NevBlog

Neville's Digital Surrogate Brain

Saturday Update

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Today was somewhat financially unproductive. I really need to increase my income to meet my goal of making $11,000 by 4-31-2004. So far my income has only been from my online business and working. I most likely won’t be claiming too much money in stock as I am mostly holding long-term positions (Unless Syntel (SYNT) surprises me!)

Next week I am visiting the Morgan Stanley office in Austin, and on Thursday the University Investors Assocation has Blue Sage Capital speaking to us. I will also be publishing another article in the Daily Texan about entrepreneuring very soon.

As for now, it’s time to go out and have some fun in Austin!

Spending Money Disappearing

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Three days ago I had $138 in my spending account, now I have $44! Since it’s my last semester here at UT, I have been going out to nicer places in Austin which also tend to cost more. I used to survive on $60 a month!

I believe in spending money, it drives the economy, but I also believe in spending within your means. Any money you bring in should first be subjected to a swipe off the top which goes straight to your savings, the rest you can spend.

My personal system for distributing income is currently:

  • %40 – Permanent Savings
  • %40 – Investment Account
  • %20 – Spending Account

With Bank of America I have automatic transfers that put the following amounts in my accounts each week:

  • Spending Account – $10
  • Investment Account – $60
  • Permanent Savings – $40

This all adds up to a decent amount of money every month, but it won’t be near enough for the real world in a few months! I will be opening up two more accounts very soon, so I need to redistribute my incoming money plan.

Syntel Going Up?

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Syntel (SYNT) has recently been showing a lot of positive volatility lately. Earnnings are scheduled to come out Feb 23rd at 9:00am Central.

The last time I watched Syntel report earnnings I was caught off gaurd by a sudden 25% increase in stock price! I am hoping that will happen again. If I find a good spike in price, I will be selling Syntel as it is not a longterm holding. I think the company will do great in the longterm but it is too volatile and unpredictable for me at the moment.

Check out the 5 year chart. Think the trend can continue for SYNT?

Also, The Kirk Report mentioned me here today. Part of my article on business blogging features the The Kirk Report. As for now, I have to go to a Texas Entrepreneurs ice breaker in Downtown. Ciao!

Article On Business Blogging

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Today an article I wrote on Business Blogging was published in the Daily Texan, the largest campus newspaper in the nation.

I’d like to thank Murray from Capital Ideas and Charles Kirk from The Kirk Report for their interviews. Capital Ideas was featured in the Personal Finance Blog section, and The Kirk Report (my personal favorite) was featured in the Stock Blog section.

The article was in the Focus section, highlighting the benefits of reading or maintaing a blog for financial purposes. The whole process of writing the article was extremely educational thanks to the staff at the Daily Texan, especially the Focus editor Jonathan McNamara.

Click here to see the article!

Business Etiquette Tips

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At several recent meetings I noticed some common business etiquette mistakes people make. These are a few tips I have for everyone out there:

Tip #1 : Wear nametags on your right side. Since most people shake your right hand, it is easier for people to covertly scan for your name if positioned on the right.

Tip #2 : Remember names. It looks bad on your part to repeatedly ask for a name when you have met the person over and over again. Still having trouble? Try using the their name three times during a conversation. Once when you first meet them, once during the conversation and once when you both depart.

Tip #3 : Carry business cards, everywhere. If you are still writing your phone number on used paper napkins, get some business cards made. VistaPrint.com is a great place to start. Whipping out a simple business card with your name, phone number and email looks oh-so professional.

Opening new Account

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Since I am graduating soon, I will be hit up for cash in different places when I move and start making car payments.

I need to start new accounts for car payments and general expenses. I already have 6 accounts at Bank of America, and I have never once had a single problem or unpleasant experience with them. I have been blown away at their level of customer service and I really love their online banking system.

In addition to opening up these two accounts, I am looking at acquiring some of the Bank of America (BAC) stock within the next few months. Great company and a great stock!

NWSB: Northwest Bancorp

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I am a shallow person. I fell in love with this stock based purely on looks. Only after getting to know her better did I find out that she is more than just a pretty chart, she has substance. Her name is NWSB.


Run some of your own longterm charts for Northwest Bancorp and you will see what I mean. Also take a quick glance at the financials. I like how this company has been quitely growing and not getting too much media attnetion just yet.

I am looking to make another longterm stock acquisition soon, and NWSB looks like a great buy right now.

Weekend Update

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There were lots of festivities and fun this weekend and I am ready to start a new week!

I went to the largest Brazilian Mardi Gras party outside of Brazil, and found a great money making opportunity: Scalping. There were literally hundreds of people dressed up and ready to get inside, but had no tickets. We bought ours from a scalper and paid double what they cost. Immediately we had people offering us double what WE paid for them! Obviously, you know I will be making some extra cash next year :)

Speaking of festivities…

A regular practice of mine is trying to get pizza on 6th Street for cheap as possible. After the bars let out at 2:00 am, everyone crowds the hot dog, bratwurst and pizza stands. Since these are generally independently run operations, I always haggle and get pizza for a lower price. Some people call this being cheap (which I am), but I see it as more of a challenge or game. My personal best is getting 3 slices of pizza for $3.00. That particular establishment charges $2.50 per slice. I deserve a trophy!

My Aspirations

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Usually when people ask me what I want to do after I graduate I say :

“I would like to work for a large investment firm where I can really sink my teeth into the market. After two or three years of working I’d like to get my MBA.”

This response generally will satisfy most people. I used to reply with my real aspirations, but saying it to someone who believes a corporate paycheck is the only way to go is futile.

If I tell you my real aspirations, it generally would go something like:

“I would like to simultaneously work and create investments

after college. By this I mean working during the day, and becoming a superhero entrepreneur by night. By 11-17-2012, my 30th birthday, I plan to have established Enwon Inc into a conglomerate company drawing income from 5 different sources in preferably different industries. These would most likely include the liquor industry, money management in stock, 2 inventions in the consumer products area and real estate.”

At the rate I’m going, I don’t think this is an unrealistic vision by any means. I have dabbled if not dived into everything named above (I don’t post some ventures for confidentiality purposes). My idol company is Fortune Brands, whose stock I own and love.

Obviously some people give me an awkward look and dissenting opinion when I tell them my true aspirations, but I have 8 years to prove them wrong!