It has always struck me that we are a nation of short-sighted people; we're always looking for the quick buck or opportunity. In reality, real investors (more often than not) think long-term; they align their perspective with that of their investments.

In other words, if you're investing in common stocks, whether through mutual funds or individual stocks, you are investing in the companies themselves. This means that you are looking to make money from the growth of their businesses, which almost always takes years and has its ups-and-downs along the way.

As we celebrate our nation's 232nd birthday; we should all take note of how long it has taken to build our country. There have been ups-and-downs along the way; much like any company or financial market experiences; in the end, we've learned from these challenges and moved forward. There is a reason that the rest of the world is emulating the United States' way of life and economics: it works and it is resilient.

Have some faith that we'll get through the current challenges the country is facing with oil and the real estate markets. I believe the future is bright, if you are patient and think long-term.

Stick to your plan. Think about things over periods of years, not over months or in a year or so. Buy when prices are lower. Buying low and selling higher really is a good way to make money. Keeping a long-term perspective is another way; lastly, investing in solid money management is the third.

Happy Fourth of July 2008!