[npg]

I had mixed results with data mining. They often throw up the flavour of the week but often miss the target as far as deeper analysis for a timeframe as long as ours is concerned. One might just as well limit the search to a P/E of no higher than 18 and come up with results just as good.

Morningstar has searches pre-defined as WB (warren buffet) stocks and also Ben Graham stocks. But the results were never that satisfying.

One thing is certain though. As one coams through the industries in a country one gets to know the products (companies) better and eventually builds a mind map.

I am quite happy with something like 8 companies to keep a close eye on because they might be near mos territory, and maybe 2 -3 times that amount just because I think they are companies I would love to find an opportunity to get into.

If you hit a home run averaging anything like 15% (or more) a few times a year then you are in pretty awesome shape.

When I first started I was eager to get going --and that cost me a bit. Not that it cost me more than I put in but it had a detrimental effect on my overall performance.

Now I try and practice more patience with investments. Waiting for the opportunity to come along and hit a massive fat pitch. Before I was not so confident that situations like this occur within a year. But now I am and, to quote Phil, there will always be an opportunity to have a fat swing at the optimal pitch.

When that happens it's very satisfying. When it happens again it gives enormous confidence in how right Phil actually is. This stuff ain't rocket science. It's us that make it so...