re: symptom (of PTSD) are probably going to peak in April:
For me, the StressPeak was December 2000. That's when I moved beyond Denial and deer-in-the-headlights, to Bargaining and Acceptance. At year-end, I usually review the year, and plan any tax-loss selling. Doing that, in 12/00, brought me, painfully (and not-soon-enough and reluctantly), to the conclusion that BuyAndHold wasn't working, and probably wouldn't work for the foreseeable future, and I needed a different Plan.
I made a new Plan (range-trading), and it's worked well, so the stress has steadily decreased. I just finished my 2001 taxes, and paid a 6-figure tax bill. Had about a 300% turnover in my portfolio last year. So far in 2002, my cap gains (all ST, of course, given my strategy) are happening at an even faster pace than last year. The only thing worse than paying taxes is..........not paying taxes.
Now, I just have to figure out when to go back to BuyAndHold. |
