by Jerry Hodge

Created on: May 01, 2008

Over the last year, many of us have learned just how tenuous the economy can be. Thousands of people all over the country have lost their jobs and homes. The price of food and gas is at an all time high.

Most of us must work two jobs, just to make a decent living. It seems that no job is secure, no industry immune to the effects of this economic instability. However, the American Dream can still be a reality and the tool to make that dream a reality can be the stock market. This is especially true in a market correction or down-trend.

I work as a sales executive for a Digital Imaging firm. We are certainly seeing a slow down in our business. It has become very difficult to secure new accounts and although the company has been in business for thirty years, The future of the firm is far from certain.

Two months ago, I decided to open my own account and trade stocks, commodities and currencies. This is my way of putting control of my financial future into my hands. I like eating and living in a decent home.

My goal is to generate at least $200 to $250 per day trading my own account. So far I am doing quite well. I am being helped by very successful traders who have made millions in the stock and commodities markets. We feel that the recent turmoil in the markets presents a great buying opportunity.

Although the stock market is certainly in turmoil, I am finding incredible opportunities to make a fine profit. I am a student of the "Warren Buffet" approach. I don't care about trends, fancy charts and systems. I look at the fundamentals!

How solid is the company? What are its earnings and revenue? Is the management good? What are the firm's future growth prospects? Is it, (like my current employer) being killed by competitors; or is it a bargain basement opportunity for profit? To use a quote from Warren Buffett, "can I buy ten dollar bills for ten cents?" My answer is YES.

The month of May will be a great time to buy. There will be a lot of selling this month, which will drive the price of many valuable stocks down. That is a fantastic time to buy and hold for the short term. I invest only in Penny Stocks,(stocks under five dollars per share)and I am seeing some incredible values.

There are some wonderful values in the oil and gas production industry. One company stock I recently purchased for only twenty cents per share. This is a solid company with growing revenues, a solid track record, fine management, producing oil wells and valuable leases. They also have solid assets. I am predicting this stock to hit five dollars a share before the end of the summer, especially if oil prices continue to rise.

Coal is another industry that offers solid profit opportunities. I am investing in coal firms both in China and the US. Coal is becoming a huge source of energy, both for utilities and steel companies. This is particularly true in China. I have stock in a firm in China that is now only fifty cents a share. I am certain it will be much higher before the end of the year.

I stick with the basic stocks commodities: oil, gas, coal, cattle, wheat etc. These are industries I understand. However there is one company that I like that is not part of my "basic group." The company is Aero Garden. They are the makers of the indoor gardening system.

Aero Garden stock is currently trading under four dollars per share and is poised for growth. I think people will like the idea of growing herbs and produce indoors!

I think the current turmoil in the market is providing an incredible opportunity to create real prosperity, if not wealth. I don't need to make millions. But as a single man with no family $100,000 per year would do just fine!

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