Mike Anderson

I joined Wealthy Affiliate about a year ago. This membership site is operated by a couple of 26 year olds. I am 60. I had and have a lot to learn.
These guys are amazing.
This site has a long list of features which all turn into benefits for the members. Check it out at
http://hubpages.com/hub/wealthyaffiliatemembershipsite

I survived chemical engineering at Princeton University and emerged with a BSE in 1972, a lifetime ago. Then and for a couple of decades, I was professionally active in environmental issues and fresh water treatment. An area of my expertise.

More recently, I operated a subcontracting company which worked in the residual home industry in Metro Atlanta. It was necessary to become at least aware if not knowledgeable of the various trades and materials involved in the residential home industry. This is also an area of expertise.

With all the energy crisis activity today one would think that private companies and the government would be focused on three accomplishments:

-changing the transportation paradigm in the USA, by this I mean replace the internal combustion engine with a non polluting electric (or some other power alterative) engine. If the internal combustion engine must continue for now, then change the fuel to something which is renewable and non polluting. Let’s bite the bullet now and avoid a future of environment tragedy and non-renewable resource blackmail. Furthermore, let’s stop relying on foreign manufacturers. Although I am pro environment, we must be realistic when trying to compete in the world markets.

-change the power consumption paradigm in the USA, by this I mean stop burning non renewable fuel to produce power. Design power plants to be environmental friendly. Focus on wind, sun, tide and water power. Let’s stop kidding ourselves. Power consumption is going to rise not only with our population but also on a per person basis as technology explodes.

-finally, change the private housing paradigm in the USA. Stop encouraging city living. Stop encouraging home building which does not conserve water and energy.

I obviously have strong views about transportation and power. I do not have any business or technical experience in those fields.
Perhaps I can build eco-friendly houses for various income levels. With some business acumen, I am certain that suppliers would rush to contribute materials free or at favorable pricing if they were featured in the write up of the finished product – an ecology friendly house.

This is a super goal.
You can build your own financial wealth if you take a long view to stock ownership.
There is only one drawback and it is not the inherent risk associated with stock investments. It is not the roller coaster ride of the stock price.

The drawback is how you buy and sell the shares.
Who invented this industry. Billions, probably trillions of dollars are given to brokerage houses yearly.
I can only ask how do you get in a game like this.

You start an account at a brokerage house and put a significant cash deposit in your account.
A broker suggests you buy a stock – you pay and he gets a commission.
If the stock goes up, he suggests you sell and take a profit – you get money and he gets a commission. Then he suggests another stock and yes you pay and he gets a commission.
If the stock goes down, he suggests you sell and cut your losses – you get less money and he gets a commission. Then he suggests another stock so that you can recoup your losses and yes you pay and he gets a commission.
Does anyone else think this is the ultimate con game.

Track a stock guru or mutual fund and mirror their activity. Use one of the discount brokers or better yet buy the shares directly from the company treasury.

If you do not want to follow individual stocks, then buy the indexes of the markets – Dow, Nasdaq or S&P. Do not buy for short term.

Buy for long term and use tax shelters as feasible. Be careful of liquidity issues because the withdrawal penalties can be stiff.

I apologize for the rant, hope the advice helps.