Public "Education"

Driving home the other day, the thought started sitting heavily in my mind.
"What has happened to education, public education specifically. Why is it so bad? Why does it make us so unprepared for life? At the age of 22, I saw myself and many of my peers lacking the basic skills needed to simply survive. Basic technical skills, cooking, survival, money management, etc.

Immediately I became obsessed watching as many youtube videos, reading endless articles on how to build/repair things. While I admit I'm far from a master builder, I've come a long way in 2 years. It just amazes me that our school system taught us nothing. Growing up my parents would tell me how school would prepare them for certain skills, giving them a variety of classes that taught valuable skills needed to work everyday jobs. Nowadays school isn't like that. Instead they tell you what you need to become in the future and after cutting everything possible within the budget, supply the students with things they want them to learn. Not what the students want to learn.

Being a millennial myself, I fully admit I see our shortcomings at times. But I truly think a lot of it has to do with the public school system. It prepared us to do nothing but be a slave, working a 9-5 who needs material things we can't afford. They wont teach you how to manage your money but they'll damn sure tell a 16 year old to get a credit card as soon as possible and build their credit. As if they'll do so the right way without basic money managing skills..

In other words, they taught us to be debt ridden, 9-5 office job zombies. And I must admit, so far they're doing a pretty damn good job at it. Even though some can be entrepreneurs, I see a lot of my peers in debt, and if any of them have a job worth a damn it's an office job. Very few are good with their money, many of the guys can't do basic technical things and many of the women can't cook anything that doesn't go in a microwave. But hey, when we're grown up we'll just hire a cook and a repair man! Throw another charge on the monthly bill!

They truly have turned us into a dependant society. It's sad when a good amount of young people lack the basic skills to work because they weren't taught how to do so. Until we fix this issue, we'll continue falling behind as a country.

Broker Frustrations

Ah brokers...Gotta love em', right? (If they're good and don't nickel and dime you, you damn sure better)


I find myself in a position I'm sure many traders, investors have before. I feel as if I've been patient with my broker, but I'm about at my ticking point. When I find out brokers charge hidden fees, I'm about as surprised as I am seeing the sun rise. However when a broker can't give you an estimate on how those fees are structured, that's when I have a big problem.

See I made a mistake. Thinking I'd deal with my broker adding on "just a little bit" each time I was in a rude awakening to find out the more I made, the more they took. And whenever I lost, you better believe they were right there taking again. So after doing numbers I realized how much this stacked the odds against me. My wins are trimmed, losses are extra. Again I realize this is a common occurrence with brokers. However some "fluctuate" the fees while others are more straight forward.

Add to the fact their website is often laggy, charts delayed, and you realize you're not just fighting the market but the broker as well. For my readers out there, let this be another lesson in the long list of bad broker experiences.

I'm currently looking into new brokers, preferably one that caters more to day traders without robbing them blind. Wish me luck!

The Bipolar Bull

So have you heard? The sky is falling, stock market is crashing, oil is gone, Micheal Jackson came back from the dead, etc.

In other words, people are running for the exits because they think the party is over. While I'm sure the Bull is not running forever, I think he still has some steam left in him. If it wasn't for oil, stocks wouldn't be taking the hits they are. But that's been 2014 for you, external factors have constantly effected this market, almost making it bipolar in a sense.

This whole year the market has gone up, but truth be told it has gone up and although briefly, it has went down. A good bull market is a more consistent ride to the top, this year has been anything but. If your rich, you've survived. For the little guy, it's hard to see a 20,000 dollar investment go up and down constantly which is why a lot have pulled out.

If oil doesn't crash and stabilizes at this price range couple with a strong earnings in Q1, the market will pop once again. Now if oil slides more and companies report smaller profits with a smaller outlook going forward, this bull may indeed be running out of steam. But we'll see. 

Oil has been fighting to stabilize itself at this price, and this week its made a strong effort of doing so. As a result, stocks are going back up again. I would keep my eye on bullish plays folks. I'll do my research and see what I can pull up for suggestions.

Watching Commodity Prices Like a Hawk

No, this isn't another panic blog declaring we're in the middle of a market crash.

However I am a bit skeptical on the analysts saying the Bull Market is still running. The global economy is slowing, and if you think that doesn't matter and corporate America will make it up back home think again. Corporations make over 40% of their revenue overseas. Having that slow is going to effect growth.

By now everyone is aware of oil's decline. But people haven't paid as much attention to commodities as a whole. They're all falling, and that's not good. It hurts the stock market, but more importantly these huge industries will end up cutting jobs if it's serious enough. Add to the fact the fed conveniently decides to end QE (which effects people getting loans, credit cards, etc.) While people shouldn't depend on these things, a lot of people do. When these income sources get cut off rents don't get paid and business slow down.

 The market could be in a "reset" or the Bull could be running out of steam. More then stock prices, I'm watching commodities and paying attention to global headlines.

Market Updates

OK, update for the morning..

Going over my latest calls (MSFT, SBUX)
SBUX popped the day I called it but took a hit yesterday. As always, playing it at an all time high is for those looking to ride the wave real quick then get out before the wipe out. Risk taking 101. Personally, I got out yesterday simply due to the fact the stock was already at a high.

MSFT - I still like this company's outlook. They too took a hit on Tuesday but I'd keep my eye on it.

*Todays stock*
HCA -  This is a hospital stock, and most folks know hospital stocks are more of a defensive play. This market volatility is brutal for everyone involved, so going for these types of stocks are a smart choice. HCA has a solid performance, a strong history as well. They're profitable..and last time I checked people will always be using health care. Keep your eye on it'

Monday Morning Market

How was every one's weekend? Hopefully good.

Alright, so lets talks market moves

I'm gonna go aggressive here, so if you're not into taking risks this might not be the best way for you to go.

#1 Starbucks (SBUX)
This stock is at an all time high, and I think it has a little gain left in it. Swinging the stock for a couple of weeks could make you some nice profits. There is very few things this company is doing wrong. In fact the only concern I have is with rival Dunkin Donuts expanding more out west. But other than that, this stock is a bull that's ready to run.

#2 American Airlines (AAL)
Oil going lower is driving up profits. Add to the fact you have increased revenue from all the holiday travel and it makes perfect sense for airline stocks to continue to go up. AAL has been a straight bull and I think there's more pop left in this stock.

#3 Darden (DRI)
I'm watching this one closely, I'd suggest doing the same. Darden was having an stagnant year but now the stock is in breakout mode.

Again..Whenever stocks are in breakout mode big gains are possible as well as big losses. Make these moves at your own risk.
                                                                   Good Luck!

Friday Updates

Well how was today's trading for everyone?

I hope you guys liked those NFLX and AMZN short calls, I know I did.

Over the weekend I tend to do heavy research on more swing oriented plays. You can play these for a day or for a long swing, whatever you prefer..So anyways so far tonight here's what I'm thinking...

Microsoft could be a nice long play for the Bulls...
This company is approaching all time high stock prices people..In fact I think we not only see a return to 50 but possibly a bit above.
#1..You know MSFT is profitable, that goes without saying. But did you know they're starting to gain market share? Their latest surface model is really doing well sales wise and its given the company a mark in an area it desperately needed. Also, by forcing it users to ditch Windows XP, MSFT has made sure its latest version of Windows will do well in 2015. Add to the fact PC sales are picking up (the majority still using windows..and a large majority at that) and it makes perfect sense. MSFT could be a nice bullish trade for the next month (you can scalp it during the day as well). I would keep my eye on it..Just sayin'.

I'm still short on Oil stocks..XOM, CVS these could be nice shorts here to make a pretty penny. What to do with those profits? REINVEST WHEN OIL GOES UP!!

With cheap oil comes better profits for Airlines..keep your eyes on AAL, DAL, JBLU, HA

Morning Stocks Update

Hopefully you all got a piece of that Amazon and Netflix short..

Saudi Arabia lowered the price of crude over night so I'm hoping oil could be a nice short?

Airline stocks look promising...Keeping my eyes on Jet Blue (JBLU)

Black Gold Is On The Move and More...

So by now you've heard all about Oil, and you're probably loving the low fuel prices. If you're an investor you're also probably wondering what the hell is going on with the economy. Well, I'm obviously no expert but this is just my opinion based on charts, and I'll also tell you how I'd play the recent oil volatility...

#1...This chart is scary for obvious reasons. It shows just how much oil is sliding and how long its been since this kind of slide has occurred. However there is a diamond hidden in the rough. For the smart investor, this is a golden opportunity.

"Buy low and sell high"

Idea -If oil is in for a big slide, I would go for a short. Make some money while riding oil's down turn. Once things start looking up, take your profits and then invest in the oil bull market. This could be some time away if oil doesn't show some life soon.

So today I'm looking at the Nasdaq...I see some potential shorts here.

AMZN - all week it has been going down and I think this could hit another 2 point loss today. I'm hoping for an early dip from 316 to somewhere in the 314.80's

NFLX - I'm looking for a short going from 350 to 345

***BUY STOCKS AT YOUR OWN RISK! Always do your own homework before investing a penny, good luck!***