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[quote=”sprite”]Everybody who is not controlling the market is trying to time entries and exits. It is a fixed zero sum game and since there have to be losers in order for there to be winners, if you are not part of the group fixing the game, guess which group you fall into?
Good luck, Bogino. If I were you, I would listen to Scott.[/quote]As I mentioned previously. Investing INVOLVES RISK. “If you can’t stand the heat: [b]GET OUT OF THE KITCHEN[/b]”
[quote=”sprite”]The only relatively safe way to make money is to get in and out quickly (day trade) with sophisticated trading software backed by years of experience.[/quote]
HAHA!! I have to admit: This has to be the most amateurish bunch of [b]BALONEY[/b] I have ever heard, however, I can understand your anger nd frustration since you “[b]got out[/b]” of the market 6 years ago.
You see: In July of 2008 (that’s 6 years ago), the S & P 500 index closed at 1,260. Today, that index stands at 1,967 for a roughly [b]56%[/b][u][/u] increase or approximately [b]9.25%[/b][u][/u] average increase over that 6 year period that [b]YOU[/b] have been out of the market.
You could have done something as basic and simple as investing 100 shares into the S&P ETF Spider Index (SPY) at a cost of bout [b]$12,384[/b]. That ETF was trading around 123.75 in July of 2008. Today SPY is priced at 196.50 for an increase of [b]57%[/b][u][/u] (essentially emulating the performance of the S&P Index). Your initial investment of $12,384 would today be worth about [b]$19,650[/b][u][/u]. You could have bought 100 or 1000 or 10,000 shares through a Schwab or other discount brokerage for $8.95 or something like that….put the position to bed and simply done nothing. No worries about “day trading”, expenses and so on.
Now….I don’t know what you’ve been doing with your money over the past 6 years but if I had missed that boat I would be [b]Pissed Off[/b] and [b]Angry[/b] too as a result of my own financial ineptitude.
Most often, those that constantly complain the most about the market (equities) being “rigged”…”unfair”…blah…blah…blah…are those that really don’t understand markets albeit they [b]THINK[/b] they do and consequently wind up losing money or making money but not as much as the next guy.
Investing in [b]ANY[/b] market involves risk, some more than others. They are [b]NO GUARANTEES[/b] and before investors invest it is [b]THEIR[/b] job to educate themselves to the extent that they understand those risks along with what realistic expectations may be for returns.
Do larger and more sophisticated investors have advantages? Absolutely Yes.
Can the “average” person do well with a well thought out plan and strategy” Absolutely Yes.
The problem is too many investors, both large and small, are too motivated by [b]GREED[/b] and the motivation to invest is driven by their greed rather than remaining focused and developing long-term plan that can reasonably be expected to meet their goals.
I don’t know anything about this Dopey company that Scott originally referenced but there are boatloads of alternatives using well developed plans applying, for example, the use of ETF’s, Index Funds, Mutual Fund, Outside Money Managers that have long-term solid track records, can be as conservative or as risky as the investor wants them to be.
Too many people think investing should be a “risk-free” proposition. They all want to participate in the satisfaction when prices are rising but are the first to complain when prices are falling.
People/Investors, in general, need to become Financially more Literate. Otherwise, consider “[b]investing[/b]” their money in their little CD’s and sleep well at night.
Is it just me or does it seem as though in recent years the CR government has been moving in a direction to “[b]disincentivize[/b]” potential retirees from considering CR as an option?
I wonder how Panama is beginning to look in comparison.
If your pension income is $850 while you’re Social Security benefit is $2,700 (1 person) then if I understand correctly I’m screwed since I would be forced to use the $2,700 s income. Is that accurate?
It was a hard fought match. Man for Man the Dutch were clearly better and they were better coordinated but Tico’s played excellent defense and played with a [b]BIG[/b] Heart. They have nothing to be ashamed of and I hope Tico fans turn out in a big way to welcome them home and for a job Very Well done.
That being said: [b]GO BRASIL!![/b]
[quote=”pebo1″]We have property in Orosi Valley overlooking Lake Cachi, beautiful climate, cooler, greener and around 4000′. All within about 25 mins to Walmart, shopping centres etc east of Cartago.
[quote=”bogino”][quote=”costaricafinca”]To find temps of 70’s during the day will be very hard to find. You must be at a [i]very[/i] high altitude for this.[/quote]
What about the Orosi Valley? I mentioned that in an earlier post but got no reaction. I believe temps. in that area average in the ’70’s.[/quote][/quote]
I’m actually headed back to CR in December specifically to look at properties including Orosi which has become more compelling for me versus the Atenas/Grecia area. I plan to spend 3 to 4 days in Orosi scouting.
Well fought game and victory against Greece today. After Greece tied it in the 90th minute and being down 1 player I thought it was over for CR but they held up and now get to face Netherlands. Congratulations again and [b]Keep Pushin[/b] (REO Speedwagon).
[quote=”orcas0606″] Did you see the clear penalty that wasn’t awarded to CR when Campbell was dumped in the box? [/quote]
That penalty was pretty [b]OBVIOUS[/b] to me. Even though it was a low scoring game, it seemed apparent that CR [b]WAS[/b][u][/u] the better team this day. They just seemed to [b]WANT[/b] it more and were [b]HUNGRIER[/b]. Maybe too, the Italians might have taken them for granted but regardless, CR more than earned this victory.
[quote=”costaricafinca”]To find temps of 70’s during the day will be very hard to find. You must be at a [i]very[/i] high altitude for this.[/quote]
What about the Orosi Valley? I mentioned that in an earlier post but got no reaction. I believe temps. in that area average in the ’70’s.
I’ve always wondered: Given the choice would you rather have to deal with an earthquake which you never know when it’s coming or would you rather deal with a tornado or hurricane watching it come straight at you. I would take the earthquake any day. The most terrifying for me would be a tornado.
[quote=”costaricafinca”]Since it is now mandatory to join CAJA, when applying for residency, some object or simply can’t afford the new higher monthly fees if the are under 55….especially when they have no intention of using CAJA, preferring to use the much better private sector.
Many are not of retirement age so don’t have a ‘guaranteed for life’ pension nor the required funds for [i]Rentista[/i] status.
And, [i]I would presume[/i], there are those who do not want to divulge their personal information…
Lastly, some don’t intend to stay for the long term.Personally, it is my impression that during this [i]’in limbo'[/i] time that ‘potential residents’ may have to do this for, possibly 18+ months, while waiting for their resolution/cedula and to re-set their drivers license, they change their mind and either return home or go ‘elsewhere’.
Would we apply for Rentista residency, now, with these changes now in place? No.
[/quote]
Thx. Makes sense. If you’re 60+ what is the cost for CAJA now? I thought I read somewhere $100+ but not certain. If so seems like a waste especially if no intention of using it. Maybe I’m wrong but seems like Panama is looking more and more like a better option to settle down in vs. CR.
