text: Chic Investing : Buying Stocks in What You Love - Refined Side
  2013-09-04 by CroissantCrumbs Leave a Comment
  OK, I'm going to get personal here. Today we are going to talk about the usually taboo topic, money.
  Now, don't get me wrong; there are plenty of appropriate and healthy times to talk about money. Conversations with your Financial Advisor, spouse, parents or even very very close friends about money are good, but that's pretty much where this refined lady draws the line. I see so many people talking about how much money they make, how much money they have or how much money they owe that I feel this social edict has fallen the way of the dodo. I don't need to know that your boyfriend makes X or that your week in Italy cost Y. I don't want to know that you had to take out a loan to buy your Mercedes and I don't want to know that you own 4 of them – without loans.
  So if I'm old-fashioned and not wanting to talk about money, what I do want to talk about money for? Well, you can talk about money without really talking about it. Are you still with me? I love hearing about what kind of investments people make. I have a friend who invests in exotic Persian rugs, another who buys up rental real estate for resale. I don't know want to know how much, but I am always highly interested in finding out what types of things people invest in. I find it says a lot about the person themselves.
  So what do I invest in? What can you find out about me from this? Well, I invest in three things: real estate (aka my house), my retirement funds and then, most adventurously, I invest my surplus funds into the stock market. I get a thrill becoming a teeny tiny, itty bitty owner of a company – and looking through my stock portfolio is almost like a glimpse into my soul.
  I personally follow two simple rules when it comes to said stocks:
  I only invest surplus funds which I can afford to lose
  I only buy companies I'm excited about, love, or know well
  Based on #2 above, it will be no surprise to you that my stock portfolio looks a little bit like a day spent in my life.
  Stock #1: Starbucks (SBUX) If I go so often, others must too
  I go to Starbucks more than I care to admit. I've been to Starbucks on multiple continents and earned gold status through 2015 in mid-2013. A few years ago I started thinking that if I loved Starbucks as much as I do, why not buy some shares in the company that I was supporting every morning? So I bought some shares. I know the product, know the loyalty and fan base and saw the growth potential with their (at the time) new coffee machines, new markets and addicts like myself.
  Stock #2: Nordstrom (JWN) One of my favorite stores (if not the fave)
  Ever since stepping into a Nordstrom several (OK many) years ago, I've been a fan. The selection is good, their Rack stores are amazing and their customer service is legendary. They're currently expanding into Canada and have one of the best online shopping sites I've ever used. I bought shares in them after I bought a pair of boots in San Diego last year, then brought them home to Canada where the zipper broke. They paid to ship them back and then re-sent me another pair – plus a credit since they had gone on sale since I bought them initially, totally unbeknownst to me. The zipper broke again (Large calf + Skinny Boot Shaft) and they paid again to have them returned as well as offered me complimentary shipping to Canada on anything else I wanted to purchase. Plus they give me free money when I use my card with them. With everywhere else offering such poor service nowadays, how could I go wrong?
  Stock #3: Tiffany (TIF) I'd go there for breakfast, lunch and dinner
  Ah, Tiffany's. I love their jewellery (specifically the Elsa Peretti stuff, it's my favorite) and can't seem to ever get over the thrill of stepping into one of their stores. One of my favorite memories is my husband taking me to purchase a necklace I had been wanting at the store on New York's Fifth Avenue. Seemed so surreal at the time. There's something about this store that will always be luxurious and it's why I bought the stock- again, I know and love it.
  So there are three of my stock portfolio holdings – and as you can see they are all stocks that I know well, believe in and most importantly feel will continue to do well. And, if they don't, well then we fall back to Rule #1 which is that I can afford to lose the money anyway. Not saying I won't cry/scream/boycott the company for awhile/swear off stocks for a day or two… I'm emotionally invested in my stocks. A bad thing for some works for me.
  Disclaimer: I am not a Financial Adviser and am not recommending you run out and buy these stocks in any way, shape or form. You should seek professional advice before making any investing decisions.