I was looking at the stock chart of my former employer. I worked for them from 1986 to 1999, and stock split five times while I worked for them. I participated employee's stock purchasing program, but I was in my 20's and wasn't making a whole a lot of money, so bought 10 stocks here, 15 stocks there. Those small investment grew over time with multiple split, and they were worth about 35K by the time I left the company. It gave us a nice start when we moved to the States with nothing but some cash in our hands.
Thinking back.... everything is about timing, and I really feel there's the God somewhere. My family struggled financially because my father passed away when he was 43. I was 18, and my brothers were 13 and 11. My mother never worked before. While my mother moved away with my brothers to live close to her family, I stayed in the area because I was going to school there. I had NO money. I was working as a waitress at night, and hated my life.
I was still saving, though. I worked at the restaurant on Navy base, and I could earn tip. (We don't tip in Japan.) I normally received about $10 to $20 a day, and saved most of it. I saved about $2,000 after two years working there, and took a trip to San Francisco where my DH is from.
Finding a job with my former employer was a totally serendipity. I don't even know why they hired me, but my life became so much better after I started working for them. People were super nice, and the pay was good for 20 year old girl. I met many nice people there, made long-time friends, and it was financially rewarding, too.
As long as I keep walking on the right path and don't do anything stupid or destructive, I guess there's someone out there who will help me during rough times.
Life and timing
December 4th, 2007 at 07:20 pm
December 4th, 2007 at 07:49 pm 1196797768
December 4th, 2007 at 08:28 pm 1196800135
On the nitpicky side, I'm guessing that you no longer hold the company stocks? If so, that's fine, but otherwise, it's usually not a good idea to hang on to too much of your own employer's stocks. I'm just saying so because others have hurt themselves badly when the stock values dropped.
Anyways, I am very glad to hear that you are doing much better!
December 7th, 2007 at 11:24 pm 1197069899
It's AIG stock, and I sold them when they were about $80 or so. After I sold, the price declined, and it's now around $60. Again, it's all about timing! (And, yes, it was nothing but serendipity.)
We used the money to put 20% down payment to our house that double the price in five years. I'm glad we bought our house when we did (in 2000) before the market went crazy. We wouldn't be able to afford the house we live now. Yes, the home value declined, but not to the level of price we originally paid.