This is part of a series of profiles highlighting women investors in the Fool community. Find out what makes the fairer sex better at picking stocks at fool.com/girl.
When nurse Allison Karrels, 34, (airforcemama20 on the boards) decided to make her first stock trade, she jumped in with a covered call on Intel.
"I wanted to dive right in," she says, "and options really intrigued me." Her bold move paid off, and she continues to use options for income alongside her more traditional long positions in blue-chip companies that she can "hold forever." Read on to learn more about Allison, including what she's buying right now.
When did you first get interested in investing?
I was exposed to it a little growing up. My dad taught me the basics of compound interest and savings, and I remember looking at tickers in the newspaper with him. Then I married an Air Force officer who travels a lot, so I was put in charge of the finances. I work three days a week, so I used those two days off to learn everything I could. Eventually, I subscribed to Motley Fool Options, then Motley Fool Pro, and started following along with their trades.
How would you describe your investing approach?
I'm not much of a risk-taker. I try to get as many great stocks as I can find, then look for options trades to layer over them. It helps force some discipline. I've done well with picks like Apple
What's been your biggest investing failure?
Well, Rosetta Stone
In our upcoming book, Warren Buffett Invests Like a Girl, we make the case that women are better suited temperamentally to be great investors – they are generally more patient, take less risk, stay calmer in turbulent markets, do more research, and hold for the long term. Do you think you invest like a girl?
I definitely look at the long term. I have decades to go! I probably trade a little more often because of my options strategies, and I check the market daily, but I don't stress about it at all. I trust the recommendations from Options and Pro, but I will read up on companies I don't already know.
Any advice for women looking to get started?
Find an area you're interested in. I'm a nurse, so I was originally drawn to medical companies. Don't worry about daily fluctuations if you're investing for the long term. And learn as much as you can!
Finally, what stocks are you buying right now?
I just bought Seaspan
I also like Amtrust
Plum Creek
Want to learn more about how to invest like a girl? Warren Buffett Invests Like a Girl is available June 21, but you can get chapter one today for FREE.