There are two books that really opened up my eyes to how I pick stocks. I was always more into the "Get Rich Quick" mode which caused me to buy stocks on feelings and impulse. I would buy on good news usually when a stock was already at its high peak. Then it was into the penny stocks. I actually did my own study on this and noted that less than 1% of all sub-one-cent penny stocks ever made a come back at all. I was itrigued by the idea that I could buy 100,000 shares of something for less lan $100 and that was including broker fees. I must admit that I am still lured by the idea and hope of a big win with the fraction of a penny stock buy. Maybe one day one of the many fraction penny stocks that I am still stuck with will turn around, stuck because it would cost more to sell at the moment than what the value of the stock is, Ha! Anyways back to the two books that really opend my eyes. The first one I read was How to Trade In Stocks by Jesse Livermore. The great stock trader of his day. But I think the book that made the most impact on me was How I Made $2,000,000 In The Stock Market by Nicolas Darvas, a dancer. Everytime I read one of his "mistakes" I would say to myself "Hey thats the same mistake I'm making" and then again I read another of his mistakes and think to myself  "I do that also!". I still make some mistakes but due to these two books I can limit what I lose and my portfolio is doing a lot better these days. I came up with my own blend of stock picking. I tend not to go long anymore nor go for the quick rich mentality but I'm a wait and watch for the right moment person now. One important thing I learned is that it is important to not let your emotions rule your decision making. But to keep to your mental state stable and your feelings out of it and stick to your rules! David Coultas, No I am not a "Broker" just an ordinary guy mucking along in this world.

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