Diane's Page
Personal Development
Dale Carnegie is credited with introducing 'participatory learning'. At the time, college students listened while their professors lectured from their 'pulpit'.
His book 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' remains relevant in spite of being written approaching 100 years ago.
In his response to people dealing with stress, he wrote the book 'How to Stop Worrying and Start Living'.
Investing
The best advise I received regarding stock market investing: become educated about investing.
Of course, this was easy to say and hard to do. Fortunately, I was introduced to the Bob Brinker program on investing who I listened to faithfully every Saturday afternoon for a long time.
The question he would ask: Do you want to be the market or do you want to beat the market?
His response to these questions:
Since most people don't have the time or expertise to pick 'winners', focus on investing in index funds ... such as the total stock market or S & P or NASDAQ. The benefit of 'index' investing: the risk is spread over many stocks as opposed to a few selected stocks.
Perhaps the main reason so many people start reading a book on investments and stop after the first few chapters is because they don't know the 'language'. Brinker suggests: keep a financial dictionary close by when you read.
Here books I have read and recommend:
Book 1 DECODING WALL STREET by David Caruso
Note: Investing has its own language. You need to learn the language!
Also, listening to investment talk shows will help you learn the language.
(If not available, any financial dictionary will do.)
Book 2 GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING MONEY AND INVESTING by Kenneth M. Morris
This is a simply written, pictorial explanation of investment concepts and more. Keep this book with you
during those times you get caught in traffic or waiting in the doctor's office.
Just by reading it over and over again you will be amazed just how much information you will retain and
use in your other readings.
Book 3 A RANDOM WALK DOWN WALL STREET by Burton G. Malkiel
A classic ... Malkiel first wrote this book in 1973 ... and has updated it several times …
Still relevant today.
He publishes a new edition every few years.
This particular book is over 400 pages. I recommend you read the entire book.
However, if you have limited time, I suggest you read these chapters:
Preface
Chapter I Firm Foundations and Castles in the Air
Chapter 2 The Madness of Crowds (This will help you understand the dotcom meltdown)
Chapter 8 A New Walking Shoe: Modern Portfolio Theory The advent of mutual funds and more)
Chapter 9 Reaping Reward by Increasing Risk (Risk - a most important element in investing)
Chapter 11 A Fitness Manual for Random Walkers
Chapter 13 A Life-Cycle Guide to Investing
Book 4 WINNING THE LOSER'S GAME by Charles D. Ellis
This is a fun book to read. Some of his ideas may surprise you. Ellis speaks to the non professional
investor. A must read!
Book 5 BOGLE on MUTUAL FUNDS by Jack Bogle
Jack Bogle started the Vanguard Group ... I refer to Bogle and his Vanguard Group as the
“Southwest Airlines” of the investment industry. He is not liked by the Wall Street “Blue Bloods” as he promotes index funds, “dollar cost averaging” and low “expense” investing.
Other
Vanguard.com is a site to find additional books.
The Harvey Girls
They Opened Up Opportunities for Girls
Suggestions for Riding Amtrak
AMTRAK TRAVEL NOTES
I have had the fortune to ride all of Amtrak’s routes from Chicago to the West Coast as well as many of Amtrak’s eastern routes.
Book Your Trip Early as possible:
The closer to train date departure, usually the more the trip will cost.
Positives
Met some great people; saw some interesting places and scenery: many great experiences!
I questioned taking a 52 hour trip; however, it was always better than I thought it would be.
On a long trip I got to know the people around me (passengers are grouped by destination).
Negative
Sleep can be problematic/sporadic (engine horn, rocking motion, snorers, talkers, people boarding train late night/early AM)
Amtrak arrivals/departures can be late; sometimes by hours.
Suggestion:
For a more comfortable trip, I brought
Small pillow; light blanket (sometimes train can be cold)
Wash cloth and towel and bar of soap
Sleep mask and ear plugs
Flashlight
For entertainment, I brought
Atlas to chart my trip (I always liked to know where I was)
Books (when I didn’t feel like reading, I listened to audio books)
DVD player: (Texas Eagle had an outlet at every seat)
Cell phone, iPod, chargers, head phones
Camera
Conversation
I usually initiated conversation, sometimes people started conversation.I found people to be friendly and interested in talking
My favorite place was the lounge/observation car.
Food
Amtrak has a reputation for serving good meals in their dining car.
Less expensive food (sandwiches, beverages, and snacks) are available in lounge car (lower level).
I chose not to eat on train I brought these items for
each day of travel
2 bottles of water
1 can of a beverage
1 box of cheerios (breakfast)
1 Turkey lunch to go (lunch)
1 Tuna Lunch to go (dinner)
2 trail mix bars
1 apple
Misc
I got cell phone reception most of the time, but not all the time
Sometimes I slept in observation/lounge car at night (quiet)
Sometimes I could lie down on seats or floor in observation car
Shoes are mandatory on the train (for safety reasons)
Conductor will make sure you get off at your stop (even if it’s late at night or early in morning)
I felt safe at all times, but kept vigilant
Nothing stolen; place for small items near seat; large suitcases are stored on lower level
I have had so many wonderful experiences riding Amtrak.
Denver to Salt Lake City
on the
California Zephyr
Tap here for Amtrak's trip
through the Rocky Mountains