Tobin Family Website

I ran across a new USAF recruiting website the other day.  It is geared to pique the interest of today’s tech savvy high school kids.  I have to admit, it is a pretty cool site.  The theme is “amazing things” that USAF airmen do.  The site provides several videos and pictures of the different types of cool careers that airmen can pursue (interestingly, I didn’t see one of an Acquisition Program Manager negotiating a contract….go figure!).  Despite my disappointment, it is a neat site. 

Also, check out the cool new USAF Memorial being erected on the hill overlooking the Pentagon.  It has three gigantic stainless steel spires (279 feet high) depicting the “bomb-burst” maneuver performed by the USAF Thunderbirds.  It will be a very prominent memorial overlooking the Capital skyline, and will be very impressive at night.  The USAF Memorial will be officially dedicated and presented to the nation at an onsite ceremony at 1:30 p.m., on Saturday, October 14, 2006. We have requested tickets for the ceremony which will feature an aerial review of historic and modern Air Force aircraft, including an appearance by the USAF Thunderbirds.  It will be followed by a free concert by the United States Air Force Band and country singer Lee Ann Womack. 

     

Check out the two, new Thunderbird videos from the USAF’s new “Do Something Amazing” website below:

 

It has been a good investment year so far.  In a prior post, I reported that we have invested in the small “dogs of the dow” this year.  Although we did not hold all of our positions (we sold GM and Pfizer), the other three “small dog” stocks continue to do very well (AT&T, Merck and Verizon).  The following are their year-to-date returns (not including dividends, which have also been very good):

• AT&T= 35%
• Merck = 27.5%
• Verizon = 25%

My total return has been a bit higher than this because I bought them a week and a half prior to the first of the year.  The “small dog” stocks that I divested (GM and Pfizer), also did extremely well (wish I kept these positions), with the following year-to-date returns:

• GM = 66.2%
• Pfizer = 19.4%

My other Stock investments haven’t done as well, with the following year-to-date returns:

• Microsoft = 9.6% (I invest a set $ amount weekly in this stock, so my returns are beating the straight YTD earnings)
• Sirius = -40%

Sirius has always been my speculative pick, and I am hoping it will eventually grow.  I bought about 68% of it at $6.50 per share, 26% at $3.75 and 6% at $2.78.  It is currently trading at $3.97 per share.  With the growth in satellte radio, I am hoping it will at least recover to $6 a share.  If it goes to $10, I will be ecstatic and probably sell.  Fortunately I dumped XM Satellite Radio Holdings at a profit when it was selling in the $30+ range.  Since then, it has plummeted and is trading at $13.56.  I dumped it after Sirius signed Howard Stern….since then, Sirius has ”Siriusly” outpaced XM in new subscriber acquisitions.  I am hoping the two companies merge and consolidate their expensive operations into a leaner, profitable company.  Until then, I will continue to hold my speculative position.

In our money market investments, we have seen the following year-to-date returns:

• International Stock Index Investment Fund (I fund) = 8.8% 
• Common Stock Index Investment Fund (C Fund) = 5.9%
• Government Securities Investment Fund (G Fund) = 3.9%
• Small Capitalization Stock Index Investment Fund (S Fund) = 3.2%
• USAA First Start Growth Fund (kid’s accounts)= 4.8%

We also continue to dabble (very lightly) in US Savings Bonds…..mostly for the kids now.

I expect this is boring info to most, but I enjoy dabbling with the investments.  I wish I had time to really investigate and research stocks more and improve my positions.  Oh well!  Someday when I get more time!