2/11/21 - Every Hero has an Origin Story: Here's Mine

I started 7zeroFIRE as a way of setting an inspirational goal for myself to work toward financial independence and the ability to retire early.

 

My origin story – abbreviated.

I had 20 years of career experience, and less than $30,000 saved in retirement.

That number is reflective of several cash-outs due to financial hardship and unexpected job losses.

Almost 3 years ago, I joined a company which changed my family’s life, and opened the opportunity to save more money for our future(s).

From that $25,000 starting point, my portfolio has grown more than 26x in under three years.

Here’s how I did it –

  

Now, some of that benefit came with significantly cheaper stock purchases as a result of the pandemic.

 

In March 2020, the stock market dropped.

About 30% on average and some stocks dropped even more than that.

But, as exciting as cheap stocks are to buy, particularly for well known, stable brands, it also opened up opportunity for new and emerging technologies to accelerate and provide opportunity for investment.

And that's what really excites me. Looking forward at the trends ahead and buying stocks cheaply now, knowing they will be of significant value in three or five or ten years from now.

Some of the trends I have been following and investing in over the last year have been around 5G, Internet of Things (IoT), autonomous driving, development in Africa, AI, blockchain - Not really cryptocurrency specifically, because that's too broad and volatile - but blockchain.  I think blockchain is going to be critical for data security, particularly as more and more data becomes generated and accessible as a result of 5G, in support of autonomous driving, Internet of everything and connectedness of everything.  That data needs to be secure and blockchain is going to be the way it happens.

 

These are some of the things that I've been excited about. Also biotechnology.

I have a background in biology and chemistry.

Over 20 years of experience in research and development across biotech, food science, and software technology.

These areas, and emerging technologies, are what really excite me!

 

So let's dive into some of the stocks that I've purchased recently.

And I'll share what I've purchased, what I've invested in, and why I chose those investments.  Understand, my logic isn’t always super informed or solid.  This is a bit of an experiment.  Let’s learn and succeed together!

 

I’m setting a goal to plan a purchase with every paycheck.  This is in lieu of purchasing ESPP company stock (this is a strategic move I’ll explain in another blog).  Thus, I’m setting a goal to post every 2 weeks.  See you on the next Fortnight! 

 

Battery Tech

HYLN - Hyliion Holdings Corp

 

“Most Active” plays (with longer term potential)

RLLCF – Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC – another 50 thousand shares

TSNP - Tesoro Enterprises Inc

RLLCF – Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC – 50 thousand shares

HCMC - Healthier Choices Management Corp – 1 million shares

NOK - Nokia Oyj

 

 

5G / Data plays

NXT-ID - NXT-ID Inc

ISR – IsoRay Inc

FRSX - Foresight Autonomous Holdings Ltd

EVGN - Evogene Ltd

DAIO - Data I/O Corp

BSQR - Bsquare Corp

BNGO - Bionano Genomics Inc

 

Psilocybin plays

AIKI - Aikido Pharma Inc

SILO - Silo Pharma Inc

CMPS - Compass Pathways PLC

 

Blockchain and cryptocurrency plays

MARA - Marathon Patent Group Inc

HVBTF - HIVE Blockchain Technologies Ltd

RIOT – Riot Blockchain Inc

 

Research Resources:

Most Active Stocks Today - Yahoo Finance

Top Stock Gainers Today - Yahoo Finance

Top Stock Losers Today - Yahoo Finance

All Cryptocurrencies Screener - Yahoo Finance

Financial Calendars - Yahoo Finance – Earnings, IPOs, Stock Splits, Economic Events

I also like “what [platform] customers are buying today” – this often reflects overlap with “most active” or “top gainers”, but not always.  It’s another way to gage what’s popular and potentially profitable.