DISCUSS Make Startup Money In The Stock Market, Not A Bank Account!

[David]

In Okinawa, it can be hard to start making a living if you initially come back with next to nothing in your name waiting for a job to open up. At least that was the case with me, back in 2009.

I tried stocks, but commissions to buy and sell was out of my range to make a quick profit as you couldn't put in $100 and sell at a 5% gain due to a purchase being $10 and a subsequent sale being $10 again, leaving me with essentially a $15 loss. I would need to invest much more, which I didn't have at the time, to be a 'successful' day trader, in that, I would be able to make at least $20-40 from day trading. Though, I didn't have the capital to do that, nor could I do it in swing trading—or buying and selling over a period of days to weeks—as money was essential right then.

Fortunately, in this day in age, there are commission-free trading platforms.

I first heard about Webull and the signup bonus they offered. They mentioned that by just depositing $100 into my brokerage trading account, a nominal fee as you can buy and sell—taking 1-5% profits in a single day without commissions—that you can get 1 free share valued anywhere from $12-$1400.

Of course, that set off alarm bells in my head (as it should everyone else's). However, I had $100 from my U.S coronavirus stimulus and $1100 (the remaining) to go into my E*TRADE account if it were too good to be true. Nevertheless, they do own up to it.

My 1 bonus share was in LEVI (Levi Strauss & Co., the jeans maker), valued at $13.49 at the time of writing. I figure that I would keep this share and ride it out as opposed to selling it for something like AAL (American Airlines, my next investment at its current lows). Its 2020 year to date high is $20.48, so why not? People are always going to buy Levi's and invest in it, so I could potentially see my free stock of $13.49 turn into $20.48 (or higher)—a true profit of $20.48 as it was free but had I invested, a potential 150% gain (crazy over a CD!).

​

I might toss more into LEVI and dollar cost average it on its ride up, to protect my position, especially so if they can return more of their manufacturing to the US.

Long story short, whether you're planning on saving or investing in order to have funds to open a business, tossing $100 or more into the market would be a better strategy than sitting in a low interest paying CD, savings account, or God forbid, keeping it in a checking account.

While you might think it's not as safe, there are always index funds which are a combination of 100s of companies as opposed to just one; some even paying dividends. The gains aren't as great as individual companies can be, but not much investment oversight is needed. Investopedia would argue that it's safer, too.

If you asked the average saver if it's safer to invest $100 in the stock market or to put $100 in a savings account, most would pick the savings account. This makes sense in the short term; stocks can lose value, but the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) guarantees savings accounts.

However, the long-term answer is the exact opposite – it is much riskier to continue to sock money away into savings than it is to invest it. It is certainly possible to make money in stocks.

Source: Investing $100 a Month in Stocks for 30 Years

First, I'd recommend opening a Webull account and then decide on whether you believe your $100 will do you better in something that has the potential to 2-5x in the next 1 to 2 years as COVID-19 made a huge dent in the markets, especially on the travel industry, or to put it in a safer index fund, which right now is the prime time to do so in either.

Deciding on going with the latter, research which funds there are and delve into the percentage of what the fund is invested in as there are so many safe funds out there. Some are higher risk as they're in tech while some moderate with medical or even real-estate focused, and some even paying dividends on top of it! (I'll even tell you which fund I've selected)

If you're interested in trading for either a savings or to gain some extra capital to start a business in Japan, I would be glad to offer what little tips I know that helped turn my $1200 coronavirus stimulus into $1500 in about 2 weeks, learned from reading charts on trading forex and cryptocurrencies as they still apply to stocks.

I will post my average positions and which stocks I invested in and why I chose what I did at a later time. I'm just putting feelers out if anybody wants to join Webull and get your free share (to instantly profit 112% on your initial investment) or not (full transparency: I also get another free share by you using this link, supporting Okinawa.Org's mission).

If there are enough accounts that are activated by making an initial $100 ACH deposit (a very easy process with most banks having automatic verification of accounts [Navy Federal included] and on the spot provisional credit to invest), as these are affiliate links, I will post information on specific company's financials along with my decisions, despite some having poor financials.

I'll also post tips on how to read charts which will help you make an informed decision on buying to maximize profits now or in the long term; but either way, it doesn't quite matter with the previously mentioned dollar-cost averaging if your business plans aren't for a year or two: Nonetheless, you will make much more between now and then in the market than in a CD to open a business. But, who knows by then? Quite possibly you could have a greater savings to not only save for the future (invest) but also gain the discipline to tuck more away to open a business too.

My long term goal is to have a separate retirement account, apart from an IRA (which you can also open on Webull but to get the free share you need to open a brokerage account), that I can draw on or it just amass wealth for my kids when I'm gone with a mere $100/month to start.

Investing $100 Monthly: An Example
Now suppose the same 30-year-old investor finds a way to save an additional $100 per month. He contributes the extra $100 to his portfolio and keeps reinvesting his dividends and interest payments. His investment still earns 8% per year. For simplicity's sake, assume compounding takes place once per year in January.

After a 30-year period, thanks to compound returns and a small monthly contribution, his portfolio will grow to $186,253.14 (as compared to $50,313.28 without the monthly contributions). While $186,253.14 is not enough money to retire on, especially after 30 years of inflation, remember that this is just with $100 a month in contributions and returns below historical averages.

Suppose the annual return is 9%, which is closer to historical averages for a 30-year period. With a $5,000 principal investment and $100 monthly contributions, the portfolio grows to $229,907.44. If the investor is able to save $200 a month for contributions, the future value of his portfolio is $393,476.48.

Source: Investing $100 a Month in Stocks for 30 Years

 

The views expressed on this page by users and staff are their own, not those of Okinawa.Org.

[island cyclist]

Considering Levis are now mostly made in Vietnam, I think your choice was spot on. As you know, Levis in Japan cost up to 80 bucks a pair. I couldn't believe when I saw the price tags.

 

[David]

Considering Levis are now mostly made in Vietnam, I think your choice was spot on. As you know, Levis in Japan cost up to 80 bucks a pair. I couldn't believe when I saw the price tags.

No choice in the matter for which free share you get as it's luck of the draw; it can be one valued at $13 up to $1400 by just signing up and depositing $100 within 24 hours after verification. Once that's done, it's a lotto at which stock you get.

Though, getting Levi's as my share worth almost $14, for doing just that, with the possibility of 2x'ing to its year-to-date high, did give me a new company's financials to look into and see if it's something that I will personally invest more in the future.

Right now, I'm more focused on companies that I know will retrace to 3-5x their value once the 'rona has passed.

Take a gamble, sign up, deposit $100, and get your free share; no obligation to keep it. If anything, you get a $13 share in a company at random (and I might get a $1400 share if a link is used, paying a year's worth of server fees and other maintenance costs here [or you]) and you got a 113% to 1400% return on investment if you cash out because it's commission-free ($0 trades).

 

[island cyclist]

The way the situation in the world is today, I think the safest investment is a few loaded guns.

 

[David]

This is not a surefire way of investing or even making money, as it's more gambling in my opinion, but Webull publishes movers and losers on their Market page. Within the first 2 minutes of the market opening (1030 JST), you can see who the movers are and immediately hop in on the money train.

Yesterday, I noticed that ZN (Zion Oil and Gas) was on the move and had a 100% gain. With a quick Google search, the reason why was found: They gained rights to drill in Israel.

So, I leveraged $795 and bought 1500 shares of ZN at $0.53. I sold them 10 minutes later for $0.5522, making the profit difference of $828.30 - $729, $33.30. I revert back to betting as I did get greedy and wanted more, about $55 profit that I did reach within 5 minutes, and tried to wait it out if people would jump in. Luckily, I got out when I did and didn't ride my leverage to market's close of $0.45 or I would have a loss of $120.

Either way, $33 in 10 minutes isn't bad ($660 a month for 5 hours of work [study why it's going up and invest at the right moment] if you get lucky). Multiply this by good picks, learn to read charts for your own day trade investing, and leverage if you want to gamble.

Invest wisely, but don't forget: If you sign up for Webull and deposit your first $100 in 30 days, both you and I will receive 2 free stocks. As shown above, I got 1 share LEVI (I didn't invest in 1 month) that was valued at $13.49, which reached a peak of around $15, before I invested in 4 more shares and averaged out to $13.112, which is currently at a loss of $4.71. However, if it does peak again to its all-time highs, I will have a $36.47 profit, so I am not concerned.

If you choose that investing isn't your thing, merely deposit $100 into your Webull account, claim your free stocks and sell them to withdraw anywhere from $2.50 to $1400 extra per stock (stocks are chosen at random). Even if you land two $2.50 stocks, you will have earned $5 on $100 and that is better than any savings account.

 

[island cyclist]

I think now the clothing stocks would all go down. Oil stocks seem like a long term investment just for any dividends paid out. Health cares stocks would be a good bet at this time. But actually I think the stock market now is like the gambling business. You go in with money, you leave with same, you leave with more, or you leave with less or worse, not money.
I have to admit, my brother started out with penny stocks. He has more money and doesn't know how to spend it. He doesn't spend foolishly either. As a matter of fact, he is sending me 2 face shields. They are all sold out here at donkey hotei.

David, glad again that you are active in the stock market. But in these times, if lucky, one can get in and out with a **** load of money quickly. Keep us updated. Always like to hear how you are doing.

 

[David]

I think now the clothing stocks would all go down.

Of course clothing stocks will go down. However, Levi Strauss & Co. was founded in 1853 and worn by many—it's not going anywhere but up from its initial public offering on March 19, 2019. It will be slow, but it is a long-term investment and not one I will sell for a $33 profit (in the ZN example). I will continue to buy one or two shares here and there, while they're down, to average out lower. But in 10, 20, 30, or 40 years when I want to sell shares to make a monthly income, that investment will pay off a lot more than a Japanese bank account at pretty much 0% interest or any other financial institution the stock market generally increases 12% per year; nothing beats that.

Oil stocks seem like a long term investment just for any dividends paid out.

I'm unsure if ZN paid a dividend or not, but I was leveraged in (meaning using 'credit' as opposed to my own money). As I was using leverage, my position would automatically close at the end of the trading day, netting in a $120 cash loss. Luckily, I didn't get too greedy (should've sold at $55 profit in ~7 minutes), but I took my $33 chips and left.

But actually I think the stock market now is like the gambling business. You go in with money, you leave with same, you leave with more, or you leave with less or worse, not money.

It's definitely not gambling, at this point, if you choose the right stocks that will recover. What I am doing with ZN and others is gambling as I am using leverage to buy so much and walk away with little profits here and there. United Airlines will recover when COVID-19 is taken care of. I invested at a low and averaged out at $24.09 a share, which at a low is still worth $31.37 (profit!). I will continue investing at its lows, gradually averaging out higher and higher, reducing my profits, because at one point it will meet or exceed its high of $96.03 (looking at tripling my money in a matter of years).

I have to admit, my brother started out with penny stocks.

I did unlisted penny stocks for a while, but they seemed to be all a 'scam'. By that, I mean 'signals' of what to invest in are sent out by 'gurus' who invested at, let's say $0.01. The stock will immediately jump to $0.07, making the guru 7x their money while others are left with nothing, or a slight profit, as there will be a quicker selloff than a buy-in.

It can be lucrative, but you need to know what the company is and research it to see what they are working on and whether it's feasible to be profitable. Otherwise, it's junk in my opinion.

But in these times, if lucky, one can get in and out with a **** load of money quickly.

My strategy is two-fold: I am getting out with $10-50 in profit per day so that I can invest in 1 more share of a solid company with my own earnings, essentially building a $750,000+ portfolio at retirement (an initial deposit of $2000 and investing $200 a month can get you there).

As stated, if you merely deposit $100 in a Webull account, you can claim 2 shares worth $2.50-$1400 and sell at any time without the need to actually invest. There's really nothing to lose but $100 for a month with the potential of beating any traditional savings.

 

[island cyclist]

Of course clothing stocks will go down. However, Levi Strauss & Co. was founded in 1853 and worn by many—it's not going anywhere but up from its initial public offering on March 19, 2019. It will be slow, but it is a long-term investment and not one I will sell for a $33 profit (in the ZN example). I will continue to buy one or two shares here and there, while they're down, to average out lower. But in 10, 20, 30, or 40 years when I want to sell shares to make a monthly income, that investment will pay off a lot more than a Japanese bank account at pretty much 0% interest or any other financial institution the stock market generally increases 12% per year; nothing beats that.

I'm unsure if ZN paid a dividend or not, but I was leveraged in (meaning using 'credit' as opposed to my own money). As I was using leverage, my position would automatically close at the end of the trading day, netting in a $120 cash loss. Luckily, I didn't get too greedy (should've sold at $55 profit in ~7 minutes), but I took my $33 chips and left.

It's definitely not gambling, at this point, if you choose the right stocks that will recover. What I am doing with ZN and others is gambling as I am using leverage to buy so much and walk away with little profits here and there. United Airlines will recover when COVID-19 is taken care of. I invested at a low and averaged out at $24.09 a share, which at a low is still worth $31.37 (profit!). I will continue investing at its lows, gradually averaging out higher and higher, reducing my profits, because at one point it will meet or exceed its high of $96.03 (looking at tripling my money in a matter of years).

I did unlisted penny stocks for a while, but they seemed to be all a 'scam'. By that, I mean 'signals' of what to invest in are sent out by 'gurus' who invested at, let's say $0.01. The stock will immediately jump to $0.07, making the guru 7x their money while others are left with nothing, or a slight profit, as there will be a quicker selloff than a buy-in.

It can be lucrative, but you need to know what the company is and research it to see what they are working on and whether it's feasible to be profitable. Otherwise, it's junk in my opinion.

My strategy is two-fold: I am getting out with $10-50 in profit per day so that I can invest in 1 more share of a solid company with my own earnings, essentially building a $750,000+ portfolio at retirement (an initial deposit of $2000 and investing $200 a month can get you there).

As stated, if you merely deposit $100 in a Webull account, you can claim 2 shares worth $2.50-$1400 and sell at any time without the need to actually invest. There's really nothing to lose but $100 for a month with the potential of beating any traditional savings.

Who keeps the paper on the stocks you buy?

By the way, thanks for taking the time to go over the above. I just can't think of my little brother being a millionaire all by doing what you are doing at the age of 59.
Anyway, keep me informed. Since it doesn't look like will be bumm'n around Japan, that means I 'll have some spending money. I'll see how things look in September.
Seems my visit to the hospital a couple of weeks ago turned out fine. No cancer, so now I can think freely again.

 

[David]

Who keeps the paper on the stocks you buy?

With Webull, they are paperless. However, I believe you can get the official share certificate if you wish. If I'm mistaken, you can transfer your shares out to another brokerage firm that will give them to you. That said, it's harder to trade a piece of paper than it is a 'paperless' share when you see a 100% gain in a day and want to take profit, buying in lower again (as what goes up that fast, must come down), where you can own at a higher than previous position held, but still eventually profit again (and if not, you would still 'profit' if you sold at a 'loss' in most instances anyway because of that 100% spike).

 

[island cyclist]

So today its all electronic transfers of stocks. Not on paper?

 

[David]

So today its all electronic transfers of stocks. Not on paper?

Correct. You electronically transfer your ownership of shares from one brokerage to another or request them to mail you physical copies of the share certificates, essentially emptying your account as they no longer possess the shares any longer (God forbid you don't have a fireproof safe to keep them in; or, like on 3/11/2011, a tsunami doesn't sweep them away).

 

[David]

Stocks are starting to rebound from their minuscule loss (7%) from their 250% initial gain slightly after the first coronavirus stimulus checks were issued in the States. This shows with the hundreds of thousands of new investors started investing with their first payment too; so, I'm not alone here.

With talks in session now, which were the cause of stagnation as they seem so drawn out for another round of stimulus checks, we may have a lot to gain in the very near future. It could quite possibly turning your $100 deposit—if you want to play it safe—into $130~ in a week, excluding the 2 free shares in random companies that can be valued anywhere from $12 to $1400 for just signing up and depositing $100 at Webull.

You can also instantly sell your shares once they're applied to your account, applied in 10 trading days... absolutely making more money on $100 than in any bank account.

My personal suggestion, as I also receive 2 free stocks with your deposit and want everyone to make the best of their investment, is to tuck your $100 away into airline companies. Delta, American Airlines, United Airlines, etc., along with cruise liners (Royal Caribbean) and hotel chains, has been nothing but good for me since the March lows that we will never see again (unless we have COVID-20).

What are you waiting for? At least test the waters with Webull and tell me which shares you receive. If I'm a lucky one to get a $1400 (or near) share from your membership, I'll be sure to announce it and the non-profitable charities on it'll be used for.

Below is my unrealized profit and loss. Unfortunately, they counted my leveraged day trades in here, which did profit, but took my P&L down significantly so I would have to do manual math to determine that. However, it is in the low 1000s from my initial $1200 deposit (stimulus check), essentially more than doubling my first stimulus check.

 

[David]

I've referred 2 from this thread alone.

One reported back that they earned a LEVI share (as I did) and a share of some other company with a value of $3. That's an ROI of 115% in a week alone! All you have to do is open an account with the link to Webull above and deposit an initial $100 to invest. You can even get $100 in provisional credit to begin trading immediately so you don't even have to wait for the check (ACH) to clear, potentially earning more essentially overnight (or in the next 20 minutes after this post is made and the markets open)!

This is not MLM. You get 2 free shares valued at $2.50 to $1400 each as do I. If you decide to refer your friends or family to this legitimate brokerage service, you are more than welcome to give them your affiliate link or invite them directly through the Webull app. As it's not MLM, and an affiliate link only, YOU and THEY will get 2 free shares valued at $2.50 to $1400 each—I will not receive anything at that point.

If you sign up with the link above and deposit your first $100, tell me what shares you got and I'll tell you what I got!

 

[David]

After the markets opening today (2230 JST), I was kind of disappointed as I had hoped for at least a $100 share (Facebook for instance), but I really can't be too down as it's free money and this will indeed help our non-profit activities in Okinawa such as beach cleanups and TNR.

Stock Quote	Value
UBS	$12.21
LEVI	$12.53
LEVI	$12.53
UBS	$12.20
Total:	$49.47

It's now up to me to follow up with these 4 shares to see if over the next month, quarter, and year whether they paid off even more with their quarterly earnings announcements which will obviously increase their value.

Join up and get your free shares!

 

[island cyclist]

So David, will Biden start taxing the hell out of the stock market when you start cashing out?