Everyday Stock (Re)Investing

[smchan]

I am interested in hearing other reasons for selecting long term investments such as:

-Stock ownership provides certain benefits to share holders. For example, Disney used to grant free discount cards to shareholders and IBM sometimes offers PC discounts.

-Dividends pay high returns; especially blue chips that pay higher returns than the average money market.

-The stock certificate looks really cool and makes a nice gift! (I'm not kidding! I've taken IBM certificates and given them as gifts to children to get 'em hooked. Disney would be a better choice though.)

-The product or service is a "must have". BellSouth or Florida Power and Light, for example.

-Cheap or free commissions available through share holder services.

Other reasons to add to this list? From the sensible to the ridiculous, I don't care - let me know!

Sam