What's your profession?

HRL · 16 November 2006

Re: What do you do? (9 to 5)

Hi Dhukka,

I hear what you're saying about resources v tech boom but I think there is much more foundation to resources (pardon the pun) than there ever was for techs. Tech stocks were insanely inflated relative to what they were doing and the true value of the companies (assets,revenues etc.)... a few geeks in a garage creating a website is suddenly worth a billion dollars... hmmm, I don't think so. Resources have much more real-world value. Especially with India, China & UAE charging ahead and screaming out for infrastructure. Australia is one of the countries best positioned to take advantage. But as always diversity in your investments and a generally cautious approach is best for longterm prosperity. I'm sure Warren Buffett sees himself more as a conservative investor than a gambler and he's done pretty well for himself.

Teaching English in Thailand sounds like fun. Been seeing a Spanish girl lately who did it for a few months earlier this year and loved it but suffered with the pay rates also and had to pull the pin. Made me laugh when I first heard the story... Spaniard teaching English in Thailand. Would have loved to sit in on a couple of the lessons!

Hayden

dhukka · 16 November 2006

Re: What do you do? (9 to 5)

Hi HRL,

I agree there are plenty of differences, commodity prices have run remarkably over the past 5 years and seem to be well supported by the fundamentals. It's the similarities that bother me. I hear a lot of talk about 'potential' and 'upside' but not much evidence of cashflow or profits. Share prices running or retreating on the smallest piece of news for example about how far they've drilled a hole into the ground. Speculators jumping from one stock to next trying to find the next 'big thing.' The worst part is the mindless often hysterical chatter that goes on about these speculative stocks. 95% is just plain nonsense. It all sounds eerily familiar to someone who was in the thick of the internet wave. Makes for interesting reading though.

There was a time when if you had a white face you could get a job teaching pretty much anywhere in Thailand. They've been clamping down recently and only want qualified teachers now which is a good thing considering some of the dregs that end up working there. Good fun, thoroughly recommend it for anyone who wants to take a year or two out from the rat race

bigdog · 16 November 2006

Re: What do you do? (9 to 5)

Married 35 years with three grown up children.

I retired in March 2006 after working 39 years for the one company as Manager.
-- Accountant, Financial Analyst, System Analyst, loved creating database applications and can do just about anything.

The last 10 years of my employment required extensive overseas travel. For the past five years, I was an ex-pat working in Thailand, which was a great assignment where I spent about 70% of my time traveling to UK, South Africa, India, Asia, Japan, Korea, Australia and NZ.

During the 90’s I was involved in setting up the accounting and internal controls for new entities in Asia and India. During the 80,s I spent time creating on-line mainframe applications to replace batch systems or new systems.

Got really involved in the stock market in January this year as my intention was to set up self managed super fund. Returned to Melbourne in May 2006 and my super is now in a managed super fund where I do not have to worry about trading.

My wife has a substantial portfolio of bluechips, midcaps and a few spekkies.

I do have a decent portfolio and for the past three weeks, I have spent much of the day in front of the computer. In the last two weeks I have spent a lot more time using the AussieStockForum, which I have found to be a world class site with quality articles written by the members.

I am also a HC member, but this site has too much dribble. There are simply too many members inputting rubbish!

My wife arrives home from overseas tomorrow, so things may change and right now I need to clean our residence before picking her up.

To all you members, congratulations and continue to keep up your great postings. Also, thank you very much for your your feedback to my notes.

John the Bigdog

Junior · 16 November 2006

Re: What do you do? (9 to 5)

This is my first post on these forums.

I am 23 years old and work as a Paraplanner in Melbourne, I am now completing the final unit of the DFP at Securities Institute. In august last year I established a personal loan and a margin loan to invest in primarily blue chip stocks.

HRL · 16 November 2006

Re: What do you do? (9 to 5)

Hi Bill, What's a Paraplanner exactly? And hows the margin loan/bluechip position working for you after the first year? Hayden

YOUNG_TRADER · 16 November 2006

Re: What do you do? (9 to 5)

Interesting group of people on these forums,

I'm a 40 year old fair skinned blond haired escort, any takers? :

Sean K · 16 November 2006