How I Trade My IRA

As a special feature for April, TheStreet.com offers a seven-part series on maximizing your IRA. This installment is Part 7. Click here for Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5 and Part 6.

In earlier parts of this series, I've talked about various options available for IRA investments and, based on my own experience and judgment, what investment principles and practices have a good chance of providing superior performance for those willing to become unemotional and independent investors. Now I'm going to outline my own personal approach to investing in individual common stock issues in my IRA.

My approach actually could be applied to any common stock investment portfolio but there would be tax consequences to be reckoned with in taxable accounts.

I am not a true long-term investor. For me, attempting to forecast the future three to five years from now is a laughable exercise. Our world moves so quickly that I am only willing to hazard a guess about the next couple of quarters. ...