Find Your Investing Soulmate on the Jersey Turnpike

As a followup to a previous column, "Irreconcilable Differences," I received an e-mail from a reader asking how she could ensure, ahead of time, investment compatibility with a future spouse.

Unfortunately, like most issues in life, the direct approach does not work. Asking him, "Sweetie, how will you invest our 401(k) funds?" will only result in getting the answer he thinks you want. "Honey, whatever you think is best," will be the answer you will hear. The thought that different investment strategies could result in irreconcilable harm to your future relationship seems remote to him. But we know better. He will say whatever you want in order to move the conversation to supposedly more important questions like, "How many kids do you want, five or six?" Or, "What religion should we raise the kids in?" We all know, however, as index investors, that our Investment Gestalt (IG) is the key predictor of future happiness. Fortunately, I have developed a test that will increase the probability of matching your IG with that of a prospective partner.

This is the scenario: Your friend (and I would keep the relationship at a platonic stage until after this first test of compatibility) is driving and you approach a toll on the New Jersey Turnpike. It's 5:30 p.m. and traffic is backed up a quarter mile. Now watch carefully as your friend selects one of 10 lanes to approach the tollbooths. Does he scan the mass of opportunities and abruptly cut across eight lanes of traffic to get into the shortest lane? So far, so good, correct? No, don't jump to any conclusions yet. Wait and see his behavior as his lane stops dead. Does he pull out and squeeze into the fastest moving lane two rows to your left? Even worse, does this behavior continue for the next 10 minutes as he chases the best performing lane? Stay away from this person. Don't give him a kiss goodnight and don't take his calls in the future. His approach is strictly short-term. He chases short-term performance (and he is rude too).

Still confused? The most suitable mate, the one with a similar IG would have randomly selected a lane and not wavered. He realizes that the lane that moves the fastest cannot be determined ahead of time and that short-term performance has no statistical significance to the final outcome. Your Mr. Right would have selected a lane and stayed in it. He would have used the extra time to find your favorite CD and ask how your mom is feeling.

Stay close to this guy. (Please note: With the introduction of express toll booths the validity of the above test has been challenged.) My question to our readers: what are the habits, quirks of personality that help you identify a person with a similar IG? Please share your perspectives with us.

Is it the kind of car he drives? Or the kind of dog he walks? Or how neat he keeps his apartment? Is it important that he calls his mom each night? Or is it totally counterintuitive? Are Indy 500 or Formula One drivers more likely to be index investors, while librarians take very large positions in hedge funds?

Please e-mail me with your insights so that I can share them with our readers.

Hesh Reinfeld writes a syndicated business humor column. You can read additional examples of his columns on his website: http://www.heshreinfeld.com Or contact him at hesh1@comcast.net

---

Creating a Financial Future--Putting Your Plan Into Action Part 2

Real Estate can be a useful tool for investing. The... Read More

Six Principles of Successful Investing

1. Begin investing immediatelyProcrastination is the number one enemy of... Read More

Preholiday Trading

The Light Crude Continuous Contract closed at $66.13 a barrel... Read More

Getting Started In Investing

Are you ready to open your pathway to financial independence?Well... Read More

Direcway & Wildblue Set to Square Off this Fall?

There is a cat fight brewing between Direcway LLC, Starband... Read More

Part II of Day Traders and Swing Traders and Options? Maybe!

Before every protective put trade it is possible to calculate... Read More

Angels, Are They Real?

They're real, but few survive. High risk investing is dangerous... Read More

How to Calculate the Value of Your U.S. Savings Bonds

If you're like many Americans over the age of 55,... Read More

The Three Legged Stool

My paternal grandparents were born near Lake Como, Italy. My... Read More

Advice for International Investors on How to Safeguard Their Profits

What are the risks?Today, investors are increasingly turning to global... Read More

Mutual Fund Returns May Not Be As They Seem!

Arthur Levitt, during his tenure at the SEC, experienced many... Read More

An Investment Real Estate Strategy Unknown To Most Is A Negative Amortization Loan

If you want to make the most of your personal... Read More

Preparing to Invest: How to get started

Investments can be a source of great potential earnings. The... Read More

Short Term Savings Products

When you invest, it simply means that you are putting... Read More

Profitability And Stock Turn Rate

The inventory of the typical store represents the largest single... Read More

Find Your Investing Soulmate on the Jersey Turnpike

As a followup to a previous column, "Irreconcilable Differences," I... Read More

Gold; What Type of Gold to Buy

JewelryThe advantages are:? Gold Jewelry is the easiest of the... Read More

College Savings Plans ? Are They The Best Choice For My Child?

College Savings Plans ? are they the best choice for... Read More

Short Selling for Investors

Shorts. Let's see. If there are shorts there must be... Read More

Planning for Retirement

Almost without exception, people don't start planning for their retirement... Read More

Almost Anyone Can Open A Roth IRA!

The Roth is kind of weird until you get used... Read More

Can Your Annuity Do This?

Many people buy annuities according to their agent's recommendations. However,... Read More

A Secret Revealed: Why Most (Day) Traders Fail

The following perspective on (day) trading comes from my many... Read More

Why Do You Want to Become a Online Trader?

Motivational guru Tony Robbins teaches that the reason for doing... Read More

In a Time of Need

As I take my leisurely walk with my dog through... Read More

It?s Not the Size of Your Bank Account

You might think that if you win the lottery or... Read More

A Gadfly On A Dinosaurs Butt, Or The Hood-winking Of The American Investor

Have you ever noticed how some words in the English... Read More

Overbought/Oversold

Has your broker ever told you that a stock is... Read More

Keeping It Interesting

Some lines from a movie never leave your mind; I... Read More

Property Investment Just Got Exciting

There is an area in Brazil that has lower crime... Read More

July 2005: Hurricane Forecasts for Weather Traders

Tropical Storm Arlene formed as a tropical depression on June... Read More

Get Wealthy With the Rule of 72

When it comes time to retire how many people would... Read More

Looking For a Safe Investment? Try a Certificate of Deposit

If you are looking for a safe investment and you... Read More