Another Portfolio

Am I required to report all short-term capital gains on mutual fund stock sales?

Editor — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 23:54:19 +0000

I sold some T Rowe Price Retirement Fund stock this year at a profit of just under $300. I’d held it for about 10 months.

Am I required to report this profit? By the way, what is the maximum profit you can earn before you have to file Schedule D?

See what you think of this email I got, is this how Dumbocrats think?

Editor — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:55:32 +0000

Dinner with Obama………..

Once upon a time I was invited to the White House for a private dinner with the President. I am a respected businessman, with a factory that produces memory chips for computers and portable electronics. There was some talk that my industry was being scrutinized by the administration, but I paid it no mind. I live in a free country. There’s nothing that the government can do to me if I’ve broken no laws. My wealth was earned honestly, and an invitation to dinner with an American President is an honor.

I checked my coat, was greeted by the Chief of Staff, and joined the President in a yellow dining room. We sat across from each other at a table draped in white linen. The Great Seal was embossed on the china. Uniformed staff served our dinner.

The meal was served, and I was startled when my waiter suddenly reached out, plucked a dinner roll off my plate, and began nibbling it as he walked back to the kitchen.

“Sorry about that,” said the President. “Andrew is very hungry.”

“I don’t appreciate…” I began, but as I looked into the calm brown eyes across from me, I felt immediately guilty and petty. It was just a dinner roll. “Of course,” I concluded, and reached for my glass. Before I could, however, another waiter reached forward, took the glass away and swallowed the wine in a single gulp.

“And his brother, Eric, is very thirsty.” said the President.

I didn’t say anything. The President is testing my compassion, I thought. I withheld my comments and decided to play along. I don’t want to seem unkind.

My plate was whisked away before I had tasted a bite.

“Eric’s children are also quite hungry.”

With a lurch, I crashed to the floor. My chair had been pulled out from under me. I stood, brushing myself off angrily, and watched as it was carried from the room.

And their grandmother can’t stand for long.”

I excused myself, smiling outwardly, but inside feeling like a fool. Obviously I had been invited to the White House to be sport for some game. I reached for my coat, to find that it had been taken. I turned back to the President.

“Their grandfather doesn’t like the cold.”

I wanted to shout, “that was my coat!” But again, I looked at the placid smiling face of my host and decided I was being a poor sport. I spread my hands helplessly and chuckled. Then I felt my hip pocket and realized my wallet was gone. I excused myself and walked to a phone on an elegant side table. I learned shortly that my credit cards had been maxed out, my bank accounts emptied, my retirement and equity portfolios had vanished, and my wife had been thrown out of our home. Apparently, the waiters and their families were moving in. The President hadn’t moved or spoken as I learned all this, but finally I lowered the phone into its cradle and turned to face him.

“Andrew’s whole family has made bad financial decisions. They haven’t planned for retirement, and they need a house. They recently defaulted on a subprime mortgage. I told them they could have your home. They need it more than you do.”

My hands were shaking. I felt faint. I stumbled back to the table and knelt on the floor. The President cheerfully cut his meat, ate his steak , and drank his wine. I lowered my eyes and stared at the small grey circles on the tablecloth that were water drops.

“By the way,” He added, “I have just signed an Executive Order nationalizing your factories. I’m firing you as head of your business. I’ll be operating the firm now for the benefit of all mankind. There’s a whole bunch of Erics and Andrews out there and they can’t come to you for jobs groveling like beggars.”

I looked up. The President dropped his spoon into the empty ramekin which had been his crème Brule. He drained the last drops of his wine. As the table was cleared, he lit a cigarette and leaned back in his chair. He stared at me. I clung to the edge of the table as if were a ledge and I were a man hanging over an abyss. I thought of the years behind me, of the life I had lived. The life I had earned with a lifetime of work, risk and struggle. Why was I punished? How had I allowed it to be taken? What game had I played and lost? I looked across the table and noticed with some surprise that there was no game board between us.

What had I done wrong?

As if answering the unspoken thought, the President suddenly cocked his head, locked his empty eyes to mine, and bared a million teeth, chuckling wryly as he folded his hands.

“You should have stopped me at the dinner roll,” he said.

WAKE UP AMERICA !!!

whats the best way to jump start a modeling career?

Editor — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:54:31 +0000

ive done a few runway shows before but i really want to make a career out of it. ive always had a “thing” for modeling. i think im a beautiful girl & i know i have the look. i just don’t know how to be in the right place at the right time. can anyone give me ideas or if you know of any agencies i can send my portfolio to?

How can I go from being an engineer to a graphic designer?

Editor — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:55:56 +0000

I already earned a BS in Engineering almost 4 years ago and now realize I would love to work in the graphic design or web design field. I know its mostly about talent and a good portfolio, but I know education is important too. Is it enough to get an Associate’s degree from a community college or should I get one from the art institute online or something? I live in St. Louis so I don’t know of too many art schoools around me with two year degrees. I prefer to not get a four year degree since I’ve already been through all that and I have to do this at night so I can work full time. I’ll take any suggestions to help me get to where I want to go. Thanks!

fidelity mutual funds investment providers?

Editor — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 05:58:52 +0000

I was investing with fidelity (well, looking) and the first step was to choose who I should chose as my investment provider

Now what are these? Are the the “blue chips” (not too sure what they are) who are supposed to give fixed return in investments and am I supposed to knowledgeably choose (or whoever’s name i recognize, lol) who I want to invest in?

I thought fidelity just took my money and decided what to invest in…

How can we get business investment in school to be profitable?

Editor — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:04:41 +0000

Although I’m no strategist/economist/education specialist, I think it would work something like this.. A company can choose to invest in a school (tax incentives aimed at the poorest first) but must make a minimum contribution of $3/student (they could just do an entire grade). So X Company would need about $300 to invest in the senior class at Y High School. $1 would go into a sort of stock portfolio as investment to profit the company (this is the trickiest part as I am not an economist/banker), $1 into school funding, and $1 into a savings fund for the school. At the end of the year, the students who have achieved the desired goals set by the school (attendance, participation, test scores, extracurricular) will get the money. $1 is not going to be much of an incentive to do well, but if 100 businesses (min. $3 a student) contributed, each student would be getting $100. It’s not perfect, but let me know what you think, & show me how to make it profitable for the businesses.
To the first person who replied. Our education system leaves minorities and poor districts behind. In the past, reform has been aimed at getting the school administration and teachers to teach better. This is an attempt to put the ball in the students court. If the idea of money is too much, other rewards could be used. Taxes are not “investement.” Plus, under this system, companies would receive tax breaks (which will promote growth in itself) for investing in schools. The result is SOME intelligent, trainable young people, and some who are, due to inequality of education, left behind–despite the No Child Left Behind Policy. Thank you for your rude reply that allowed me to clarify my intent.

How can I promote myself as a freelance artist?

Editor — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 11:53:43 +0000

I’m a graphic designer with plenty of experience but need more clients. I work from home in the Houston area (for now) but thankfully my line of work can accomodate clients anywhere thanks to the internet. I have been in a work rut since my baby was born in May. What’s a good way to reel in more work without spending money promoting myself? I have a small portfolio online at 1ClickChick.com.

Do you think buying paladium coins (as opposed to gold or platinum) is a good investment?

Editor — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 01:53:49 +0000

Do you think buying paladium coins (as opposed to gold or platinum) is a good investment?

WHY? WHY? What metals would you buy now (taking actual possesion not etf)

I need to find a laptop soon, preferably a MAC, suited mainly for Graphic Design and college. Which is best?

Editor — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 03:54:43 +0000

I start college soon, and am majoring in Graphic Design and Studio Art. I need to find a reliable laptop that is light, yet efficient for the multiple tasks I will be preforming during the year. Any suggestions?

hey, i would like to know what’s the official website for investing money into federal bonds?

Editor — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 02:54:33 +0000

basically i’d like to view a website explaining the basics of federal bond investments… something like ‘investing in federal bonds for dummies?’ lol

Fidelity Roth IRA mutual funds investment?

Editor — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:56:33 +0000

I am about to open a Roth IRA with Fidelity. I have done some research and picked two mutual funds I want to invest in. I plan on putting $2500 into each one, putting me at my max for the year ($5000). I have a few questions:

1. Once I have invested my initial $2500 into each, do I *have* to contribute anything else? Obviously, I will make more money if I do, but I don’t want to be locked into anything. (Under “purchase information” it says “Additional: $250″ and I’m not sure what that means or if it even applies to IRA’s.)

2. If I plan to switch mutual funds down the road, what sort of fees will I be charged? For example, one mutual fund says “Expense ratio: 1.1%” What does that mean?

Please note: Both of these mutual funds are no transaction fees and no load funds. That’s the way to go, right?

I am new to this so any advice would be *greatly* appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

best ways to promote photography business? what works?

Editor — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 07:05:17 +0000

I have a business licence, website, and great portfolio. Took a good amount of senior pics this summer but it seems that the word of mouth has dried up. I haven’t done any advertising, what are the best ways to get more business. Cheap. what works?

Can a professinal stock broker / mutual fund analyst also make personal investments?

Editor — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 01:54:00 +0000

I enjoy personally investing in stocks and options and am considering a career path as a stock broker or mutual fund analyst working for an investment corporation (JP Morgan, Edward Jones, etc). Are there any ethical or legal rules against a professional broker/analyst making personal trades outside of work?

Education, elementary teacher to be help please?

Editor — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 22:55:53 +0000

Explain the value of a professional portfolio? How has this or could this help teachers obtain a position as an elementary school teacher?

How do you get a career/job? (Preferable salary, with benefits) I fax, and or email and or snail mail and or?

Editor — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 15:56:53 +0000

How do you get a career/job? (Preferable salary, with benefits) I fax, and or email and or snail mail and or drop off my resume and or portfolio to ever place I can. I call places. I am in the IL Army National Guard and have a Bachelors Degree. I am willing to relocate. I tried government/civil servant and private companies. Any suggestions or comments please let me know. THANK YOU!

Could someone please help me with my personal statement for college apps?

Editor — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 15:56:04 +0000

On September 4, 1622, the Nuestra Señora de Atocha was sunk in a hurricane off the coast of Florida. The cargo of that Spanish ship was of tremendous value, including 24 tons of silver, 125 bars of gold and 350 chests of indigo. The Spanish mounted a valiant effort to retrieve their lost treasures, yet their search proved to be in vain.
I can personally sympathize with such a great loss of possessions. Recently I found myself in possession of a great sum of cash. Unlike the Spanish, I did not achieve my affluence through the conquest of my next door neighbor. Rather my slush fund came from my summer work as a life guard. Before I knew it, this money was beginning to burn a hole in the pocket of my favorite pair of jeans. That simply was an unacceptable, not to mention uncomfortable situation. I panicked and emptied my pockets into the volatile stock market.
Juice; Jamba Juice, is a name that will be eternally etched into my brain. It was in this chain, with its delectable smoothies that I chose to invest. Over night I became a self proclaimed expert on EPS ratios, dividends, yields, portfolios, and even diversification. At the time I was not in accord with the need to diversify. By god! I had the company of the future, and I was going to ride my smoothie high all the way to the bank. At first things were great. I was up a couple hundred bucks and the outlook was promising. It was easy money; the company was fulfilling my great expectations. The value of my account took off like a fighter pilot, but soon the bombs would start flying. The economy started showing signs of eminent recession, and the notion that Jamba Juice was under incompetent management leaked. Jamba stock prices plummeted like a skydiver with a broken parachute. I contemplated my options, and became even more perplexed. Should I try to ride it out? I had a feeling that the predicament would only worsen for my beloved Jamba Juice. Should I sell everything in an attempt to cut my losses? Or was pulling the old Benedict Arnold and jumping to another company my best option? I felt hopeless, my summers work was slipping away before my eyes and there was nothing I could do to reverse the trend. You can learn a lot from having you’re time and effort slip into oblivion. I literally have a graph to prove it.
My self enlightenment hit me with the force of a hurricane. My impetuous shortcomings had led to my eventual economic demise. Looking back on things, I now realize that given my financial situation, it was probably ill advised to invest in something as volatile as the stocks. I lost a lot of money, but learned valuable life lessons along the way. There are no get rich quick schemes in life. Success in any field takes a great deal of hard work or extraordinary natural ability, I’ve been blessed with some aptitude , however by working hard I have been able to surpass individuals with more natural talent. I have become diligent in my decision making process as a result of the incident. I calculate risk reward ratios like a sports statistician assesses the benefits of acquiring an injury prone all star. Though I have become more analytical, and slightly less grandiose, I will never be afraid to risk it all for what I believe in.

Curious about what you think would be a wise investment right now. What specific, sector, ETF, or ind. stock?

Editor — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 18:55:02 +0000

I am convinced we are going to see some major moves in financial markets in the next few months to 2 years. moves that can yeild great returns.
however, I have some important questions I am trying to answer before I make any decisions with the very very limited amount of money I have to invest. Can you answer with any confidence, any of these questions? I am not interested in your guesses, only in what you feel confident about.
Will we see inflation or deflation?
If we see inflation, then
What sector will move first?

I realize, I could be wrong but I will give you a couple of my major assumptions.
Inflation is going to occur. Forget about deflation.
Oil is near a 5 year low. It will move up.
Gold and other metals are in the begining of a major bull market. The metals are not anywhere near 5 year lows but market forces seem to be indicating there is still a great deal of upside to precious metals.
Which metal will move first?
Is there a precious/industrial metal that will do BETTER than the rest?
Is there a precious/industrial metal that will do WORSE than the rest?

When will it be safe to get into stocks?
When will it be safe to get into Real Estate?

Appreciate anyone who can answer these questions and expecially if you can offer some reasoning behind your answer. Thanks.

Could you advise me a TAX Professional Expert for my EBay business start up in TORONTO?

Editor — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 19:06:00 +0000

I prefer to see his or her portfolio which shows His/Her experience in EBay business field
I prefer to see his or her portfolio which shows His/Her experience in EBay business field
PLEASE INTRODUCE a SPECIFIC NAME

Is Share Builders Small Cap Mutual Funds a good investment for 5 or more years?

Editor — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 07:54:21 +0000

If not, what Share Builder Mutual Fund is? Etc?

Does anyone have tips for a freelance artist?

Editor — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 14:53:44 +0000

I got a paid account on a website called iFreelance, hoping to get jobs in graphic design, webdesign, and illustration. I have a really good portfolio, and a large and diverse skill set. But for some reason I keep bidding on various jobs, but never get them. I was wondering if there is something that I am doing wrong. Is there some secret or guidelines for making successful bids? If you have experience in the matter, please help!

Thank you.

What are some risks investors may face when investing in bonds?

Editor — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 05:54:20 +0000

What can an investor do to reduce the risks?

What kind of art work is most important to include in my graphic design college portfolio?

Editor — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 08:54:07 +0000

Card designs, scrapbooking, drawings, paintings, photographs, photoshopped images, logos, advertisements, etc, etc.

I need business card ideas that will impress editors?

Editor — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 07:05:18 +0000

Im a freelance comic book artist. Im going to a comic con in august and im putting together my portfolio to show. I know all that should matter is my art but if i could get a cool idea to put on a business card it will give me just a little extra edge. What would be cool and perhaps impress an editor?

Are there any tax differences between redeeming shares of an index ETF as compared to a traditional index fund?

Editor — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 11:53:45 +0000

For instance, let’s say a person has investments in both a total stock market ETF and a total stock market index fund (say, the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF and the Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund).

If the person wants to liquidate some of her holdings, does it make a difference whether she redeems shares of the ETF or withdraws money from the traditional index fund?

which degree is more marketable and will provide better education for and Animator?

Editor — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 05:54:50 +0000

would like to pursue degree in order to work as Animator. Which degree would be more marketable? A BFA in Studio Art with concentration in Graphic Design from Georgia State University OR a BFA in Animation from Savannah College of Art and Design? I have an excellent portfolio and have won some awards for my work. Just need the degree to back it up.

Where online can I look up the standard deviation of a given stock or mutual fund?

Editor — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 03:54:12 +0000

Google Finance provides standard deviation and other statistical info for some mutual funds and this is very helpful, but it does not provide this information for all mutual funds or for any individual stocks I’ve checked. Is there a website that provides this for stocks and more mutual funds?
And/or where can I download the historical data to calculate it myself in Excel?

I have lost 12% of my investment in mutual funds since early Oct. What do I do?

Editor — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 20:54:36 +0000

Put it in fixed account or wait.

career portfolio?

Editor — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 19:54:46 +0000

I am wondering whut kinds of things I should put in my career portfolio? I am thinking things like my diploma, student of the month award, presidents list, ect….Do I need 2 put these things in any particular order or give them a fancy layout? Somebody said I need a “mission statement”……I am a medical Assistant.

My boyfriend enjoys photographing women as a hobby and possibly build a side business. Would any one be jealou?

Editor — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 19:06:52 +0000

he is not photographing them nude but he sees their portfolios that show them in various states of undress or nude.it bothers me that he is meeting these girls to photograph and has seen them naked on the internet. would this bother anyone? he says I am out of line for being disturbed by this.

What does this mean?

Editor — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 13:53:39 +0000

I dreamt that I found money in two different pockets of a portfolio. About $16.00 each time.