Cubsfan

Just saw this article (I think it'll only be available free for a couple of days) and I thought I'd remind everyone to make sure you know if your company offers these or not.
http://cbs.marketwatch.com/news/stor...7D&siteid=mktw

I can put up to 10% of my paycheck into mine, and get to buy stock at 85% of the plan stock price. The plan's stock price is the price of the stock on the first day or the last day of the purchase period, whichever is lower. Right now for me, it's a great deal, especially since I can sell it immediately if I want.

ray

I am really really hoping that GE enstates an Employee Stock Purchase Plan or something along similar lines (cough, stock options, cough) once they finish their integration with Vivendi.

If you can budget properly, utilizing any Employee stock purchase plan is almost free money. Be sure that you read the restrictions very carefully, such as the earliest date you can sell the stock or exercise the option. Many of these plans include clauses where you must hold the stock/option for a certain period of time before you can initiate a transaction.

i'm just crossing my fingers waiting for that intercompany memo telling me I'm eligible for some kind of stock purchase plan

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attgig

i'm with you blue. nothing like that here, and just waiting for an opportunity.

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Kevster

My company has an ESPP that I have been enrolled in for several years. Since the stock has suffered a major loss in value along with every other telco/services provider in recent years, this has allowed me to average down quite nicely. The way our plan works the same way as described above, but the purchase price for our plan is 85% of the lowest price at the beginning and end of each 6-month period for the last 2 years. If the current period has a price lower than the previously set price, that will be the new value for the next 2 years.

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I think over again
My small adventures, my fears.
The small ones that seemed so big,
For all the vital things I had to get and to reach.

And yet there is only one great thing, the only thing:

To live to see the great day that dawns,
And the light that fills the world.

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zippyjuan

Generally, if your company gives you matching on stock purchases, they can be a good deal. As an employee you should have a pretty good idea (if you are realistic) of how the company is doing. If it is struggling you may not want to participate otherwise if you lose your job, you can lose your savings also in one fell swoop. If you get no company matching on purchases, you can (and should look for) find other investments that will be better. It is wise to not have all of your eggs in one basket. In either case, I would not put all of your money into your own (or any other) company. Several analysts recommend no more than 20% invested in where you work. You already have enough (your career) invested there.

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Cubsfan

http://cbs.marketwatch.com/news/stor...7D&siteid=mktw

Crap. Looks like ESPP's may not be long for this world.

cheapchinese

reminds me of enron somehow