You have an excellent thread running here! Thank you for your honesty and for sharing so much of your work with the rest of us.
I was actually thinking of you and your diversified portfolio yesterday when the market turned. I'm sure there were some uneasy feelings watching so many great trades turn red. Your note about reaching the 8-figure threshold was telling. If I may be so bold as to offer you a bit of advice... please; keep doing just what you are doing. I expect if you hold on you will be back to (and well beyond) that level in a matter of days.
I loved your list of stocks that you were stopped out of. They happen to be some of my current favorites, and I actually bought GILD, BWNG, VIMC and CSTR yesterday at the close. Most of these performed quite well today. And you are so wise to seek out the dividend paying stocks. They will always be your best anchor is stormy markets.
Your tip about watching the mutual fund buys and their average costs is excellent. These "generals" of the market will powerfully protect their interests with resources far greater than yours of mine.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Your work and success is an inspiration.
Best regrads, Joe
ps: Microsoft has delayed every upgrade of Windows in their company's history. It is simply their way of stoking the public's interest and anticipation. The news yesterday (and subsequent selloff) was a great buying opportunity IMHO. Bill Gates is more responsible for our economy's productivity improvements in the last 20 years than any American in history. Just look at your own portfolio spreadsheet! Imagine doing that 30, 20, even 10 years ago. The US economy is in great shape and America's productivity will continue to increase as Gates improves his products. The Fed will continue to raise interest rates, as they must, until Americans get wise and start saving their money! I believe our economy (and markets) can withstand another 1% increase in Fed Funds rates. Ok... Not I'm done.