The Dividend Investing Blog

The dollar has been on a roll over the past month. It has advanced 7.3% against the euro and is showing record strength against many other foreign currencies. This gain against the euro is the most since the euro first began circulation. At first glance, it would seem we are finally turning the US economy around. However, the fact of the matter is that the economies of other countries are starting to falter. Germany reported a decrease in business confidence in August which setoff a global earthquake for currency.

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This article originally appeared on The DIV-NET (July 27, 2008).

I adhere to the concept of dollar cost averaging by investing in my portfolio every month. The theory is that if you invest the same amount into a stock each month, then you reduce risk by spreading your investment out over time. You gain the advantage of buying more shares when the stock price lowers and less shares when the stock price rises.

I take this concept one step further buy adjusting my target investing percentages based on the stock price relative to the 52 week high and 52 week low. A spreadsheet helps me easily calculate my target percentages and investment amounts each month. One of the best free solutions for a spreadsheet is Google Docs. Not only is Google Docs easy to use, but they also have many useful functions for creating an Investment Calculator.

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The current news reports claim that Tropical Storm Fay will cross over Florida, exit into the Atlantic Ocean, gain strength, and then boomerang back to hit the Sunshine State again. Well the projected path of that second hit takes Fay right at me. Seeing this kind of storm wreak havoc is nothing new here in Florida and it made me think how Fay is a lot like the current stock market. Just when we think the market is going to start to crawl out of the abyss, wham! It turns around and smacks us in the face. I’m just thankful I’m not this guy, who tried to kite surf today in Tropical Storm Fay.

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I’m back. Sorry for the lay off but I was on vacation in the Smoky Mountains. We took a trip to Pigeon Forge and had a great time. I don’t care for the hustle and bustle of downtown, but the nature surrounding the place is awesome. I was able to go white water rafting for the first time. We also did some tubing down a mountain stream. Anyway, I highly recommend it.

I couldn’t post yesterday because I felt horrible by the time I arrived home from work. I went to the doctor today and he says what I think is a spider bite is merely an abscess. I think his diagnosis was based on the fact brown recluse spiders are not in Florida, but I informed him that I had been in the Smoky Mountains. He still says no way.

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