My Economic Stimulus Portfolio Update: Fully INvested

The $600 that prompted My Economic Stimulus is finally fully invested.

Here's My Economic Stimulus Portfolio Update: I spent the last $30 earlier this week on a low-priced stock. Can't beat $1.75 a pop. Hope it was worth it. Of course in this market, what was low-priced on Monday is even lower on Wednesday. Such is life right now.

I'm not going to worry about it for 2 reasons:

1. The market swings in cycles. What goes up, must come down. What goes down, must go up. Unless, of course, you're stepping off a building. No worries for me -- I live in a raised ranch and have no access to the roof.
2. The experts say there's no tried and true method for timing the market. Sure, everybody gets lucky sometimes. And even though my Dad reminds me, "It's better to be lucky than good," he and I both know the lucky gene belongs to my brother, John, not me. Good thing too since John, not me, fell off a second-story porch once. (My falls are usually from 5 feet, 5 inches or less.)

I plan to post My Economic Stimulus Update weekly. Here's what I picked for my portfolio, why and the "what now":

• EFJI - This is my most recent buy. The company develops secure communications for first responders and just got a $48 million contract from the Navy.
• GLW - I blogged about Corning recently after receiving a tender offer from a company wanting to unburden my portfolio. But at the price I bought, selling wasn't worth it. Since then, the price dipped. I bought a second batch. It dipped again. Yikes. But the big reasons I got into it (twice) are its corner on the LCD market the fact that its software was being used to help build greener cars, not because I have a stockpile of Corning glassware in my cabinets. People aren't buying flat panel TVs as much right now. Hopefully that will change around Super Bowl time ... maybe even if our house too.
• DLIA - Delia's was my pride and joy, mostly because it made me look like I could time the market. I researched it, followed the charts, and then bought it at 1.82. It shot up a few days later and hovered around $3 for a while. It was tempting to sell and make about $30. I held onto it. Now, like other retailers, the price has dipped. I'm hopeful it will rise again soon.
• MAR - Bought this because Smart Money Magazine rated it as a long-term gem. Still remains to be seen, thus the long-term tag. In this market, less people are traveling and staying in nice hotels. I'm considering a Super 8 for this weekend.
• ANSS - This was my first buy. It's a software company in Pittsburgh that helps a lot of big name companies get better products to market faster. Though it's slipped a bit since June, this stock is on a lot of Strong Buy lists.

All told, my $600 is worth about $387. It's less than a $171 loss (or dip) if you consider the $7 per trade I have paid to Scottrade to get this thing stimulated. Sphere: Related Content