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Intros
Oct 6, 2012 9:04:58 GMT -8
Post by lovemyipad on Oct 6, 2012 9:04:58 GMT -8
New friend or old friend, share a little about yourself and your Apple/AAPL experience...
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Intros
Oct 6, 2012 14:05:32 GMT -8
Post by kpas1 on Oct 6, 2012 14:05:32 GMT -8
Been lurking around AFB for awhile. Joined so I could continue to lurk painlessly on Proboards. I am active on aapltrader99's forum and chat room.
I have been in AAPL for about a year. Otherwise a conservative, mutual fund, balanced portfolio guy. My AAPL options trading is a hobby, Vegas-style, i.e., not a lot of $$. Got interested in calendar spreads, which is now my "specialty" after a lot of research and a year of experience. Don't see them discussed much over here on AFB. If anyone is interested, I can tell you what I think I know. Like the new setup and active conversation!
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Post by PikesPique on Oct 6, 2012 14:57:24 GMT -8
Well, I began life as a small child...
I began investing via an investment club with co-workers back around 1997 or so. After a year or so of that, I opened a small brokerage account and proceeded to make all the usual mistakes. After a few years of that, I bought some AAPL (at about 6.44 split adjusted), watched it drop half its value, waited for it to recover and sold enough shares to cover my initial investment. After the split, I had 200 shares left, which went on to give me huge gains (over 9000%) when I sold this summer around $600. I really wish I held on to all those original shares.
But, not to fret. I continued buying shares at various prices and made money on all those common shares. I also began selling covered calls on the shares about 8-10 years ago. Then, I began buying DITM LEAPS. Made good returns on those and kept reinvesting in AAPL. So far, so good. Just recently began trading spreads. I'm hoping those work out even better than the LEAPS.
I retired once before at 48, but after AAPL went down to the 70s in 2008, I decided to go back to work vs. selling any of my AAPL at a loss to pay bills. Glad I did. Had a good time working full time the last few years and just recently dropped to less than half-time again in April. My portfolio recovered and then some. I won't discuss the amount, but suffice it to say it is currently about 240% higher than it was prior to the 2008 crisis. Thank you, Apple! (I do have a smattering of other stocks, too.)
I got a BA in Psychology and worked for many years doing everything other than psychology. I spent a number of years in the food service / restaurant business. Too much work, too little money. I went back to school and got a MS in Computer Science.
I have worked for over 25 years as a software developer, mostly on government contracts. I enjoy the intellectual challenges. Which is also why I enjoy poker and investing/trading.
I'm also very interested in science and try to obtain some understanding of various scientific fields. I consider myself an informed and curious layman. I particularly enjoy physics. I guess I'm a geek.
I live in Colorado. I'm not a native but got here as fast as I could! (1989). I was an Air Force brat and have been overseas a few times. We moved an average of once every two years, so it's been nice to settle down.
I plan on dying a very old man.
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Post by Lstream on Oct 6, 2012 15:09:47 GMT -8
Well here goes,
Went against the grain, and bought my department 512K Macs when they first came out. Paid the price for Steve Jobs hating fans. They kept popping power supplies at the worst possible time. But the GUI, and the first Image Writers were clearly revolutionary. I thought I was in heaven when the first Laser Writer came out. It made the business plan for my first startup look awesome.
When I started my first company, we tried to run the whole place on Mac"s but began to lose that battle, due to Windows dominance. I started to buy crap like Sony Vaio's.
A few years later after I started and sold my second company, I was in San Jose. A colleague was in love with the first iPod. Steve had been back a few years by then, and at the time the stock was $15 or so. There was $12 in cash so I bought some. Figured if the company could incite that kind of passion, then maybe it was worth a flyer. That was in 2002. There was one split after that. I still have those shares.
Until 5 years or so ago, I was purely a PC guy. Built my own machines even. Then I got a nasty virus that brought my productivity to a halt for over a week. I switched back to Mac when they went Intel and virtualization became possible. That was my bridge back to Windows apps, which I still required.
On the business side, I am in my third company now, and things have kind of come full circle. Our business is in the mobility space. We build our own hardware devices. But in spite of that, I chose to bet the company's future on iOS. About a month ago we had our first app approved by Apple. Sometime in 2013, we will also start shipping an iPhone and iPad accessory. In company #1 we were forced off of Apple. Now with Apple dominating with iOS, they are now the gorilla that cannot be ignored. Used to be Microsoft.
Discovered AFB a couple of years ago. You guys got me into playing Apple options about a year ago.
Apple has been a big part of my life since 2002. When Steve passed last year, it almost made me sick. I think part of it is because I have some appreciation for just how hard it is to build something from nothing. But he went from nothing to the world's most valuable company. I remain awestruck at this accomplishment. I also identify with him, because we are almost the exact same age.
Unlike all the clowns in the Blogosphere (Henry, you idiot - are you listening?), I don't think Apple is anywhere near peaking. I look forward to Apple being my core holding for years to come.
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Post by Lstream on Oct 6, 2012 15:12:14 GMT -8
Pikes - I play poker too. Cash games when I can, not tournaments.
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Intros
Oct 6, 2012 16:16:54 GMT -8
Post by Tetrachloride on Oct 6, 2012 16:16:54 GMT -8
Since the Mac SE came available, I've been a Mac fan. Even including the 1980's and 1990's, the majority of my computer work was done on Macs. Exclusively Mac since 2000.
My next app has been restarted in spirit. Much better connections than before. Apple GUI is fundamental to its success.
I've been online in the Mac community since Jan 2001, being active in AFB for a few years now.
It did take me a while to get used to separating chart and intraday talk from longer term methods.
LEAPS are my main style of investing for the near term.
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Mav
Member
[img style="max-width:100%;" alt=" " src="http://www.forumup.it/images/smiles/simo.gif"]
Posts: 10,784
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Intros
Oct 6, 2012 16:51:54 GMT -8
Post by Mav on Oct 6, 2012 16:51:54 GMT -8
In the stock market for over a decade.
Starting trading AAPL around 10 years ago. Began holding AAPL more recently.
Mac user since the IIe. Looking forward to the iPhone 5.
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Intros
Oct 6, 2012 17:41:54 GMT -8
Post by stkstalker on Oct 6, 2012 17:41:54 GMT -8
Started investing in the early 90's with DRIPs and consolidated all my investments in a discount brokerage in '96. I was hourly, so I lived on my check and invested all my overtime and started an IRA. I also contributed 15% before match into a 401k. Discovered the joy of margin accounts right before the dot com bubble exploded all over me. Lost 85% of my investments (only thing left was my 401k and a small IRA). I was the proverbial deer in the headlights as my account suffered repeated margin calls. I thought I was soooo smart and investing was sooo easy. I was so far in denial I didn't file my taxes for 3 years! I just did not want to look at it. When IRS got pushy, I faced up to my debacle and with the help of an accountant, got everything fixed in short order. I had lost so much money that I was owed money back for the three years so no penalties. I can still claim $3K each year on my taxes for the next 15 years. I continued to sock my money into my 401k and IRA and worked myself into a salaried job (had to take some classes on my own dime because the company would not pay for them) and started a Roth IRA when they became available. I built up a stake and bought my first shares of AAPL at $80. I had several other stocks at the time, but as AAPL climbed, I sold under performing stocks and re-invested in AAPL. As I became more knowledgable about AAPL, I sold the rest of my stocks and put it in AAPL on pullbacks. I changed jobs in 2006 and rolled my 401k into my IRA and bought AAPL. My new job allowed the Roth 401k with a self directed brokerage and I put everything I could into AAPL. I was now contributing 20% before taxes and match. Upon seperation last year, I rolled my accounts into my Roth and traditional IRA and remained invested in AAPL. I have even transferred (paying the taxes) a good chunk from my IRA to the Roth. I did not feel the need or desire to continue my career (material and production planning for a electronic contract manufacturer and for a defense contractor) so I have been sort of retired for a year - mostly just trading and learning about options and living a low-key lifestyle. If something gets my interest, I will go back to work, but otherwise, I seem to have some time on my hands. I could make as much now with a 5% annual return as I did drawing a check, but I figure AAPL still has a few great years left so I am going for more. I still have an aggressive risk tolerance, but in my Roth, I will be building a core dividend stock holding going forward with some AAPL options for growth. I have attended a WSOP boot camp and terrorize my homies at the cash game. My golf game sucks , but i enjoy the walk (or ride). Learning to cook - took a one week boot camp at the CIA. Maybe do a more traveling next year. I am a believer in self responsibility and that we end up in life as a direct result of the decisions we make. I also think we should extend a hand to those whose decisions were not well made.
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Intros
Oct 6, 2012 17:50:19 GMT -8
Post by cambrose on Oct 6, 2012 17:50:19 GMT -8
Started programming on a TRS-80 Color Computer in 1980. Moved up through the CoCo 2 and CoCo 3. Was in heaven when the newspaper I worked for purchased a Mac SE and Linotronic in 1987. Bought my first Mac, a IIvx, in 1992. Now own at least one of pretty much everything Apple makes.
Studied Honours Physics for a couple years and then switched to something a little more practical... a BSc in Electrical Engineering. Have worked as a hardware/software developer and jack of all trades IT support for 22 years.
I am also a part-time recording studio operator, part-time professional musician, part-time semi-pro photographer and full-time grandpa to two awesome little boys.
Bought my first shares of AAPL in 1997, converted my entire RRSP portfolio to AAPL in 2003, and just started purchasing options (thanks to this board) April of this year. Not a very smart options trader yet, but learning more every day.
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Post by PikesPique on Oct 7, 2012 6:52:25 GMT -8
Lstream and stkstalker, I've begun a series of "Poker as Analogue to Trading" posts in the Lessons Learned thread. Feel free to jump in.
I've played both tournament and cash games, which can be very different. I enjoy both.
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Intros
Oct 7, 2012 7:04:13 GMT -8
Post by PikesPique on Oct 7, 2012 7:04:13 GMT -8
I am a believer in self responsibility and that we end up in life as a direct result of the decisions we make. I also think we should extend a hand to those whose decisions were not well made. I totally agree. One of my goals is to become wealthy enough to be able pay my way without help from anyone (Social Security, Medicare, health insurance, charity, etc). Of course, if it's still available, I'll take the SocSec, etc. I just don't ever want to rely on it. And I do pay for and use health insurance, I just want to have enough so I can foot the bill for 100% of my health care costs, if I have to. I also believe in helping my family and friends and to support my charities. In honor of my mother, I give annually to the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer research ( www.lustgarten.org), a worthy organization in which 100% of donations goes to research, with Cablevision paying all the admin and fund raising costs.
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Intros
Oct 7, 2012 10:56:30 GMT -8
Post by Luckychoices on Oct 7, 2012 10:56:30 GMT -8
This is an updated response, from 10/19/11, to the thread Xtra started in our previous venue titled, "My first AAPL investment". ==================== I apologize in advance for the length of this account. Writing about my first investment in Apple turned into an accounting of all of my investing(primarily in Apple) over the last 15-20 years.
My direction towards investing in Apple was set when, in 1987, my 17 year old son convinced my wife and I to consider buying a Macintosh SE(with the 9 inch screen) instead of the PC Clone we intended to buy. After watching a Mac SE demo from a co-worker (My wife and I worked at the same company) we bought an SE and since then it's been only Apple computers(and iPods, iPhones) in our home. From before we were married in 1986 my wife and I had each put the maximum into our yearly IRAs and bought many different mutual funds from many different companies: T. Row Price, American Century, etc. As the years went by we became very unhappy with the low performance of our IRAs and with our 401Ks. In fact, one year when wanted to fund our IRAs, we went with Money magazine's top rated fund from the previous year. That fund turned our $2000 IRAs into $800 rather quickly. With the start of the Tech Boom, we put a great deal of our savings into several stocks that seemed to be very strong: Sun Microsystems, Ariba, Home Depot, Cisco, JDSU, Nokia and of course, Apple. When theTech Crash came, we lost over $100,000. After several months licking our financial wounds I finally suggested to my wife that we consolidate the remnants of our investments into the stock of a company we were comfortable with and whose products we used, Apple. This decision was based solely on our experience with Apple computers and it established our future investing pattern. When Apple seemed to be stabilizing and establishing a positive direction, we moved all of our IRAs to one financial location, Charles Schwab, and converted all the mutual fund money into Apple stock. I then discovered that our company allowed employees over 50 years of age to move 75% of their 401K into a self-managed Account. I did that ASAP, bought Apple and then lobbied my wife to do the same. She was OK about doing the self-managed account but balked at buying nothing but Apple with it. She put half into Apple and considered moving the rest into something safer like a Fidelity Fund. Several months later, she relented, the second half went into Apple and we officially, in spite of all the cautions from experts, had "all our eggs in one basket". By 2008-2009, when the subprime mortgage crisis, recession and Wall Street panic took Apple from just under $200 down to around $80, we had accumulated a little under 20,000 shares. Day by day as we watched the stock price slowly drop I was not smart enough to sell our IRA and 401K stock to prevent the steady decline of our investments. My unwavering faith in Apple prevented me from seeing that the economy was going to take down everything. If I was even smart enough to sell when the stock was around $160/share, I would have been smart enough to buy back close to $80/share when the stock finally bottomed out and started to recover. When I retired in 2008 I was able to roll over my 401K and use the other 25% of my 401K money to bump our Apple stock totals up to 24,650 shares (Note: This includes my wife's 401K rollover) which is where it is today. We have additional Apple shares in two other dedicated Charles Schwab accounts: 137 in a car fund and 665 in a home remodel fund, but I don't count them because they'll be sold when needed. In December of 2010 we were able to pay off our mortgage, so now that my wife has joined me in retirement(at 55 years old), we are making do with our two monthly retirement checks and my monthly Social Security check. Except for the two dedicated accounts mentioned, we plan to continue to hold tight to our Apple shares for several more years, even though the periodic wild fluctuations are, at times, nerve wracking. Our least expensive Apple stock purchase was 485 shares @$7.45/share on 12/22/00 and our most expensive per share purchases were 100 shares @ $380.70 on 12/16/11 and 50 shares @ $608.42 on 04/17/12.
These are the lucky choices we made over the past 25 years: 1. Became Apple computer users in 1987 2. Consolidated our Tech Crash remnants into Apple shares (~ 2003) 3. Converted our IRA investments from many Mutual Funds to Apple shares (~ 2003) 4. Used a self-managed portion(75%) of our 401K to buy Apple shares (~ 2004) 5. Held long term
I'm at our new site(Thank you, lovemyipad) daily to peruse the postings from it's members and it helps me remain positive regarding Apple's future. I'm occasionally tempted to get into options trading but that quickly passes when I remember that we've greatly benefited from luck as investors not skill as traders. As with most on this board, Steve Jobs passing was a very sad event for my wife and I. We've watched as his leadership and brilliance brought Apple to where it is today. Until a few years ago, each January brought the excitement of Macworld Expo in San Francisco and the anticipation of one more thing from Steve. Apple has created amazing products that we use daily and Apple stock has provided us extraordinary financial security in retirement_far beyond anything we could have reasonably expected or imagined. And even after the stock's latest unwarranted drop, after 09/21/12, I'm very optimistic about Apple's future.
====================
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Intros
Oct 19, 2012 18:23:09 GMT -8
Post by rezonate on Oct 19, 2012 18:23:09 GMT -8
Came over from the old AFB site. Several people here will remember me from both meet-ups in Las Vegas. Looking forward to the next one, whenever and wherever.
So, how is this board attracting new users? At the old site at least there was other traffic driving new perspectives by the board. That's how I found it. I'd hate for this place to become an echo chamber.
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Mav
Member
[img style="max-width:100%;" alt=" " src="http://www.forumup.it/images/smiles/simo.gif"]
Posts: 10,784
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Intros
Oct 19, 2012 19:03:43 GMT -8
Post by Mav on Oct 19, 2012 19:03:43 GMT -8
Echo chamber? (Echo? Echo? Echo?)
What do you mean? (Mean? Mean? Mean?)
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Intros
Oct 19, 2012 19:10:19 GMT -8
Post by mbeauch on Oct 19, 2012 19:10:19 GMT -8
Came over from the old AFB site. Several people here will remember me from both meet-ups in Las Vegas. Looking forward to the next one, whenever and wherever. So, how is this board attracting new users? At the old site at least there was other traffic driving new perspectives by the board. That's how I found it. I'd hate for this place to become an echo chamber. Rez, I am sure most here remember you.
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benoir
fire starter
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Posts: 1,314
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Intros
Oct 22, 2012 5:16:39 GMT -8
Post by benoir on Oct 22, 2012 5:16:39 GMT -8
I'm also from the old AFB. Although not a strong poster I was an avid lurker! I was going to become more active at TMO then things all went pear shaped. I am very glad to see all these familiar names gathering here as it has been a great source of quality info and sentiment. Hi mbeauch above me! Anyway I have been long all the way since just after the crash in 2000 and have acquired along the way. In fact I have made the very bold decision to jump in again today. However being long I am not too worried about the likely turbulence ahead. I'm from the Antipodes which is another reason I am long - far too hard to trade from this far away.
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Post by mbeauch on Oct 22, 2012 5:18:56 GMT -8
Hello Benoir, it has been a long time. Welcome
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benoir
fire starter
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Posts: 1,314
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Intros
Oct 22, 2012 5:29:29 GMT -8
Post by benoir on Oct 22, 2012 5:29:29 GMT -8
you're looking well mbeauch alas bed time for me.. when I wake up I want you and the rest of you lot to have driven AAPL back over $700, but just let my broker buy in first!
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Intros
Oct 22, 2012 17:19:16 GMT -8
Post by jdrizzo89 on Oct 22, 2012 17:19:16 GMT -8
23 years old. Starting investing around start of 2011. Started out rough but ended my first year up 30% using only shares with a little margin. Had an up and down year so far with the last apple dropping hurting me a decent amount because i recently started to solely trade in apple with mostly leaps/a few month out calls. Also have a small real estate investment. Military background. Thanks for all the positive discourse!
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Intros
Oct 22, 2012 18:13:48 GMT -8
Post by mbeauch on Oct 22, 2012 18:13:48 GMT -8
you're looking well mbeauch alas bed time for me.. when I wake up I want you and the rest of you lot to have driven AAPL back over $700, but just let my broker buy in first! Why thank you, Lovey brought my mug shot over. ;D
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Intros
Nov 12, 2012 14:13:40 GMT -8
Post by bribery on Nov 12, 2012 14:13:40 GMT -8
23 years old. Been lurking in both this and the past AFB. Have learned a lot, won a lost and lost a lot over the past year and a half. I'm not an active poster because I am merely learning from the experienced traders. I'm hoping I will learn more about trading once I finish college, to hopefully make this a side income. Meanwhile, I run a wee online company and waste its proceedings in options.
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Intros
Nov 12, 2012 17:20:29 GMT -8
Post by qualitywte on Nov 12, 2012 17:20:29 GMT -8
Hello All,
I'm originally from rural western NC, worked in the engineering/construction field all over the USA during my career which continues and I'm currently in Los Alamos, NM.
Loved Macs in the early nineties, but gradually converted to PCs at work and home but kept my eye on Apple as a company and was inspired/impressed at their resilience and re-surgance with the iPod. Always admired Steve Jobs and was rooting for him when he came back to Apple.
Around 2006, I thought Macs could become mainstream again because of their ability to run Windows programs on Macs. Also, about that time my kids were big iPod fans and I noticed how their whole generation chose iPods over the cheaper MP3 players.
I started investing in AAPL about the time the original iPhone was released. Mostly do spreads and leaps now. I feel the fundamentals will continue to be strong for the foreseeable future, so I am holding my positions thru the current downturn.
I was on AFB1 for a couple years, and glad we landed here after that debacle on the other board. I'm very thankful for the perspective and input I glean from this board. Hope we can continue and hope we're over $1000 by 2014!
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