Company X first post

So, I haven't posted much since leaving TXT.  Company X has also been a roller coaster, almost since I started in 2013, the turnover express has run.  My team was as high as 7, in 2014 it was down to 4, now it's me plus offshore support.  Last spring and summer, I was concerned about a layoff, in June the layoff fire had gasoline poured on it.  But, a peer and I survived, I thought then and now that we were spared because the central IT team could not support our BUs.

Then in the middle of summer, a BU spinoff was announced and my peer and other IT staff were sent with them, so down to me.  I support the direction of the central IT group, but it's hard.  I'm stuck in the middle, trying to support their objectives while listening to local people complain about service.  I tell myself that I'm happy, yet I have applied for 6 other external and internal positions in the last year.  I have had a couple of interviews, and several of the positions were closed and not filled.  But two surprises lately, a training trip to Seattle and a raise, amazing.  Now I may have an opportunity to move to a BU as a data analyst.  We'll see how that goes.  

I have low expectations and try to stay on the radar in a positive way, but I think I come to work everyday expecting my badge to not open a door.

2015 and hello 2016

Where we're at:

Dow: 16466
s&p: 1940
10 yr: 1.93%
VIX: 19.20
CAPE s&p P/E: 24.56

1yr: 0.0%

mix:
equity: 36
bond: 54
cash: 10

It's been awhile, so I thought I would recap the year and what I've done so far in 2016.  2015 for us was 'flat', the EOY cap gains and dividends in our tax deferred investments brought us to even, so I beat my benchmark for a 3rd year (ivy portfolio + commodities).  When commodities come back, I'll probably be behind again.  Not much worked last year, US, Int'l, bonds, REITs.  I think the only thing that worked somewhat were muni bonds.  Love them.  The fed being wishy-washy on interest rates didn't help.  I have begun researching values in dividend stocks now that a bit of froth is gone, still with a P/E above 20, there is still quite a bit of it.

In an effort to keep some 'dry powder' and move the needle on our cash, I began opening a lot of CDs, mostly brokered ones to avoid the hassle of running around the web yield shopping.  That should give us a bit more cash flow.  I have sold all of our int'ls in my IRA and repurchased them in our taxable to take advantage of the foreign tax credit and lower my cost basis.  I do plan on adding to our US large caps, mostly dividend achievers throughout the year.

Expenses: new AC?, vacation in the fall to east coast, new bed?

Happy dance...paid off home in December.