Money panel

By FRED W. WRIGHT JR.
Published October 15, 2006

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How did you get started in investing?

I had been raised as a saving kind of person. I was always interested in how (the stock market) worked. I made it my business to learn about it. I studied what was involved. I took the plunge with mutual funds in 1992.

What is your best investment?

I would have to say Intel or Dell. I had home run after home run with both of those in the mid '90s.

What is your worst investment?

Probably Lucent Technologies. I got burned like most other people.

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

Diversification. I think it's so true - unless you're in a position to gamble.

How would you describe your approach to investing?

I'm a very conservative income investor.

What do you find the most difficult about investing?

Knowing when to sell - especially if you're on a roll.

How are you invested?

It's 50 percent in CDs and 50 percent in equities - mutual funds and preferred stock.

What changes have you made in your investments in the past year?

None.

Do you think now is a good time to invest?

Yeah, I think so, although there are some things out there in the world that could change at any given time.

What is your goal for investing?

What I really want to be able to do is when I use up my nonretirement savings, I want to be able to combine Social Security and a draw from a retirement account to have enough money to pay the bills and travel.

What is your biggest money concern?

I worry about the high price of health care.

Where do you get your investment tips?

Like a lot of people, I take advantage of the Internet, including finance.Yahoo.com. There are a few magazines I respect - Smart Money and Money magazine. And I get a lot of info from a brokerage site online.