How Are You All Doing?

[Parsad]

Hi All,

 

Just wondering how people in our community (COBF) are holding up during the crisis.  Please be honest in your votes, because if there is a need, I would like us to try and help those that might need some assistance if possible. 

 

Do not use your names if you are in need and post on this thread, but if we find that there is a significant need, I will have people contact me privately and try to find help for them.

 

Cheers!

 

Sanjeev

[drzola]

What a great gesture Sanjeev.

I really should not have expected Less of you.

I still remember when you and the Canadian " Great One" (GOAT) were enlightened with the behavior and quality of some of the Southern neighbors ( Mighty Neighborly of them HAHA ) attending.

I am most specifically pertaining to silent auction bids and gorging on the available gifting available etc.etc.etc.

I believe this was the last time the fundraising dinner was held at the grand ole hotel per-renovation's?

 

All our love here Sir your the best as always.

 

P.S. I have to do our modelling these unusual hours and purveying Internationally for us Canadians on current assignment.

Thus the Bizarre outbursts ( "Happy Gilmore" like ) and emotional quotient rants.

 

  My apologies if I have offended anyway Unintentionally .

 

Cheers.

 

Your Humble Servant;

 

Stephen

[rolling]

Is this financially speaking?

The hard part over here is to keep on working (both healthcare workers), 2 babies at home, housewife dismissed (to save us and mostly her from coronavirus), no help from family (cutting social relations: we will catch this thing and take it home, we won't risk causing our parents harm), and wife was already on her limit prior to Coronavirus (and her work at the ICU is now much heavier).

 

Financially: a 50% drawdown and limited liquidity (but both still working) doesn't take my sleep away (the kids mostly do, though).

 

I didn't answer the poll because answer would be much different if we were speaking of financial or general terms.

[DocSnowball]

Is this financially speaking?

The hard part over here is to keep on working (both healthcare workers), 2 babies at home, housewife dismissed (to save us and mostly her from coronavirus), no help from family (cutting social relations: we will catch this thing and take it home, we won't risk causing our parents harm), and wife was already on her limit prior to Coronavirus (and her work at the ICU is now much heavier).

 

Financially: a 50% drawdown and limited liquidity (but both still working) doesn't take my sleep away (the kids mostly do, though).

 

I didn't answer the poll because answer would be much different if we were speaking of financial or general terms.

Thanks for starting this and thanks for sharing. Same feelings and situation here, financially prepared but not personally or professionally. Wonder how I'll put my family through something like this again after all this is over. For some it's a 1 in 100 year event, for our line of work something rears it's head every few years. First thoughts are to live in the moment and take it one day at a time....regroup after making it safely on the other side. 

[writser]

Is this financially speaking?

The hard part over here is to keep on working (both healthcare workers), 2 babies at home, housewife dismissed (to save us and mostly her from coronavirus), no help from family (cutting social relations: we will catch this thing and take it home, we won't risk causing our parents harm), and wife was already on her limit prior to Coronavirus (and her work at the ICU is now much heavier).

 

Financially: a 50% drawdown and limited liquidity (but both still working) doesn't take my sleep away (the kids mostly do, though).

 

I didn't answer the poll because answer would be much different if we were speaking of financial or general terms.

 

Good post. I agree - I'm coping very well with the financial side (or let's just say: the losses :P). I guess the hard part is not going crazy / trying to get any work done while being locked down in your house for a few months with the entire family. No schools, daycare, cleaning lady, pubs, grandparents, sports, whatever. I've been preparing for this for years though (some would call that being asocial) so I'm doing relatively fine!

[Broeb22]

I've had to eat my own cooking (literally not figuratively) but other than that I'm doing alright.

[Artha158]

Hi All,

 

Just wondering how people in our community (COBF) are holding up during the crisis.  Please be honest in your votes, because if there is a need, I would like us to try and help those that might need some assistance if possible. 

 

Do not use your names if you are in need and post on this thread, but if we find that there is a significant need, I will have people contact me privately and try to find help for them.

 

Cheers!

Sanjeev

 

 

Thanks for the good gesture. 

[DTEJD1997]

I am doing relatively well...

 

HOWEVER, I am concerned for some of my family & friends.

 

My Aunt quit her job.  She is in healthcare and there were some odd/shady things going on, and worker's health was being put at risk.  She is also has an elevated risk factor to the corona virus.  She is an excellent worker and will have no problem finding new work.  She is going to take 2-3 weeks and simply stay at home with her children.  One of my nieces started working in healthcare as an office receptionist.  She is on leave of absence and just found out that one of her co-worker's father contracted the corona virus and has died.  He was a nurse at a hospital in the Detroit area. 

 

My father is elderly and has MULTIPLE risk factors.  He has not been taking the precautions seriously enough.  I've argued with him multiple times and it is slow to sink into his consciousness how vulnerable he is and how bad the situation is.

 

I have several friends who work in healthcare, and I am concerned for their safety.

 

Most businesses near me have also shut down.  Of course, all the auto companies have shut down or are down 95%+ in business.  The schools are closed, the casinos are closed, restaurants are closed.  The economic downturn is going to be bad, just a question of how bad it is going to be.

 

Finally, I have some Canadian friends who live in Windsor.  The economic situation in Windsor is falling apart even faster than it is in Detroit.  My Canadian friends also are suffering from a depreciating dollar.

 

I hope everybody who reads this stays safe and comes through this crisis OK.

[LC]

Doing ok. Wife and I WFH normally so not much changed for us. Biggest concern is my family & community. Back in NY & Italy many relatives are doctors and nurse, they are at risk and some have recently tested positive. They are in their 40s and 50s so I am hoping for a recovery, but preparing for the worst.

 

Here in Denver I am worried for the community, college kids and mid-20s and such who work in bars, restaurants, cafes, etc. They are and will be out of work for what seems like quite a while and I am worried what will end up happening, whether they will have a place to sleep/eat at the end of all this. The small business owners I know, they are doing their best to keep people employed or at least pay their healthcare. So we are giving $$ for that and for meals. The question is how long they can keep it up for, every day it gets more difficult.

[SharperDingaan]

Just so that it might inspire others ...

 

My partners and I have done very well swing-trading the markets. So far we're up roughly 3x YTD, on a little skill, and mostly luck.

Comes normality again, the cash yield on our FI portfolio will be beyond stupid.

 

I have partnership involvement in 2 businesses, a craft brewery. and a small blockchain IT shop.

We haven't laid off anyone in either of the businesses, but we have temporarily converted everyone onto an hourly pay, and cut back hours by around 50%. We have applied for wage subsidy assistance, and partners contribute their pay as seed money towards a monthly 'hardship fund', that employees can contribute to as well.  Every 2-weeks, we have an employee draw, and the winner decides who gets the money. The brewery still makes a little beer, but our main product today is hand sanitizer, with a >60% alcohol content.

 

We only have 3 coders, and have taken a similar approach. We continue to pay what we can, but in today's world, our coders now apply their skills wherever they see their best fit. Partners give guidance, but the coders run with it. Comes normality again, we return to routine business.

 

We have done a few other things as well, but prefer to remain anonymous.

 

The takeaway is that this is the time to 'walk the talk'.

Reputations are being built, and comes the 'new normal', today's investments will come back to you many times over. Your biggest assets are your brains, your employees, and change. Now is the time to blow the barn doors open, grab change by the cohones, and squeeze!

 

Good luck

 

SD

 

 

 

 

 

[muscleman]

I’ve been 90% cash since mid Feb but still pissed to have a 4% draw down on my portfolio as I lost a ton on my remaining stocks

[Ross812]

We have been taking the lockdowns seriously since 12 March and are more than a little stir crazy. Fortunately we can both work from home and are in recession resistant industries. We have been getting take out and coffee twice a week and leaving a 50% to 100% tip trying to help out and show our appreciation for those still working semi public facing jobs.

 

On the portfolio side - 401ks and IRAs are ugly at 70/30 stocks to bonds :'(.

 

The money management side has been a lot better - I have about 25% of our money along with a small group of money invested for retirees and near retirees. I've been using a CD/Bond strategy combined with long term SPX options for a few years now. The options this go around were a bust  (-4%) but the account is up 4% since January due to some individual bond trading and cycling some ETFs. It looks like I may be making a few small bets with DITM options and selling puts etc. I will say - I never appreciated the amount of time you will spend talking to investors when the markets plummet. I can't imagine managing 20+ peoples money.

[Castanza]

Overall doing well. I have taken a good thumping initially but have had enough cash to average down on a few long positions. I have also had some good luck trading a few equities and buying some puts to free up more cash. Trying to be patient from here as I was quick to jump back in initially. There seems to be a lack of activity on the "What Are You Buying?" thread lately so I'm guessing others are doing the same?

 

Jobwise my wife is busy (healthcare). It's an odd situation because financially it's comforting to be in healthcare yet from the personal risk standpoint it's somewhat concerning. We are both young and healthy so lord willing if we happen to come down with it we should live to see another day. I have to say my wife is encouraging in this situation because she has the mentality of "I signed up to provide care and care I will provide through hell or high water." I do not condemn those in healthcare who take a leave of absence, quit or have some type of underlying condition or potentially pose a risk to loved ones. Also if they feel they aren't properly protected it's completely understandable! But my wife being young, also having no kids and only being exposed to each other is taking all of this in stride.

 

On the side of this I actually got a call last night about the volunteer position at her hospital. I begin next week (at least training) and will work just a few days a week (evening shift) to help run errands, resupply carts, stock rooms, etc. Don't really know what to expect. I have to fill out daily reports on my health and the hospital will be taking my temp upon arrival of my shift. My guess (and my wifes) is that I will be running supplies from the hospital staging area to the tents they put up outside. It seems like they are trying to create a buffer zone between the hospital and covid central as best they can.

 

This will be a good way to get out of the house and do something supportive of the real heroes out there. I've been pent up for a little over 4 weeks now and the only thing that placates my stir craziness currently is my daily 5 mile lunch break jog.

 

 

[Libs]

On the side of this I actually got a call last night about the volunteer position at her hospital. I begin next week (at least training) and will work just a few days a week (evening shift) to help run errands, resupply carts, stock rooms, etc. Don't really know what to expect. I have to fill out daily reports on my health and the hospital will be taking my temp upon arrival of my shift. My guess (and my wifes) is that I will be running supplies from the hospital staging area to the tents they put up outside. It seems like they are trying to create a buffer zone between the hospital and covid central as best they can.

 

This will be a good way to get out of the house and do something supportive of the real heroes out there. I've been pent up for a little over 4 weeks now and the only thing that placates my stir craziness currently is my daily 5 mile lunch break jog.

 

This is great and noble. And I got a laugh out of it because I picture the real Castanza doing this, which would be comical.

[Castanza]

On the side of this I actually got a call last night about the volunteer position at her hospital. I begin next week (at least training) and will work just a few days a week (evening shift) to help run errands, resupply carts, stock rooms, etc. Don't really know what to expect. I have to fill out daily reports on my health and the hospital will be taking my temp upon arrival of my shift. My guess (and my wifes) is that I will be running supplies from the hospital staging area to the tents they put up outside. It seems like they are trying to create a buffer zone between the hospital and covid central as best they can.

 

This will be a good way to get out of the house and do something supportive of the real heroes out there. I've been pent up for a little over 4 weeks now and the only thing that placates my stir craziness currently is my daily 5 mile lunch break jog.

 

This is great and noble. And I got a laugh out of it because I picture the real Castanza doing this, which would be comical.

 

;D Dr. Art Vandelay

[opihiman2]

Just so that it might inspire others ...

 

My partners and I have done very well swing-trading the markets. So far we're up roughly 3x YTD, on a little skill, and mostly luck.

Comes normality again, the cash yield on our FI portfolio will be beyond stupid.

 

I have partnership involvement in 2 businesses, a craft brewery. and a small blockchain IT shop.

We haven't laid off anyone in either of the businesses, but we have temporarily converted everyone onto an hourly pay, and cut back hours by around 50%. We have applied for wage subsidy assistance, and partners contribute their pay as seed money towards a monthly 'hardship fund', that employees can contribute to as well.  Every 2-weeks, we have an employee draw, and the winner decides who gets the money. The brewery still makes a little beer, but our main product today is hand sanitizer, with a >60% alcohol content.

 

We only have 3 coders, and have taken a similar approach. We continue to pay what we can, but in today's world, our coders now apply their skills wherever they see their best fit. Partners give guidance, but the coders run with it. Comes normality again, we return to routine business.

 

We have done a few other things as well, but prefer to remain anonymous.

 

The takeaway is that this is the time to 'walk the talk'.

Reputations are being built, and comes the 'new normal', today's investments will come back to you many times over. Your biggest assets are your brains, your employees, and change. Now is the time to blow the barn doors open, grab change by the cohones, and squeeze!

 

Good luck

 

SD

 

Really?  What brewery?  I love craft beer.

[Gregmal]

Working from my car as wife and young kids rule the house currently. This does not look like it will cease anytime soon. Managing money right now is tough obviously. The main reason, especially with investors, is everything, everywhere has gotten killed. Normally shifting from decently performing assets to depressed ones is easy. Right now, everything depressed. Many of the ones who have abundant cash, will continue to hold cash for the same reasons they have it in the first place, they are fear driven and scared of everything, thus never able to capitalize.

 

Personally, I'm a younger dude and a historian at heart. I believe I can learn the past through studying and through the wisdom of others. As such, was spared a good deal of pain through the wisdom of many fellow investors, some here. Consciously(and loudly) bitched about valuations all Q4 and Q1, lightened up a ton, even shifted some stocks into new properties with favorable income/cash flows(and leased up great quality tenants, thank god) back in December/early January. Personal mix was about 40/60(75 % if you count margin) RE/stocks. Sold almost all of my speculative shit ahead of the crash. Shorted some dog shit. Then things crash and my shorts went down way too fast and I covered somewhat early or they became too tiny to matter. Was saved more than anything by kamikaze puts significantly out of the money on shitty companies that exploded in value. Started buying the dip too early in a bunch of stuff. Drawdown has been in excess of SPY. So yea, in hindsite, I played this as well as I think I reasonably could have and even got very lucky with some timings, and still got an ass whooping. There will be a lot of interesting data and psychological phenomena to study from all of this.

[Viking]

Financially and health wise in a very good situation. Financially, up to 20% stocks and 80% cash. I have been in and out a couple of times; lucky. It has helped me understand the companies i want to own long term. Gregmal, i am determined to NOT sit in cash through the cycle and appreciate your Jiminy Cricket voice in the back of my head :-)

 

Health wise my family of 5 are doing great. My oldest has just returned from university and we are slowly emptying her apartment. My 3 teenage kids are all taking turns cooking and they are actually better than me at a bunch of items (my son recently oven cooked prime rib steaks and then pan fried them in butter and garlic); it is amazing the chefs they follow on the internet. (My Italian wife's line is if you can read you can cook :-).

 

We have lots of young family members we are thinking will need some financial help... we are going to wait a few more weeks and then likely send out a few one time discrete (they tell no one) cash gifts (we have learned over the years to never give anyone a loan... cash gift or nothing). My neighbours across the street are retired with conditions so i have offered to be their grunt as required. My kids also had a Lego business that we are winding down; we have started giving family and neighbour kids gifts of large Lego sets;  families are very appreciative. We also are trying to support our favourite local sushi restaurant (gave them a $100 tip last night; they thought it was a mistake and were touched when i told them is was not a mistake :-)

[rkbabang]

Financially and healthwise I am fine and my wife and kids are all fine.  But I am worried and concerned for many in my extended family and others that I know.  Just one example, my housekeeper for my airbnb property runs her own cleaning business and I am the only one still employing her.  All of her other clients have cancelled on her until further notice.  Luckily her husband is still working and she has a little in savings, but if this goes on for too long she may have to close her business and look for work.  Just today I offered to pay her in advance for the next 10 cleanings so she can have some liquidity.  She said that she doesn't need it yet, but if this goes on for another month or 2 she might take me up on that.  There must be millions of people with small businesses in trouble or close to it.

[Spekulatius]

Doing fine myself. Outperforming the sucky index so far, which really doesn’t mean much. My main worry worry is that  wife works in  a relatively High risk position in ICU as a nurse and now started to get Covid19 patients. Hospital is short on PPE;  hopefully that will get resolved. I hope that the Health care System holds up and can take care of the patients. We live on the border of NH and we still see a lot of complacent people all around, including at my work.

 

I am quite worried about this becoming a depression and destroying wealth and the social fabric on a massive scale. The unemployment numbers that economists have been throwing around are mindboggling. My sense is the depth will pale the GFC and the damage to the economy might make recovery very difficult.  see this in no way being priced in and it is a big worry, once we got over the epidemic itself.

[meiroy]

 

 

Worried about the extended family, some at their 70+...

 

I started to like having the kids home all the time and will probably miss it when they go back.

 

[BG2008]

Been working from my apartment.  My wife and kids have gone to stay with my in-laws and my brother-in-law is working from home.  Everyone in my family is in lockdown mode and staying in.  The best thing that I can do is cook 2 good meals on the weekends.  My wife told me that when I am around and cooking, it takes the edge off everyone as everyone has been cooped up inside.  So I try to get everyone to sit down and eat.  We stocked up on food a few weeks ago, think like 30 pounds of oxtail, frozen crab legs, frozen shrimps etc.  It's amazing how affordable it is to eat restaurant quality food if you can buy it from a restaurant supply store and cook it yourself.  My wife has been on point with ordering online.  We have switched over to ordering via Instacart and getting grocery delivered.