But today, after months of watching my money dwindle and feeling hopeless about it--I followed the precepts of the Be Brave Project. Instead of sitting on the sidelines, I went in fighting. I called the Darget brothers who have my account at Smith Barney Chicago, and asked to speak to John. He wouldn't be in until 8.30, the posh-sounding male secretary said. But I could leave a message in voice mail. By 8.30 the market would already be open.
A year ago I would have said, "Oh. Oh, okay."
Today I said, "I do hope you're kidding me. I want to speak with one of those brothers before the market opens." And all of a sudden I was through to Andy, who could tell I was Pissed. Pissed with the lack of communication from them, pissed at that secretary. And within 30 seconds my order was given: Liquidate, except for 15% in Spider (SPY). It must be admitted I was acting on the advice of my aunt, who had a seat on the CBOE for decades.
Now I'm wishing I did this a few weeks back, when I could have better eaten the taxes, but it feels pretty goddamn good to have stopped that spiral. God only knows what's going to happen. Only thing I'd change about it is the use of the phrase, "I do hope. . ." That sounds like a 1930's matron making sure someone used the right recipe for cheese straws. But otherwise I feel quite proud.
And what if the market goes up? And I've just sold out, literally?
I sort of don't think that's going to happen. And if it does, I've learned a valuable lesson about steering your own damn ship. V. important.
Oddly enough, on Saturday night before I heard the rumblings about quiet weekend meetings on Wall Street and the Lehman deal collapsing, I was feeling pretty good about myself, financially--I'd just found out my credit rating went up 41 points.
No idea why, but it did.
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