I want a bailout

So, today the US decided that they won't be buying back 'toxic' mortgages in the banks, and will instead just investing in the banks themselves. This got me wishing...

I want a bailout.

Here is a history of my stock investment performance over the last 5 years:

XXXXXX

00000

00000000XXXXXX

0000000000000

000000000000

0000000000

00000000xxXXXX

0000000000000

0000000000000

000000000000XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

000000000000000000000000000000000

0000000000000000000000000000000

000000000000000000000000000000

000000000000

00000000000

So, the 000000000 are newly invested money, and the 0000 are the current;y invested money. So, basically, this rough graph tells you that I invested money, then lost some. Instead of cutting and running, I put in more. Then, lost again. So, I put more in. Then I got really excited, and put a whole lot more, and most of it in US bank stocks. A week or so later then dropped off a cliff. I hung on. A few months later they fell off another cliff and into the pits of hell.

I hang on still. 

I don't just have bank stocks now, but it really doesn't matter. Whatever I buy, it either falls slowly over time, or crashes all at once.

I hang on still.

Thankfully none of it is borrowed money, or my life savings. Well, some of it my savings, but I'm not like the US banks, using borrowed money. If I was, I probably wouldn't be typing this, because I wouldn't have cable.

So, now I sit here imagining the government coming in and buying up all my bad stocks, and giving me money back based on their original purchase prices. How nice would that be.

Will I invest more when  we hit the bottom?

Well, I already have... many other times when I thought the market had hit bottom.

I think I'll wait in out for a while this time.

distance

Sometimes distance really does make the heart grow fonder. Not only that, but it helps put things in perspective for you.
For example, if I were hit by a car, and left without legs, what and who would be the most important thing/person in my life?
It's really easy to take things for granted when the going is good. But, when the going gets tough...that's when you realise what is important.
Just a though on my mind tonight.....

Reflection

Wow, it's been a while. Upon opening my blog page I read my little comment on the side:

Why do we value money so much in our lives? Sometimes I look around and wonder if I value it too much. Has it become a measure of success for me? Wait, I know that answer already. Working hard has always been my strongest driver in life. Perhaps though, living is more than just work alone. Wait, I know that answer as well. Now, I guess the only question is when will I start living more and working less? I promise myself it will be this year, because a Soul cannot be Hugged by money forever.

Funny how plans sometimes actually pan out like you want. So, let me begin my posting with an update on the above self promise.

Short answer: Promise fulfilled.

When I wrote the above note, my life revolved around work, and how to make money. A goal that many people have somewhere in their life plans. But, I had tired of that goal, and without even knowing it, took a totally different path in my life that changed it.

Moving to Toronto a year a few months ago profoundly changed my life, and thankfully for the better.  Gone are the 60 hour work weeks, stress from parental tension, arguments, and a feeling of spinning in a circle.

Now my life is filled with a loving partner, who truly knows how to hug my soul. It's filled with a mostly supporting family. Some of the best friends I could ask for. Many fun times including dancing the night away, relaxing on the couch watching a movie, long walks or rollerblading, and all the time in the world to work out. Did I mention making money? Ya it's there too (and losing money looking at the state of the stock market, but let's not go there). 

Ya, I have a job. Not the most interesting or exciting, but one that fits my new lifestyle. Set hours, great co workers, a good wage, and less that 40 hours a week.

Best of all, I have a weekend to look forward to! There's nothing nicer than knowing you have a weekend full of fun plans coming up.

So what's my measure of success these days?

Experiences. 

I want to experiences all the great and crazy things that life has to offer, and not miss out on anything. 

Funny thing though, like the drive to make money, this new goal comes with it's own set of issues...