On a whim investment.... ish!

On a whim investment.... ish!

Author
Discussion

gandhi

Original Poster:

229 posts

215 months

Monday 29th January 2007
quotequote all
Greetings, fellow PistonRings.

Maybe this is boredom coming to the fore, or my insatiable appetite for the finer things in life which are sadly off the readout on my affordability scale.. Eg the 997 GT3.

But, I'm looking at investments, and where to put them. I'm a fairly new starter to this, but at little about me and my current assets (or asset!).

I have one house. Its a nice fairly sizable house in the countryside that is almost paid off, and is appreciating nicely, as it has for years. This is my one main asset. I have a few grand in company shares, which in fairness I have just left. Over the years, they've gone up, which gives a nice warmth in me incase things ever hit the fan.

I'm a long haul airline pilot, the money is good in a professional sense, what I mean by that is it is a good professional salary, in line with Dotors, most solicitors etc, but its not what I would respect as wealth. Thankfully thats not what i'm after, as I'm happy and grateful the way things are. Whats brought this on is that due to the laws which limit and govern my flying time and time off, I have more time than I know what to do with. Typically I have say, 3-4 nights away from home when I leave. I also have the vast majority of the time in the cruise to peruse newspapers/general research etc... I then have a few days off when I get home before going away again...

I fancy a new challenge, a little danger, but conversely rewards if executed properly. To this end I'm looking to invest in something quite dynamic, but I can't quite decide what!

I think the 2 main ideas are Forex (currency trading) or stocks n' shares. I do like the idea of forex, its very cheap (in terms of brokerage fees). It operates whenever I want it to, and I'm not locked in to anything when I dont wish to be, so its highly 'governable'. Is that a word? It also can be traded at whatever tempo, rapid minute by minute stuff or the fundamental, long term trades.

I dont profess to be an expert economist, not even close. I manage to get through most issues of 'The Economist' and the FT, so have a reasonable laypersons grasp on the theories behind Forex. Does anyone know much/care to share what they know about it? I'd be happy to discuss what I know in return, and equally does anyone think its a bloody stupid idea full stop. Does anyone know any good books on the subject also, or websites/forums?

If im honest, I've no idea about what can be made with x amount of cash, whereas with property (a plan for a few years time) it much easier to indicate. Any experiences this side of things would be well recieved too.

I plan an initial outlay of 10k, obviously its not all going to go on one trade, but thats what I've got as a base, and its what I wish to use as an indication of what can be achieved without bankrupting myself. The possibilities to re-invest or pull out alltogether and revert to cozy homelife and cutting the grass every other hour (yes, I have that much time on my hands!) will rest on what happens!!

I know its a little 'out there', but any advice and tips would be greatly appreciated!

Blue Skies..

zadumbreion

1,049 posts

221 months

Monday 29th January 2007
quotequote all
It's possible that working for the good of others (ie charitable work) will get you real wealth..

Nope, I haven't tried it, but I'm beginning to suspect that chasing money all the time is a mug's game.

Although.... 997 GT3.... hmmmmmmmmmm

johnfm

13,668 posts

251 months

Monday 29th January 2007
quotequote all
my 0.02p...


IF you want to investigate Forex, go to www.oanda.com and open a 'game' account. There, you can trade with virtual money and really get a feel for the markets. Opne an account with $10k and trade. Pick one or two currency pairs and use the multitude of resources available there- there are many good articles on technical analysis etc etc etc

You will find that to make a living from forex (which I don't do BTW) requires months and years of learning WTF its all about and learning how to trade. Even then, to make, say, 10%-12% return a year you need to be pretty good (ie you'd be performing as weel as some fund managers who are paid £££££££. Even if you managed to make 10% a year, you'd need to make big money trades to make a decent income.

If you want to do the property thing, you'd be better off doing it now. if you have money/equity why wait until prices have risen even higher?

If it was me, I'd just buy as many Porsche shares as I could afford - they are performing exceptionally well!

gandhi

Original Poster:

229 posts

215 months

Monday 29th January 2007
quotequote all
I agree that searching for that get rich quick fix is a mugs game in over 99% of cases. I am also a believer in charity, do unto others etc. and I do my bit for the cause. That said, I'm merely pointing out that I could be better spending my time at home (and away) doing something more productive than moping around the house. This seems like an interesting challenge.

gandhi

Original Poster:

229 posts

215 months

Monday 29th January 2007
quotequote all
Many thanks John, Oanda is a site I've been looking at.

My reason for not investing in property just yet is because where I live, property prices are set to lull a little, even drop a shade. I wouldn't make a substantial loss I'm sure but I'd make that little extra in delaying slightly.

srebbe64

13,021 posts

238 months

Monday 29th January 2007
quotequote all
Why don't you wait for interest rates to increase and those mugs who have overstretched themselves will have their houses repossessed and you could pick them up from the banks. Do them up with, say, £10k and sell them for, say, £30k more than you paid for it.

wilbo

122 posts

233 months

Monday 29th January 2007
quotequote all
Why would you put "risk" into the equation in trying to make some money.

I'm sorry I don't by it. Wealth is quite straight forward. I know I will get many laughs for saying this. I have spent the last 12 months seeking out some of the worlds best experts in marketing and wealth accumulation.

You see as we grow up from being a junior, years of filters are placed on us, we can't do this we can't do that. Its all rubbish!

Don't overcomplicate things or put your money at "risk" for small gains.

Am I wealthy, no not yet, that's why have spent the last 12 months doing the above activity.
Is it going to happen, most certainly. My mindset has totally changed, I have some fantastic mentors and things are now being put in place to make that happen that I couldn't visualise before!

Questions is, do you like money?

johnfm

13,668 posts

251 months

Tuesday 30th January 2007
quotequote all
I don't think interest rates will go too far - there is interest rate conformity with the euro zone to consider.

Re: property going down in the North East - where the hell is that?!!

Lastly, regardless og future interest rates, you will always make money on property IF you add real value. If you just expect to make returns because of the increase in house prices, you are being lazy and expecting something for nothing. If, on the other hand, you can find and buy a roperty in an au & coming or established area with demand, and you invest money in it you will add value to the property, regardless of the state of the housing economy (within limits).

Adding value ( ie refurbing or new build) will get you returns. BUT, be careful - its no point pumping money into a 3 bed terrace in shitsville. ind a knackered old pile in Jesmond, spend proper money doing it up and you'll make money and fills your days off with plenty of work!