The past 12 months have been pretty hectic, both politically and financially and I am pleased that my own personal assets had a 9.5 % return. I am a Conservative Investor as well as a Political Conservative.
We are heavily invested in dividend paying stocks and will continue to be. The stocks go up and back down, but the dividends just keep on comin'.
My stock dividends have risen from 32-cents a couple of quarters ago to $3.20 last quarter so I am living high.
I'm not heavily invested in stocks any more at my age as I was some time ago but still get some decent dividends. Would be willing to raise my financial involvement, though, if there was a chance.
I wouldn't know where to start tbh Lon, to find someone trustworthy , but it's worth looking into.....it's comments like @Bill Boggs , that concern me.... I've heard the same from many others.
@Holly Saunders, In my opinion a Financial Planner can't do us any good. They're too busy to trying to make a living themselves to do much of anything for anyone except their most top investors.
That's my concern Bill. I don't have much but what I have I want to keep...much as I would like to make more on it.. I'm a little terrified of losing any of it...
The stock market is not for the faint of heart, nor for short-term investments. If you invest in blue chip solid performers and can handle the ups and downs, you will come out ahead in the long run. I started investing in the market over 30 years ago and it has paid off nicely. Until I retired, I rolled the dividends back into my holdings to buy more shares but now I get quarterly dividend payouts.
I'm with you Holly, I don't want to lose what I've got. I invested in my younger years and most always to someone's benefit other than my own. If you don't want to lose or can't afford to lose, stay out of the market has been my moto. I have enough to last me till the end of my days and leave a nice penny jar for the kids and I didn't do it in the market. The market has helped many and many have lost their shirt. If you're good at investing, go for it, if not, save what you can.