Ask Rande 10,000+

Top 105. Sep 14, 2001 2:10 PM

» Kirk - email

Rande.

Some of us have tried to reach you via email.

Are you swamped or is email down? Normally you have a quick joke for a reply even if you don't have time to answer.

Sorry for using this forum for the question, but you should know about it if you are not getting your email.

-- posted by Kirk

Top 106. Sep 14, 2001 2:26 PM

» Rande - Re: email

In response to message posted by Kirk:

Have been having periodic problems with outgoing/incoming where could be delayed up to a day. I think it's server related and they're working on it.

-- posted by Rande

Top 107. Sep 17, 2001 6:12 PM

» Rande - Some random thoughts to take or leave.

Some random thoughts to take or leave....

The Markets

Some in the media coulnd't resist reporting the "biggest single-day point decline in the history of the Dow" today, but we know the percentages were actually encouraging. It could have been much worse, and to have the S&P and Wilshire down in the 5% area is a victory of sorts. Following my own advice, I did nothing today (figured it was "patriotic" enough just not to sell). My plan? Stick to the long-term asset allocation come hell or high water. Why? Because despite our short-term tribulations we are a great nation and we will recover, and recover mightly. The rest of the world won't be far behind. The long-term is what counts, and having a plan in place geared in that direction is all that matters.

Want to know something strange? I've probably spent as much time cautioning against jumping in with both feet as anything else. Not because I'm not optimistic about the future, which I am. But if you were a cautious type to begin with and had an appropriate asset allocation that suited your long-term goals in place already, why get greedy now? Bottom Line: It's never a good time to act on emotion, in any direction, for any reason. Keep the faith and stay the course. Stick to your plan. You do have one, right?

BTW: Having said all that, I still can't help but mention that the early evening futures are up. For entertainment purposes only, of course. smile

-- posted by Rande

Top 108. Sep 18, 2001 9:59 AM

» Erik75 - Re: Some random thoughts to take or leave.

In response to message posted by Rande:

? Bottom Line: It's never a good time to act on emotion, in any direction, for any reason. Keep the faith and stay the course. Stick to your plan. You do have one, right? BTW: Having said all that, I still can't help but mention that the early evening futures are up. For entertainment purposes only, of course.

It is tempting, both because it looks like an opportunity and because I would enjoy making money off those who sold yesterday.

However, I still have the lesson that I learned at Bob Brinker University's aversion therapy session last October tatooed inside my eyelid. "Don't Act immediately"

-- posted by Erik75

Top 109. Sep 18, 2001 11:28 AM

» Rande - Re: Re: Some random thoughts to take or leave.

In response to message posted by Erik75:

Erik,

Nothing to do but fight that temptation. There's always an element of uncertainty with regard to the short-term, but this is ridiculous. Relying on emotion could mean going from despair to joy and back again as the market reacts to unfolding events. Investors shouldn't be in a rush to do anything, as if any given moment might represent the last opportunity to get in or get out. Best to stick to plan, continue to DCA if applicable, and realize that the odds are highly in favor of quality companies returning to solid growth down the road.

-- posted by Rande

Top 110. Sep 18, 2001 1:05 PM

» SteveT - Re: Some random thoughts to take or leave.

In response to message posted by Rande:

I too did nothing yesterday. Today is another day. I had been watching a stock I have wanted to own for sometime. It got down to bargain basement territory so I bought. My allocation was just a little light in the area that stock occupies. Now my allocation is with in .5% of my plan in every category. I will sleep well tonight.

-- posted by SteveT

Top 111. Sep 18, 2001 2:24 PM

» Tweeter - Re: Some random thoughts to take or leave.

In response to message posted by Rande:

Rande,

I have been waiting for your steady hand through this for a while. Thanks, as always.

Steve Bailey

-- posted by Tweeter

Top 112. Sep 18, 2001 9:33 PM

» vh1 - dear reader

you really want to believe that everything is getting into place for a great recovery, but it is that long-term war prospect that seems to be problematic

even if tomorrow could be a buying opportunity i cannot see a bottom and we still will test new lows ----

oh well,

my best to one and all, keep well

btw rande 30y @ 6.5

-- posted by vh1

Top 113. Sep 19, 2001 7:02 AM

» Rande - Re: dear reader

In response to message posted by vh1:

vh1,

Agree there appears to be quite a road to recovery ahead. We'll get there. In the meantime, why bother looking for the "right time?" There's always the regret of "too soon" or "too late" to contend with and dollar-cost-averaging never looked so good. Otherwise, just keep an eye on the allocation and rebalance as appropriate when it gets out of range. Best to put the whole thing on automatic, let the long term take care of itself, and focus on the more important things in life from day to day.

Yes, in retrospect those 30-years at 6.5% back in 1999 look pretty good.

-- posted by Rande