honey said:
<<Octavian, I seem to recall that you gave Brinker credit for your early retirement. Now the truth looks like Brinker actually had very little to do with your many good investing decisions. Did he recommend those mutual funds that you bought and sold at such a profit?>>
--Honey, I've been over this ground many times, beginning on the "free discussion" board shortly after I retired in 2001.
Brinker helped me in many ways. As I have said, I knew I needed to do something in order to retire at a reasonable age, but I was leery of the stock market, and my caution wasn't helped by all the bearish stuff I saw on CNBC and read in Barron's and other publications. It was mainly brinker's enthusiastic bullishness that caused me to go heavily into the market, starting gradually in April 1993.
He also was a MAJOR factor in convincing me to become my own advisor, rather than seeking advice from some potential thief. He also helped me to "stay the course" during the scary times. Also there were many times I would read very convincing bearish arguments in Barrons, or hear them on CNBC, and I often would be tempted to cut back, but each weekend he would come on, bullish as ever, and keep me on track.
He also was largely responsible for my decision to cut way down on equities in 2000. I definitely wouldn't have cut back nearly as far as I did if he had remained bullish.
As far as the mutual funds, no, brinker had nothing to do with those. I have always picked my own mutual funds and have done quite well at it, if I do say so myself. -:) (Not that I haven't had a few duds). -:)
I enjoy trying to pick good mutual funds.
He is mostly a growth guy and tends to pick hot funds, whereas I instinctively favor value and look at things such as how management treats its shareholders. I have owned a few of the funds he has recommended, but only after doing my own research.
Anyway, I say again that I probably wouldn't be retired today if not for Bob Brinker. I will always be grateful for that, and that is the main reason I defend him against all the spin, exaggeration and propaganda put out by the bashers. |
