Bogleheads.org

I read an article telling me most active fund managers couldn't beat the benchmark. So I eventually found the Bogleheads and became an index investor.

I suggest simple things like marriage counseling, church counseling or a self-help course from landmark education. I have seen all three save a marriage.

I had a heart-attack when my university fees went from $100 a semester to $150. That's highway robbery! Yes, I went to school when dinosaurs roamed the earth.

That concept is tax efficient investing. You'e supposed to put your tax efficient funds (Total Stock Market Index, Total International Market Index) in taxable accounts and tax inefficient funds (Total Bond Market Index) in tax deferred accounts. IF you have bonds in taxable accounts then use Munici...

I work in IT. A coworker asked to work 4 days a week. The company said ok and reduced her pay 20%.

I change my oil every 7,500 miles.

Experience has taught me that the daily "noise" is completely worthless as an investing aid.

I agree. I read/hear the daily noise for knowledge and conversation topics.

I have my investing plan and I stick to it.

Here's a little advice from a guy that was madly in love with some assets, got married and divorced X years later. I would protect yourself financially. I would keep all pre-marital assets in your name only before and during the marriage. I would rent the condo because San Diego property is in an up...

No. My only future inheritance is Social Security and I don't plan on it for my retirement.

How was your portfolio in 2008-2009? Was it "dragged down" by bonds? Just messin' with ya.

Don't worry about market noise. If you have a solid Boglehead portfolio then go outside and enjoy the day.

I discussed my $$$with a Vanguard CFP regarding a taxable account. I put my bonds in a municipal bond fund, total stock and total international were my choices. To add a little spice to my income side, I picked California municipals; That's my idea of a party.

Plan your crisis. Take the filet mignon (wife) on a nice vacation. Three weeks in Europe? Romantic vacation to St Baarts.

Never mind. I'll call the Vanguard CFP's.

I simply thought the the multiple taxable events were against Boglehead theories.

Your friends should be thankful for what you give them. AND You should be thankful for what you receive.

I wonder if I have invested poorly. I have an inheritance which I invested in Vanguard’s LifeStrategy Income Fund in a taxable account because I don’t want to lose the life savings of my parents. Today I received short-term capital gain, a long-term capital gain and dividends. After I looked at the ...

Yes. Withdraw a small chunk of cash...And go celebrate your birthday! Have birthday!

I would sleep in an extra hour each day and enjoy the privledge. Once the baby comes, sleep is a thing of the past.

I have a Schwab account through my work's 401K. Schwab's customer service pales in comparison to Vanguard. The lower ER on a couple of ETFs wouldn't make me switch.

I have a trust. It was written by an estate attorney. The trust is very easy to understand.

I suggest you have the attorney rewrite it to your satisfaction. But first, explain your situation to him because you may want to walk away and find a new attorney.

Our environment had toxic employees. HR put on multiple dog and pony shows which calmed most people. The very toxic people were eventually let go but it took some time. Our place is very peaceful now. You can suggest to your boss that HR get involved to bring in some classes. I suggest that the extr...

I would never do business with friends.

The house part. There is 43K in equity split between two guys. For 21,500 in equity they want a $50K buy out? Personally, I wouldn't get involved. If you want to be a landlord one day, find your own property and do the work or hire a property manager.

Vanguard Asset Management Services assets under management

(Minimum assets: $500,000)**
First $1 million 0.70%
Next $1 million 0.35%
More than $2 million 0.20%

Minimum annual fee: $4,500

https://personalp.vanguard.com/us/whatweoffer/advice/trustservices

My company offers a policy to its employees and it's transferable if you ever leave the company. I started mine at 46 and it's $32 a month. Wait until you get old and you won't be able to afford the premiums. On the other hand, you may never need it.

I have AD&D. I don't get it because of the accidental death. I figure the cash would help in case of the other section and I was uable to work.

I own rental property. My response is huh? Your tenant is supposed to dispose of their trash and clean the residence. Is this a multi-unit property and we are talking about the common area?

Story #1 Had a Dean Witter rep tell me I was making all of this money year-after-year for five years. One day I added up my contributions and saw it was the same as my current balance. Then I realized I simply got even with the mutual fund's front end load and made no profit in five years. This got ...

Congratulations!

One basis point (bp) = 1000 of a percent. 1 bp = .0001. So you look at an expense ratio of 20 bp in fees = .0020. Let's say you have 10K invested in a fund. 10,000 * .0020 = $20 a year in management fees.

P.S. There are no stupid questions. This is how we educate each other.

Here's an explanation of Estate tax in the USA http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estate_tax_in_the_United_States#Inheritance_tax_at_the_state_level

How would your partner feel if the market tanked again like 2008? Can he handle that much volatility in retirement?

I have 110K on my Nissan Pathfinder. So far I've had to replace the battery, get new tires and replace the oil.

I wouldn't worry about cat food. I picked my kid up from school and headed over to Petco to buy some cat food. The kid noticed on the bag that it had a chicken flavor. The curious youngin looked at me and asked "How do we know it tastes like chicken?" I grabbed the bag. Opened it up and sa...

I read the article and liked the concept. Why risk your life-time savings in retirment when you have achieved your goal?

I purchased my maximum of ibonds for this year. My first time with TreasuryDirect. I noticed the current fixed rate is 0% but in the past the fixed rate maxed at 3.40%. What is the appropriate strategy when the ibond fixed rate rises? Can I convert my current bonds to new bonds with a higher rate? D...

I used the Boglehead Mult-tier emergency fund http://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Emergency_fund

I'm curious why you think a child can manage an estate. I looked on several law firm sites, CA probate court, etc. and they all mention similar law. What Happens to the Inheritance of a Minor Beneficiary? If the value of the property left to the minor is not significant (such as $20,000 or less), th...

You can get advice from Vanguard Financial Planning on the best account and method to allocate assets. Do you realize that each child gets the money at 18? No trust = No restrictions. At 18 they can spend the money any way they want. I would suggest to each of them that they will be paying for their...

Why pay for Angie's List when Yelp is free.

I looked at the Angie's List entry on Yelp in my city. Angie got a One out of Five star review.

I would 1. Max out your retirement contributions. The earlier you save the better you'll be off when you retire. 2. Pay off credit cards. Debt is a financial and emotional killer. 3. Establish a one year emergency fund. Protect yourself because life happens. Then start saving for house and/or invest...

I inherited my parent's house. The house was stepped-up in basis meaning no taxes for me. Plus my tax rates were the same as my parents because of Prop 13 in California.

I've been in IT for 26 years. Love my company, people are fantastic, Compensation is great, Future looks even better.

There are great days and not so great ones. The grass is always greener at my place because I water the lawn.

I've completed the Financial Plan a couple of times. The plan will not discuss debts (CCs, Mortgages,Car Loans) nor will it give you an Asset Allocation for your company 401K.

The FP is an excellent start for newbies, non-Bogleheads and confirming what Bogleheads already know.

The information I received bases the allocation on current tax rates versus tax rates when you retire. The conclusion of the information I received is there is no real answer because we cannot predict what your future tax rate will be. So..I made a command decision. 60% 401K to reduce my current tax...

You did well. Here's my suggestion. 1. Make a budget. 2. Live withing your means. 3. Pay cash for everything = No credit cards. Cash will make you realize how much money you're spending while the plastic is too easy to buy unnecessary things. 4. Contribute the minimum 401K to get the company match. ...

The student loans are your wife's. Do not add your name (co-signer) to the loans. I've seen to many stories where a relationship turns sour and the spouse is now responsible for debt they didn't incur. Simply help your wife pay her debt by making the minimum payment. I would increase your emergency ...

In CA we are required to disclose issues. It sounds like the seller is paying $500 to hide some issues.

Let me provide some insight into marriage and finances. I married a great woman, succeeded in my career, had a child and comingled our assets into a family trust. The marriage went sour. I never kicked myself for what I thought was right but looking back I would do things differently. 1. Never comin...

The new company is offering 15% more (for less work) after your current employer upped your base.

What ever you decide to do, continue to live on the 63K and invest the raise.

Think of how your relationship would be if your family didn't hold up to their end of the arrangement. i.e. Not paying bills, not helping with maintenance, etc.

I would never invest with family or friends.

I love having my house paid off early. I have no worries about what will happen to me IF I ever become unemployed, sick, retired, etc.

I eliminated my largest debt and now that monthly payment goes into investments. Wait...it's so good I'll have another beer!