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I’m not a financial adviser.  I haven’t taken any of the classes or certifications that allow me to give investment advice.   Please don’t take this post as advice.

This is me, sharing what I have chosen to invest in.   These investments are scattered across a few different IRAs and brokerage accounts.  Copy me at your own risk.

BAC – Bank of America: I bought this low.  When any major bank is low, it’s time to buy.  I bought in stages starting at about $5 per share.  What I’ve got now has given me a 57% return.

CVS – CVS Caremark: I bought this on the advice of a friend.  It’s shown a 6% return over the past few months.

IAU & GLD – Gold ETFs: I wanted a way to get some precious metals into my IRA, so I bought a gold fund.  It’s down 7%, but I’m confident it’s going to come back.

MSFT – Microsoft:  This is one of the first stocks I bought with my 401k 10 years ago.  It’s up about 5% since I rolled it into my current IRA.

PAYX -Paychex Inc: I hate payday loans, but a friend recommended this stock and it has given me a 10% return.

SIRI –  Another recommendation from a different friend.  I don’t think it will ever hit the moon, but you won’t see me complain about the 60% return, either.

SLV – Silver ETF:  Another precious metals venture.  It’s down 3% overall, but that’s varying day to day.   A couple of weeks ago, it was around $19 per share, so it’s up nicely since then.  I predict it will continue to rise.

SYK: Stryker Corp: Another friendly recommendation.  This one is down 2%, but the recommender thinks it’s a good long-term bet, so I’ll hold it for a while.

VB – Vanguard Small-Cap ETF: I like Vanguard funds in general.  This one has given me a 5% return.

VIG – Vanguard Dividend ETF: This one pays dividends, which is usually a sign of a strong stock.  1% return.

VWO -: Vanguard Emerging Market ETF: If our economy has problems, emerging markets tend to thrive in response, so I’m hedging my bets with this.  It has lost 4% so far.

IDMOX – An ING family fund that has served me well.  13% return.

VFINX – Vanguard S&P index fund.  2% return.

RICK – Rick’s Cabaret: A few days ago, I read an article about Rick’s Cabaret losing a lawsuit that made all of it’s New York strippers into full employees entitled to minimum wage.  The article mentioned that Rick’s is publicly traded, which amused me, so I bought a few shares.

Those are the positions I have with one brokerage, across three accounts.   I didn’t share the balances, but overall, I have had a 10% return on these investments.

Now, I’ll share the contents of my wife’s inherited IRA.   This money was entirely in a money market when she inherited it last year.  She got nervous and would only let me play with half of it.  That half has averaged a 20% return since June 2012, with part of it hitting 29%.

These are all Fidelity funds for a specific 401k program.  I have no idea our accessible the funds are to the general public.  We are working on an IRA-mandated withdrawal of this money, so it will be moving over the course of years.

PYR INX LFC 2010/2035/2040/2045/2050 – These are targeted date funds.  Each of them has had at least a 20% return.

SM&MID Cap Equity – This fund currently has a 29% 1 year return.

That’s my investment portfolio.  Some gambles, some amusement, some solid investments.   I think I’m doing pretty well.  What do you think?