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Re: PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa CC changes

My letter had the following... TO UPGRADE YOUR CARD Simply look out for a new card in the mail in the coming weeks and activate it as soon as you receive it. Your existing card must be destroyed. Your new PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® card will replace your existing PenFed Platinum Rewards...
by BrandonBogle
Fri Jun 14, 2013 10:20 am
 
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa CC changes
Replies: 20
Views: 1337

Re: PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa CC changes

I got the notice back in early April I believe. My notice had an opt-out by May 10th. At the time, the PenFed Visa Signature card was not up on the website. On another financial forum (not retirement oriented), there was a decently long thread about it and people managed to call in for details about...
by BrandonBogle
Fri Jun 14, 2013 8:34 am
 
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa CC changes
Replies: 20
Views: 1337

Re: Why buy expensive cars

I am looking to augment my existing 2006 4Runner Sport 4WD with a fun daily drive. I've got a 16-mile one-way commute each day, and spent about 1.5 - 2 hours per day in the car. I always feel confident in the 4Runner and will have that thing until it's ready to be buried in the ground. But after hav...
by BrandonBogle
Tue Jun 11, 2013 1:02 pm
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Why buy expensive cars
Replies: 210
Views: 19902

Re: buying a new laptop

Costco Item # 695532 Dell Ispiron 15 in Obsidian Black 15.6" HD Display Intel Core i5-3210M Processor (Dual-Core, 2.5 GHz, 3MB Cache) -- 3rd Gen I believe? 6 GB Memory 1 TB Hard Drive DVD +/-RW Drive Wireless-N USB 3.0 Webcam Bluetooth 6-cell Battery Windows 8 McAfee SecurityCenter Adobe Photos...
by BrandonBogle
Wed Jun 05, 2013 12:22 am
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: buying a new laptop
Replies: 53
Views: 3686

Re: Items stolen from baggage

dad2000 and Brandon, I know you guys mean well but I how does it help me now. Can I remotely access the stolen drive and install TrueCrypt? If so, I'm all ears. Sorry, if I'm a little upset but it's been a harrowing day trying to see how I can fix this. Sorry, nothing you can do to the data now. Ju...
by BrandonBogle
Tue Jun 04, 2013 9:10 pm
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Items stolen from baggage
Replies: 19
Views: 1933

Re: Items stolen from baggage

This isn't a response to your question, but please... if you store personal information on portable media (hard drive, USB stick, DVD, etc.), you should encrypt it. Unfortunately, theft of these items is very common. A free application called Truecrypt will do this conveniently and reliably. +1 Or ...
by BrandonBogle
Tue Jun 04, 2013 5:06 pm
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Items stolen from baggage
Replies: 19
Views: 1933

Re: buying a new laptop

My work laptop is a Lenovo Thinkpad and it's a very, very solid machine. 6 months ago when they replaced my four-year old laptop with this one, I had a Thinkpad and insisted on getting a new one. All the way to the point of telling the tech to not even bother showing up with a Dell or HP as I would...
by BrandonBogle
Tue Jun 04, 2013 2:35 pm
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: buying a new laptop
Replies: 53
Views: 3686

Re: Vanguard Stable Value Fund

I have Vanguard's Stable Value Fund (called Retirement Savings Trust) in my Vanguard 401k

https://institutional.vanguard.com/VGAp ... undId=0034
by BrandonBogle
Tue Jun 04, 2013 12:50 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Stable Value Fund
Replies: 4
Views: 765

Re: Miami trip- help with where to stay, what to do

If you can make it up to Dania Beach in Broward County (between Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood airport and North Miami Beach), go to Jaxson's Ice Cream Parlour! It's a classic and a must have experience, especially if you all order "The Kitchen Sink". Just beware that there will typically be a ...
by BrandonBogle
Tue Jun 04, 2013 12:34 am
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Miami trip- help with where to stay, what to do
Replies: 17
Views: 964

Re: The Boglehead Car -- What is It?

This boglehead minimizes driver fatality risk choosing a model with zero driver deaths per million registered years and with all of the "latest" safety features. Why take more risk than you have the ability, willingness and need to take? http://www.iihs.org/externaldata/srdata/docs/sr4605...
by BrandonBogle
Tue Jun 04, 2013 12:28 am
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: The Boglehead Car -- What is It?
Replies: 118
Views: 6498

Re: The Boglehead Car -- What is It?

My roommate is VERY happy with his Honda Fit. Bought it used about 18 months ago. He's racked up MANY miles on it and gets great fuel economy. Got a blank lab too and it's super convenient to LIFT the rear seats and put the dog in the back. Whenever we ride with him, he just puts the seats down and ...
by BrandonBogle
Mon Jun 03, 2013 5:20 pm
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: The Boglehead Car -- What is It?
Replies: 118
Views: 6498

Re: Online banking angst

Blues wrote:I can't be bothered chasing rates at a multitude of online banks but I'm pretty satisfied with what I'm getting from Ally overall and intend to stay with them until I limit out barring unforeseen developments.


I am also very happy with Ally and feel they do a good job overall.
by BrandonBogle
Mon Jun 03, 2013 5:13 pm
 
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Online banking angst
Replies: 6
Views: 636

Re: Online banking angst

The only thing I can add is that I've personally seen that the smaller, local or regional banks, while usually having better service and products, tend to have older and weaker IT systems. If you go with one of the bigger players (doesn't even have to be a MegaNational), you have a much greater chan...
by BrandonBogle
Mon Jun 03, 2013 5:13 pm
 
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Online banking angst
Replies: 6
Views: 636

Re: Poll--Vanguard's new Bank Authorization Agreement

I should note that I technically did not receive the notice. I have individual taxable and a 401k at Vanguard, and a joint taxable with someone else. On the joint account, the other member got notified electronically by email. That was on Wednesday 5/29. That said, I voted based on how she would res...
by BrandonBogle
Sun Jun 02, 2013 5:15 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Poll--Vanguard's new Bank Authorization Agreement
Replies: 32
Views: 2725

Re: Concern about car charger for new smartphone

What you probably are seeing is common with modern smartphones -- lack of a heat dispersal method. In the house, there is likely circulation around the phone and/or in the room in general that allows the phone to dissipate heat. In the car, it's likely crammed in a corner of the car, a cup holder, i...
by BrandonBogle
Thu May 30, 2013 7:09 pm
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Concern about car charger for new smartphone
Replies: 27
Views: 1324

Re: Concern about car charger for new smartphone

Browser, Have you tried charging the phone in the car charger and NOT using the GPS/NAV on it? Unless I missed something, in each test, you were running the GPS/NAV on your phone. As you saw in one of your posts, not even charging but using the GPS/NAV will warm up the phone! I use a dual-output USB...
by BrandonBogle
Thu May 30, 2013 4:59 pm
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Concern about car charger for new smartphone
Replies: 27
Views: 1324

Re: Stable Value Yield < TBM SEC Yield -- Still useful?

My Stable Value fund doesn't list a SEC Yield, but does list a "Blend Yield (after fees)" of 2.32% as of 3/31/2013. I will take that as the distribution yield and compare against TBM here: https://personal.vanguard.com/us/funds/snapshot?FundId=0584&FundIntExt=INT#tab=4 For me, this com...
by BrandonBogle
Wed May 29, 2013 3:32 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Stable Value Yield < TBM SEC Yield -- Still useful?
Replies: 7
Views: 351

Re: buying a new laptop

My work laptop is a Lenovo Thinkpad and it's a very, very solid machine. 6 months ago when they replaced my four-year old laptop with this one, I had a Thinkpad and insisted on getting a new one. All the way to the point of telling the tech to not even bother showing up with a Dell or HP as I wouldn...
by BrandonBogle
Wed May 29, 2013 12:36 am
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: buying a new laptop
Replies: 53
Views: 3686

Re: When dying

NCBound, Sorry I have no advice to share, but I did want to send some positive thoughts your way. I cannot imagine what you are going through and feel you are approaching it in a very thought-out and non-emotional way. While that probably isn't how you are handling the actual event itself (nor shoul...
by BrandonBogle
Thu May 23, 2013 12:26 pm
 
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When dying
Replies: 18
Views: 3353

Re: reloaded

runner9 wrote:Glad the site is back! Reminded me of after Hurricane Sandy, I had to find something else to do with my time :wink:


I felt the same way!
by BrandonBogle
Tue May 21, 2013 9:36 pm
 
Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
Topic: reloaded [Forum and wiki were offline]
Replies: 74
Views: 4756

Re: How to integrate legacy investments into Bogleheads appr

Copernicus wrote:Thank you, that is helpful. I do not reinvest dividends. As for 86% S&P + 14% Russell 2000: Is that known to be composition of the Total US Stock Market? I wonder where one finds information such as this?


http://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Approxim ... ock_Market
by BrandonBogle
Fri May 17, 2013 12:35 am
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: How to integrate legacy investments into Bogleheads approach
Replies: 11
Views: 757

Re: How to integrate legacy investments into Bogleheads appr

It doesn't cost anything extra to hold individual stocks that you already have, and as long as the portfolio is diversified, these stocks will serve the same function as a large-cap mutual fund such as an S&P 500 index. Thus, once you have your asset allocation, count this as part of your large...
by BrandonBogle
Thu May 16, 2013 11:35 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: How to integrate legacy investments into Bogleheads approach
Replies: 11
Views: 757

Re: Protecting Gains

I am thinking I should "protect" some gains on stock that I currently have. One in particular is showing a gain of 73.55%, but this might apply to many others. Strategy: lets say this stock is currently @ $100, bought @ ~$60. Lets also say I placed a limit sale for $90 that would run unti...
by BrandonBogle
Thu May 16, 2013 5:58 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Protecting Gains
Replies: 21
Views: 1519

Re: Is the Vanguard Webpage Down for Anyone Else?

I ran into a similar problem with the Vanguard site earlier today. Looked like one of their load-balanced servers had a bad SSL certificate. Hitting refresh got me another server with no problems.
by BrandonBogle
Wed May 15, 2013 10:25 pm
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is the Vanguard Webpage Down for Anyone Else?
Replies: 8
Views: 417

Re: switched jobs but not coemployers - 401k rollover denied

My mom worked for a company who was bought by a competitor. The company used ADP TotalSource as a PEO. Her boss was the new company, they picked her role, they decided her duties, they promoted her, all within the company. They had specific health insurance and retirement benefits in the name of the...
by BrandonBogle
Wed May 15, 2013 1:21 am
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: switched jobs but not coemployers - 401k rollover denied!
Replies: 33
Views: 2507

Re: New Boglehead, Portfolio hopefully not off track

DamJam, Thanks for the heads up! For the International Holding, I plan to exchange it in the old 401k as I free up funds for future contributions other than my current 401k. My plan is to hold 100% of Total Int'l in my taxable. But until then, I will have to watch for it to avoid wash sales. Basical...
by BrandonBogle
Fri May 10, 2013 1:39 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: New Boglehead, Portfolio hopefully not off track
Replies: 38
Views: 3463

Re: New Boglehead, Portfolio hopefully not off track

Been a whirlwind of a couple months and many changes in my financial life (promotion, bonus, selling one of the cars, etc.), so I thought I would update this post with a refresher. Didn't edit the Op so that the conversation could still be followed. Emergency funds: Yes, 5 months Debt: - Auto 1 - $0...
by BrandonBogle
Thu May 09, 2013 12:29 am
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: New Boglehead, Portfolio hopefully not off track
Replies: 38
Views: 3463

Re: Pay off Student loans (2.4%) or invest?

I began putting all my extra payments into VWLUX and switching the minimum for my remaining student loans. But then I'm also in the 25% bracket.
by BrandonBogle
Thu May 09, 2013 12:08 am
 
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pay off Student loans (2.4%) or invest?
Replies: 6
Views: 713

Re: What firms allow securities-backed lending via Vanguard?

Didn't see your prior post. I wonder if banks will do a secured loan on an IRA CD. Can't hurt to check.
by BrandonBogle
Thu May 09, 2013 12:06 am
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: What firms allow securities-backed lending via Vanguard?
Replies: 22
Views: 807

Re: What firms allow securities-backed lending via Vanguard?

You could move your "bond" holdings to a CD at a bank and get a secured loan on the funds. Personally, I would find other avenues to finance what you need and I would adjust my spending to save as much of it as I could. Even just sticking a good portion in a decent rewards checking or Ally...
by BrandonBogle
Thu May 09, 2013 12:05 am
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: What firms allow securities-backed lending via Vanguard?
Replies: 22
Views: 807

Re: Buying appliances - home maintenance plan?

I've also learned to do a few repairs myself. There are lots of great step-by-step videos on YouTube. I've also watched what repairmen have done -- sometimes it is very easy to do what they are doing! I've been moving into this category lately. Replaced my Maytag/Whirlpool dishwasher door latch for...
by BrandonBogle
Tue May 07, 2013 9:12 am
 
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buying appliances - home maintenance plan?
Replies: 22
Views: 1141

Re: Wells Fargo - no more 100 free trades (for new accounts)

Last I remember Wells was charging $50 per account to transfer PMA accounts out of Wells to another brokerage like Vanguard. Wonder if Vanguard would pickup that fee to transfer over to them, my old Scottrade brokerage told me they would pay those account closing fees if I ever decided to come back...
by BrandonBogle
Sun May 05, 2013 10:53 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Wells Fargo - no more 100 free trades (for new accounts)?
Replies: 21
Views: 2757

Re: Wells Fargo Brokerage Fees??

The Op and I talked over a PM. This was a case that the MF was NTF when originally bought, but no longer is. Confusing part is that some other duds from this family are still NTF. This isn't exactly the easiest info to find at WF. I personally had to use a "Custom Screener" to find out if ...
by BrandonBogle
Fri May 03, 2013 4:52 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Wells Fargo Brokerage Fees??
Replies: 11
Views: 829

Re: Is it a good time to invest in S&P 500

Surprised nobody has asked/mention this yet... Why would you buy the S&P 500 (presuming an index fund following it like the Vanguard 500) versus buy a total market fund that inherently includes the S&P 500 and a cap-weighted average of all the US Market (except micro-caps)? Any particular re...
by BrandonBogle
Fri May 03, 2013 9:47 am
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Is it a good time to invest in S&P 500
Replies: 23
Views: 2457

Re: When you reach your number and keep working

I see myself doing number 1: continuing to be frugal. I do not like waste, and I love efficiency. I take vacations, go out to eat, and enjoy life, but I do so with purpose. I do not drink coke with dinner at restaurants because of the cost and health reasons, but if I really want a coke, I get one....
by BrandonBogle
Fri May 03, 2013 12:58 am
 
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When you reach your number and keep working
Replies: 71
Views: 6682

Re: Is it important to frequently change passwords?

I wish I could change my passwords only every 6 months. My employer requires we change them every 33 days!
by BrandonBogle
Thu May 02, 2013 5:11 pm
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is it important to frequently change passwords?
Replies: 37
Views: 2100

Re: Any Regrets on The Triple Play

We use Verizon's Home Phone Connect for $9.99 (add'l line on our cell plan). Combine that with each of us having cells and having unlimited mobile to any mobile and friends and family to 10 #s, we have no need for the triple play. Instead, we've gotten antennas and get out HD OTA and just subscribe...
by BrandonBogle
Thu May 02, 2013 3:12 am
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any Regrets on The Triple Play [TV, internet, phone]
Replies: 44
Views: 4641

Re: Wells Fargo Brokerage Fees??

I wonder if the Op is confusing a NTF Mutual Funds and No Load MFs (but trading fee) with its equivalent ETF? In that case, the ETF would be subject to an $8.95 trading fee after the free 100. NTF Mutual Funds shouldn't count towards that 100, but $35 trading fee No-LOAD do. And if you finished out ...
by BrandonBogle
Thu May 02, 2013 3:03 am
 
Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
Topic: Wells Fargo Brokerage Fees??
Replies: 11
Views: 829

Re: Medallion Signature Guarantee

I got one a few weeks ago when I saw my Vanguard account had my old name on it. Took it to my regular Wells Fargo by work and their only thing was a verbal requirement that the account be worth less than $2 million. Called three other locations by home and all three had "officers" that cou...
by BrandonBogle
Sat Apr 27, 2013 12:01 am
 
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medallion Signature Guarantee
Replies: 18
Views: 1181

Re: Extra $32,500 in Roth IRA - too good to be true?

How did you do the rollover exactly? Did you have the check made out to Vanguard? My Roth isn't with Vanguard. But basically yes. My 401k required the name of the custodian and they mailed a check to my house made out to the Custodian FBO BrandonBogle. I then sent that check in with rollover paperw...
by BrandonBogle
Fri Apr 26, 2013 12:15 am
 
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Extra $32,500 in Roth IRA - too good to be true?
Replies: 141
Views: 27604

Re: Extra $32,500 in Roth IRA - too good to be true?

My previous employer's plan allowed this and I took advantage of it. Sadly, my current employer's plan does not. Hopefully some day that will change!
by BrandonBogle
Thu Apr 25, 2013 3:26 pm
 
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Extra $32,500 in Roth IRA - too good to be true?
Replies: 141
Views: 27604

Re: IRA vs. 401k Contribution Limits. WHY so different?

Some of us are fortunate enough to work for employers that allow us to put over 50k in a 401k. I wish that was still true for me!
by BrandonBogle
Thu Apr 25, 2013 1:16 am
 
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: IRA vs. 401k Contribution Limits. WHY so different?
Replies: 16
Views: 1488

Re: DEATH KNELL OF COFFEEHOUSE INVESTOR

Why is your topic subject headline screaming at us?

I'd suggest editing the first post to not be in all caps as in "Internet-speak", that constitutes yelling at the forum members/readers.
by BrandonBogle
Wed Apr 24, 2013 1:43 am
 
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Death knell of Coffeehouse Investor
Replies: 30
Views: 5019

Re: Total Bond Market or Stable Value (3.25%)

Split the difference 50/50. For now, SV will yield more. Going forward, it will either be comparable, or yield slightly more if rates shoot up and TBM takes a price depreciation hit. Either way, it's a safe haven at all times, so not a bad move for the long term in terms of risk. Personally, I'm spl...
by BrandonBogle
Sat Apr 20, 2013 12:07 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Total Bond Market or Stable Value (3.25%)
Replies: 23
Views: 2581

Re: VSIAX - Vng Small cap value ER drop

Oh, looks like David might be saying that there essentially was no artificial increase of the return when the BDC expense was line-item listed

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=114980&newpost=1672914#p1672914
by BrandonBogle
Thu Apr 18, 2013 7:26 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: VSIAX - Vng Small cap value ER drop
Replies: 20
Views: 1054

Re: VSIAX - Vng Small cap value ER drop

But since CRSP doesn't track BDCs and Vanguard is how fully converted to this index, shouldn't this mean that the fund no longer holds any BDCs? If so, then overall isn't it a reduction still? With the previous SEC ruling, weren't they adding back in the BDC expenses to the return of the underlying ...
by BrandonBogle
Thu Apr 18, 2013 7:22 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: VSIAX - Vng Small cap value ER drop
Replies: 20
Views: 1054

Re: New I-Bond rate?

btenny wrote:Is there any way to buy I bonds or EE bonds in an IRA?


No, but you can think of it like a Traditional IRA if you decide to defer taxes on the earnings until you cash it out (or it matures in 30 years, whichever comes first).
by BrandonBogle
Wed Apr 17, 2013 7:25 pm
 
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: New I-Bond rate?
Replies: 32
Views: 4386

Re: Help with tax fraud

This is similar to the fraudulent returns that people file, impersonating others, to get a large refund. The victims eventually get these resolved, but it takes some effort. This is not fun. Going through it right now with mom. Got the false credit cards closed down and a fraud alert placed. Waitin...
by BrandonBogle
Wed Apr 17, 2013 4:08 pm
 
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help with tax fraud
Replies: 15
Views: 1298

Re: Any Regrets on The Triple Play

When we had a telco landline, it was $39 or so a month. When we had cable landline, it was about $30 a month. So going to $10 to share our cell minutes or $20 for unlimited was a nice change. And the box has a high powered antenna that gets better reception than our phones, and has a battery backup....
by BrandonBogle
Wed Apr 17, 2013 1:43 pm
 
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any Regrets on The Triple Play [TV, internet, phone]
Replies: 44
Views: 4641

Re: Money & Relationships

I'm currently in something of an ant & grasshopper relationship where I am the ant and he is the grasshopper. We meet now, both divorced and an midlife - after two lifetimes of decisions, both good and bad, in retrospect. I am the ant - always saved, worked two jobs & grad school at night, ...
by BrandonBogle
Wed Apr 17, 2013 1:29 pm
 
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Money & Relationships
Replies: 69
Views: 6305
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