A Day in the Life of a Market Correction.

The global stock markets continue to swoon.  Each morning I wake up and check to see what the stock market has in store for the day.  I look at my phone (AAPL, T) to view the latest news.   I turn on my TV (SNE, TWX) to watch CNBC (CMCSA).  While I watch CNBC (CMCSA) I scan my personal and work email accounts (GOOG, MSFT).   Once I run through the news, I then pick over Facebook (FB), LinkedIn (LNKD) and Twitter (TWTR) to get caught up on the latest social media.

After my morning channel checks are done, I decide to grab breakfast and eat some Honey Nut Cheerios (GIS) with a glass of Tropicana Orange Juice (PEP).   While eating my breakfast I listen to ESPN Radio (DIS) on satellite radio (SIRI).

After breakfast, I go for a run (NKE, UA) to get in a little exercise.   I ran my little loop in 19:31 – not a bad time.   

It is now time to get ready for work so I take a shower, shave (PG) and get dressed (JWN).   On the way to work I stop at the local gas station to fill up (XOM, AXP) my truck (TM).  I was happy that it only cost me $19.87!   With a full tank of gas, I drive to Starbuck’s (SBUX, AXP) to get coffee which cost me $5.08.

After my trip to Starbuck’s (SBUX, AXP), I make a brief visit to my bank (WFC) to get an extra $20.00 for the day.    I take a detour to Target (TGT, AXP) to get a few office supplies.    The office supplies cost me $20.02

At the office, I turn on my computer (HPQ, MSFT) to start my work day.  I use Yahoo Finance! (YHOO), Morningstar (MORN) and Value Line (VALU) to keep abreast of the market. 

At lunch, I head to McDonald’s (MCD, AXP) to get a burger, fries and a Coke (KO).  

Back at the office I decide to order a new book from Amazon (AMZN, AXP) which was shipped to my house via UPS (UPS).   The book cost me $20.08.

The market had another rough day so I went home and took my dog (WOOF) for a walk.  

After my walk, my wife and I went to dinner at Eddie V’s (DRI) to get something to eat and have a glass of wine (STZ). 

I am now back at home to catch up on the day in sports (DIS, TWX) and check the latest social media feeds (FB, LNKD, TWTR, GOOG, MSFT).   Until tomorrow…

What if you had invested $10,000 in each of these companies when they first became available?   Your “everyday” portfolio would consist of 34 companies so your investment would have been $340,000.    Your first purchase would have been in 1972 and your last in 2013.   This “everyday” portfolio would have generated an average annual return of 14.67% starting on 6/1/1972 and ending on 12/31/15 (Source: Morningstar Hypothetical). 

In dollar terms, your $330,000 is now worth $38,624,889!  The total dividend income generated during this time span was $4,524,932.  

Your everyday portfolio is almost as good as winning the lottery.

Bill Parrott is the President and CEO of Parrott Wealth Management.   www.parrottwealth.com