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Money panel

PETER FORD: 59, consultant, Tierra Verde

By Times Staff Writer
Published April 3, 2005

How did you get started in investing?

I guess, back in the '70s, when IRAs first came out. I did some stock investing after that.

What is your best investment so far?

Probably before the market tanked, I had Ameritrade. It split about 12 times while I had it.

What is your worst investment so far?

I had couple hundred shares of Enron. I got out before it hit the bottom, but I lost about 30 percent.

What have you learned about investing that you think all investors should know?

Don't get emotional. Have an exit price in mind, either on the up side or the down side. Back when the market was really moving, five years ago or so, I would take purchase price off the table and play with the profits.

How would you describe your approach to investing?

As I'm getting closer to retirement, I would say more conservative. I own very few individual stocks. Mostly in mutual funds and bonds.

What do you find the most difficult about investing?

Nothing really difficult. I've got the time to do a lot of reading and research. Most people at a desk job 40 to 50 hours a week don't have time to research as I do. I do a ton of online research.

How are you invested now?

Probably 70 percent stock, 30 percent bonds and looking to getting closer to 60-40 or 50-50 in the next year.

Do you think now is a good time to invest?

Like a lot of people say, I think any time is a good time. It might be a good time to get into some of the natural resources funds that are getting more play.

What is your goal for your investing?

I guess close to a million bucks would make a very comfortable retirement. I like what I do in that I have flexibility. My basic goal is to work 50 percent of the time. Anything more than that goes into retirement savings. Pay yourself first.

What is your biggest money concern right now?

I don't really have any. I own my home, no mortgage, no debt of any kind. Just saving money and hopefully the politicians will do the right thing with Social Security.

Where do you get your investment tips?

I read the Wall Street Journal every day. I do a lot of online research, probably 10 hours a week, on Morningstar and YahooFinance and Motley Fool.

[Last modified April 3, 2005, 00:09:18]