A Reader Question About Investing

Let’s give this reader some sweet, sweet Billfold advice.

Continuing with what has turned out to be this week’s theme, a Billfolder asked to pose this question to the group. Keeping in mind that probably none of us are certified investment advisors (and if you are, let us know), what advice would you give this reader?

I worked at a company that went public and I received some equity. The stocks vested, and now they’re just hanging out in my Merrill Lynch account. I’ve got a hundred shares. In the past year, the price has been fairly steady; they’re worth ~$35 each. I have an itchy trigger finger and no idea what to do about it.

Should I sell them or should I hang onto them?

I do have a spending plan for the money — If I sold them, I’d throw a couple thousand at my student loans and put the leftovers towards a proper vacation. I’m not sure if that’s a good idea or not — in fact, I’m not sure what the advantages are to keeping them, but I still wonder if I’m being foolish. Stocks scare the bejeezus out of me and I’m not financially literate at all.

When my parents were young, they inherited some blue chip stock. They sold it immediately… and I’ve listened to my mom bemoan that decision since before I can remember. My partner and I want to start a family in the near future and I wonder if I should wait, and then put the money towards making a kid (we’re lesbians) or buying a place to live, etc.

Any help would be very much appreciated!

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