Bogleheads.org

Not for me. .. if I ever wanted to reach for yield (more risk) it would be easy enough to do with VG either in HY or adding equities. That is fine, but this investment doesn't correlate with HY (which will sink in value if/when rates rise) or equities. I consider them a bond like investment, but IM...

A few lessons learned from having 2 daughters go thru the selection process over the past 5 years: 1) Go to the school website to see if merit aid is available- many will post the criteria to obtain it as well. Don't waste time applying to other schools unless you are prepared to pay full sticker pr...

From what I understand, tax is due when the bonds mature in 30 years. Not sure if Treasury will automatically notify you when they mature though. I have a friend that is an advisor who had a client with matured bonds (I believe EE) that were expired over 25 years- when penalties were calculated for ...

I agree with almost everything you've said and have participated in your referenced discussions for years. What I don't agree with, however, is that P2P Lending is somehow the same asset class as the bonds used in the studies you referenced and the discussions previously had on this forum. Is it re...

neo09 wrote:

tfb wrote:Ooma!

+1

+1

Toons wrote:I quit bidding and waiting ,I use "buy it now"

+1

Regarding Bar Harbor, I'd disagree with the previous poster regarding the food there. It's been 7-8 years since I was last there, but my wife and I have had several good meals there, as well as in Southwest Harbor (not as well known, but also on Mt Desert Island). Be sure to have the pop overs at Jo...

Sounds like you may be a baseball fan- if so- catch a game at Fenway, the history there is impressive, even for non Red Sox fans. If Red Sox out of town, a tour is worth the trip. While touristy- check out the duck boats, freedom trail tour. I personally would stay at a hotel along the waterfront- f...

Alain, I'm surprised at the bit of sarcasm at the end of your last 2 responses to my posts. I simply am stating why IMO I think your article is biased based on a small portfolio sample which you state was only aged a few months. You still haven't addressed why LC should mark to market their delinqu...

Alain, I'm surprised at the bit of sarcasm at the end of your last 2 responses to my posts. I simply am stating why IMO I think your article is biased based on a small portfolio sample which you state was only aged a few months. You still haven't addressed why LC should mark to market their delinque...

Please re-read the article. The point wasn't that I extrapolated my small sample size and lack of experience. It was that the reporting from lending club included the full value of principal and interest from delinquent loans. You stand by your statement that my piece was inaccurate yet fail to poi...

My point is the same as that as EmergDoc- the article seemed to be biased against LC because of Allan's inexperience of using the site. Admittedly LC is not for all investors, but can provide a good alternative investment while diversifying the risk of this type of lending across many loans (instead...

With all due respect to Allan Roth, I don't feel the slant of his article is accurate towards LC. As regards loans that have become late, LC moves these loans into default/charge off status relatively quickly (typically 4-6 months if no payments made), but cannot fully write these loans down until t...

Unlikely, unless you are getting backup thru the tub/shower drain or toilet. Is this bathroom on ground level?

Iced Tea, I had a similar opportunity in my late 30s which I took. Travel was mainly East Coast, with occasional (3-6) trips during the year to anywhere in the US. My kids were in grade school at the time and my wife worked part time and was ably willing to hold down the home front. The plus side to...

Or simply just shut the water off at the main if the shower gets too long...

Hopefully your next handle will be arid...

Hard to say how much it can handle daily, as I'm only a banker by trade.... My tank is also 1,000 gallons, and have a leach field built for 3 bedrooms. Once we had the pipe repaired as mentioned, our system performance improved dramatically. I think once you get your field dried out, and if keep the...

Hi Swampy, I feel your pain... Been thru the teen years with 2 daughters that wouldn't leave the shower until the hot water ran out). Any ways I own a home with a septic that is around 50 years old (I've been the owner for the last 25). I used to think the showers were an issue for the system, but m...

Be aware that Portfolio Solutions only offers asset management services- they are not a full fledged financial advisory firm. This is why PS fees are relatively low (though increased recently I believe). Rick is a regular poster here, and freely offers his advice/opinions, which are generally well t...

bill1958 wrote:

Boglenaut wrote:Despite your avatar/icon picture, every time I see your username, I think of Gabe Kaplan ("Welcome Back Kotter"):

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0438241/

I think of the Red Sox player...

Scratch that- Thinking of Gabe Kapler...

Boglenaut wrote:Despite your avatar/icon picture, every time I see your username, I think of Gabe Kaplan ("Welcome Back Kotter"):

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0438241/

I think of the Red Sox player...

Thanks pshonore, that clarifies the dependency question.

Thanks again Huey. She is a princess, but a hard working one. She earned a good income on coop last year, which triggered my question about dependency. While she had a good year, her earnings were still below 50% of her university costs.

Ok- thanks for the replies here. I now have a few follow up questions: 1) If determining the dependency status of a dependent is based on providing more than 50% of their support- how is this # actually determined by the iRS? 2) Would I be safe in assuming if the child earned less than 50% of their ...

Thanks Huey (nice avatar). Not sure I understand your response regarding the Federal dependency exemption. I believe you are saying I'm not able to claim my daughter as a dependent (exemption) if she claims herself as an exemption on her tax return (even if she is dependent on my wife and I). Just w...

I only own I Bonds. I have enough I Bonds in my portfolio for this type of allocation. I would probably add S-T TIPS if I needed to add to this allocation and could not cover it with I bonds.

I seem to have perhaps a unique tax question. My wife and I have income that is too high to qualify for the above tax credit for tuition paid for our college age daughter, however, it appears my daughter could benefit from the credit (around $800) for her 2012 tax liability were we to not claim her ...

Thanks for all of the replies. Certainly lots of viewpoints on how to implement these s-t bonds. I dont usually DCA (based on past studies of the lump sum approach to new investments), but will consider your thoughts on this matter.

Thanks for the reply peatnick. Our circumstances are a bit similar (from an age standpoint- I'm 54, wife 56/2 college age daughters), though we've followed a low cost/index approach for several years, and am considering a rebalancing of our portfolio to a simpler approach, but have arrived at the co...

I'm strongly considering implementing The Three Fund Portfolio (after reading Taylor Larimore's posts here, as well as Mr. Bogles books). My concern is about implementing the bond component. My current portfolio is comprised of 9 low cost index funds, with the bond space comprised of 2/3rds short te...

Hi Taylor, I want to thank you for your contributions to this site, as well as this topic. I'm strongly considering implementing the 3 fund portfolio (after reading your posts here, as well as Mr. Bogles books). My concern is about implementing the bond component. My current portfolio is comprised o...

Not sure why you would not invest in high yield muni fund or junk corporate instead? Seems like it is less trouble and safer. If I wanted to increase risk in the fixed income space I would look into these funds as well rather than these lending clubs. As mentioned in my post, not really much troubl...

I'm about 2.5 years in now with LC. Net results are 10.95% on portfolio of $40,500, spread across nearly 1000 notes. Not really much work- go to the website once a week, select notes for purchase/sale (I sell delinquent/grace period notes)- takes maybe 15-20 minutes. Have only had 16 notes charged o...

Epson workforce 545 4 in 1 printer. Switched to this wireless printer last year for home use (got rid of 3 oldies at the time). Very easy to set up on all 5 computers in our house including my ipad.

1591.25

Good advice Robin. I do plan to involve her in the decision- I plan to show her this website and thread as well. I would say she's cautious with money, but not really good at personal finance yet ( though learning more each year).

Don't know what exactly your needs are, but I recently started using Fidelity's Full View, but you may need an account with them to set up. It updates mostly very well (most bills and financials accounts), and is free. I haven't used the downloadable expense reporting yet, but it looked good when I ...

I don't think she's decided what area she wants to work in yet. Her first coop job has been in med-surg, which she has enjoyed working in. She still has 2 more coop stints left before graduation, which may help her decide what area she may pursue. I did google the student loan forgiveness program, a...

Thanks Preemie. Very interesting input to consider. Do you think the benefit packages you mention are mostly available from inner city hospitals? She's been working at a Boston hospital on coop, but hasn't heard of these types of packages to new hires.

Thanks everyone for your replies. I'll discuss the options with her. In the event she wants to hold onto some of her cash, I think at minimum I can lend her the money at a lower rate (3%- which is a rate I have on a HElOC) til she graduates and can fully assess her cash needs. I'm inclined to have h...

Thought I'd post this question to get some other perspectives on paying off around $10,000 in Stafford loans that my daughter currently has (She is still attending school for another 2.5 years). Loan interest is not deferred, and accrues interest at 6.8%, which she's been paying while in school to a...

Taylor, thank you for sharing your story, and more importantly the contributions our military men and women made 68 years ago, and since then, to secure the freedom of others, as well as here in the US. While relatively new on this board, I'm also warmed by the willingness of you and others here to ...

Administration Fee 700. Junk Closing Attorney 355. Ok Warehouse Fee 150. Junk Appraisal Fee 420. A little high, but reasonable Credit Report Fee 75. A little high, but reasonable Closing/Escrow Fee 350. Depending on the state, this may be ok, but I suspect is junk since you're paying an atty fee Le...

I've worked as a lender with major banks for 30 years. Advice I always gave co-signers is expect to have to pay the loan at some point, otherwise don't co-sign. Your credit will be ruined for several years if you refuse to pay. My advice would be to work with the lender and the relative to see what ...

The Guard
+1 great movie, many subtleties...

My fleet includes 2012 Honda CRV 11,000 mis- AWD - bought new which I rarely do, but got tremendous deal, and new model year delivers some new features and great mileage (so far over 30+ /MPG) 2004 (75,000 mis) & 2008 (55,000 mis) Toyota Camry's for daughters 2000 Honda Odyssey 180,000 mis - we ...

Question: why would the 2nd mortgage holder agree to these terms? As I see it, they have me on the hook for the 1st at a higher rate then market value and wouldn't they be taking on more risk by giving up the 1st and just holding the 2nd? I definitely like it, though not sure why the Federal Saving...

Bill1958 - You make a good point. I will give the 30 year option more thought. There is one other point to consider that I believe is generally true with all refinances. Refinancing with your current lender is usually an advantage because you don't pay transfer taxes on the whole amount of the curr...

Here is another variation: Refinance the first loan at 80% of the appraised value, putting cash in to get to 80%. If you get an appraisal at $400k (to make the math easy!), you'll borrow $320k at 3.375% for 30 years with a payment of $1415. Hopefully you can get closing costs paid for at 3.375%. If...