Birchtree's Account Talk

[JTH]

Have you tried having your bi-pap set to automatic. I seemed to be fighting with the two pressure setting on my exhale. Also I have a problem with my breathing timing. Sometimes I would be fighting the old setting until I could relax. The auto setting solved that too. I also have a fan that blows on my face and use a nose cup because a full mask would sweat my face. The fan keeps my face dry and gives white noise to cover the bi-pap noise. I get 5 1/2 hours sleep.

Thanks Bill, the Bi-pap pressure settings aren't the issue, in fact I cut those numbers in half with some weight loss, quitting smoking and cutting down on my drinking. I too use a nose cup, it is the best of the many mask styles I've tried. The issue is having something strapped to my face is uncomfortable, truth is I sleep better and deeper without the machine, I wish this wasn't the case, I do know many people who have had great success, I'm just not one of them

JTH,

After many years of restless sleep with much violence and some times even falling out of the damn bed while fighting, I came upon the answer. I had a dental proceedure done and the dentist gave me diazepam 5mg tab to help me rest. Well it was like I discovered a wonder drug - valium. When I told my primary physcian about my experience he told me that valium relaxes the mind and allows better rem sleep - then he tells me there is an even better drug that one of his Korean War vets has been taking for decades without any bad effects. That drug is called clonazepam 1 mg tab or klonopin. I tried it and sure enough no dreams for me but I did wake up groggy. The valium allows me to be up sharp and krisp - it's my answer to many bad nightmares and the wife is so pleased. So every night now I pop a Valium 5mg tab and I have no dreams and sleep all night. If I end up with a valium addiction who the hell cares at my age, I just want a peaceful sleep. My primary says there is only a remote possibility of dependence. This may not be the answer you were looking for but it works for me like a charm and it's so simple. Valium is so cheap they almost give it away. Pop a valium and see how you respond - you'll probably sleep like a baby.

Same for me. Doctor prescribed klonopin and i was a new man. Slept like a baby.

Thanks, I haven't had much luck with the military medical system, but I'll mention it at my next appointment. While I am not opposed to medications, my overall goal it to be unmediated, over the past 2 months I've gotten off all my meds, no more prilosec, zyrtec, singular, micardis and maxzide. Lucky me the allergies haven't been a problem, but the high blood pressure is still an issue and I'm hoping an improved sleeping schedule combined with nutrition and exercise will bring those numbers down.

I know there are many instances where medications are necessary, but I just don't want to be dependent on them, my preference is to find natural means for these issues.

 

[konakathy]

So every night now I pop a Valium 5mg tab and I have no dreams and sleep all night.

Can you score me some of that from the hood, bulldaddy? I don't want to remember my dreams anymore.

Dang ! I had this dream last night that I was standing in my letter carrier uniform in this dense jungle up mauka, looking down on Kona. Off in the horizon on the ocean there were 100's of naval vessels coming towards the island. I sensed they weren't American. Next to me there was some local guys looking at was coming, they were armed with bows and rifles. I asked "What the heck is happening?' and one local replied nonchalantly. "Haven't you heard? World War III is coming."

I hope that was a nightmare and not a prophetic dream.

 

[Birchtree]

If you have indoor pets, I'd stay on the singular. And keep a close eye on your A1C.

 

[alevin]

wish I was getting the amount of sleep JTH and birch are getting. melatonin helps but there is a groggy aftereffect the next morning. I go with herbal and mineral remedies, chamomile, 5htp, magnesium. they help a lot with getting to sleep when needed, still have trouble getting more than 5-5.5 hours a night though, 6 is a good night, and I wake refreshed when I get that much. Never remember dreams, except for the rare nightmare when ultrastressed with specific life episodes. wish I didn't remember those, but their impacts eventually fade as stressors go dim in the rearview mirror.

 

[OBXTrader]

Birchtree - All my taxable and IRA accounts were 100% cash until 31 July because we finally nearly finished consolidating our scattered accounts to invest long-term. I decided to DCA on a weekly basis and on every significant down day in the market, double down and pick up more funds and ETF's. So, 31 July was my start date with the TSP, and I did an IFT from G Fund into the L2020. However, since it was also a big down day when the S&P was down 27 points I bought some ETF's. Not the bottom for sure that day, but timing daily bottoms was not my goal. Friday's loss was another down day, so I put more into a target date fund. I will continue DCA on my weekly schedule, and continue to buy on every day the market gives good declines.

I know riding a (potential) wave down is counter-intuitive and every financial planner seems to argue against what I am doing. However, I met with a financial planner in June and it was OK by him to just dump it all in right then in a "well diversified portfolio" and not worry about timing the market because I would be fine even if the market dumped because I am investing for the long-term. Had I followed that advice, I would be riding a (potential) down wave fully invested and not sleeping well at night.

Since I was 100% cash, I can ride down "holding my nose" and buying a long while even if there was a dreaded 2011 correction or an apocalyptic 2008 correction. I will still maintain my weekly DCA and continue to double down on bad days. It’s only been two days and next Thursday would be my next DCA day and I will double down on any day in between that gives up significant S&P points. What are your thoughts?

This week was a wicked week for my oceanic and and even worse month - but no matter, the money will return like it always does. Here's what happened: -$30K, -$26K, -$25K, -$165K, -$29K for a grand give back of -$275K. Well at least I did manage to pick up some nice dividend reinvestments which pumps up my income stream a few more $K. For the month I was out -$343K but still remain positive for the year so far. I expect the rest of the year will be profitable. I will ride out any further consolidation because I can and will wait for the next 50% run.

 

[weatherweenie]

Birch,

What are your thoughts on investing in dividend paying ETFs vs single company stocks paying dividends?

Thanks,

WW

 

[Birchtree]

I prefer individual equity positions for dividend reinvestment, plus there may eventually be some capital gains. Though ETFs may have some advantages to get access to many more stocks. I'll stay with the single stock and keep the risk.

 

[Bullitt]

With either dividend paying stocks or ETF's, try to use a broker that will automatically re-invest those dividends to cut down on wasted commission costs.

Birch, your broker still Bank of America?

 

[Birchtree]

With either dividend paying stocks or ETF's, try to use a broker that will automatically re-invest those dividends to cut down on wasted commission costs.

Birch, your broker still Bank of America?

Yes, I use the Bank of America Merrill Edge online program and I'm on margin with this account. Currently paying 2.75% interest which is deductable against other income. I'll have to start to race once interest rates start going up trying to keep ahead with capital gains. More market damage being done today - but that is actually beneficial to me for my golden dividend pricing. So bring on the pain and give me more wall flowers.

 

[Birchtree]

This could be another long week full of negative vibes - enough to make my meatus hurt. But never mind, I made enough money last year to hold me awhile longer. I'm just so fortunate to have many dividends doing the heavy lifting. It would appear that I may have overpaid in June but I'll even that out in September. So bring it.

 

[Birchtree]

I decided to buy some GBX and RRTS this morning. I also have three dividends due: KWR, BLX, TSM. We are most likely headed for SPX 2000 during this upward leg.

 

[weatherweenie]

I read where Buffet is bullish on SU. Is Mindylou have any insight on SU?

 

[Birchtree]

I read where Buffet is bullish on SU. Is Mindylou have any insight on SU?

Mindylou says buy as much of that Suncore Energy (SU) as your pockets can hold - nice dividend at 2.62% and will likely be raised yearly.

 

[Birchtree]

My oceanic account did alright in a difficult week - we should carry on now through the end of the year. Here is what happened: +$64K, -$65K, +$10K, -$39K, +$88K for a gain (respectable) of +$58K. I got a long way to go to get back to the beginning of July but time is on my side. I fully expect that my standard of living will continue to increase because of my acquired asset base - I just keep plugging away. There is no pessimism around here - Ferdinand is making me wealthy.

 

[Sensei]

This could be another long week full of negative vibes - enough to make my meatus hurt...

Nothing like a 1% rally to ease your meatus pain, am I right?

 

[Birchtree]

MarketWatch.com

 

[Mapper]

BT, I'm trying to help a high income friend (young doctor) start to take control of finances and learn about investing. I'm curious about appropriate vehicles (account types) for general investing that might be appropriate to investigate. Roth IRA is out due to income limitations. Annual 401k contributions are already maxed, so that's out too. Traditional IRA seems like a good place for some of the money but there is a lot more money that is looking for a new home.

Standard savings/money market checking accounts are pretty worthless these days. We are looking to add some lower risk investments, most likely blue-chip equities (though that will ultimately be their decision). The money used to fund the account is just savings beyond the 6 month emergency fund. The money does not be to be completely liquid but should be reasonably accessible for things like an upcoming home purchase, vehicle purchase, etc. etc. From my experience, the next best thing is a standard taxable brokerage. Is there anything I'm missing, tax advantaged or otherwise advantaged, you are aware of for high income earners?

Hiring a traditional financial planner is something this individual wants to avoid due to fees and general lack of understanding of investing and seeing many such planners as crooks. The idea is slowly wade-in to the world of investment and learn how it all works. Basically there is a good lump of cash that needs to "go to work" now. I don't know many people with this kind of problem! But I've been tagged to help because of my own careful financial planning.

 

[Birchtree]

We are in the slow mode days of summer and dividend reinvestments are the best thing in town. Everyday I'm buying something and just recently caught another stock spin off I didn't even know was coming - so slow into September will be purrfect to lock my 105 dividends that are due. This is a money stream that only gets better with time. YTD I've gotten 117 dividend increase announcements - hoping for more than 160 by year end. This could go on for eternity.

 

[Birchtree]

BT, I'm trying to help a high income friend (young doctor) start to take control of finances and learn about investing. I'm curious about appropriate vehicles (account types) for general investing that might be appropriate to investigate. Roth IRA is out due to income limitations. Annual 401k contributions are already maxed, so that's out too. Traditional IRA seems like a good place for some of the money but there is a lot more money that is looking for a new home.

Standard savings/money market checking accounts are pretty worthless these days. We are looking to add some lower risk investments, most likely blue-chip equities (though that will ultimately be their decision). The money used to fund the account is just savings beyond the 6 month emergency fund. The money does not be to be completely liquid but should be reasonably accessible for things like an upcoming home purchase, vehicle purchase, etc. etc. From my experience, the next best thing is a standard taxable brokerage. Is there anything I'm missing, tax advantaged or otherwise advantaged, you are aware of for high income earners?

Hiring a traditional financial planner is something this individual wants to avoid due to fees and general lack of understanding of investing and seeing many such planners as crooks. The idea is slowly wade-in to the world of investment and learn how it all works. Basically there is a good lump of cash that needs to "go to work" now. I don't know many people with this kind of problem! But I've been tagged to help because of my own careful financial planning.

I think you are right on the money. The funds will have to go up for risk and that means a taxable discount brockerage account - there are many available. I happen to use Merrill Edge and get 30 free trades a month because of the balance. All dividends are reinvested free - just pick the right stocks. There are going to be a lot of winners in the biomedical sector. I'd look at utilities, metals, natural gas, food, simple things that will be around and grow over the next 30 years. I've accumulated over 300 individual stocks in my account. My wife has opened her Merrill Edge IRA and will be open to trade with abandon because there are no tax consequences to taking and reinvesting profits. It's a great time to be in the markets with so much fear around - purrfect environment. My wife will be doing an IRA rollover with darn close to +$1M - think how much fun that'll be. Then at some point we'll gently do a taxable conversion Roth IRA for even more fun. We are going to be essentially set. Snort.

 

[Birchtree]

Now for the bulldaddy lesson. Someone on this board once told me that any portfolio with over 10 stocks was too much to handle. The secret is to diversify your assets and take a little less on the gains. Can you imagine dividing up 10 stocks into $7M - that would be a quick road to ruin for someone like myself, beside I like collecting sweet wall flowers. The point is that after 40 years of saving and learning my standard of living will continue to increase because of my acquired asset base - there is nothing magical about that - just a steady discipline with a contrarian approach. As time goes on I'll harvest from my oceanic account garden and do what ever the wife and I want. The money has been earned and will keep making more money - afterall money likes to make more money. Even daring do Mark Faber is turning bullish - that may require attention. We are in the worst hated bull market in history and that is simply delicious for me - I plan to make a lot more unrealized gains as I grow into my old age.