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Money Panel

By FRED WRIGHT, Times correspondent
Published February 18, 2007

How did you get started in investing?

I was a podiatrist. One of my first patients died, his wife gave me stock in a local bank. That was 1955 and I still have some of that stock.

What is your best investment?

Pepsi.

What is your worst investment?

Two utility companies that were having problem with their nuclear power plants, both up north.

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

Buy for the long term. What I insist on is that I won't buy a company unless it pays dividends. That means they're doing well.

How you describe your approach to investing?

I'm moderately conservative. I take a little risk once in a while. I go by my belly. If it looks good, I'd consider it.

What do you find the most difficult about investing?

I get confused when I look at all these annual reports and see all their figures. Half of the time, I can't make heads or tails of it.

How are you invested?

Twenty-eight percent in REITs, about 45 percent in equities and rest divided up in different funds.

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

In the past two years, I started buying shipping companies that have oil tankers.

Do you think now is a good time to invest?

If you're careful.

What is your goal for your investing?

Income. Because having been privately employed, I didn't have a pension. Everything I live on comes from my stock. That's why I look for dividends.

What is your biggest money concern?

That the president will increase our public debt so much. Hope the Chinese and Russians won't decide to take their money out of our country.

Where do you get your investment tips?

Mostly, I check with my broker.

[Last modified February 16, 2007, 22:09:41]