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FRED W. WRIGHT JR.Debbie Cencer: 51, material analyst, New Port Richey
Q. How did you get started in investing?
When I was with a local firm, we started an investment club. I joined through that. That was back in 1998.
Q. What is your best investment so far?
Jabil stock. It has out-performed over the long haul.
Q. What is your worst investment so far?
I would have to say ABR, no longer in business. It was a local company that did workers' comp, COBRA as an outsourcing. I got in on the upswing, and it seemed like, the day I got in, the bottom fell out.
Q. What have you learned that you think other investors should know?
Keep the emotion out of it. Do the research. Understand the swings in the market. I think the biggest part that so many new investors get wrapped up in is, they see the price of a stock going up and they think they're going to get rich overnight when, in reality, you should buy when the stock is down. If you lose more than 1 percent, get out. It's not going to come back.
Q. What do you find the most difficult about investing?
Trying to understand the focus of the company. You look at the newspaper and look at the charts and try to determine week to week where these companies are going. That makes it very labor-intensive. I wish there was an Investment for Dummies for book. I always have a fear of the next Enron.
Q. How are you invested now?
We're 50 percent stocks, 50 percent real estate.
Q. What changes, if any, have you made in your investments in the past year?
I've increased my 401(k) and I'm working more towards retirement and trying to set up some annuities so we can live the lifestyle we have now when we get ready to retire. We'd like to be able to play golf when we want.
Q. Do you think now is a good time to invest?
I think there are some strategic buys, if you're willing to play the risk game. I think there are some viable companies out there. I'd love to be in the IPO for Google. I think that's where a lot more investors would do extremely well if they were privy to getting into IPOs.
Q. What is your goal for investing?
I would like to be able to retire at 60. You want to be able to enjoy life. I've not looked at a dollar threshold but rather when it would be appropriate for my husband and me to go (into retirement).
Q. Where do you get your investment tips?
I like to read business section of the newspaper. I talk with other investors at my company. I don't belong to an investment group any longer. Basically, word of mouth. What has worked for other people; what stocks to stay away from.