Maverick At The Market

In the stock market or stock exchange, unlike your typical supermarket where goods and services are bought, people buy and sell shares of companies and large corporations where the goods and services are created. The most common stated principle of investing in the stock market is “Buy Low and Sell High.” However, buying low and selling high sounds much easier than it is practiced.

My personal experience with business and investments has been quite extensive, I was taught about business from my step-father Wayne, who has owned and operated several businesses over the years, and I was my Grandfather’s apprentice, so to speak, in the operations of finance, specifically the stock exchange. From my young teen years, all the way through high-school, and even now, I have always had a peaked interest in the world of business and finance. I have been personally invested in the stock exchange since I was 18. Throughout my teen years I viewed the stock exchange solely as an observer, where I learned many of the basic principles of finance, but it was after I had “put my money where my mouth is” that I really learned about how the market operates. Granted, when I started in the stock exchange it was in the spring of 2008 and my portfolio declined over -250% during the recession. However, now it has grown quite considerably after the market came back and I reallocated my investments. But nevertheless, always be aware of the risks that entail any investment regardless of the projections. Here are a few pointers that I would recommend before buying stock in any company…

Get The Scoop Before investing in a company that is traded the stock exchange, one must perform their due diligence in searching out as much information possible in regards to the company. Some of the key information would include their business model, financial stability/assets, marketing strategies, and most of all their target market. Doing all of this will help you determine whether or not this company has an idea that will produce a profit, or not.

Be Ready For Anything! This money is your money, and in some, if not all, cases, you’ve worked hard for it. The last thing that you want to do is lose all of your cash to a bad investment. Every investment is a gamble to an extent, depending on how much homework you do, and there is a chance you can make enough money to retire one day and end up selling your physical assets in order to cover your losses.

Never use necessary funds for an investment! Use money that you would use to go out to a movie, or to a restaurant to make an investment. Always remember, whatever money you put in comes out of your pocket so if you lose, make sure it’s only your pocket that you lose, not your shirt!

Make a financial goal, and stick to it. This principle has been something I’ve learned through my experiences handling my personal finances. Having financial goals not only help you to increase your wealth, but to also help you keep a level head when making investments. This principle should help you to become more than financially invested in a company, should you choose to do so, but to also become intellectually invested in observing the operation of the market.

The application of these few principles are not guaranteed to help you make a profit, but hopefully you will have a better idea of some of the things to expect before becoming invested in the world of finance. There are many different principles that are used in finance, if there are any questions or principles that you would like me to respond to or talk about please feel free to post a comment on this blog or via facebook! 

Life of Maverick

Some people would say "its not easy being a 'Maverick'". Most people upon meeting me make a direct reference to Top Gun, and the most asked question is "Where's Goose?" Usually I just shrug it off, or I respond with "He died, didn't you see the movie?" followed with a wink ;-). Despite the common teasing associated with my name, the part that's "not so easy being a 'Maverick'", in the breaking out from the norm and all the resistance that entails being different, is what inspired me to begin this blog. 

My name is Zane Maverick Hilgendorff. Everybody calls me Maverick, except for my close family and friends who sometimes call me other things ;-). I'm a product of a European and Middle-Eastern heritage that runs deep in what, and who, I am. Home for me is the Great Northwest. Born in Redmond, WA, I grew up in Sea-Tac and Federal Way during my childhood years. From the age of 13 until graduating High School, I lived in a few small towns in North Idaho. At 19 I went to Southern France where I served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It was also in Southern France where I met my amazing wife Lindsey who I have had the honor of being sealed to, for time and eternity, just over two-years ago. We just moved this last weekend from the Phoenix metropolitan area of Chandler to Flagstaff where Lindsey and I are going to school.

During the course of my many travels and life experiences, I continually find myself learning something new all the time. Life for me has been a tremendous educator that has taught me principles that have priceless value. So in writing this blog I will share the things that I have learned, as well as the things I am learning, in hope of reaching out to you, the reader, to gain a different point-of-view, a greater knowledge or insight on a topic or subject, or simply another opinion. Ultimately, I hope that what you find in my blogs might help you in those times when "its not easy" and for those who can relate, I hope these things bring a smile or a good laugh. The first thing that I will share from my personal wisdom, "You have to laugh at life, or life will laugh at you!"