Bulls Battle Bears » Goals

Goals in 2009 and Income Setup

Aman@BullsBattleBears — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 18:40:23 +0000

Since I’m still in holiday mode, I did not trade today.

Instead, I have decided to layout my course of action in a general sense for 2009.

In my trading account, I have $151,000 US to invest compared to the year before where I started off with about $95,000.

In my “income” account (which I use to deposit other incomes): I have approximately $38,000 which I earned in 2008 from renting out properties and flipping property also. A few expenses from this account took up $40,000 in costs in 2008 which left me with this new amount.

Those expenses were two new construction condos that are being built in Toronto. They will not be done until 2011, but I had to pay a certain % of the condo values this year.

This account also serves to pay off my multiple mortgage payments (2 Miami condos with a combined mortgage of $2400/month), maintenance fees on 3 condos (the two in Miami and one mortgage free unit in Toronto total $1388/month), and property taxes which also totaled ($4800 for the 2 Miami properties, and $1800 for the Toronto property)

The yearly expenses on the three units is generally: $52,056/year + insurance, etc = $53,231 expenses
Monthly, I need to allocate: $4436/mth to maintain my expenses.

These are offset with rent at a monthly total for all three units with a total of $4655/mth

In total, this “income account” will sustain a monthly growth of: $219 or $2628/year.

Yes, I know these rental properties are a lot of work to maintain and the return is not that great. BUT, getting in on a bottom market in Miami, I was able to get prime locations which after mortgages have been paid off in the next 10-14years, will have a lifetime of profit generating income which for me and also increased property values as the overall economy picks up.

In my “other expenses” accounts, I have already set aside money for bills that generally come up like: car insurnance, phone bills, etc. These are fixed for the year and I pay them with my credit card for which I get points and then use this account to pay the final monthly bill. Its maximization of all opportunities I see.

I do have other finances and savings that I keep seperate from all this that I do and dont really add it into my “worth”. Mainly becuase this money is and always has been fixed into 3 to 5% term deposits from years back and have not needed these sources yet. The interest I get along with any other side incomes that are not related to my consulting, real estate, or stock markets goes here also and just sits for a day when it will be called into action.

Goals for 2009:

These are simple outlines for what I expect from myself in 2009

1. Pass my US Medical Board exams and move into the medial career feild.

2. In terms of stock plays, beat the previous years return of 55% with atleast a 80-100% return. I feel that with the rebounding economies, a lot of stocks will rise during the year at different periods which will enable me to move money into fast plays for a quick return.

3. Real Estate – look for another rental (or two max) condo(s) in North America. With some markets still falling in prices and leads on some foreclosures, there is an immense opportunity to pick up a condo or two for a long term hold and pay off the mortgage via renting the property. Its hard, time consuming work but is a long term winner.

4. Find and share new ways to cut expenses without cutting back on the lifestyle. I know saving money is not hard and will try to figure out how to jump to the next income bracket in 2009.

5. Increase my network and travel base starting in 3Q or 4Q of 2009. Its a little delayed goal, but item #1 is of utmost importance.

6. Establish a fundraising network while establishing goal #5. Personally, I give to charities in either money or my time. But would like to give more and also introduce others to its rewarding nature, so will create some sort of foundation or something. Will need to talk to my lawyer friends on how to legally set that up.

7. Establish some more equity deals for businesses. I have already in 2008 stepped into the Hip Hop music industry, restaurant technology development (patent being worked on), and a few other businesses but will be focusing more time to get out there and look for new ideas. This also involves further networking.

So there we go, for 2009 my 7 steps to further success. I hope you all make a list of goals and stick it on your monitor or bathroom mirror where you can see them on a regular basis and maintain that track.

For many, making the list is going to be easy, but again, stick to it. Once you see even a single reward from that list, the motivation to move higher will come from within. When I first started out trying to do things on my list, I would be pumped for a few weeks and then just give up due to side tracking. But the bathroom mirror note worked. The list would be infront of me when I woke up to shave, shower, etc and be there when I brushed my teeth before I slept. It worked for me and I know can work for you!

Also, another suggestion that I have for many that have long terms goals is simple. Set out WHERE you want to be at what date. For instance, you want to be in Law school in 2110, then make that your date and then move backwards from there to figure out what needs to be done. This can be done for any goal and works. Its how I laid out my plan for MBA school and also the same plan I used for getting my first proerty. Try it!

Okay, so this is getting long. Any questions/comments can be emailed or posted here.

Happy Investing!

Aman, MBA

Must Read for 2009!

Aman@BullsBattleBears — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 13:40:40 +0000

Happy 2009 Everyone!

As many of you already know, I’m all about education, expanding the mind in order to succeed and to do this, one must read. As 2009 begins, I know many of use resolve to do better in life. For some, the motivation can be found easily within, for others, like myself, we need books at times to show us that nothing is impossible.

The first book is perfect to read and its called:The Dream: How I Learned the Risks and Rewards of Entrepreneurship and Made Millions. A few weeks back I picked this book up after hearing about Gurbaksh Chahal and his rise to success at a young age. He went from a simple immigrant life coming from the same place in India my parents came from and manage to become worth over 300 million by the age of 26.

This book outlines the struggles and final rewards from his ideas. Its not just for people that are in business, but I found the book to be a generally motivating text that was easy to read. Gurbaksh has been on a Fox reality show, Ophrah and many other shows lately and has got a strong buzz behind him. Reading this book I can truly see why.

Here is a link I grabbed of Amazon to help find it:

The second book that comes highly recommended to me and something that I ordered and await to read is: The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life. This book is about the famous man and his path to success. I know many people that invest or start a business strive to be like him, but this book takes a look at the problems that he encountered and how he overcame those and continued to prosper. Warren Buffett has always been a humble person and its nice to look forward on reading this book. A few of my friends have insisted its a must read.

This third book is a must read for any investor:The Little Book of Bull Moves in Bear Markets: How to Keep Your Portfolio Up When the Market is Down (Little Books. Big Profits). The title is fitting with my site and the book does not lie. For me this was an excellent and informational read and one that I have highly recommended to my friends when they invest. I found this book to have some solid ideas and tips that can and strength to your portfolio.

Finally, the last book I want to recommend for 2009 is: Freakonomics [Revised and Expanded]: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything. Amazingly, I bought this book based on the cover and never really thought it would be as good of a book as it was. This book is well written and talked about various aspects of our economic society. The book is a good general read that has some thought provoking ideas which made me interested in certain points. Its an easy book to read.

So there you have it, for 2009 a few selection of books that might catch some of you to read. If not these ones, I”m sure others can be recommended or found online. I know books don’t have the answers we search for, but they can provide us with new ways to think, new fuel to motivate and another path to succeed from.

Happy Investing!

Aman, MBA

End of Year Summary! Read for my profits & 2008 income…

Aman@BullsBattleBears — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 07:06:46 +0000

So 2008 is coming to an end, and for me, stock trading is over for this year!

As I prepare for 2009 and all the money that can be made, I reflect and share my trades and the income that I managed to make this fine year. For some, 2008 was a financial hell, to those, I’m sorry for your loss but I am proof that money could have been made.

To those that don’t know, I am a medical student preparing for my US board exams so don’t spend too much time trading. But still I made money. I started of with roughly $95,000 US and walked away with a 56% return on my stocks and made another pile of money from rentals, real estate flips and other LEGAL sources.

Without saying anything further, read the spreadsheet below for the profits. Remember, these are all things I talked about on my blog, or for those that know me in personally, talked about in person. Apart from making money on the markets, I do try to save where I can and utilize what savings there are out there on my daily expenses. Its all added up this year.

There is no excuse not to make money. I grew up in a rough neighborhood, I paid for my tuitions in university, my MBA grad school, my medical school education. I got out of credit card debt and I still managed to stay in a life style that many would say has been great. I have managed to buy 3 condos this year, flip a house, and have down payments on new construction condos and I still have to hit 30 and still have to set foot into a work environment.

Some new people investing, even if you have $1000 saved up, you can still watch that grow in 2009. Open an account from either brokers at the top of the page (Canada on the left) (USA TradeKing Logo) and find the path to wealth.

I made my own hours, do my own thing. And want to toast those that did the same for 2008. Money is definitely not everything in life, but its a hell of a nice thing to have!

For 2009, I hope you, your family and anyone else you know will find prosperity in your lives and perhaps find something through my blog as well as any others you find helpful to move forward. In the end, we all get a return based on what we invest (be it money, time, feelings, etc). Educate yourselves to be leaders, educate yourselves to be financially independent. It does not matter if your single, married, 21 or 91, the world can be yours!

Happy Holidays. Happy New Years and as always…

Happy Investing!

Aman, MBA

Ps. this all sounded like an infomercial, but its not. My blog is free to read anytime, anywhere. Add me to your feeds, bookmark me, and come daily for the next year and lets move up another level in 2009!!