Search found 464 matches

by hirlaw
Wed Jan 31, 2024 4:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Anyone build a "TIPS" ladder with iShares iBonds?
Replies: 35
Views: 3599

Re: Anyone build a "TIPS" ladder with iShares iBonds?

I was considering purchasing some of the IShares IBonds, however the very small AUM is scaring me off. Don't some management companies liquidate ETF's and mutual funds if they don't draw enough assets?
by hirlaw
Sat Dec 16, 2023 12:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Thoughts on Audi Q5? Any Problems?
Replies: 40
Views: 6209

Re: Thoughts on Audi Q5? Any Problems?

Thanks. The reported Tech/Electronic issues were the one that have me hesitant. Not sure if it is endemic or luck of the draw.
by hirlaw
Sat Dec 16, 2023 10:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Thoughts on Audi Q5? Any Problems?
Replies: 40
Views: 6209

Re: Thoughts on Audi Q5? Any Problems?

Thanks. She uses the Bluetooth alot, so it would be an issue if it dropped a lot.
by hirlaw
Sat Dec 16, 2023 9:34 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Thoughts on Audi Q5? Any Problems?
Replies: 40
Views: 6209

Thoughts on Audi Q5? Any Problems?

We are shopping for compact luxury SUV's. My wife likes the Audi Q5. However, I have read several negatives on the web, mostly surrounding the blue tooth frequently disconnecting and the need to plug-in your phone to use Apple Car Play. Does anyone have any experience with the Q5?

Competitors we have looked at so far are the BMW X3, Lexus NX, Acura RDX.

Thanks!!
by hirlaw
Fri Nov 10, 2023 3:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: VTSAX to VTI conversion in taxable account
Replies: 11
Views: 1948

Re: VTSAX to VTI conversion in taxable account

My hesitancy in doing the Vanguard conversion is that they may screw up the basis information. Has anyone had a problem with that?
by hirlaw
Tue Oct 31, 2023 5:57 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: William Bernstein on TIPS, asset allocation, and four deep risks
Replies: 189
Views: 30090

Re: William Bernstein on TIPS, asset allocation, and four deep risks

What do the defined maturity TIPS ETF's do with the periodic distributions? I assume they pay them out to shareholders. What does the ETF manager do with reinvested distributions, buy more TIPS?
by hirlaw
Tue Oct 17, 2023 6:35 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: HomerJ - retirement plan
Replies: 81
Views: 16176

Re: HomerJ - retirement plan

What about using the iShares iBonds defined duration TIPS ETFs (for example the IBIE ETF)? You would reinvest the distributions through maturity.
by hirlaw
Fri Sep 22, 2023 3:14 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: VDIGX [Vanguard Dividend Growth] Question
Replies: 19
Views: 3335

Re: VDIGX [Vanguard Dividend Growth] Question

Don Kilbride has managed Vanguard Dividend Growth for many years. However, about a year ago they brought in a co-manager, Peter Fisher. I don't know if this explains any performance deviation.
by hirlaw
Fri Aug 25, 2023 7:15 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Four Pillars — Metals and Commodity Producers?
Replies: 18
Views: 2842

Re: Four Pillars — Metals and Commodity Producers?

Does ExxonMobil (XOM) count? It produces commodities: oil and natural gas.
by hirlaw
Thu Aug 17, 2023 9:44 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Question About Callable Bonds
Replies: 5
Views: 638

Re: Question About Callable Bonds

Thanks for your replies!
by hirlaw
Thu Aug 17, 2023 5:57 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Question About Callable Bonds
Replies: 5
Views: 638

Question About Callable Bonds

I usually try to avoid buying callable bonds. However, what about a scenario as follows:

"Acme Corp bond with a 2% coupon, maturing in December 2024, callable August 2024. Acme is rated AA by all rating agencies"

Would it be a reasonable assumption that Acme Corp. would probably not call this bond because it is very unlikely that they could get a better than 2% interest rate on a loan or new bond issuance in August 2024?
by hirlaw
Tue Jun 27, 2023 2:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying new iPhone: Verizon vs. Apple store
Replies: 40
Views: 11481

Re: Buying new iPhone: Verizon vs. Apple store

What about Costco? You get unlocked phones and have 90 days to return (if better deal or better phone comes along).
by hirlaw
Thu Jun 01, 2023 6:01 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much money to keep at home
Replies: 120
Views: 9382

Re: How much money to keep at home

Mr. Rumples wrote: Thu Jun 01, 2023 5:39 am Shortly after moving into my home we had a storm knocking out power for miles. Even the hospitals were on generators. One hardware store was open and operating with generators. We were on a cash only basis for miles around, so many poles were down, caravans were bringing them in from NC; 26 poles were down in the lines that run behind my house. When one of the hurricanes hit back in the early 2000's, can't remember which one, the outage area was even worse. Since then I keep $400 cash, small bills and coins, around. Problem is I keep on moving it to a different hiding place and then can't find it. Some of my friends keep up to $2,000.
Agree. Every hurricane season I keep a few hundred in cash.
by hirlaw
Sun May 07, 2023 5:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do You Encrypt Your Mac Hard Drive??
Replies: 17
Views: 1568

Re: Do You Encrypt Your Mac Hard Drive??

Thanks for your help everyone!
by hirlaw
Sun May 07, 2023 12:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do You Encrypt Your Mac Hard Drive??
Replies: 17
Views: 1568

Do You Encrypt Your Mac Hard Drive??

Our Mac has the ability to activate "FileVault" to encrypt the Mac.

This sounds like a prudent security move; however, I am not sure of the ramifications. If activated, would I need to enter a pass code for every file that I open? For example, if I attempt open a Word file or PDF, would I first have to enter a pass code?

Thanks.
by hirlaw
Mon May 01, 2023 7:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: LTC Premium Increase 96.6 %
Replies: 31
Views: 4111

Re: LTC Premium Increase 96.6 %

We also own those early 200'0's policies and have seen premiums skyrocket.

To add insult to injury, policy owners must keep their fingers crossed that Genworth will remain solvent. Our policy is with Genworth Life Insurance Company. The company's current A.M Best Rating is only "C++".
by hirlaw
Wed Apr 26, 2023 8:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Your favorite National Park Adventures
Replies: 17
Views: 1903

Re: Your favorite National Park Adventures

I vote Glacier
by hirlaw
Mon Apr 10, 2023 9:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Water filter
Replies: 43
Views: 2629

Re: Water filter

We use Life Straw. https://lifestraw.com/
by hirlaw
Sat Jan 14, 2023 10:29 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tesla price drop - is this a good deal to buy now
Replies: 108
Views: 13900

Re: Tesla price drop - is this a good deal to buy now

Also, there are reports that a redesigned Model 3 is coming out later this year. That may be another reason for the price drop on the current model.
by hirlaw
Fri Dec 30, 2022 1:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Very Thorough List of Secure 2.0 Changes - Which One Will Have Greatest Impact on You?
Replies: 95
Views: 12888

Re: Very Thorough List of Secure 2.0 Changes - Which One Will Have Greatest Impact on You?

For us, the only impact will be possibly squeezing in a little more Roth conversion due to the increase in RMD age.
by hirlaw
Tue Dec 27, 2022 9:14 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Explaining Medicare/Healthcare in 5-10 sentences
Replies: 24
Views: 3534

Re: Explaining Medicare/Healthcare in 5-10 sentences

I put OP's original question word for word into ChatGPT. Here is the AI's answer: Medicare is a national health insurance program in the United States that provides coverage to people who are 65 years or older, as well as to some younger people with disabilities or end-stage renal disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant). It is funded by the federal government and is administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). There are four parts to Medicare: Part A covers hospital stays, skilled nursing facilities, hospice care, and some home health care. Part B covers medical services and supplies that are deemed medically necessary, such as doctors' visits, outpatient care, and preventive services...
by hirlaw
Mon Dec 26, 2022 11:27 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: tax exempt money market with check writing?
Replies: 13
Views: 1607

Checkwriting on Vanguard Municipal Money Market Fund?

Does Vanguard allow check writing on its Municipal Money Market Fund?

Thanks!
by hirlaw
Wed Nov 02, 2022 2:19 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Question about Deferred Fixed Annuity Plus Dividend
Replies: 24
Views: 1940

Re: Question about Deferred Fixed Annuity Plus Dividend

I believe OP is just referring to deferred fixed annuities, rather than indexed.
by hirlaw
Tue Nov 01, 2022 10:17 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Question about Deferred Fixed Annuity Plus Dividend
Replies: 24
Views: 1940

Re: Question about Deferred Fixed Annuity Plus Dividend

When purchasing a deferred fixed annuity, how does one calculate the interest rate that will be earned during the deferral period? Why not just use the funds to purchase a zero coupon bond to mature at the time you think you may want the fixed annuity payments to begin. Then you can make a decision on whether to purchase an income annuity. You would also retain liquidity of the funds during the "deferral" period.
by hirlaw
Tue Oct 04, 2022 6:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Has Anyone Used "AT&T AntiVirus Plus powered by McAfee"
Replies: 5
Views: 591

Has Anyone Used "AT&T AntiVirus Plus powered by McAfee"

I have AT&T fiber internet and received an email today offering free "AT&T AntiVirus Plus powered by McAfee."

Has anyone tried this before? I suppose it is just a version of the McAfee antivirus program.
by hirlaw
Sat Sep 24, 2022 6:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity Account Breached (and what I did about it)
Replies: 122
Views: 23480

Re: Fidelity Account Breached (and what I did about it)

I always wondered if it was a risk to have the brokerage app on your phone (be it Fidelity, Vanguard, etc.). If someone has your physical phone and breaks the code to enter, they would essentially know which financial accounts you own.
by hirlaw
Fri Sep 09, 2022 3:26 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Treasury Prices: Secondary vs. Auction
Replies: 2
Views: 397

Treasury Prices: Secondary vs. Auction

I sometimes by treasuries on Fidelity. I notice that the larger the quantity purchased, the better the price. For example, a better price/rate is offered for $200k in treasuries, than if you are seeking to buy only $10k (and I imagine those buying very large lots, in the millions, get even better prices).

Does the same apply for the Treasury auctions on Fidelity? In other words, if you purchase newly issued treasuries, does everyone get the same price, regardless of the amount purchased?

Thanks!
by hirlaw
Wed Aug 17, 2022 9:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Whole Life Insurance for kids as savings vehicle
Replies: 30
Views: 2700

Re: Whole Life Insurance for kids as savings vehicle

nycapple wrote: Wed Aug 17, 2022 8:48 am I could keep the $ myself (tax free) and don't necessarily have to give it to my child.
How is it tax free? If you withdraw it, you have to pay ordinary income tax on the gains. If you take it as a loan, the loan must be eventually repaid with interest. Right?
by hirlaw
Wed Aug 03, 2022 2:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Rock strike on rental car windshield. Go through insurance?
Replies: 59
Views: 9239

Re: Rock strike on rental car windshield. Go through insurance?

rtt22 wrote: Wed Aug 03, 2022 12:34 pm I'd wait for the rental car company statement. You may be pleasantly surprised at the low amount which you can pay out of pocket. Otherwise, raise a claim with your car insurance company. I think a windshield claim goes under "comprehensive" as opposed to "collision", so premium increase and "3 strikes in 3 years and you're out" probably will not happen.

I like the American Express Premium Car Rental Protection plan where you pay $20 or $25 per rental to get primary insurance protection, not having to bother with your personal car insurance company. I think some other credit cards offer the same sort of primary insurance protection plan.
I second the AMEX card protection.
by hirlaw
Mon Jul 25, 2022 3:27 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TIPS Confession
Replies: 334
Views: 33167

Re: TIPS Confession

As mentioned by others earlier in this thread, a TIP instrument held to maturity works. In that regard, a TIPS ladder makes sense. We are retired and own a significant amount in a short term TIPS ETF, but I have always wondered if it makes sense, given that the fund may be down at a time in which you wish to liquidate or partially liquidate.
by hirlaw
Sun Jul 17, 2022 9:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Morocco or New Zealand
Replies: 23
Views: 2527

Re: Morocco or New Zealand in December

What about the December time period? I heard December is the peak travel season for NZ. I didn't want to get caught up in the crowded travel atmosphere going that has been going on in Europe and parts of the US this summer.
by hirlaw
Sun Jul 17, 2022 7:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Morocco or New Zealand
Replies: 23
Views: 2527

Morocco or New Zealand

My wife and I are planning to travel in December. Two of the places we are considering are Morocco or New Zealand. Does anyone have any opinions of traveling to these destinations in December? Thanks :happy
by hirlaw
Sat Jun 25, 2022 10:21 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: seeing higher interest rates on corporate bonds in Fidelity
Replies: 10
Views: 1246

Re: seeing higher interest rates on corporate bonds in Fidelity

You may already be aware, but most of the new issue corporate debt offered at Fidelity is callable.
by hirlaw
Thu Jun 23, 2022 5:46 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What Interest Rate Are You Getting in Your Stable Value Account?
Replies: 15
Views: 1332

Re: What Interest Rate Are You Getting in Your Stable Value Account?

Are SV funds actually very short term bonds with an insurance wrapper? If so, I suppose it makes sense that they would not earn much given that bond values have gone down.
by hirlaw
Thu Jun 23, 2022 9:44 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What Interest Rate Are You Getting in Your Stable Value Account?
Replies: 15
Views: 1332

What Interest Rate Are You Getting in Your Stable Value Account?

The Stable Value Account in my wife's 401k is currently earning about 2.20%. I was wondering if this is a decent current rate for SV accounts. It seems a bit low to me. Thanks!
by hirlaw
Wed May 25, 2022 2:39 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Trading Treasuries (nominal and TIPS)
Replies: 4106
Views: 455246

Re: Trading Treasuries (nominal and TIPS)

What about treasuries that you buy at a premium in a tax deferred account?
by hirlaw
Fri May 13, 2022 12:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions for good colleges
Replies: 104
Views: 9967

Re: Suggestions for good colleges

Some Star Chemical Engineering Schools:
  • Stanford :moneybag
    Georgia Tech
    Cal Tech
    MIT :moneybag
    Cal Berkeley
    Univ. of Texas, Austin
by hirlaw
Sat Apr 02, 2022 8:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's your record retention policy?
Replies: 28
Views: 2049

Re: What's your record retention policy?

Question regarding keeping digital tax returns: We keep a pdf or our tax returns. However, what about all of the backup? There are statements, receipts, W-2's, 1099's, k-1's etc. Those would be tough to scan (at least for me).
by hirlaw
Fri Apr 01, 2022 6:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How Often Do You Measure Your Net Worth?
Replies: 229
Views: 19363

Re: How Often Do You Measure Your Net Worth?

I do it about every quarter through manual input into the Morningstar XRay tool.
by hirlaw
Mon Mar 28, 2022 9:51 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Marcus 10-month CD with 1.1% APY
Replies: 26
Views: 3715

Re: Marcus 10-month CD with 1.1% APY

I just ordered $20k auction TBills at Fidelity. Didn't see a $1 million minimum.
by hirlaw
Wed Mar 23, 2022 11:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can we afford 5M house with ocean view?
Replies: 480
Views: 51505

Re: Can we afford 5M house with ocean view?

PoppyA wrote: Wed Mar 23, 2022 11:28 am People forget, or just don’t know that real estate markets can crash. I’ve seen it twice in my life. I know two separate people who could not sell property to break even.

Interest rates can only go up from here right? An ARM doesn’t seem like a great idea today.
I agree. Property values can go down. We sold a home once and had to write a check at closing to pay off the mortgage. Even if this couple are comfortable with the numbers, a helpful exercise would be to imagine how would they feel/react if the property went down, rather than up, in value over the next few years. From a practical standpoint, the actual debt/cash flow numbers wouldn't change, but living on a tight budget to fund the home won't be very pleasant.
by hirlaw
Sat Feb 05, 2022 7:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Heat pumps
Replies: 93
Views: 13498

Re: Heat pumps

We live in Houston in a 3 story townhome, with separate units for each floor (3 Trane units). We have heat pumps and they operate fine. No problem with heating and a/c and in over 10 years I think our total electric bill exceeded $200 maybe 2 or 3 times.
by hirlaw
Thu Dec 23, 2021 10:22 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Anyone using Vanguard's Inflation Protection Securities for their bonds???
Replies: 25
Views: 3005

Re: Anyone using Vanguard's Inflation Protection Securities for their bonds???

We have about 17% of our fixed income portfolio in a short-term TIP ETF, STIP (which is almost identical to Vanguard's VTIP). We are retired and many recommend having an increased amount of TIPs in retirement.
by hirlaw
Tue Nov 30, 2021 8:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Seeking Recommendations For a New Microwave
Replies: 5
Views: 431

Seeking Recommendations For a New Microwave

Our 15 yr old over-the-counter microwave just bit the dust. Does anyone have any recommendations for a new over-the-counter microwave? (or ones to stay away from!).

Thanks!!
by hirlaw
Thu Nov 11, 2021 6:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Question for TurboTax for Mac Desktop Users
Replies: 8
Views: 656

Re: Question for TurboTax for Mac Desktop Users

Thanks. So there is a choice for "duplicate" which does the same thing as "save as"?
by hirlaw
Thu Nov 11, 2021 5:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Question for TurboTax for Mac Desktop Users
Replies: 8
Views: 656

Question for TurboTax for Mac Desktop Users

I completed my 2020 taxes on the desktop version of TurboTax for Mac. I want to duplicate it and perform some "what if" scenarios for 2021 taxes (while keeping my 2020 file intact).

Does TurboTax desktop for Mac allow you to do a "save as" function, similar to MS Word?

Thanks!