Stock Market Expertise?

THE BEGINNING

I can answer that question in one word: "RESEARCH." Research is the only way to truly make a smart investment. And please, do not pay someone to do that research and then invest for you because they ultimately get paid while you get nothing except meager pennies on the dollar. I have always done my own research and often times there were some stocks that I wanted to invest into and didn't because I didn't get that feeling. The very first investment I ever made was actually into Apple Computers. I made that investment on February 18, 2004 and I remember it vividly. I was in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom 1 and I had just reelisted into the Army for another 6 years just a few days before. I went to the internet cafe and got online to check my bank account and my reenlistment bonus had just hit my account. I told my parents and my buddy that I was going to do something drastic and invest into Apple Computers, a statement to which they all said, "You are crazy!" Well, I tell you that because I want you to know what happened and why I did that... The story actually begins in December 2003.

THE PLOT THICKENS

I remember living in the barracks at Fort Bragg, NC and having to deal with all the craziness of 20-30 single soldiers and their habits. One such person, a Robert Stern, who was in my platoon, had just received an iPod for an early Christmas present and he showed it to me. He told me about all it did and how many songs it would hold. I noticed that it was a very sleek looking MP3 player and the user interface was incredible. As we looked it over and I felt the quality and listened to the sound quality, I told Rob, "Hey man... This is going to be big. Little did I know how right that feeling of mine was.

THE PEAK

Now, let's fast forward to February 16, 2004. I recall sitting on the internet in the internet cafe looking at Apple's company profile as well as the prices that the iPods were going for on local sites. As I looked over the numbers I thought to myself, with the trademark just being registered last year (2003), this thing will be hitting store shelves big time this Christmas. I just had this feeling that these things were going to fly off of shelves. So, at that point, I made up my mind to invest at least $1,000 into Apple Computers.

THE SEMI-CLIMAX

As the day drew nearer for me to get my bonus, my gut feeling and intuition kept yelling for me to go bigger with the investment. I was fighting the urge though, because I had always heard horror stories about people getting destroyed in the Stock Market. Well, intuition, my gut, and desire ruled out and out of "Go Big or Go Home..." I chose, "GO BIG;" To the tune of $10,000... All of my reenlistment bonus.

THE VERDICT

My father told me that I shouldn't do it but instead put the money into a savings account. Well, by the time he tried to talk some "reason" into me, I had already done it. Did I regret it? Maybe a little at first because of the fear of the unknown. However, all that changed in Christmas of 2004 as the stock jumped big time and the investment didn't seem so crazy at all anymore. Then, every Christmas since and every time Apple has introduced a new style of iPod, the revenue has soared and the stock along with it.

THE BIG FINISH

Today, after almost 6 years, Apple Stock has earned a whopping $159,246 turning my $10,000 investment into $169,246. So, you may be asking, "If I go with my gut, will I earn that much in that amount of time?" The truthful answer is, "I don't know... Anything is possible." I was a lucky one who was very blessed in that decision. That was the last investment I made up until about 2 months ago when I started getting those gut feelings again. These feelings weren't to do with the hot new thing on the market, but a major player in the market that had been faced with major hardships due to the economic downfall; Charter Communications. Charter Communications is currently going through Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and their plan for recovery and payment of the bankruptcy was just approved by the judge presiding over the case. Charter stock dropped from just under $5.00 per share over the past couple of years to just under $.02 per share now. Charter is the 3rd largest telecommunication giant in the US. Charter is going to be around as they are in league with Time Warner Cable on the East Coast of the US, I believe. With this, and the Chapter 11 closing out here soon, the stock will be back on the rise and I currently hold just over 5,000 shares that I got for an incredible $200 or so. Just think... 5,000 shares at $3.00 per share... $15,000 from a $200 or so investment... Can't beat that... Charter is primed to move and I believe it will be a big earner in the coming 2-3 years. Keep an eye on it and don't miss the boat.