Walking Down Wall Street

Wall Street. One of the most important and well known areas of America. Wall Street is home to the Nasdaq and New York Stock Exchanges. It is said by many people that Wall Street is the economic backbone of America that supports not only Americans, but also millions of people all over the world. People who live in the U.S., as well as the hundreds of millions of people in the international economic community, rely on the status of both Stock Exchanges because this is what determines the economic value of everything in the U.S including businesses, products, and services. These economic factors also effect many other markets and exchanges all over the world. 

Many people are often overwhelmed at how to even go about becoming a part of the people who finance their incomes through the using of these markets. The starting processes are relatively simple, however, there is a lot of information that must be obtained by each and every individual before investing in any market in order to make successful gains. 

The first thing that needs to be determined is the financial goals, or what you want your investments to be used for. For example, if an individual wants to create a retirement fund, they may want to look into a Roth or Traditional IRA. And if an individual wants to find another source of income, then they might want to not only educate themselves on traditional stock trading, but also options trading. One of the most wonderful things that are available through the development of technology is that there are many different programs that teach and instruct various individuals on what would be the best option for their financial goals. 

In starting in the world of finance, an individual must have a few things in order to get started. What these materials typically consist of are 1. A Checking Account, and 2. Some form of identification like a passport, drivers license, or a state issued ID to prove your identity and/or citizenship. Once these are obtained, the next step is to open a stock account through a brokerage firm. Some of the most common online brokerage firms are E*Trade, TD Ameritrade, Scottrade, Fidelity, Options House, and Charles Schwab. Each and every one of these brokerage firms essentially have the same amount of access in the ability to make trades on various markets. The defining factor, for many individuals is the price per trade, or transaction, regardless of the amount of shares bought or sold, or the totaling amount.  that is initiated by the individual. The costs per trade can vary from $4.95 up to $9.99. I personally use E*Trade ($9.99 per transaction) for my retirement fund, and I use TradeKing ($4.95 per transaction) for my more frequent trading. 

Some of these online brokerage firms have software programs that help educate new and experienced investors alike in how to invest in the market using a variety of tactics. And as one would assume, the higher priced brokerage firms offer better state-of-the-art tools to help individuals stay more informed on the news for various companies as they make decisions to buy and sell stocks and options. Some stock brokerage firms also offer a software program for individuals who are new to the market to learn about different operations, without having to deal with a large risk. Through my research in market education, Dough.com has proven, to me, as one of the most effective and user friendly software platforms for stock education. This particular software uses TD Ameritrade as their "preferred" stock trading broker for their program. I personally regard TD Ameritrade as being one of the best stock brokers for having the best tools for investors. 

Below are some of the links for the websites that are mentioned in this blog. Please feel free to check them out! Please post any questions or comments in the box below. Good Luck!!!

Dough

TD Ameritrade

E*Trade 

TradeKing


Disclaimer: This writer is not paid nor represents any company expressed in the above statements, nor has any personal affiliations with any of these parties. All investments are considered as risk, at which any investment can and does result as financial loss. The writer does not assume responsibility for any financial decisions made by any individual who considers any of the information given, or views that are expressed. Any of the statements or views expressed by the writer are opinion only, and is not to be interpreted as actual fact, nor as any type of advisement. Any reproduction or usage of this text is strictly prohibited unless otherwise permitted by the author in writing.

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!"