Friday, April 17, 1998

How I Became a Foolish Investor
By [email protected] ([email protected])

Once upon a time, (not so long ago... like six months), I avoided any information that had the word invest in it. It was the great unknown and as far as I was concerned, it could stay that way. But then the big "Four-Oh" was looming just a few years away and I started to think to myself, "Hmmmm. Maybe I should try to go out there in the great unknown and see if I can find out more information about investing."

So one day, as I was online, checking out my favorite bookstore Amazon.com, I came across a book with two funny looking guys with funny looking hats swinging on a sign post with the title You Have More Than You Think. So I said to myself: if these two foolish looking characters think that they know what I have, then I'll give it a try.

It was a dark and stormy El Nino night when I decided to pick up the book with the two Foolish looking guys on the cover. I found myself grinning as I read about the Lottery, and actually laughed when I got into the section on Mutual Funds. I thought to myself (as my lazy Lab looked at me in a strange and concerned way), "This isn't so bad after all. Maybe I should try to take my money that has been sitting in the savings account and open an account with a discount broker."

But I was still afraid... and alone. (And it was still raining! Hey, this is California. What's the deal?) So I ventured online and checked out www.fool.com and was amazed to find many other wannabe Fools out there asking the same questions I had bouncing around in my head. I even asked a few questions myself and was thrilled to have other kind Fools answer me.

A few days later, I opened an account with a discount broker that was receiving many great reviews on the "Discount Broker" board. I had finished the book, and even completed the workbook with yet again, the same two funny-looking guys on the front. I was ready!!! (With a few more kindly Fools gently encouraging me to just do it already!!!)

So I did. It was actually fun! Call me crazy but I can't wait to get home and see how my portfolio is doing. (I know, I know. I 'm in for the long haul but it sure is fun to watch my money actually doing something!) I'm maxing out my 401(k) and have even put off buying another car just so that I can put more of my money into stocks! (At work, I've started an investment club and now people are asking me questions about investing. Go figure!)

Well, the sun is finally out and I'm happier now having faced one of my biggest fears. In the immortal words of Nike, "Just Do It!"

-- A Happy Fool

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