Introduction [View all]

[hermetic]

I am retired, single, and living in a paid-for house on SSI and minimum distributions from a 401K. I make enough to live comfortably but frugally. I have not had to pay income taxes for many years and am poor enough to qualify for a program that eliminates my property taxes. I guess that’s all about to change.

My dad passed away last year leaving 3 heirs; my sister, brother, and me. All other immediate family has been gone for a while. Dad was 92 and in a nursing home so everything he had was in an Edward Jones account, a mix of stocks, bonds, etc. I got ownership back in March, when the country had begun shutting down.

So, I was already in a mild state of shock, wondering if we would all be dead in a short time, and now I’m the owner of a six figure investment account (very low six figure) about which I know absolutely nothing. The EJ office is in a different state. I have spoken with my advisor on the phone a few times and told her not to change anything right now until I have a better idea of what’s going on. I sure don’t want to end up with some huge tax bill.

I have never wanted to be in the stock market because I don’t trust it and she had me agree to not discuss my account with anyone other than her. I have bookmarked several websites that look like they would help me understand what I’ve got but I never seem to have the time for them. I am a very busy person these days. When I discovered this group, I started following figuring I might learn a thing or two.

I am having some concerns about my account, not the least of which is the photo of my advisor. Now I truly have never been one to judge people by their looks but damned if this woman doesn’t have those crazed Republican eyes that we see so often now. Plus a few comments she has made give me pause.

I do realize that there is a lot of confusion and concern about what’s going to happen now. I’ve seen the headlines that we are headed for a worse Depression than has over occurred. My advisor says, “Nah, never gonna happen.”

So, there I am. Waiting and watching. Delighted to meet you all.