432

Stock update

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Today I bought 45 shares of Jabil Circuit Inc (JBL) at $25.83 a share. I put some money on them because they provide the inner workings of today’s modern gizmos…not to mention they were reporting earnings today.

Jabil Circuit Inc. reported after the market closed that sales rose 21% and earnnings climbed 32% for the quarter. Earnings estimates were beat by $.01, not much, but this makes them ripe for a slow advance during the holiday season. Hopefully I can get a nice 8 or 10% gain during the next few days.

45 shares JBL @ $25.83 = $1162.35



Shares of JBL must rise to $27.90 for me to get an 8% gain.

Need to be Productive

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On this recent post I detailed what progress I should be making after final exams finished. I am at home in Houston now and have somehow been distracted everyday.

This is no good. I’ve set out goals for myself and I have not met them. This needs to change. With whatever small amount of spare time I get during my two weeks in New York, I should try to:

  • Finalize updates on Timber Trace website.
  • Inquire about best options for opening 2nd brokerage account.
  • Get Resumite ready to do business (finalize all sample sites).
  • Add new content to online business everyday.
  • Finalize traffic alleviation proposal on I-35 in Austin.
  • Create new investment ideas.
  • Have fun.
  • Meet my goal of making $5,000 by 12-31-2004.

If you see me moseying around anywhere, make sure you ask me if I have first completed ALL of the above!

Asset Update

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My weekly transfer of…

  • $60 to investment account
  • $40 to permanent savings
  • $10 to spending account

…went through on Friday like it does every Friday. I got a $150 check for some web design which I evenly distributed through the savings, investment and spending accounts. I also get a $300 check sometime next week from work.

Total assets went up $856. Keep in mind that total assets include my business balance, a.k.a. the money I OWE the fulfillment company.

General Account: $1,821

Business Balance: $1,683

Spending Account: $303

Investment Account: $983

Permanent Savings: $5,170

Stock Portfolio Value: $8,134

Credit Card Balance: $0

Total Assests: $18,094

Meeting Goals

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One of my goals was to finish Resumite.com by Dec. 15th. It is mostly done, but I need to add content and upload the sample sites. I am a bit dissapointed that I did not do this earlier.

I don’t really expect to do any business with Resumite until I get back to school. This Dec. 15th goal was simply an arbitrary date I had picked. Next time I make a goal, it should be completed by a relevant date.

Steady Income

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Investing in stocks and making my saved capital appreciate is great, but it doesn’t help me pay expenses. I like to invest and re-invest money for my future, but what about the expenses I have now?

After I graduate, to pay bills I will need some steady income. So far I have thought of these three steady income ideas:

  1. Getting a Job: Easiest way to make money. The monthly paycheck can be used for savings, investing and paying the bills. You can also simultaneously run a small, low maintenance business on the side.
  2. Real Estate: Difficult entry. Renting out a piece of real estate provides a great monthly income, but it can also be a big cash drain. This method would go along well with having a job, since the real estate generally requires little attention once established.
  3. Small Business. Intermediate entry. I personally like this one the best, because owning a business gives me the feeling of earning my money. All my risk and labor will come directly back to me with a small business. This method can also go completely wrong, and is very risky if it is your sole income.

After college, I plan on doing all three within two years. As of now, I already invest, run small businesses and hold a job. Some real estate needs to be added to my current situation. Perhaps I will buy a small apartment or condo in an emerging area soon.

Longterm Investment Idea – GE

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I generally don’t like large-cap stocks, but with my new long-term portfolio in the creation I am taking a peak. Look at the 10 year chart for General Electric (GE) and it’s steady growth over the last two years.

After a major correction, I believe GE will continue to follow its regular growth path…and let’s not forget about the dividend. Tell me what you think.

Having a PhD

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I found this article about Mario Gabelli interesting. One quote I particularly liked was:

Gabelli made it clear that his firm only hired PhDs – and by that he means

“poor, hungry and driven.”



I love it!

Explanation Of Accounts

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All of these are seperate checking and savings accounts I have:

General Account – When any money comes in or out, it goes through the general account. There is always at least a $400 cushion in the general account for a rainy day.

Spending Account – This is the money I have available to spend on any frivolous thing I want. 20% of my paychecks go here and 20% of money generated. $40 per month is also automatically deposited. By 11.17.2006 I plan to use this account (with the same percentage rate) to pay for all general living costs.

Spending Account 2 – This account was created for larger purchases related to spending such as Christmas gifts, vacations, birthday gifts etc.. I have started putting about $20 per week into this account through automatic transfer. This account should most likely build year-round until big events come along.

Investment Account – I keep a minimum of $500 here at all times. I put a mandatory $240 every month and 30% of other income. When the amount tops $1K, I generally infuse the money into my stock portfolio. Any purchases that make me money are charged to this account also.

Bill Account – I’ ve got bills to pay, and this is where I pay them from. There is approx. $10 per week being automatically transfered to this account.

Permanent Savings – This is the ultra-secure savings account which will not be exposed to risk. I put a mandatory $160 in here every month plus 30% of other income. I will never touch this money until I am over the hill.

Charity Account – This account slowly builds money all for the purpose of giving it away to charitable causes. Making money feels great, but giving it away feels better!

Stock Portfolio – My current brokerage account value. This can vary wildly as stock prices rise or fall.

ROTH IRA – My ROTH IRA account which I buy stock, bonds, index funds etc. I will never touch this money till retirement.

Emigrant Direct Account – This is another permanent savings account, but not hosted with Bank of America. I keep this account aside because it gives decent returns and no risk.

Credit Card Balance – This will always be zero or negative because I pay off my credit cards before charges are even made.

Business Holding – This is the amount of money I OWE to the company that fulfils all my online business orders. Since bills usually come 2-3 months later, I sometimes leverage this money for play in the stock market. This money CAN be used, but I generally do not.